NeedyMeds to the rescue!

After I posted my last blog about the woman who needed prescription drugs and couldn't get it either through a private insurer or medicaid, I received this letter from the President of Needymeds.org - Thanks Mr Sagall for your response. This will help alot of people and not just in Ohio.

I read your blog post of 12/27/10 and thought you and your readers might want to know about NeedyMeds and the help we can offer.

NeedyMeds is a national non-profit that has information on programs that help people who can't afford their medications and health care costs. We have data on over 4000 programs and over 11,000 free/low-cost/sliding-scale clinics. All our data is free, easy to access, and updated regularly. Our website is visited by 13,000-14,000 people most workdays.

We offer a free drug discount card that's accepted at nearly 60,000 pharmacies. Anyone can use the card regardless of income level, insurance status, age or residency. The card offers a discount ranging from nothing to 75% on prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and medical supplies when written on a prescription form, and pet prescription drugs purchased at a pharmacy. The average savings is 50%. The card is free and there is no registration process or cost. The card can be downloaded from our website or obtained by sending us a self-address stamped envelope.

Rich Sagall, MD
President
www.needymeds.org


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Drug Card question

Question today:

I live in Ohio and was declined for insurance by all of your companies listed and I'm in desperate need of finding any type of drug coverage. Can you help?

Answer:

Yes, there is a free discount card for Ohio residents only. Click on the link below. You can save up to 75% of drug costs with this card and it's free.

http://www.ohiodrugcard.com/index.php

Plan strategies

I've had quite a few different scenarios come up this week about health care and I wanted to share it with each of you.

1. Did you know if you have a high deductible plan you can purchase a critical illness or cash cancer plan which can pay out a cash benefit to you in increments of $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000 if you had a catastrophic event. The prices are very affordable. Similar to term life but this is a gap to your current insurance. Can you imagine how helpful this would be if you had cancer and you received a cash payout like this? Would pay for your insurance deductible and out of pockets plus pay your bills for the rest of the year.

2. The New Ohio Risk pool plan through Medical Mutual will cover pre-existing conditions. Must be without insurance for 6 months. Rates are very good. It's a model for the new health care reform.

3. Humana eligibility for Short term plans is 64 1/2 years old. Most companies won't cover short terms after 63.

4. Assurant's affordable health access plan will cover all individuals or families regardless of height and weight issues. And it's very affordable.

5. If your rates go up because of health care reform consider a high deductible and take out a gap rider (plans which make cash payouts in event of catastrophic event) It will save you money and you'll have less exposure than your previous plan. Everyone's concerned about high deductibles but new gap plans are giving people more peace of mind.

Have a great weekend all.

Ohio insurance pool will open August 1st

Ohioans with pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, can apply for coverage under a new high-risk insurance pool beginning Aug. 1, state officials said today. Go to the below site for qualifications and details.

http://www.ohiohighriskpool.com/

What's the healthcare reform going to make me do?

A concerned individual had this question regarding health reform.

My answer - It mandates that, beginning in 2014, virtually all Americans buy affordable coverage. It expects states to create health insurance exchanges on which private insurers will offer coverage for small businesses and individuals unable to obtain it otherwise. Federal subsidies will help those who cannot afford an available policy to pay the premiums and required cost-sharing amounts. As a result, more than 30 million additional Americans will gain access to comprehensive health care coverage.

Insurers will no longer be able to refuse to sell to people with pre-existing conditions or other risk factors, charge them more for coverage (except for age), cancel or refuse to renew policies for people using services, or impose limits on benefits.

Health Care Reform

A Ohio resident contacted me today regarding Healthcare reform in Ohio:

"Is the government implementing new health insurance programs in Ohio"

Yes Medical Mutual of Ohio, as of September 1st, it appears right now will run the new health pool for the state of Ohio. We should have more details in the coming weeks.

Question today from declined applicant

A person emailed me today: "I was declined individual coverage because of a joint replacement issue. Isn't there any company that will cover me even if I have just this one issue."

My answer is "Yes. Assurant Health can possibly approve you for one of their individual plans with the possibility of putting an exclusionary rider for this condition - which means they will approve you for one of their preferred plans but not cover that one particular condition."