Presented by Donald Rickenbaugh

Direct Service Supervisor Center for Independence of the

Disabled, NY

Consequences of not having health insurance

Benefits of having health insurance

1.2 million people under the age of 65yrs.

Roughly half of those uninsured are eligible for free or low cost public health insurance

Why?

They don’t know what free or low cost programs are out there

They think it is only for people that don’t work

They have the wrong information about who can get it

They don’t speak English or they don’t know where to go to get help in their language

More….

Medicaid

Medicare

Some Private Insurance

Medicaid

Family Health Plus

Child Health Plus

All three offer free or low-cost health insurance for eligible people

Free health insurance for people with low incomes

Covers most health care services including:• Regular checkups• Hospital Services• Emergency room care• Medical Equipment• Prescriptions• Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments• Homecare services• Nursing home care• Dental services

Income Limits Resource Limits Immigration Status Residency Other Factors

Family Health Plus is only available to people with children?

• False

Income Limits

Resource Limits

Immigration Status

Residency

Other Factors

Higher income limits then Medicaid

Free health insurance

Offers comprehensive coverage

All uninsured children residing in NYC are eligible for public health insurance?

• True

Only people born in the US or who are US citizens are eligible for public health insurance?

• False

Comprehensive health insurance

Covers ALL uninsured children who reside in New York State who are NOT Medicaid eligible

Free for families with low incomes

Low Monthly premiums for higher income families

Once you get public health insurance, you don’t have to renew it every year?

• False

50% of all New Yorkers enrolled in public health insurance lose coverage each year

Most due to failure to recertify

Makes sure client information is up to date

Makes sure clients are still eligible

FAILURE TO RECERTIFY MEANS THAT COVERAGE WILL STOP!

Why do you think that people don’t recertify?

Medicaid Spend Down

Medicaid Buy IN for Working People with Disabilities

Pooled Trusts

Special Needs Trusts

You receive when your on:

• Social Security Disability

• Social Security Retirement

• From your parents or spouse

Most people have “Original Medicare”

Traditional program designed in 1965

It’s accepted by most doctors and hospitals in the country

Part A: Hospitals, free for those who have 10yrs work (40 quarters)

Part B: Doctors, in 2009 the cost is $96 monthly

Part C: Medicare Advantage Plan

Part D: Medication, depends on what plan you choose

Health & Hospital Corporations (HHC)

All City hospitals will give you services on a sliding scale, it could be as little as $40 per visit

Health New York

COBRA

In certain jobs that are freelance, there are ways for you to join a group insurance.

• Musicians

• Artists

• Actors

Donald Rickenbaugh212-674-2300

drickenbaugh@cidny.org