HealthyLife Articles

Tag: assistance

  • Save If You Have No Insurance

    Medical Care

    Image of nurse standing in front of the nurse station.

    Look into getting some.

    Insurance costs money, but having none may end up costing you more. Medical costs from a chronic illness, surgery, etc. could erase any savings you have and may cause you to file for bankruptcy. Discuss your health needs and ability to pay for premiums with an insurance broker. Find out about health insurance in your state fromwww.naic.org/state_web_map.htm.

    You may need short-term coverage.

    If you are between jobs, a recent college graduate, etc., contact an insurance broker about short-term health insurance. This has a low monthly cost and high coverage limits for most (especially healthy) people. Read about COBRA in tip number 60, too.

    Look into group coverage.

    Find out if you can get health insurance from groups you belong to, such as AARP. Your costs are likely to be cheaper than if you buy an individual policy. If you are a veteran or a dependent of a veteran, find out if you are eligible for health care fromwww.va.gov/health/index.aspor from 800.827.1000.

    Look into an HSA.

    This is a Health Savings Account. It is also called a Medical Savings Account (MSA). It is like an IRA, but is used for medical costs. Instead of paying the costs for a fee-for-service health plan, you pay the cost for two things. One is a high deductible policy. The other is a tax-deductible savings account. You take money out of the savings account for medical costs when they are needed. Money not used from the savings account grows interest on a tax-sheltered basis and can be used to add funds to your retirement. Find out more about HSAs fromwww.msainfo.netandwww.consumerdrivenhealthcare.us. An MSA is a kind of Consumer Driven Health Plan.

    Know about “Insure Kids Now!”

    Infants, children, and teens may be able to get free or low-cost health insurance from your state. Find out from  877.KIDS NOW (543.7669) orwww.insurekidsnow.com.

    Honesty is the best policy.

    If you give false information on insurance forms, your coverage could be cancelled. Before you sign the dotted line, read the fine print. Find out if any conditions would limit or cancel your coverage.

    Know about clinical trials.

    You may be able to get expert medical care if you take part in a clinical trial. Find out what clinical trials are and which ones you could qualify for fromwww.clinicaltrials.gov. Find out about studies on mental health and disorders fromwww.nimh.nih.gov/health/ trials/index.shtml.

    If you are on a very limited income, find out if you qualify for Medicaid.

    Contactwww.cms.hhs.gov. Medicaid is a state sponsored health care program.

    If you cannot pay for health care.

    Contact the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Use the Web sitewww.findahealthcenter.hrsa.govto find a clinic in your area that will give you medical care at a reduced cost or for free. Search the Internet, too, for “National Free Clinic Directory.” Also, contact a social worker at your local hospital or community health agency to recommend resources that can help with medical problems.

    Opt for medical coverage with your auto insurance plan.

    This can cover expenses for medical services if you and passengers are injured in an accident.

    Find out about free and low-cost cancer screening.

    *  The American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345 orwww.cancer.org.

    *  The National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program atwww.cdc.gov/cancer/screening.htm.

    Find out if you have a health credit report.

    Before you buy a health insurance plan, contact the Medical Information Bureau (MIB). The MIB keeps track of medical information on persons who have applied for individual disability, health or life insurance in the past seven years. You can get a copy of your record fromwww.mib.comor by calling 866.692.6901.

    Cover image to the Healthy Savings book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Eap Is At Your Service

    WORK LIFE

    Image of 2 business women shaking hands.

    In an edition of Psychology Today, Steve Albrecht, doctor of business administration, encourages employees to find out about the many services available from their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and reach out for help if needed. Dr. Albrecht has written or co-written 15 books, including Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace, and Fear and Violence on the Job. He is also a former police officer and domestic violence investigator with the San Diego Police Department.

    Dr. Albrecht gave four reasons why employees do not use their EAP services:

    1. They do not think what they say or do will be held in confidence.

    2. They see reaching out for help as a weakness. This is especially true  for men.

    3. They think they need to get permission from their boss or Human Resources to seek services from their EAP.

    4. They do not know their EAP exists.

    First, according to Dr. Albrecht, services and discussions between employees and EAP providers are kept confidential. There is an exception-an EAP counselor has a duty to warn or intervene if the employee wants to harm himself or herself or others. The company gets no reports or records of employee use of EAP services.

    Second, employees need to be reassured that EAP offers help for many very common issues that affect most people. Examples are money worries, marital issues, raising children or step-children, blended families, sick kids, and dealing with parents with Alzheimer’s disease.

    Employees can also get help for financial problems, burnout, stress-related illnesses, cancer and mental health issues. These include substance abuse, workplace conflicts, depression and suicidal thoughts.

    Third, employees simply need to call the EAP phone number and make an appointment. They do not have to tell coworkers, their boss or Human Resources.

    Lastly, Dr. Albrecht is puzzled why employees do not know about their EAP. Companies with EAP programs list their services and contact numbers on posters and brochures in lunch rooms and break rooms. New employees receive EAP information.

    To find out if your company offers EAP services, check your benefits manual or website or ask your human resources manager. Help is just a phone call away.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine