By MATTHEW BULTMAN
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011
COLTON — The town of Colton and its insurance company have been paying attention to the child abuse scandals that have dominated headlines nationwide.
On Wednesday, the town added a layer to its municipal insurance policy, hoping for added protection against claims of sexual abuse or molestation of children in town-sponsored programs.
The added supplement was discussed long before news of alleged abuse at Penn State and Syracuse universities broke, Town Supervisor Lawrence C. Patzwald said. But, he admitted, allegations there have raised awareness both for the town and its insurance provider. “Those issues have been issues for years and years,” he said, referring to child sex abuse. “But whenever things like that start to surface, insurance companies get scared about potential exposure.”
The selective abuse or molestation supplement will require the town to adopt more stringent measures to prevent the abuse of children enrolled in town-funded programs.
Leaders will have to create a policy regarding potential abuse, which may include prohibiting one-on-one contact between adults and children. The town also will have to conduct criminal background checks on all volunteers in youth programs.
“Basically they are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s with regard to youth programs,” Rose & Kiernan Insurance Agency representative Lee Pollock said. “They want to know what you’re doing in terms of child protection because there have been problems.” It is something that youth programs across the country are dealing with, from Boy Scouts to Little League baseball, Mr. Pollock said.
By enacting this protection, the chances the town could be found liable in the event of child abuse allegations are minimal, he said. And even though there have been no abuse accusations in Colton, the move is a defensive measure should any arise.
The addition of the supplement will not cost Colton any extra. However, the unstable financial status of the town’s workers’ compensation provider will.
Public Employer Risk Management Association Inc. artificially lowered its rates years ago, believing workers’ compensation costs would go down, Mr. Pollock said. When that didn’t happen, the provider was left with a huge financial hole to fill.
“Their financial status right now is not good,” Rose & Kiernan representative Jeany Danielson said. The insurance provider has predicted Perma will survive the financial misstep but towns under its coverage will be asked to make up that difference, she said.
For Colton, renewing its contract with the provider will cost $76,561 next year, $12,000 more than it is paying now. But as long as the town’s finances don’t change dramatically, its coverage cost will drop to $74,647 in the second year of the two-year deal.
วันจันทร์ที่ 19 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2554
วันพุธที่ 30 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2554
Child Insurance Plans – The Next Big Objective Of Insurance Agencies
Life Insurance Industry is in full bloom. With wide marketing from Private Players, LIC and Government insistence, people from all class are realizing the importance of taking Life Insurance Cover. Short term, long term, pension and child insurance plans are on boom. People are investing in these plans initiated either by self awareness or by the glam of insurance advertisements.
After the flight of pension plans (sale of pension plans have boomed up dramatically in the past years), the next big thing, most insurance companies targeting on is Child Insurance Plan. Even Life Insurance Corporation of India, which majorily targeted on Money Back and Term Plans, is now moving towards child plans.
Child Insurance Plans began from the Child age 0, so it’s easy for most of the parents to plan the future of their “to-be-born” child. Child Plans – cut only for children are meant to cover the education, higher education and marriage needs. Sum assured or guaranteed returns are the main features of child plan. The main attraction, insurance companies like ICICI Prudential and HDFC insurance companies tap on is the Maturity Benefit Plan wherein the family need not pay further in case of insured parent death during the policy term and the policy continues with sum assured and the bonuses declared.
Tapping on other benefits, which in fact are beneficial, insurance companies are putting up their best. Child insurance plans have some of the basic attractions like cheques when the child reaches a certain grade/class or age and beneficiary concept where beneficiary (in this case the child) is the sole person to receive the benefit. To add to the icing is the Tax benefit. Parent/s who is taking the child policy is eligible for Tax Benefit under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Under Section 80C: You can save tax each year as premiums up to Rs. 1, 00,000 are allowed as a deduction from your taxable income.
- Under Section 10 (10D), the benefits you receive from this policy are completely tax-free subject to the exclusions.
Securing ones child future is one of the biggest relief for any parent. With so many insurance companies coming in the child insurance, life insurance field, this should not be a dream too far…
After the flight of pension plans (sale of pension plans have boomed up dramatically in the past years), the next big thing, most insurance companies targeting on is Child Insurance Plan. Even Life Insurance Corporation of India, which majorily targeted on Money Back and Term Plans, is now moving towards child plans.
Child Insurance Plans began from the Child age 0, so it’s easy for most of the parents to plan the future of their “to-be-born” child. Child Plans – cut only for children are meant to cover the education, higher education and marriage needs. Sum assured or guaranteed returns are the main features of child plan. The main attraction, insurance companies like ICICI Prudential and HDFC insurance companies tap on is the Maturity Benefit Plan wherein the family need not pay further in case of insured parent death during the policy term and the policy continues with sum assured and the bonuses declared.
Tapping on other benefits, which in fact are beneficial, insurance companies are putting up their best. Child insurance plans have some of the basic attractions like cheques when the child reaches a certain grade/class or age and beneficiary concept where beneficiary (in this case the child) is the sole person to receive the benefit. To add to the icing is the Tax benefit. Parent/s who is taking the child policy is eligible for Tax Benefit under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Under Section 80C: You can save tax each year as premiums up to Rs. 1, 00,000 are allowed as a deduction from your taxable income.
- Under Section 10 (10D), the benefits you receive from this policy are completely tax-free subject to the exclusions.
Securing ones child future is one of the biggest relief for any parent. With so many insurance companies coming in the child insurance, life insurance field, this should not be a dream too far…
วันจันทร์ที่ 12 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2554
Fire safety and insurance tips for college students
Fire safety for college students
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division (SFM) reminds college students that fire safety needs to be extended to campus life.
In December 2010, an off-campus housing fire took the life of a St. Thomas University student. According to investigators, the fire was caused by a smoldering cigarette, and despite working smoke alarms, the student was unable to escape and perished.
“Almost every residential fire, including the ones that kill and injure college students, is preventable,” says Minnesota State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl. “Often, we send our students off to college without educating them about how to protect themselves from fire.”
Lifesaving behaviors students must know when they begin living on their own include:
* Stay focused when cooking. Most residential fires start in the kitchen when someone walks away from the stove “for just a moment.”
* Use candles responsibly, or not at all. Unattended, candles can turn deadly fast.
* Don’t overload electrical sockets or misuse extension cords. Make sure circuit breakers are working and report frayed or dam-aged wiring.
* Make sure smoking materials are (1) used outside and (2) properly extinguished. Most fatal fires are smoking-related.
* Make sure smoke alarms are properly placed, and keep the batteries fresh.
* Know and practice fire escape routes.
If alcohol is in use, be aware that it may reduce ability to respond to alarms and escape a fire.
Safety tips and other tools are available online at sfm.dps.mn.gov under the public education tab.
Check insurance for college students
Remembering to pack everything a college student will need during the school year is a challenge. But understanding a student’s changing insurance needs is sometimes even harder.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) are teaming up offer consumer-friendly tips to help college students and their parents review and update their insurance policies.
“College students across Minnesota are moving into crowded dorm rooms, buying their books, and starting their classes,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “But in the rush to begin the semester, students shouldn’t forget to review their insur-ance coverage needs.”
Health Insurance: Nearly all young adults up to age 26 can now stay on their parent’s insurance, following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Prior to this, many health insurance policies covered dependents who were full-time students only until age 23.
Coverage with the new law extends benefits to adult children regardless of marital status, financial dependency, enrollment in school, or residency.
Before leaving home, students should obtain copies of their relevant insurance cards and know how to obtain referrals and ap-provals (if necessary) before seeking medical treatment.
If the student is insured by a provider network, check to see if he or she will be inside or outside the network service area while away at school. This will make a difference in out-of-pocket payments.
If your student’s health care coverage has ended because of the maximum coverage age, or if coverage is limited by the network service area, another option is a student health insurance plan. In general, these plans have more limited benefits and more exclu-sions than traditional health insurance plans. Many such policies will also exclude routine examinations and injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Renters Insurance: Many students bring thousands of dollars worth of personal items with them to school, including electron-ics, textbooks, clothes, furniture, bicycles, and more. With an enrolled student living on or off campus, check with your insurance agent to determine whether your family homeowner’s policy extends to children away at school. If not, consider a renters policy.
Many renters mistakenly believe that a landlord’s insurance policy on an apartment will protect them in case of a disaster. A landlord’s policy doesn’t cover a renter’s personal belongings. A personal renter’s policy will pay to replace stolen or destroyed property with items of the same type and value up to the coverage limit of the policy.
A comprehensive list of a student’s possessions – including purchase prices, model numbers, and serial numbers – will help par-ents and students decide how much renters insurance is needed. It is also a good idea to have a detailed inventory in case of a disas-ter, as it will help parents and students in filing insurance claims following a catastrophe. Make sure to take photos or video of the possessions, and store the inventory in a secure, off-site location.
To learn more about how to take a home inventory, check out these tools and tips on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. There is also a student-friendly mobile app that consumers can use to quickly and easily complete a home inventory.
Auto Insurance: A significant move away from home can have a big impact on an auto insurance policy. If a student is taking a car to school, check with your local agent about the existing vehicle insurance policy. Ask about the rates for the college’s city and state before deciding whether to keep the student’s car on the family’s auto policy.
In addition, the insurance company should be notified each semester if the student maintains good grades. Maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA) might make your child eligible for a good student discount.
Identity Theft: Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States, costing victims more than $5 billion annually.
College students are more likely to be hit by identity thieves because they are generally unprepared to protect themselves when the steady stream of requests for personal information begins.
Identity theft insurance cannot protect parents or students from becoming victims of identity theft, and it does not cover direct monetary losses incurred as a result. Instead, this insurance provides coverage for the cost of reclaiming you or your student’s financial identity – such as the costs of making phone calls, making copies, mailing documents, taking time off from work without pay (lost wages), and hiring an attorney.
Check to see if your homeowners policy includes identity theft insurance, and ask your insurance agent if this extends to your student living away from your primary residence. If not, you might be able to purchase an endorsement to amend such coverage.
If a student is renting an apartment, ask if his or her renters insurance covers identity theft, or if that could be added to the policy.
Read more: Chaska Herald - Fire safety and insurance tips for college students
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division (SFM) reminds college students that fire safety needs to be extended to campus life.
In December 2010, an off-campus housing fire took the life of a St. Thomas University student. According to investigators, the fire was caused by a smoldering cigarette, and despite working smoke alarms, the student was unable to escape and perished.
“Almost every residential fire, including the ones that kill and injure college students, is preventable,” says Minnesota State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl. “Often, we send our students off to college without educating them about how to protect themselves from fire.”
Lifesaving behaviors students must know when they begin living on their own include:
* Stay focused when cooking. Most residential fires start in the kitchen when someone walks away from the stove “for just a moment.”
* Use candles responsibly, or not at all. Unattended, candles can turn deadly fast.
* Don’t overload electrical sockets or misuse extension cords. Make sure circuit breakers are working and report frayed or dam-aged wiring.
* Make sure smoking materials are (1) used outside and (2) properly extinguished. Most fatal fires are smoking-related.
* Make sure smoke alarms are properly placed, and keep the batteries fresh.
* Know and practice fire escape routes.
If alcohol is in use, be aware that it may reduce ability to respond to alarms and escape a fire.
Safety tips and other tools are available online at sfm.dps.mn.gov under the public education tab.
Check insurance for college students
Remembering to pack everything a college student will need during the school year is a challenge. But understanding a student’s changing insurance needs is sometimes even harder.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) are teaming up offer consumer-friendly tips to help college students and their parents review and update their insurance policies.
“College students across Minnesota are moving into crowded dorm rooms, buying their books, and starting their classes,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “But in the rush to begin the semester, students shouldn’t forget to review their insur-ance coverage needs.”
Health Insurance: Nearly all young adults up to age 26 can now stay on their parent’s insurance, following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Prior to this, many health insurance policies covered dependents who were full-time students only until age 23.
Coverage with the new law extends benefits to adult children regardless of marital status, financial dependency, enrollment in school, or residency.
Before leaving home, students should obtain copies of their relevant insurance cards and know how to obtain referrals and ap-provals (if necessary) before seeking medical treatment.
If the student is insured by a provider network, check to see if he or she will be inside or outside the network service area while away at school. This will make a difference in out-of-pocket payments.
If your student’s health care coverage has ended because of the maximum coverage age, or if coverage is limited by the network service area, another option is a student health insurance plan. In general, these plans have more limited benefits and more exclu-sions than traditional health insurance plans. Many such policies will also exclude routine examinations and injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Renters Insurance: Many students bring thousands of dollars worth of personal items with them to school, including electron-ics, textbooks, clothes, furniture, bicycles, and more. With an enrolled student living on or off campus, check with your insurance agent to determine whether your family homeowner’s policy extends to children away at school. If not, consider a renters policy.
Many renters mistakenly believe that a landlord’s insurance policy on an apartment will protect them in case of a disaster. A landlord’s policy doesn’t cover a renter’s personal belongings. A personal renter’s policy will pay to replace stolen or destroyed property with items of the same type and value up to the coverage limit of the policy.
A comprehensive list of a student’s possessions – including purchase prices, model numbers, and serial numbers – will help par-ents and students decide how much renters insurance is needed. It is also a good idea to have a detailed inventory in case of a disas-ter, as it will help parents and students in filing insurance claims following a catastrophe. Make sure to take photos or video of the possessions, and store the inventory in a secure, off-site location.
To learn more about how to take a home inventory, check out these tools and tips on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. There is also a student-friendly mobile app that consumers can use to quickly and easily complete a home inventory.
Auto Insurance: A significant move away from home can have a big impact on an auto insurance policy. If a student is taking a car to school, check with your local agent about the existing vehicle insurance policy. Ask about the rates for the college’s city and state before deciding whether to keep the student’s car on the family’s auto policy.
In addition, the insurance company should be notified each semester if the student maintains good grades. Maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA) might make your child eligible for a good student discount.
Identity Theft: Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States, costing victims more than $5 billion annually.
College students are more likely to be hit by identity thieves because they are generally unprepared to protect themselves when the steady stream of requests for personal information begins.
Identity theft insurance cannot protect parents or students from becoming victims of identity theft, and it does not cover direct monetary losses incurred as a result. Instead, this insurance provides coverage for the cost of reclaiming you or your student’s financial identity – such as the costs of making phone calls, making copies, mailing documents, taking time off from work without pay (lost wages), and hiring an attorney.
Check to see if your homeowners policy includes identity theft insurance, and ask your insurance agent if this extends to your student living away from your primary residence. If not, you might be able to purchase an endorsement to amend such coverage.
If a student is renting an apartment, ask if his or her renters insurance covers identity theft, or if that could be added to the policy.
Read more: Chaska Herald - Fire safety and insurance tips for college students
วันพุธที่ 9 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2554
Critical window for children’s health insurance highlighted
SACRAMENTO – On Friday California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Assembly man Mike Feuer held a media conference call to highlight the critical open-enrollment period for kids’ health insurance that began on Jan. 1 and ends next Tuesday, March 1.
Jones and Feuer were joined on the call by Novato resident, Julie Walters, the parent of a child with a pre-existing condition.
During the open enrollment period, parents can sign up their children for more affordable health insurance.
As a result of President Obama’s federal health care reform plan and AB 2244 by Feuer, children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage – they also cannot be charged rates that are more than double the rates of healthy kids.
Parents of healthy children without insurance should also sign their kids up during this period; kids who don’t sign up during open enrollment periods may be subject to a 20 percent surcharge on their insurance rates for a full year.
“One of the most important changes that federal health care reform has initiated is allowing for children with pre-existing conditions to attain health coverage,” Commissioner Jones said. “This initial open enrollment window is critical and there are only a few days left before it closes, so parents should take full advantage of it by signing their children up for coverage.”
“Under my new law, kids can receive the health care they need, even if they have a pre-existing condition,” Feuer said. “But it's crucial that parents act during this open enrollment period by signing up their children for health insurance. If they don't act by March 1, covering their kids could be much more expensive.”
Feuer authored legislation, AB 2244, that helps to implement this component of federal health care reform in California.
The new law, which has been in effect since January 1, gives California children access to affordable care and a healthy future by ensuring that certain children cannot be denied coverage or priced out of the market.
It also prohibits insurers that sell individual market policies in California from refusing to sell or renew coverage to children with pre-existing conditions – it also bans insurers from the individual market for five years if they do not sell policies to children.
“Parents need to take this opportunity seriously and enroll their kids immediately, because this is a unique chance to make sure children – especially children with pre-existing conditions – have health coverage at very affordable rates they may not be able to find later on,” Julie Walters said. “Even though my daughter does have health coverage, if anything should happen to that coverage through job loss or other circumstances, it is a tremendous relief to know that she cannot be denied coverage, even with her pre-existing condition.”
Jones and Feuer were joined on the call by Novato resident, Julie Walters, the parent of a child with a pre-existing condition.
During the open enrollment period, parents can sign up their children for more affordable health insurance.
As a result of President Obama’s federal health care reform plan and AB 2244 by Feuer, children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage – they also cannot be charged rates that are more than double the rates of healthy kids.
Parents of healthy children without insurance should also sign their kids up during this period; kids who don’t sign up during open enrollment periods may be subject to a 20 percent surcharge on their insurance rates for a full year.
“One of the most important changes that federal health care reform has initiated is allowing for children with pre-existing conditions to attain health coverage,” Commissioner Jones said. “This initial open enrollment window is critical and there are only a few days left before it closes, so parents should take full advantage of it by signing their children up for coverage.”
“Under my new law, kids can receive the health care they need, even if they have a pre-existing condition,” Feuer said. “But it's crucial that parents act during this open enrollment period by signing up their children for health insurance. If they don't act by March 1, covering their kids could be much more expensive.”
Feuer authored legislation, AB 2244, that helps to implement this component of federal health care reform in California.
The new law, which has been in effect since January 1, gives California children access to affordable care and a healthy future by ensuring that certain children cannot be denied coverage or priced out of the market.
It also prohibits insurers that sell individual market policies in California from refusing to sell or renew coverage to children with pre-existing conditions – it also bans insurers from the individual market for five years if they do not sell policies to children.
“Parents need to take this opportunity seriously and enroll their kids immediately, because this is a unique chance to make sure children – especially children with pre-existing conditions – have health coverage at very affordable rates they may not be able to find later on,” Julie Walters said. “Even though my daughter does have health coverage, if anything should happen to that coverage through job loss or other circumstances, it is a tremendous relief to know that she cannot be denied coverage, even with her pre-existing condition.”
Bill requiring autism insurance coverage signed into law
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Gov. Mike Beebe will sign into law a bill requiring insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment.
There is new support for autistic children in Arkansas. Tuesday, Governor Mike Beebe signed an autism bill into law. It requires most health insurance companies to cover autism diagnoses and treatment for children under 18.
It's a signature with the power to lift a financial weight. Ten-year-old Briar Miller with his mom Dayna were in the center of it all. "I'm glad the law passed we've been trying to pass it for two years," says Briar Miller.
Most major health insurance companies can no longer deny Arkansas families coverage for treatment for children with autism. "I just truly believe that children in Arkansas deserve the same right as children across the United States especially when it was a research proven approach," says Dayna Miller.
Miller estimates she borrowed $100,000 to pay for applied behavior analysis. It's treatment using positive reinforcement recommended by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Miller says for Briar it works. " He went from a nonverbal child, he's in the fifth grade getting straight A's although he brought home a B last week that's we're going to get up," says Miller.
The CDC estimates that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism and that ABA treatment ranges anywhere from 30 to 60 thousand dollars a year.
Veronica Tess Myers says in 1996, when doctors diagnosed her son Alexander with severe to moderate autism.
You definitely feel alone, there's a lot of tears being cried there's a lot of frustration there's a lot of sitting alone trying to figure out what the next step is going to be to help you child to succeed," says Myers.
They told her told her it was either ABA or a group home for life. "And that's the part that breaks my heart that so many families want to help their child and couldn't get therapy," says Miller.
There is new support for autistic children in Arkansas. Tuesday, Governor Mike Beebe signed an autism bill into law. It requires most health insurance companies to cover autism diagnoses and treatment for children under 18.
It's a signature with the power to lift a financial weight. Ten-year-old Briar Miller with his mom Dayna were in the center of it all. "I'm glad the law passed we've been trying to pass it for two years," says Briar Miller.
Most major health insurance companies can no longer deny Arkansas families coverage for treatment for children with autism. "I just truly believe that children in Arkansas deserve the same right as children across the United States especially when it was a research proven approach," says Dayna Miller.
Miller estimates she borrowed $100,000 to pay for applied behavior analysis. It's treatment using positive reinforcement recommended by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Miller says for Briar it works. " He went from a nonverbal child, he's in the fifth grade getting straight A's although he brought home a B last week that's we're going to get up," says Miller.
The CDC estimates that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism and that ABA treatment ranges anywhere from 30 to 60 thousand dollars a year.
Veronica Tess Myers says in 1996, when doctors diagnosed her son Alexander with severe to moderate autism.
You definitely feel alone, there's a lot of tears being cried there's a lot of frustration there's a lot of sitting alone trying to figure out what the next step is going to be to help you child to succeed," says Myers.
They told her told her it was either ABA or a group home for life. "And that's the part that breaks my heart that so many families want to help their child and couldn't get therapy," says Miller.
What should you do as a parent if you have an ill child and no health insurance?
Q: What should you do as a parent if you have an ill child and no health insurance?
A: In the case of a medical emergency, insured or not, take your child to the nearest emergency room. The majority of hospitals are required by law to treat a patient with a health emergency. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which was passed in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, includes that hospitals and ambulance services must provide necessary emergency health care regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. Though you may not be able to pay, you still will be legally responsible for the cost of your child’s care. However, you cannot be held criminally liable for not paying, unless you intentionally and knowingly provide false identifying information to avoid paying for care.
You should not rely on emergency room care for all of your child’s medical needs. Hospitals under the emergency medical act are not required to care for nonemergency medical conditions, and they may discharge a patient after the patient has been stabilized and can care for himself or be cared for by another. Because of these limitations, obtain insurance for your child as soon as possible.
Fortunately, under the Affordable Health Care Act signed in 2010, a child’s pre-existing condition must now be covered in a health insurance policy, and a child with chronic health conditions cannot be denied coverage. Adults are not scheduled to receive similar protections until 2014.
If you cannot afford private insurance, then apply for Medi-Cal coverage for your child. If your income or assets exceed the limits for Medi-Cal eligibility, your child may qualify for health care coverage under the Healthy Families Program. This government insurance program offers low-cost health, dental and vision coverage.
Additionally, California Children’s Services, or CCS, is a state program that provides assistance to children with certain diseases, physical limitations or chronic health problems. To obtain CCS assistance, a child must be under 21 years old, have or be suspected of having a medical problem that CCS covers, be a resident of California and be in a family with an income under $40,000 (adjusted gross income on state tax return). A few examples of the many health problems that CCS covers are cancers, diabetes, cerebral palsy and broken bones.
If your child is not experiencing an emergency health problem, there are clinics in San Diego that may treat your child at little or no cost.
For example, Family Health Centers of San Diego accept a broad range of payment and insurance plans. These clinics offer affordable services to all income levels, with a special commitment to low income and medically underserved individuals.
Another option is provided by Volunteers in Medicine San Diego, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve access to health care for the underserved and uninsured. This charitable organization is staffed by retired physicians, dentists and other medical professionals who provide care without compensation.
Further, some local hospitals provide medically necessary health care services to patients requiring admission to the hospital at low or no cost.
For example, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is committed to providing care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Consistent with this commitment, its financial counselors will first work with a child’s family to determine their eligibility for governmental program assistance. State and County eligibility workers knowledgeable in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and California Children Services assist in determining eligibility and in completing the application process. If a patient does not qualify for a government program, an Rady Financial Assistance Program is in place to provide discounted care to eligible patients based upon their family income.
Another resource that a social worker may refer you to is the San Diego Ronald McDonald House. This charity provides a “home away from home” for children and their families while their child is admitted at any hospital in the San Diego area.
Its Family Care Center also is available during the day to anyone with a child in a hospital. This unique offering provides a place for a family to enjoy a hot meal, relax in a family play area, obtain medical information online, nap, or simply take a break from the often stressful hospital environment.
Additionally, if you are struggling with financial or legal issues while your child is ill, the Professional Alliance for Children may provide relief. The Alliance is a nonprofit organization that aligns professionals — attorneys, Certified Financial Planners, and CPAs — to provide free assistance with these issues. Along with the other charitable organizations described in this article, the Alliance’s mission is to better the lives of children by helping them and their families in their time of need.
All children should receive quality health care regardless of the current financial status of their family. You are not alone when there are resources available that will help you to care for your child.
A: In the case of a medical emergency, insured or not, take your child to the nearest emergency room. The majority of hospitals are required by law to treat a patient with a health emergency. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which was passed in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, includes that hospitals and ambulance services must provide necessary emergency health care regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. Though you may not be able to pay, you still will be legally responsible for the cost of your child’s care. However, you cannot be held criminally liable for not paying, unless you intentionally and knowingly provide false identifying information to avoid paying for care.
You should not rely on emergency room care for all of your child’s medical needs. Hospitals under the emergency medical act are not required to care for nonemergency medical conditions, and they may discharge a patient after the patient has been stabilized and can care for himself or be cared for by another. Because of these limitations, obtain insurance for your child as soon as possible.
Fortunately, under the Affordable Health Care Act signed in 2010, a child’s pre-existing condition must now be covered in a health insurance policy, and a child with chronic health conditions cannot be denied coverage. Adults are not scheduled to receive similar protections until 2014.
If you cannot afford private insurance, then apply for Medi-Cal coverage for your child. If your income or assets exceed the limits for Medi-Cal eligibility, your child may qualify for health care coverage under the Healthy Families Program. This government insurance program offers low-cost health, dental and vision coverage.
Additionally, California Children’s Services, or CCS, is a state program that provides assistance to children with certain diseases, physical limitations or chronic health problems. To obtain CCS assistance, a child must be under 21 years old, have or be suspected of having a medical problem that CCS covers, be a resident of California and be in a family with an income under $40,000 (adjusted gross income on state tax return). A few examples of the many health problems that CCS covers are cancers, diabetes, cerebral palsy and broken bones.
If your child is not experiencing an emergency health problem, there are clinics in San Diego that may treat your child at little or no cost.
For example, Family Health Centers of San Diego accept a broad range of payment and insurance plans. These clinics offer affordable services to all income levels, with a special commitment to low income and medically underserved individuals.
Another option is provided by Volunteers in Medicine San Diego, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve access to health care for the underserved and uninsured. This charitable organization is staffed by retired physicians, dentists and other medical professionals who provide care without compensation.
Further, some local hospitals provide medically necessary health care services to patients requiring admission to the hospital at low or no cost.
For example, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is committed to providing care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Consistent with this commitment, its financial counselors will first work with a child’s family to determine their eligibility for governmental program assistance. State and County eligibility workers knowledgeable in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and California Children Services assist in determining eligibility and in completing the application process. If a patient does not qualify for a government program, an Rady Financial Assistance Program is in place to provide discounted care to eligible patients based upon their family income.
Another resource that a social worker may refer you to is the San Diego Ronald McDonald House. This charity provides a “home away from home” for children and their families while their child is admitted at any hospital in the San Diego area.
Its Family Care Center also is available during the day to anyone with a child in a hospital. This unique offering provides a place for a family to enjoy a hot meal, relax in a family play area, obtain medical information online, nap, or simply take a break from the often stressful hospital environment.
Additionally, if you are struggling with financial or legal issues while your child is ill, the Professional Alliance for Children may provide relief. The Alliance is a nonprofit organization that aligns professionals — attorneys, Certified Financial Planners, and CPAs — to provide free assistance with these issues. Along with the other charitable organizations described in this article, the Alliance’s mission is to better the lives of children by helping them and their families in their time of need.
All children should receive quality health care regardless of the current financial status of their family. You are not alone when there are resources available that will help you to care for your child.
Most families have no life insurance
A new study has found that most families in the UK currently have no financial protection such as life insurance . The research, carried out by insurance giant Aviva, showed that 61 per cent do not hold life insurance cover, while 93 per cent admit to not having sufficient financial protection.
It was also revealed that 87 per cent are without critical illness cover, and that 89 per cent did not have income protection, all of which means that millions of families face financial disaster if the main breadwinners were to lose their job, become ill or die.
The most concern is about single parent families, as the research found that 76 per cent of single parent families and 68 per cent of divorced parents with two or more children said they believed they were financially underprotected.
Even previous problems do not persuade people to sort out cover, as the research showed that four in ten families said they had been seriously affected by illness in the past, but still had not taken out a policy. A fifth of all respondents said they had not taken out life insurance because of its cost, and five per cent thought it never paid out anyway.
Louise Colley, head of protection marketing at Aviva, commented "Life insurance and income protection can provide families with financial peace of mind in the unfortunate event of a sudden loss of income, and critical illness insurance can provide a lump sum cash payment should the insured suffer serious illness or disease."
It was also revealed that 87 per cent are without critical illness cover, and that 89 per cent did not have income protection, all of which means that millions of families face financial disaster if the main breadwinners were to lose their job, become ill or die.
The most concern is about single parent families, as the research found that 76 per cent of single parent families and 68 per cent of divorced parents with two or more children said they believed they were financially underprotected.
Even previous problems do not persuade people to sort out cover, as the research showed that four in ten families said they had been seriously affected by illness in the past, but still had not taken out a policy. A fifth of all respondents said they had not taken out life insurance because of its cost, and five per cent thought it never paid out anyway.
Louise Colley, head of protection marketing at Aviva, commented "Life insurance and income protection can provide families with financial peace of mind in the unfortunate event of a sudden loss of income, and critical illness insurance can provide a lump sum cash payment should the insured suffer serious illness or disease."
สมัครสมาชิก:
บทความ (Atom)