A phone-center program that assists consumers with questions and problems about health insurance has received $30 million in new funding, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week.
?Consumer Assistance Programs (CAP) provide a valuable tool for consumers who have questions or concerns about their health insurance,? HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a news release.
The telephone centers, started in 2010, help consumers navigate the health-care market, Erin Shields, HHS director of communications for health care, told Lifescript.com.
?If [people] are uninsured, [CAP] can tell you what coverage options are,? she says. ?They?ve been really helpful with the appeals process,? if claims are denied.
From October 2010 to 2011, more than 75% of the cases closed by CAPs were resolved in the consumer?s favor, according to HHS. The grantees recovered more than $18 million in direct savings for consumers, the agency reported. The programs, funded by the 2010 health-care act, are run by state agencies, local communities and nonprofit organizations.
HHS says CAP telephone lines also give consumers:
- Advice about getting and keeping health insurance
- Help with billing issues
- Information about the new health-care law
The $30 million will be distributed to 35 states ? including California, New Mexico, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Georgia ? the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories.
?Calls to health insurance company executives and the Insurance Commissioner of California were not returned by deadline Monday.
Erin Shields of the HHS explains more about the programs below.
oscar noms capital gains tim thomas oral roberts les paul fred thompson fred thompson
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.