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Insurance Regulations
Complaints
FAQs, Tips & Advice
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Health Insurance Resources In
All 50 States & DC
See the low cost insurance programs you're eligible for. Just enter your state
and answer a few questions.
10 Ways To Avoid Outrageous Hospital Overcharges
Profit-hungry hospitals are overcharging consumers an estimated
$10 billion a year. Some deliberately work to keep bills indecipherable.
Here's how to fight back.
Managed Care
(Consumer-SOS)
Choosing a health plan, getting them to treat you right, and where to complain
and get help.
Healthlinkplus.org
Index of health topics grouped by subject. Links are arranged under
"Health Insurance", "General Health Information",
"Alternative Medicine", "Medical Research", "Health
Care Providers", "Mental Health", and
"Evaluating Health Information On the Internet".
Last
Acts
Links and brochures on death related issues.
For More Help See Consumer-SOS/Insurance
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Can't Afford Your Co-Pays or
Health Insurance Premiums?
(Consumer-SOS)
Programs to help you
pay for expensive medicines or health insurance coverage.
The Artists' Health Insurance
Resource Center-AHIRC
Their mission: That every artist in the US has affordable, quality health
insurance and health care.
With in-person counseling in New York and Los Angeles, national telephone
support, and more than one hundred Getting and Keeping Health Insurance
workshops offered at arts, cultural and human services organizations throughout
the country, AHIRC works to reduce the number of uninsured artists and expand
access to quality, affordable health care.
For more information, contact us at 323.933.9244 ext. 32 in Los Angeles, or
212-221-7300 ext. 265 in New York.
Low
Cost Help For The Uninsured-The United Way (50 States & DC)
2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America
find the local resources they need. We're here for you 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Call 211 or
Select Your State, select your city, and look up help numerous help agencies. Their stellar search
engine can lead you to any social service topic you can think of. Just type in words
related to your search such as ""uninsured" and
"medical" or "uninsured" and "clinic."
Patient Advocacy Foundation
Select your medical problem, the state you live in, and up to 4 types of
Assistance Needed (Can select up to four services at a time).
Press control to select multiple resources. Shows public and non profit groups
that can help the uninsured patient navigate their access to healthcare, deal
with the financial cost of treatment, gather options for future health
insurance coverage and work to effectively manage and decrease costs while
seeking medical care. They are dedicated to helping patients with chronic,
debilitating or life-threatening illnesses.
Financial Aid Fund
Division-Patient Advocate Foundation (855) 824-7941 (Toll-Free)
This independent division of Patient Advocate Foundation provides small grants
to patients who meet financial and medical criteria. Grants are provided on
first-come first served basis and are distributed until funds are depleted.
Qualifications and processes for each fund may differ based on fund
requirements. Patients who are interested in applying for financial
assistance should start by calling this division toll free at (855) 824-7941.
The small grant programs under the Financial Aid Fund division are not
part of PAF’s Co-Pay Relief assistance program and operate independently from
other case management services.
NeedHelpPayingmyBills
(State By State Assistance)
To help pay medical bills, taxes, rent and mortgage help, etc.
Find The Lowest Insurance
Rates (Consumer-SOS)
Insurance web sites that give you on line quotes and
let you compare rates.
Health Resources In
All 50 States & DC
Enter your state and answer a few questions for the resources you can qualify
for.
Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)
Free Or Low Cost
Health Clinics
Free Or Low Cost Health Clinic Finder (Throughout US)
Find A Health Clinic In Your
State, City and County (All 50 States, DC, Guam, Etc)
This web site will help you find a clinic for medical care, even if you have no
medical insurance or money.
Help With Paying
Co-Pays & Insurance Premiums
Can't afford
expensive prescription medicines?
Here are private
organizations that pay for all or much of your co-pay for costly medicines for
cancer, eye probelms and many other debilitating conditons.
For help with your insurance premiums check out the private groups below and your government Medicare and Medicaid programs. With Medicaid, you may qualify for your employer's expensive insurance and have Medicaid pay the premiums!
Co-Pay Assistance Programs
RxAssist.org
Here are groups that offer to help insured patients that are having difficulty
paying the co-pays for their medications or their insurance. Help can include
the co-pay costs for for expensive medication needed for chronic diseases,
cancer and many other health conditions.
The HealthWell
Foundation
Assists individuals who cannot afford their insurance
copayments, premiums, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.
Google Co-Pay Assistance Programs
(Google Search)
In the Google search box, add the medicine you need help
with.
Patient Advocate
Foundation
Whether you are uninsured, insured and need help with
premiums, copays, costly medicines, etc, these guys have the links and numbers
to call to get help!
Insurance Premium Assistance Programs
The HealthWell
Foundation
Assists individuals who cannot afford their insurance
copayments, premiums, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket health care costs.
Google: Help With Paying Health Insurance Premium
Search targets non
profit groups that help pay some or all of your insurance premiums.
Patient Advocate
Foundation
Whether you are uninsured, insured and need help with
premiums, copays, costly medicines, etc, these guys have the links and numbers
to call to get help!
Medicare Premiums:
How To Qualify For Assistance
Has 2017 resource limits plus chart for various medicare programs.
Medicare State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Select your state to
see if Medicare will help pay your drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs.
See also
6 Ways To Lower Your Coverage Gap Costs
Medicaid & CHIP-Pays Premiums For Employer Sponsored Health Insurance
If
you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you ’re eligible for
health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance
program that can help pay for coverage (Medicaid pays all or part of a family or
child’s health insurance premium.)
You may still qualify even if you don't qualify for Medicaid based on income,
especially if you have children, are pregnant, or have a disability.
Medicare/Medicaid
Medicaid In All The 50 States (Gov Offices, Articles & Links)
This site has selected links to information about existing Medicaid plans. Medicaid is a federal-state partnership, with state laws, state regulations, federally approved state waivers, and
approved "state plans" all creating significant variations from state to state.
Medicare
(FAQs & Links)
Medicare
Preventive Services
The
Medicare Rights Center (Advocacy Group With National Help Line)
Call their
national helpline, to consult with knowledgeable counselors about a wide
range of Medicare-related issues, including
how to
reduce premium and prescription drug costs and how to appeal a denial by an
HMO or Part D plan. Or use this national, nonprofit consumer service
organization as an advocate to lobby your cause or get the ear of your law
maker.
The Medicaid Clearing House
Has links and articles on government benefits.
Medicare
Worksheet For Comparing Health Plans
Social Security & Medicare/Medicaid
(Nolo)
Healthlinkplus.org
Index of health topics grouped by subject. Links are arranged under
"Health Insurance", "General Health Information",
"Alternative Medicine", "Medical Research", "Health
Care Providers", "Mental Health", and "Evaluating
Health Information On the Internet".
United Way Line (For all 50 States, DC & Puerto Rico)
Choose
your state, select your city, and look up help agencies galore!!! Their stellar search engine can lead you to any social service topic you can
think of. Just type in the
words "Medicare" or "Medicaid" To limit your topic,
add an additional search term.
Where Else To Go For
Help (Consumer-SOS)
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Social Security
The
Social Security Handbook
This Handbook is intended for the use of people who want an explanation of
the various Social Security programs, so that they may understand how the
programs operate, who is
entitled to benefits, and how these benefits may be obtained.
Social Security
Disability Secrets
Advice, FAQS and in depth answers from a former Social Security Claims Examiner.
Learn how to apply, how to prepare your case and more.
SS
Request For Earnings & Benefits Estimate (PDF)
Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know
Social Security & Medicare/Medicaid (Nolo)
United Way Help
Line
(For all 50 States, DC & Puerto Rico)
Choose
your state, select your city, and look up help agencies galore!!! Their stellar search engine can lead you to any social service topic you can
think of. Just type in the
words "Social Security".
Healthlinkplus.org
Index of health topics grouped by subject. Links are arranged under
"Health Insurance", "General Health Information",
"Alternative Medicine", "Medical Research", "Health
Care Providers", "Mental Health", and "Evaluating
Health Information On the Internet".
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Regulators Governing
Health & Ins. Plans (All 50 States & DC)
For Both Managed Care Plans and Fee For Service Plans.
Know Your
COBRA Rights (With Links To All 50 States & DC)
Their drop box links you to your regional or district office of the Pension and
Welfare Benefits Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, which oversees
COBRA.
Health
Ins. Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (Fed Law)
Your
Rights Under The Family Medical Leave Act
Consumer And
Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance
companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.
Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)
Related Topics
Insurance
The Work Place
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Complaints
Ins. Co. Emergency Claim Numbers
Managed Care (Consumer-SOS)
Choosing a health plan, getting them to treat you
right, and where to complain and get help.
The
Medicare Rights Center (Advocacy Group With National Help Line)
Call their
national helpline, to consult with knowledgeable counselors about a wide
range of Medicare-related issues, including
how to
reduce premium and prescription drug costs and how to appeal a denial by an
HMO or Part D plan. Or use this national, nonprofit consumer service
organization as an advocate to lobby your cause or get the ear of your law
maker.
State
Insurance Regulators (All 50 States & DC)
Insurance
Complaints (All 50 States & DC)
Also has good info on resolving disputes.
Medical Bills (Consumer-SOS)
Cutting your costs by negotiating with insurance companies.
Fighting Insurance Companies When They Deny Your Claim How to protect yourself, establish contacts, gather allies and write your appeals and grievance letters.
Consumer And
Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance
companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.
Find
Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously.
Select Texas, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to
report to. (DC Not Included).
Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)
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Where
Else To Go For Help
Medical Bills (Consumer-SOS)
Cutting your costs, negotiating with insurance companies.
Low Cost Help For The
Uninsured (50 States & DC)
This Is The United Way Helpline
Choose
your state, select your city, and look up help agencies galore. Their stellar search engine can lead you to any social service topic you can
think of. Just type in words
related to your search such as ""uninsured" and
"medical" or "uninsured" and "clinic."
The Medicare Rights Center (Advocacy Group With National Help Line)
Call their
national
helpline, to consult with knowledgeable counselors about a wide range of
Medicare-related issues, including
how to
reduce premium and prescription drug costs and how to appeal a denial by
an HMO or Part D plan. Or use this national, nonprofit consumer service
organization as an advocate to lobby your cause or get the ear of your law
maker.
Cleaning For A Reason: Free House
Cleaning For Women With Cancer (50 States, DC & Canada)
If you are a woman with cancer and at least 18 years old, their affiliate maid services will provide you with a free cleaning once a month for up
to 4 months. After your application is complete and your doctor verification is
received, they'll contact the maid service partner in your area. For more information see How To Register.
http://www.consumer-action.org
Check out their website for information on health care, privacy issues, insurance matters, pricing surveys on banking credit and other hot topics. Consumer Action is also a lobbyist
group. Their representatives in
California and Washington DC promote laws
with consumer interests at heart.
The Joint Commission On Accreditation Of Heath Care Organizations/Office Of Quality Monitoring(630)
792-5642
This trade organization consists of over 5,000 hospitals and 10,000
health care providers. All members
must be accredited and comply with the
Joint Commission's standards for excellence. Call them to complain
about the cleanliness or quality of care given by members belonging to their organization.
Low Cost Medicines
One-stop link to thousands of low cost medicines offered through hundreds of
patient assistance programs sponsored by member companies, non-member companies
and government and local organizations.
Benefits Checkup
Find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs
of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or
services. Please fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can
assist you or your loved ones.
The Medical Information Bureau (617) 426-3660
For a charge of $8.00 they will tell you if your medical record
is kept on file. Give them a call
if you have been denied insurance
coverage and think such was based on an error in your insurance records.
Department of Medical Assistance/Managed Care Division
The National Committee For Quality Assurance (800) 839-6487
This agency will tell you if your health plan meets their accreditation standards.
The Medicare Hotline (800) 772-1213
Call if you're a Medicare or Medicaid recipient unhappy with your
treatment. Don't hang up if you
hear a recording about social security. The automated system will eventually
offer Medicare options.
For
More Help contact your local TV and radio stations. Large
companies hate bad publicity. And the last thing your insurer/HMO wants is to be on TV for not paying
your claim. Get consumer help from Call
For Action and ask that someone call the insurer on your
behalf.
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To Top
INSURANCE
RESOURCES
http://www.insure.com/health/
Provides well written, authoritative advice on health
insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, etc. You can also link to insurance companies, quote services and agents, but
the selling is done off the insure.com site.
www.quotesmith.com
This site excels at comparing prices and terms from many firms. Their checklists
help determine if health factors bar you from a specific life policy.
Mental
Health
American
Psychiatric Association
Mental
Health Net
National Help Orgs For A
Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The
Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.