To the attention of:

Barack Obama, US President;
Rick Scott, Governor of Florida;
US Senators from Florida: Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio;
US Representatives from Florida: Adam H. Putnam, Alan Grayson, Alcee L. Hastings, Allen Boyd, Ander Crenshaw, Bill Posey, C. W. Bill Young, Cliff Stearns, Connie Mack, Corrine Brown, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ginny Brown-Waite, Gus M. Bilirakis, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jeff Miller, John L. Mica, Kathy Castor, Kendrick B. Meek, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ron Klein, Sandy Adams, Theodore E. Deutch, Thomas J. Rooney, Vern Buchanan;
------------------------------------

I am a single mother of a 14 year old boy. I have always been a hard worker. I now find myself sick with a chronic disease. I can no longer work. I have a chronic lung disease which renders me with not enough breath to make the bed. I have filed for Social Security. I am now in my second appeal. No! I am not lazy! I am sick and now about destitute. My concern is for my son. I can no longer support him on my own. I have worked since I was 14 years old. I have paid in to the s.s. system. I should not have to feel      ashamed or intimidated. I deserve respect and dignity, and so does my child!                              

==================

Post Open Letter to your Elected Representatives

To the attention of:

Barack Obama, US President;
Rick Scott, Governor of Florida;
US Senators from Florida: Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio;
US Representatives from Florida: Adam H. Putnam, Alan Grayson, Alcee L. Hastings, Allen Boyd, Ander Crenshaw, Bill Posey, C. W. Bill Young, Cliff Stearns, Connie Mack, Corrine Brown, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ginny Brown-Waite, Gus M. Bilirakis, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jeff Miller, John L. Mica, Kathy Castor, Kendrick B. Meek, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ron Klein, Sandy Adams, Theodore E. Deutch, Thomas J. Rooney, Vern Buchanan;
------------------------------------

Thank you for the HEALTH CARE you shoved up our ....... DO WE HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR FOOD?,....no.....BUT IN ur mind we have money to pay to the INSURANCE COMPANIES who never pay claims!!!

Is there anything in your UNCONSTITUTIONAL HEALTH CARE SHOVE UP PLAN that supervises the CLAIMS process for these BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES who lobby and SQUEEZE UR NECK!

DID WE PUT YOU IN OFFICE TO SQUEEZE US... UNTIL NOBODY HAS A HOUSE TO LIVE IN....?

==================

Post Open Letter to your Elected Representatives

CLICK HERE

Health Care

    * Maryland's Commitment to Veterans
    * Maryland Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration
    * Mental Health Assistance
    * Maryland Mental Health Advocacy Organizations
    * Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
    * Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury
    * Maryland Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans

Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans is an outreach and referral initiative designed to serve those that have served our country. As we aim to connect veterans to behavioral health services in a timely manner, we hope that the families, friends and neighbors of Maryland’s veterans will also take a moment to learn about the challenges facing our brave citizens upon their return

The confidential toll-free telephone line,1- 877-770-4801, is staffed and available anytime, day or night.  A Regional Resource Coordinator will return your call to determine how we can help arrange individual counseling, substance abuse support or family and group therapy.  If transportation is an issue, let us know, and we will work with you to find transportation.

You can read more about Maryland's Commitment to Veterans at www.veterans.maryland.gov.
Maryland Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration

To learn more about substance abuse treatment resources available for United States Veterans and their families click on the links below.

    * Dedicated Treatment Resources for Veterans
    * SAMHSA Treatment Locator/ VA Insurance

Mental Health Assistance

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Hotline
Call for yourself, or someone you care about.  Your call is free and confidential.
1-800-273-TALK

Maryland Suicide Prevention Hotline
MARYLAND – STATEWIDE
24 hours a day
1-800-422-0009
Maryland Mental Health Advocacy Organizations

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Maryland
804 Landmark Drive
Glen Burnie, Maryland  21061
410-863-0470 or 1-800-467-0075 fax: 410-863-0474

Mental Health Association of Maryland
711 W. 40th Street, Suite 458
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
410-235-1178 or 410-235-1180
contact: Betty Humphrey, President

On Our Own of Maryland
1521 S. Edgewood Street, Suite C
Baltimore, Maryland 21227
410-646-0262 or 410-646-0264
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may occur in people who experience or witness intense violence, serious accidents, or life-threatening situations. And frequently involvement in these situations will make people feel hopeless, fearful, horrified, and overwhelmed. Click here for more information on PTSD.
Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Click here for more information on TBI.
Maryland Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program

The Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program offers Medicaid (Medical Assistance) coverage to people with disabilities who are working.  The program offers a great incentive to people with disabilities to work or increase their earnings without fear of losing essential health coverage.

What does Medicaid cover?

Medicaid provides comprehensive coverage for people who are otherwise uninsured, supplements Medicare (which may save enrollees thousands of dollars per year on Medicare premiums, deductibles and copayments) and supplements other insurance (covering some services that other insurance does not).

Who is eligible?

 To qualify, a person must:

    * Have a disability that meets Social Security’s medical standards
    * Be 18-64 years old
    * Be a U.S. citizen or “qualified alien”
    * Be employed or self-employed.  Earnings may be limited or substantial.
    * Have income under the limit – as high as $66,000 a year if single or as high as $88,440 a year if married
    * Meet resource (asset) limit – $10,000.  A house, motor vehicles and some retirement accounts are not counted.

How much does it cost?

Premiums are based on income and range from $0 to $55 per month.  Enrollees almost always save much more on medical costs than the premium amount.

What about people who are not working?

A person must be employed to qualify, but the Outreach Program can refer unemployed people who would like to work to agencies that can help them find jobs.

For more information or to apply:

Call the EID Outreach Program of the Maryland Department of Disabilities at 443-514-5034 or 1-800-637-4113 or email eid@mdod.state.md.us.  Check the web site at www.mdod.maryland.gov.  Applications can be completed over the phone.

 

In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility’s area. The program stopped providing funds in 1997, but about 200 health care facilities nationwide are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care.

Steps to Apply for Hill-Burton Free or Reduced-Cost Care
1. Find the Hill-Burton obligated facility nearest you from the list of Hill-Burton obligated facilities.
2. Go to the facility's admissions or business office and ask for a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice. The Individual Notice will tell you what income level makes you eligible for free or reduced-cost care, what services might be covered, and exactly where in the facility to apply.
3. Go to the office listed in the Individual Notice and say you want to apply for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. You may need to fill out a form.
4. Gather any other required documents (such as a pay stub to prove income eligibility) and take or send them to the obligated facility.
5. If you are asked to apply for Medicaid, Medicare, or some other financial assistance program, you must do so.
6. When you return the completed application, ask for a Determination of Eligibility. Check the Individual Notice to see how much time the facility has before it must tell you whether or not you will receive free or reduced-cost care.

More about Hill-Burton Free or Reduced-Cost Care
You are eligible to apply for Hill-Burton free care if your income is at or below the current HHS Poverty Guidelines. You may be eligible for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care if your income is as much as two times (triple for nursing home care) the HHS Poverty Guidelines.

Care at a Hill-Burton obligated facility is not automatically free or reduced-cost. You must apply at the admissions or business office at the obligated facility and be found eligible to receive free or reduced-cost care. You may apply before or after you receive care — you may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency.

Some Hill-Burton facilities may use different eligibility standards and procedures.

Hill-Burton facilities must post a sign in their admissions and business offices and emergency room that says: NOTICE - Medical Care for Those Who Cannot Afford to Pay, and they must provide you with a written Individual Notice that lists the types of services eligible for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care, what income level qualifies for free or reduced-cost care and how long the facility may take in determining an applicant's eligibility.

Only facility costs are covered, not your private doctors' bills. Facilities may require you to provide documentation that verifies your eligibility, such as proof of income.

Hill-Burton facilities must provide a specific amount of free or reduced cost care each year, but can stop once they have given that amount. Obligated facilities publish an Allocation Plan in the local newspaper each year. The Allocation Plan includes the income criteria and the types of services it intends to provide at no cost or below cost. It also specifies the amount of free or reduced cost services it will provide for the year.

When you apply for Hill-Burton care, the obligated facility must provide you with a written statement that tells you what free or reduced-cost care services you will get or why you have been denied.

The facility may deny your request if

■Your income is more than the income specified in the Allocation Plan.
■The facility has given out its required amount of free care as specified in its Allocation Plan.
■The services you requested or received are not covered in the facility's Allocation Plan.
■The services you requested or received are to be paid by a governmental program such as Medicare/Medicaid or insurance.
■The facility asked you to apply for Medicare/Medicaid or other governmental program, and you did not.
■You did not give the facility proof of your income, such as a pay stub.
You may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe you have been unfairly denied Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. Your complaint must be in writing and can be a letter that simply states the facts and dates concerning the complaint. You may call your local legal aid services for help in filing a complaint. Send complaints to:

Director, Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 10-105
Rockville, MD 20857
Hill-Burton Hotline
1-800-638-0742
(1-800-492-0359 in Maryland)

I saw one mention of what you are talking about. And if you go and click on it then maybe you will find out more. I and others are in need here and if someone was giving away millions of dollars to those in need, I wouldn't be seeing people who can not get state funds to help them or have to wait. I would be hearing I got $500 to help me or a thousand dollars but I am careful with grant foundations.

You can check this out but I never used it.

http://www.grantgate.com/

Wish I could be more helpful,

Starshine

Hello

I read your story but forgot where you are from. I have some places that may help with rent in here

http://help-with-rent-security-deposit-utility-bills.starshine1.aidpage.com/

I would have to look at your story again to see what it is you need. I have applied to the ones in the link above modestneeds.com, grantedwish.org but didn't get anything. I have not tried microgiving.com but know others who did.

Sometimes cities have groups that help with utilities, rent deposit and I have to search for them when the need arises.

I hope that answers your question. And nice to meet you,

Starshine

CLICK HERE

This site helps Michigan citizens facing economic hardship find the services they need. Simply click on one of the five tabs below for links to information about jobs and training, unemployment benefits, health care, family support and housing. Then click on the particular link that describes the help you're seeking.

    * home
    * Jobs &
      Training
    * Unemployment
      Benefits
    * Health
      Care
    * Family
      Support
    * Housing
      Help

Hello and welcome to Aidapage. Oprah in her real life has helped her friends and family but if you watch her show lately she has not helped regular people and I am sure she is not aware of this site, my opinion. She has given money to her relatives to better themselves but they came back for more.

If you want you can try Ellen.tv.com as Ellen De Gerneres helps people but that is a long shot.

I have been looking for community programs and finding not much but there are free clinics

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE FOR FOOD BANKS

and see my homepage here for more information.

http://starshine1.aidpage.com/

http://help-with-rent-security-deposit-utility-bills.starshine1.aidpage.com/

I hope this helps some

Starshine

CLICK HERE

This resource guide for homeless services was prepared by the Continuum of Care Project underwritten by the Community Development Commission and produced with the assistance of the Sonoma County Task Force For The Homeless. To locate the services available in a particular category, click on the service listing in the index panel that follows this introduction.

Call Information & Referral for current information between 8:30 AM -4:30 PM, Monday-Friday 565-2108, 1-800-325-9604

2009 Sonoma County Homeless Resource Guide (Revised June 30, 2008) in English, PDf format for printing

The resource list is divided into the following categories.
FOOD: Meals | FOOD: Groceries/Food Vouchers | Information And Referral | Service Centers | Emergency Shelters | Housing / Transitional Housing | Utilities / Cash / Other | Work / Training | Personal Help / Counseling | Dental Care | Health Care | Alcohol And Other Drug Treatment | Transportation | Paratransportation | Advocacy | Legal Services | Crisis Lines I Nationwide Shelter/Services

Hi and good luck. You didn't mention the company but it sounds like Ameriplan?

I know everyone is here in hard times. I love to help people as much as i can but I myself and in hard times. When I have extra i will give it to someone who needs it more than I do. Its seems like my family is always in and out of the doctors office and dentist office. I went reserching online and found a company that so far has saved me over two thousand dollars. Well after i joined and started getting discounted rates at my normal doctors and knew it was 100% real I started digging deeper and found out I can have my own business as an independant business owner selling this service to other people. I way stunned. I got on it and with in no time I had most of my family signed up who have pre existing medical conditions and no ins. Their medical costs were reduced so much that they are extremely happy with me. I'm so glad to have found this company and wanted to share it with you all. So no matter what your sistuation they will accept anyone to recieve their discounts. If you want to sell this health plan from home or just save on your doctor bills and prescriptions this is a great business. people helping people.

Health insurance is VERY confusing.

The first thing EVERYONE needs to know is:

CARRY ALL YOUR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.

MAke sure your insurance information is up-to-date and your cards are current. If you do not want to carry the original cards with you, then copy the front and back of the cards on a sheet of paper and carry that.

Sometimes people have more than 1 insurance company - bring every card with you - if you cannot figure it out, or simply do not know, the hospital or doctor's office can figure it out for you.

DO NOT RELY ON THE HOSPITAL TO VERIFY YOUR INSURANCE FOR YOU.

While they do have the capability to verify every insurance policy, let's face it there are numerous problems that can happen in the process. Keep your insurance information with you at all times and save yourself a lot of aggravation.

There is a lot of confusion regarding medical bills and insurance. I know, I see it everyday, I work in medical billing. If you are confused, imagine how I feel! I have answered many posts regarding medical bills and insurance and still there is a lot of confusion.

Who pays what?

How do you get the care you need without any money?

What does medicare pay for, if they refuse to pay?

What will my insurer cover?

Why did my insurer refuse to pay?

What information will I need?

What is a prior authorization and why do I need it?

What happens when my child is away at school?

I will try to answer these questions and more and advise on which are the better options for you in regard to your healthcare needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will be more than happy to try and get you the correct answer and resolve your issue.

It’s About Time to Check the Fine Print on Your Health Plan

By WALECIA KONRAD

BACK to the future — that about sums up this year’s open enrollment season.

This is the time of year when your employer allows you to make changes to your benefits package — most importantly, to your health insurance. You may even have already received your gigantic packet of plan descriptions and sign-up forms by now.

As in years past, employers will be rejiggering their plans with an eye toward passing much of this year’s increase in health insurance costs to employees. Health insurance premiums are expected to rise an average of 8.8 percent, according to data compiled by the benefits consulting firm Aon Hewitt. Employees’ out-of-pocket expenses are expected to increase 12.5 percent from 2010, in the form of higher premiums, higher deductibles, higher co-pays and co-insurance, or all of these, said Sara Taylor, health and welfare solutions leader at Aon Hewitt.

But the biggest changes arrive this year courtesy of the new health care law. The new rules require employers to extend health insurance coverage to uninsured dependents up to age 26, eliminate any lifetime caps on coverage, and pay 100 percent of the cost of annual physicals and some other preventive care.

Plans that don’t significantly change their cost and coverage structures will be exempt from the preventive care requirements. But for the most part, rising health costs will force employers to alter their plans, if only to shift more of the burden to employees. The new requirements and complicated new options will make selecting the right insurance plan perhaps more daunting than ever.

That’s no reason to put it off. “We know that people spend more time choosing a cellphone than they do picking a health plan,” said Ms. Taylor. “But doing nothing could cost you money.”

Here are a few considerations for consumers headed into open enrollment season.

OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES Many consumers focus on what a plan covers, not what it is likely to cost them out of pocket. But out-of-pocket expenses are rising as employees are asked to pick up more of the health care bill.

Start by calculating what you spent on health care last year, including premiums, co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions and any other expenses. How many times did you or your family members visit the doctor? Fill a prescription?

Then estimate what each of your company’s offerings might cost you out of pocket this coming year, advised Tracy Watts, a partner at Mercer Health and Benefits.

You may find that you are paying a high premium for a fancy plan that you do not fully use. If you are in good health and the numbers work, it may make sense to switch to a lower-premium alternative, like an H.M.O. or a high-deductible plan, and then sock away what you will save on premiums in a tax-exempt flexible spending account or health savings account, which can be used to cover your out-of-pocket costs.

COVERAGE OF DEPENDENTS Pay particular attention to coverage of a spouse, children and other dependents under your company’s proposed plans. Coverage of dependents has been eroding for years, experts say, and the trend is likely to accelerate in 2011.

For starters, expect a jump in premiums for the dependents on your health plan. Some employers also are expected to restructure the way you pay for coverage. Instead of charging one price for family coverage, long the standard, a handful of employers are starting to charge for each dependent on your plan, Ms. Taylor said.

“Say you paid $4,000 a year for family coverage last year, regardless how many kids you have. Now it’s going to be, say, an extra $3,000 for each extra person on the plan,” Ms. Taylor explained. “That’s a huge change for big families and for people taking advantage of the new rule for dependents up to age 26.”

Some employers are simply cutting back on what they will pay for dependent benefits, picking up 70 percent of the premiums, say, instead of 75 percent. If you and your spouse have access to employer-sponsored health insurance, take a good look at options from both employers. Changes in dependent coverage are inconsistent, and you may find that one employer remains more generous, said Ron Fontanetta, Towers Watson director.

CO-PAYS AND CO-INSURANCE Another trend to watch for is employers’ changing from a system of co-payments to co-insurance.

What’s the difference? Co-pays are a flat fee — say, $10 or $20 — that you pay each time you visit the doctor, go to the hospital or fill a prescription. Co-insurance is the percentage you pay, usually 10 to 30 percent, of the amount your doctor, hospital or pharmacist charges your insurance company.

The more health care services you use, the more co-insurance will cost you. “There’s been a general trend moving toward co-insurance over the past several years, and it can be shocking if employees don’t understand and don’t plan for it,” Ms. Taylor said.

Many employers use a combination of co-pays and co-insurance, so be sure to read the fine print carefully to calculate what each option will cost you.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS Because of the new health care law, you may need to rethink how much money you put into flexible spending accounts.

These accounts allow you to save money tax-free for eligible health care expenses, such as deductibles, co-pays, prescription drugs and even supplies like bandages. Under the new law, however, over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, allergy medicine and cough syrup are no longer allowed as eligible expenses. (Employers are waiting for clarification on a few other items, like saline solution for contact lenses.)

Remember, if you don’t use the money you put into these tax-free accounts within the prescribed time period, usually a year, you forfeit the funds. Your doctor may be able to help you preserve an eligible expense by writing a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine you use regularly.

EMPLOYER HEALTH INCENTIVES Employers are offering a laundry list of incentives for you to stay healthy. Under the new rules, lots of preventive care — such as annual physicals and some tests — will be provided with no out-of-pocket cost to you.

What’s more, your company may be offering cash rewards, like gift cards or discounted health care costs, if you complete a health risk assessment or get screened for blood sugar, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

“Take advantage of the on-site testing your employer may be sponsoring during open enrollment or a health fair,” Mr. Fontanetta said. “It could save you money.”

Should these risk assessments turn up a problem, many employers can refer you directly to assistance in chronic illness management.

***NOTE - employees in our company received a 3% raise this year - health insurance is going up 8.8%??? - some raise...

Discount Medical Care, Dental, Vision & Prescriptions

From Careington:

https://www1.careington.com/index.aspx

Watching an extreme left atheist comedians' documentary isn't my idea of taking an open minded approach to religion. I took theology for that.

Bill Maher & Religion? Thats an oxymoron isn't it?

I thought he was an atheist. I'll pass!

It is rare that I recommend movies to anyone. To me they are simply a form of entertainment, nothing more. However I do want to recommend "Religulous". Wikipedia describes it as a 2008 American comedy/documentary film written by and starring political comedian Bill Maher. 

Bill looks at all religions in this film, while searching for answers to his own questions about God and religion. Some of the questions I'm sure many of us have. In his own satirical style, the final film gives us the perspective of religion from an "outsider looking in" point of view. Bill is doing for religion what Michael Moore did for health care. A real eye opening experience!

http://www.ndss.org/

Click the link to learn more about what causes down syndrome, general information, health care and more. 

On February 24th and 25th 2010, NDSS brought together almost 200 advocates for people with Down syndrome and their families (including many self-advocates) in Washington D.C. to send a strong message to elected officials about important national policy priorities.

The event kicked off with an interactive training, which prepared all participants for their experiences on Capitol Hill and shared new strategies for successful advocacy. The trainings included detailed information about national policy priorities (including authorizations of the ABLE Bill and the 21 Act and appropriations for the Kennedy Brownback Bill).

See the link for more about this event and other information that is important to families that have children with down syndrome.

http://fha.maryland.gov/oralhealth/

Click the link to learn more about Children's Dental Health month.

 In The News . . .
February is Children’s Dental Health Month

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DHMH) Office of Oral Health has developed program planning materials for February’s Children’s Dental Health Month.  New this year is our interactive Dental Jeopardy! game. Both an electronic and downloadable paper format are available.  Program planning materials and Dental Jeopardy! can be obtained by clicking here.
Maryland Department of the Environment X-ray Checklist

The Maryland Department of the Environment has compiled a list of helpful information including an Inspector's Checklist of things that an inspector looks for during an inspection.  Click here for the complete list.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu

For more information on the H1N1 (Swine) Flu please visit the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Additional H1N1 (Swine) Flu resources for the Dental Health Professional can be found here.
Fluoride Varnish and Oral Health Screening Program

Coming soon, the Fluoride Varnish and Oral Health Screening training will be available online.  Please check back for this training opportunity.  For more information on the Fluoride Varnish and Oral Health Screening Program, click here.

http://www.aging.ny.gov/ResourceGuide/Index.cfm

Click the link to access many of the following topics for any aging persons in New York...

This is just sad. We all know how many people suffer due to a lack of insurance - we see it here every day.

EMTALA exists to prevent this from happening. However, hospitals use it only as a starting point. If you are uninsured, and are in need of emergency care, the hospital is only obligated to make sure you are stable before dumping you on a charity hospital which will follow-up on the remainder of your care. As long as the primary hospital fulfilled their legal obligation, they are free to do as they please. 

A must read:

(Nov. 16) -- It's federal law: All seriously injured emergency and trauma patients must be given equal lifesaving care, whether or not they can pay for it. But that's not happening, according to a new report. The study, conducted by Children's Hospital Boston research fellow Dr. Heather Rosen and colleagues from three other hospitals, found that uninsured trauma victims ages 18 to 30 are dying at an annual rate 89 percent higher than insured victims with identically severe injuries.

As the health reform tornado continues to swirl on Capitol Hill, the data could provide fresh ammunition for those pushing for expanded health insurance coverage.

The study, published today in the Archives of Surgery, examines the survival rates for patients brought to about 900 U.S. trauma centers between 2002 and 2006, analyzing some 690,000 patients who had suffered penetrating trauma -- such as wounds inflicted by a gun or knife -- or blunt trauma from vehicle crashes and falls. Earlier research found 18,000 extra deaths a year among uninsured victims of such injuries. Rosen and the other researchers chose to focus on the 18-to-30-year-old subset because they had fewer existing conditions -- comorbidity -- that muddy the evaluation of the cause of death.

See:

http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/16/trauma-victims-face-far-worse-odds-when-uninsured-study-says/

Hi, I'm Aurora. I'm actually an Aplastic Anemia Survivor, (sever aplastic anemia survvor.) I can only give my hope for you and your family. I've no money to give, but hope is stronger than that (go to my aidpage area and see what I mean.)

 Aplastic Anemia has a 80% cure rate, her chances are very good.

Stay Strong. You may or may not be Catholic but still.

Dear God
Won’t You send a sign down, just to ease my doubt
I’m trying to hear You, but the silence is so loud
I think I see a rainbow from behind the clouds
And I hear You now, I see you now, Wont you help me now. Amen

 Hope your neice is doing better 

WE do need a health care system that works for everyone. While I cannot agree with the author's view on VA- I have heard too many horror stories - I can agree with their view on cancer patients.

Too many times cancer patients lose their jobs when they are diagnosed. What are they supposed to do then? They can't work, so they can't afford health care, and in turn cannot afford the health insurance they need to get well! If/when they do get well, it can be almost impossible to get another health care policy because of a pre-exisitng condition! It is a never ending cycle.

My employer has our annual enrollment period coming up for benefits. I have to say that it scares the hell out of me. Rising costs and fewer benefits, have left me wondering what will happen next. Currently our copay for mental health services is at 50% - all other companies have a $10 copay. If they don't cover these services next time, what then? While I know that currently I do very well compared to most - but I have been in the position in the not so distant past where I had no health insurance and had $500+ out of pocket expenses per month - every month. I do NOT want to be put in that position ever again - especially when the employer has the resources to prevent that from happening. 

I recently spoke to my mother who was upset over her rising health care costs. Being retired, she and my father are on a limited income and a huge chunk of that income goes to health care insurance. She was wondering if she should change insurers or even considered going back to work. I had to advise her to keep her current coverage - whatever the cost - because it is a good policy.  If she drops it now, she will never get it back. And she may end up paying more out of pocket with a new, less expensive policy. 

I think its time the health care industry does change. Rather than line the pockets of the insurance industry, start by assisting the actual people of the US.Stop making it easier for insurance companies to deny people coverage or to deny their claims based on a technicality. Patients should be able to get the care they need from a caring physician who is more involved in their patient's needs, rather than their reimbursement rate.  

Here is just one more reason we need health care reform.

Dad’s Life or Yours? You Choose

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/opinion/04kristof.html?th&emc=th

I thought I would share this site. I have a couple of online friends in So. Carolina and they were telling me how hard it is to get medical and dental in South Carolina and it really brakes my heart that there is such a big difference in heath care from state to state after all isn't this the UNITED STATES. Well here is some links that I hope will help everyone in South Carolina.

Free and Low Cost Health Services - HOH-SC.org www.handsonhealth-sc.org/page.php?id=523

www.dhhs.state.sc.us/   Health Insurance for uninsured kids. Find out if your kids can join. ...

 I'd like to say,when I was working as a nurse for 16 years I saw a lot of bogus charges to medicare and medicaid from nursing homes I worked at and hospitals.

One doctor at this nursing home would not examine the patient,just asked the nurses what they needed and charged for visits,many services were charged that patients never received.Music therapy,occupational therapy,etc etc.these were services ordered by the nsg.home/hospital.I reported as many as possible.My own mother suffered with dementia and was bedbound the last 2 yrs.of her life and the facility was charging medicare for all kind of services my mother could not possibly participate in,we reported them.You know,the nsg.homes are the worst at racking up charges,getting kickbacks from hospice companies,rehab.services and the list goes on and on.

hospitals are b.s.cause you get charges like ten dollars for two tylenol,8 bucks for a band aid, and insurance rates go up for all this b.s. however there is a system in place that keeps doctors from ordering unnecessary tests in a hospital.

I was lucky enough that when my spouse died I was given medicare at 53y/o,I do have a son age 20 and we cannot afford insurance for him.if insurance rates are high it's because so many have put bogus charges on them the innocent have to pay,however I do pay for my medicare and am against a government healthcare system.

I can't blame any doctor I go to for abusing the system,I go twice a year cause I had cancer and need to get lab work.and I tell my friends do not let them operate on your back,knee,etc w/o getting a second or third opinion.most physicians are ethical but there's a bad apple in every bunch.you just can't go along with a doctor unless you're in an emergency situation.I mean if you know your diagnosis and trust the treatment,that's different.hope I made a point w/o offending anyone.

This is why I believe so strongly in AmeriPlan - not that the company is perfect, but it is something - an alternative for people who fall into the cracks.  I actually hope we come up with something so great that it will put AmeriPlan out of business....but until that happens, I am here to try to help people get the care they need at prices they can afford.

Rosie

Yes here we go again and thank you Emil for the post-

I put him on facebook and asked how do we go about changing it?

Write everyone?

Thank you Emil 

Enough people keep seeing this maybe wake enough up to do something about it!!!

Take Care

Starshine 

Here we go again - about the Health Care Reform... and why we need it:

"...the part of America's health care system that consumers like best is the government-run part.

Fifty-six to 60 percent of people in government-run Medicare rate it a 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. In contrast, only 40 percent of those enrolled in private insurance rank their plans that high.

...68 percent of those in Medicare feel that their own interests are the priority, compared with only 48 percent of those enrolled in private insurance.

...Until the mid-19th century, firefighting was left mostly to a mishmash of volunteer crews and private fire insurance companies. In New York City, according to accounts in The New York Times in the 1850s and 1860s, firefighting often descended into chaos, with drunkenness and looting.

So almost every country moved to what today's health insurance lobbyists might label 'socialized firefighting.' In effect, we have a single-payer system of public fire departments.

We have the same for policing. If the security guard business were as powerful as the health insurance industry, then it would be denouncing 'government takeovers' and 'socialized police work.'

...The truth is that government, for all its flaws, manages to do some things right, so that today few people doubt the wisdom of public police or firefighters. And the government has a particularly good record in medical care.

Take the hospital system run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the largest integrated health system in the United States. It is fully government run, much more 'socialized medicine' than is Canadian health care with its private doctors and hospitals. And the system for veterans is by all accounts one of the best-performing and most cost-effective elements in the American medical establishment.

A study by the Rand Corporation concluded that compared with a national sample, Americans treated in veterans hospitals 'received consistently better care across the board, including screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.' The difference was particularly large in preventive medicine: veterans were nearly 50 percent more likely to receive recommended care than Americans as a whole.

'If other health care providers followed the V.A.'s lead, it would be a major step toward improving the quality of care across the U.S. health care system,' Rand reported.

...But the biggest weakness of private industry is not inefficiency but unfairness. The business model of private insurance has become, in part, to collect premiums from healthy people and reject those likely to get sick - or, if they start out healthy and then get sick, to find a way to cancel their coverage.

A reader wrote in this week to tell me about a colleague of hers who had health insurance through her company. The woman received a cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago, and she now faces chemotherapy co-payments that she cannot afford. Worse, because she is now unable to work and has to focus on treatment, she has been shifted to short-term disability for 90 days - and after that, she will lose her employer health insurance.

She can keep her insurance if she makes Cobra payments on her own, but she can't afford this. In her case, her company will voluntarily help her - but I just don't understand why we may be about to reject health reform and stick with a dysfunctional system that takes away the health coverage of hard-working Americans when they become too sick with cancer to work.

...A public role in health care shouldn't be any scarier or more repugnant than a public fire department." 

Read the full article... 

You know I just had to chime in on this one. Working as a medical biller, I have to submit billing to insurance companies sometimes 5 and 6 times BEFORE I get a response from them. Often times the response I get is: patient is not a member, patient only has pharmaceutical benefits, there are billing errors, etc. The reason why they do this is because we have 90 days to submit the bill to the insurance company or it has to be written off.

I know in some cases organizations will forward the bill to the patient. This is unfair to the patient. It is not the patient's fault their insurance company sucks.

This is why I tell people to have their insurance information when they register at their doctor's office, the hospital, or the ER. Make sure it is correct and up to date. If it isn't, someone is going to screw up and the patient will get a bill - usually one they cannot afford. It is much easier to prevent the problem, then to try to fix the problem after the fact.

You have to understand it all begins with registration. Most people in registration (if they are new) are basically there to take information - that is all. They cannot tell you anything, about your benefits, that is NOT on the computer in front of them. It is rare that they know anything more than which is the primary insurance and which is secondary.  It is up to the patient to know this information.

It is up to the patient to check with the doctor to verify if: 

• They are a participating physician with the insurance company they use.
• Will the procedure be covered?  
• Is all your personal information correct? ( names [spelling], address, phone, insurance id #) including ss# - yes, I know some people do not want to give out their ss# , but believe me, not only does it make the whole process easier, but the odds of your information getting stolen from a hospital are just as high as it getting stolen from your bank or credit card company. 

If the information gets screwed up in registration, you can bet it is going to stayed screwed up - until you are notified by the billing/business office or receive a bill.

If/When you do receive a bill - go through it with a fine toothed comb! If there is anything wrong, send a letter! Yes, you can call, but letters are kept on file and keep a copy for yourself. Make sure you follow up to verify any misinformation has been corrected. 

If the business office has the incorrect information, it takes time to correct it. I deal with 1000's of accounts and several different insurance companies. Trying to get them all paid on a timely basis is an impossible task if I have incorrect information.

Once it is corrected though, you can bet we do our best to fight the insurance companies to pay their share - which is NEVER 100% of the bill. 

Yes, there are co-pays and deductibles - which are the patient's responsibility. In most cases these are NOT written off.  You can, however, make payment arrangements with the business office. Most billers will be more than happy to make arrangements and work with you. 

 What I have noticed though is that a lot of people choose a higher deductible when choosing their insurance coverage. The reasoning behind this, I suppose, is because it makes their premiums lower. DON'T DO THIS! Sure you may be paying $10 for your insurance premium, but what are you going to do when you have to have emergency surgery and have to come up with $5000???? Pay the higher premium and lower deductible. 

If you have to go to the ER and your insurance has run out - DON'T lie and show an old insurance card. Tell registration you have NO INSURANCE. Tell them you will need help with your bill. Most hospitals can make arrangements for a discount on your bill or write the bill off altogether - this will depend on your finances. They will work with you BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK!!!

Another note: Hospitals cannot refuse you treatment if you are uninsured and in need of emergency care. They have to stabilize you before they transport you to another facility. 

 Also be sure that you need an ER. Some insurance companies have a 24 hour help line on the back of their card. If you are unsure about needing a doctor, call the 24 hour help line first. A few instances where you should get help immediately: IF your child has swallowed something, there is uncontrolled bleeding, symptoms of a heart attack or stroke  - CALL 911 or get to an ER immediately. 

2 cases where your health insurance is NOT needed: when you are injured at work or injured by a car. In either of these cases, your personal insurance CANNOT be billed - it is considered FRAUD. Even if you smash your fingers in a car door (in NYS - check your states to be sure) you have to give your car insurance information. If you are injured at work, your employer has to give their workers compensation carrier's information. 

One last thing and I'll shut up...

In cases of single parents: 

IF you are a single parent make sure you get child support and medical coverage for your child. If you are married and get separated, get medical coverage from your spouse. It is not only your legal right and their obligation, it is a necessity. There is nothing worse than needing to take your child to the doctor and worrying how you are going to pay for it. The thought shouldn't even cross your mind. 

Yes, this is a lot to remember, but if everyone utilized the resources available to them and worked with the institutions things might be a little easier for some. I know how the insurance companies behave and their refusal to cover their patients infuriates those of us in the billing industry as well. After all, where do you think we get our insurance from? 

I don't think people are making a big fuss about it as we all know it has existed at least some of us but for those that don't here is something to think about.

You are welcome Emil.

I agree with you Emil and why because it is more profitable for the big drug companies, insurance companies, elected officals look at their pay to support something for them and not for us. And until the American people hound the reps, the President and other officals nothing much will change. 

I know my doctor is heart and lung as a rule will not give out anitbotics for little cold etc nor have you be one them for long time. I was had it with another doctor out here for cellulitis and my doctor said you had enough of them stop taking them. I had allergic reactions to the stuff and ended up in emergency and the doctor there gave me repeats of the same. I had to stay around to tell him he messed up and rewrite the prescription. I learned long ago if at the doctors or hospital better write your questions out and ask. One old lady was in the bathroom her doctor came in how are you and left. She got out of there quick and called him back with her notes as I had written. Point - you better be quick to respond and have a brain or they will overdose you , give you things you don't want drugs. Man, I called my doctor in middle of the night on somethings pulled or forgot about in the hospital.

My doctor has always had patients that were of the lower class and gave each one 20 minutes or more of his time. His practice was in areas of the lower income. It wasn't here 5 min. gotta get to the other like skin cancer doctor I had. I had to trip him about to make him look at things he missed.

I wish I had a better answer.

The rich always get better treatment and sometimes not in case ie of Micheal Jackson. Here he told them what he wanted and it ended in death.

Hey the post office got me out due to my leg problems, took two years and wrecked my nervesl Once they saw the picture of it at the end I had two weeks vacation and never had to go back but I should have been given a job there. But better to pay little retirement and weed out people as they were doing to make way for the optical readers machine to do the work I was doing.

So where do people work when machinery takes over that are out of work??

It is like let the sick die off and that will take care of the social security money that won't be around. 

Yes our officials are stupid to lose money on non productive individuals .

I know of one lady lost her daughter to misdiagnoses by HM0 one  I wouldn't use.

If I had cancer I think the cure is worse that the disease or would hit it to as in my blog rationale therapy . 

Take care Emil and let's write the reps as Micheal Moore points out in his films and others say the same. He questions the health care system and go to Cuba and the people he took got help , here they didn't.

Starshine

I am confused why people are raising such a fuss about government death panels.  Do they not realize that the very same panels already exist within the insurance industry making those very same decisions on whether or not you receive care based on their profit and loss?

Thank you, Starshine.

So your doctor said his "business" was down.

Here is what happens - when health care is considered a "business" as any other business...

1. Our health depends on our income - rich kids and grandmas are healthier than poor kids and grandmas.
2. Doctors are more loyal to their business partners - insurance and drug companies. 
3. A case of cancer is a "business" case - to be decided by private insurance "death panels."
4. Private insurance "death panels" decide grandma's life or death.
5. You get to be healthy only when you have a steady job with a large enough employer.
6. No job, no income, no health care (why would we, as a society, "loose" money on non-productive individuals... we're not stupid... uhh?).
7. Sick people are "out of business", sorry - but, at least we (as red-blooded Americans) were warned - our smart ass mothers and fathers have always told us that life was not fair. I wonder who told them so - must be their employers.

I wonder too... why is it that our elected officials are stupid enough to opt out of the wonderful "business" based health care system. Why would they have their own goverment health care? Hmmm... why would they let government "death panels" decide life or death for their own grandmas?

I have heard of people going without health care coverage and relying on the health food store to keep them well as they can't afford medical insurance. But hadn't heard about the couple in the article over divorcing over the medical bills.

I just heard from my doctor when he called as I have known him since I was 24, he said his business is down by half as people lose their there jobs and the health insurance with it.

Thank you for bring this article to our attention, Emil.

Starshine