consumer info
Exchange tweaks for 2015 offerings – weak on affordability, expanded networks, HSAs
Changes for next year’s CT health insurance exchange plan offerings are small and unlikely to change premiums much. Cost sharing for the most affordable plans will be rising, with consumers paying more for services. Studies find that even modest increases in cost sharing lead consumers to reduce both necessary and unnecessary care, and can drive…
Read MoreHUSKY is growing outreach tool for community organizations
Connecticut’s Medicaid/HUSKY program is significantly expanding effective January 1st. 700,000 state residents are already benefitting from the program and up to another 130,000 may qualify under new eligibility rules. Many people denied Medicaid or HUSKY in the past will now qualify. Medicaid and HUSKY provide comprehensive health care coverage without cost. To ensure that…
Read MoreHealth Insurance Rate Shock: What Connecticut Can Do
All indications are that Connecticut health insurance costs will rise significantly next year. Fortunately there are several tools available to policymakers to mitigate that trend for Connecticut consumers and small businesses who will be mandated to secure coverage as of January 1st. A new brief outlines state affordability options including a stronger state MLR limit, active…
Read MoreSo now what? A guide for consumers
Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, and we’ve taken a day to celebrate, it’s time to get back to work. Kaiser has a very good explanation of what the ruling means for consumers in the real world.
Read MoreFrom the consumer helpline: Medicaid consumers being charged
Two calls just this morning came from consumers covered by Medicaid being charged by hospitals. One was a mother on HUSKY Part A charged $281 by a hospital for services she already received. But the first call was from a man on Medicaid who was told by the hospital that they would not schedule the…
Read MoreCT woman files one of first actions under federal genetic anti-discrimination law
Pamela Fink, a Fairfield resident, filed complaints last week with the US Equal Opportunity Commission and the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities under the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Ms. Fink argues that her employer, MXenergy of Stamford, eliminated her job after learning that she carries a genetic risk for breast cancer. Ms.…
Read MoreFrom the helpline
An uninsured consumer called our office looking for help paying bills to two hospitals. He had been placed into collections but he had received no information about financial assistance. He made $17,000 last year; not wealthy by any means but ineligible for SAGA. He has no children, so doesn’t qualify for HUSKY. I called Milford…
Read MoreBuying insurance can be confusing
When I was at a friend’s house recently, his parents were in the process of choosing a health plan because his mother had just gotten a new job, and they were finally going to have health insurance through her employer. There were several plans to choose from, and all of them looked similar, except that…
Read MorePatient registration open now for Feb. 3rd Hartford Free Clinic; Doctors, nurses and other volunteers needed
Come out Wednesday, February 3, 2010 to the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford for the NAFC’s (National Association of Free Clinics) C.A.R.E Clinic, which will be providing free medical services to uninsured patients from noon- 7 p.m. Doctors from many specialties will be present, and patients are recommended to call 877-233-5159 to make an appointment.…
Read MoreFree Clinics coming to Hartford, sign up to volunteer
The National Free Clinic Association is coming to Hartford February 3rd. Care will be provided to anyone who needs it, without payment, from noon to 7pm at the CT Convention Center. The Association has held massive one-day free clinics around the country, bringing desperately needed medical services to the uninsured and great publicity to the…
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