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Health Care News and Current Issues
Please note, many of these issues regarding health care will pertain to Indiana residents.
August '08 - The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently announced that the state of Indiana has gained federal approval to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
According to a press release issued by FSSA, families who ear up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), or approximately $53,000 per a family of four, are now eligible for SCHIP coverage. In addition, the expansion calls for year-round eligibility for children, regardless of changes to income, as well as telemedicine benefits. For participants who meet eligibility requirements, coverage will be retroactive as of Jan. 1, 2008 and begin Oct. 1, 2008.
FSSA believes this expansion will provide health care coverage to an additional 10.000 children statewide. The organization expects more than 5,000 children will have coverage within the first year alone.
To learn more or see if you quality, please call 1.800.889.9949 or visit www.in.gov/fssa/ompp.
To prevent health insurers and employers from discriminating against anyone genetically inclined to illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease, President George W. Bush signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act in May. The Act passed with overwhelming majorities from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The legislation was introduced 13 years ago, but did not gain momentum and support until the past year. The bill ultimately will ensure that citizens' genetic information will not be misused by insurance companies.
Health insurers cannot reject coverage or raise premiums based on a family's genetic predisposition to develop disease. In addition, insurers cannot require a genetics test.
The law will also prohibit employers from using genetic information in hiring, firing, pay or promotion decisions.
Legislators hope the bill will prevent employers from declining health tests in fear of losing health coverage or even a job. As a result, the law will help citizens benefit from early detections and perhaps minimize the risk of long-term health problems.
Hoosiers Have Options for Health Care Assistance
The state of Indiana has several resources available for Hoosiers needing health care support or health care coverage, funded both nationally and locally. The following resources may be especially helpful for those seeking assistance:
Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP): HIP is for uninsured Hoosier adults between the ages of 19-64. Parents or caretaker relatives of children in the Hoosier Healthwise program are likely candidates for HIP. To learn more about eligibility and coverage with HIP, call 1.877.438-4479 or visit: www.in.gov/fssa/hip.
Hoosier Healthwise: Hoosier Healthwise is a health insurance program for Indiana children, pregnant women and low-income families. Health care is provided at little or no cost to participants, including regular check ups, prescriptions, dental care, vision care, family planning services and mental health services. For questions regarding Hoosier Healthwise, call 1.800.889.9949 or visit: www.in.gov/fssa/ompp.
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): Congress created SCHIP as a way to encourage states to provide health insurance to uninsured children. Information is available at 1.800.889.9949 or visit: www.in.gov/fssa/ompp.
Medicaid Select: Medicaid Select is a health insurance program for Medicaid-eligible Hoosiers who are blind, aged and/or have a disability. To learn more, call 1.877.633.7353 or visit: www.medicaidselect.com.
