Subscribe to RSS“Underinsured” is an Understatement
I used to think of health care insurance as a black and white issue. You either you don’t have insurance or you do. It wasn’t until I found out that we had to pay $1200 for one dose of medicine for our premature daughter that I realized that there is a gray area of health care coverage called “underinsured”. If you have health care insurance but can’t afford the out-of-pocket cost associated with treatment this is considered being “underinsured. Wikipedia.org gives no definition nor information on the word “underinsured” rather, you are redirected to the word “insurance”. How appropriate to know that this term “underinsured” was given by billion dollar insurance companies and pharmaceutical corporations.
According to a survey sited by the Washington Post “40 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 have inadequate access to health care. This survey done by commonwealthfund.org is nearly 4 years old so without a doubt those numbers have only increased.
If you can not afford insurance chances are you qualify for Medicaid. So, where is the help for those hard working tax paying American’s that don’t have insurance or their health insurance is inadequate? Their is help but you need to first be willing to work for it and second you have to qualify for it.
Here is some resources you can investigate now:
Health Savings Plan individuals can put tax free money away and spend it on the heath care when you need it
Here are some organizations that may provide financial help to underinsured people with certain medical conditions. Contact the organizations to see if you might qualify:
* American Kidney Fund: www.kidneyfund.org/patient-grants;(800) 638-8299
* Caring Voice Coalition: caringvoice.org/program-fa.htm; 888-267-1440
* Chronic Disease Fund: www.cdfund.org; (877) 968-7233v)
* HealthWell Foundation: www.healthwellfoundation.org/index.aspx;800-675-8416
* Patient Access Network Foundation: www.patientaccessnetwork.org;866-316-7263
* Patient Advocate Foundation: www.patientadvocate.org;800-532-5274
* Patient Services Inc.: www.uneedpsi.org/cms400min/index.aspx;800-366-7741
* Free or Low Cost Insurance for Kids - To learn more, go to Your State’s Program or make a free call to 1-877-KIDS-NOW for more information.
Prescription help:
These organizations may provide help to underinsured people with obtaining prescribed drugs. Contact the organizations to see if you might qualify:
* Partnership for Prescription Assistance: www.pparx.org; 888-477-2669
* NeedyMeds.com: www.needymeds.com; no phone help available, but questions can be faxed to:419-858-7221 or mailed to: NeedyMeds Inc., P.O. Box 219, Gloucester, Mass. 01931;
* Some stores offer some generic drugs at low cost. Call your prescriber or drug provider for information.