4B
| MAY 7, 2014
THE MINER
and
Health
  
Wellness
Hospital staff help residents navigate ACA
EDITOR’S NOTE: With so many questions surrounding the Affordable Care Act, The Miner staff asked two experts on the topic at Newport Hospital and Health Services. Patient Account Representative Diane Schaff and her manager Trina Gleese some of the most common questions about how the ACA, or ObamaCare, is affecting residents in Pend Oreille and west Bonner counties. Following are their answers.
1. About how many people a week do you assist with finding health care? We assist in helping individuals and/or families with potential resources that might help assist them with health care costs. We help residents in Washington and Idaho as the need arises. Typically it is through a referral from the clinics or through recent services received through our hospital. It has slowed down since the deadline, we assist approximately seven patients per week using the Washington Health Plan Finder, Washington Connections, or Medicaid of Idaho. 2. About what percentage of those qualify for Medicaid? In Washington, it is fairly large percentage. I haven’t tracked this but as we are seeing an increase in the new adult population for healthcare coverage, with the Apple Health program we are finding most qualify. The small percentage needing to select an insurance plan and were eligible with or without tax credits were referred to an insurance broker for assistance in a plan selection.
3. What is the most common obstacle for people looking to sign up for health care? In Washington the call center has been extremely busy with calls, so getting through when error codes arise in completing the application has been difficult. In Idaho, adults need to obtain insurance coverage through a commercial insurance plan or thru the YourHealth Idaho website. Idaho did not expand their Medicaid program leaving a large population who do not qualify for Medicaid or the tax credits, which would reduce their insurance premium. 4. If someone doesn’t qualify for Medicaid, what are their other options for affordable health care? Insurance through the Washington Health Plan finder – they potentially would qualify for tax credits to help offset the cost of their monthly insurance premium, but most will need to wait until the next open enrollment period. There are some exceptions for enrolling prior to the open enrollment. In Idaho, the counties have a program to help with medical bills in a catastrophic situation, services have to be applied for, approved, and must be received through an Idaho facility and/or provider. We typically recommend they call the County Assistance program for the county they reside in. Newport Hospital and Health
Pinewood Terrace Nursing & Rehab Center Specializing in Alzheimer care
Caring people make a difference C 509-684-2573 1000 E Elep • Colville
• Healing Oils • Bath Soaks
Services also has an Uncompensated Services Program our patients can apply for to reduce their bill based on their family size and income. 5.What happens if someone signs up for health insurance, but doesn’t make their regular payments? They are terminated from health care coverage if their insurance premiums aren’t paid within the grace period set by the insurance carrier. 6. When someone comes to you for help signing up for health insurance, briefly explain the process they will go through. We usually set this up by appointment and ask them to provide us with names, birthdates, identification and verification of income for all family members, a current e-mail address, information about any health care plans. We are Community Assistors, we go online to help them set up a User Name and Password, all family members information and income is entered, then if all goes through they are typically approved the first of the month in which they apply. For those that qualify for the Medicaid, they can request retroactive coverage for the three months prior if they meet the criteria for residence and household income. For those that are able to do their own computer input, we also have a
• Facial Care • Herbal Mists
• Herbal Powder • Healing Salves
Lois Robertson, LMT Newport, WA
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DEPART
8:15 AM 10:15 AM
Springtime brings warmer weather, outdoor family fun, barbecues, ballgames, and for many Americans, the start of allergy season. As you plan outdoor activities this spring, Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of the Emmy Award winning talk show “The Doctors,� shares his top five tips to ring in spring for a for a healthy and congestion-free spring season.
Keep it simple and natural The overuse of over-the-counter nasal decongestants can actually cause your congestion to return much worse than when it first appeared. Using products that are drug-free and SEE ALLERGIES, 6B
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All Natural • Organic No Parabens • No GMO’s • No Sulfates
ARRIVE 6:30 AM
Fight back against spring allergies
SEE CARE, 7B
SPOKANE / NEWPORT
Our Mission is to provide services to all persons who have been victimized and to promote a safe environment from domestic violence, sexual assault, and for the homeless.
STOCK PHOTO
Spring is the start of allergy season for many Americans.
Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 6:35 AM Newport: Safeway 8:30 AM Spokane Bank of America Howard & Riverside
P.M. ARRIVE
DEPART
2:00 PM
Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 2:35 PM
4:15 PM
Newport: Safeway
5:45 PM
Spokane: Bank of America
4:30 PM
In the City of Spokane, we pick up or drop off at the Bank of America on Riverside and Howard. Upon request, we can also pick up at the following locations: Spokane International Airport, any of the major Hospitals including VA hospital, NorthTown Mall, Northpoint Wal-Mart, 29th and Regal, Fancher and Sprague or Trent and Fancher.
If you have a disability that prevents you from reaching one of our stops, please call our office to see if we can arrange a pickup at your home. One-way fares $3.00 Newport/Spokane Reserve seating has priority. Open seating is available without reservations as capacity allows. To reserve a seat, please call 24-hours in advance or during office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm
1-877-264-RIDE (7433) • 509-534-7171 Service is open to the general public. Service is available to all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. This service meets the requirements of the American’s With Disabilities Act. This service is funded through grants from Washington DOT.
Now Serving Colville Area at Specialty Groups & Physical Therapy 143 Garden Home Dr, Colville Call our Spokane Office to Schedule appointments
An Option for Unpaid Family Caregivers IF the individual you are caring for: • Is not eligible for Medicaid long term care services
OR • Chooses not to receive Medicaid funded long term care services
AND you are caring for a parent, spouse, partner, other relative or friend (age 18+), you may want to consider the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP). The program may be able to offer you things like: • Services to make your caregiving responsibilities easier • Problem-solving techniques • Training with routine care tasks for you or the person you care for • A break from caregiving or how to reduce your stress • AND other types of services to help you in caring for a friend or loved one.
To find your local Family Caregiver Support Program, contact JoDee at Rural Resources Community Action
509-550-7051