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Westmoreland County Hosts Week of the Uninsured, April 28 - May 2
Qualifying Families Can Enroll in CHIP, adultBasic Insurance Programs
Posted 4-24-08
To mark the "Week of the Uninsured in
Westmoreland County" the Board of Commissioners today announced
that during the week of April 28-May 4 the Courthouse will host
an information and enrollment kiosk for uninsured families to
enroll in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and
adultBasic health plan.
In Pennsylvania, there are more than 800,000
uninsured adults and more than 133,000 uninsured children. These
numbers are continuing to increase because of rising healthcare
costs and other economic factors.
"Dependable health insurance coverage is
absolutely critical for families," said County Commissioner
Chairman Tom Balya. "Families without health insurance often go
without appropriate medical care, are more likely to receive
insufficient care, be sicker and receive poorer care when they
are hospitalized. We are proud to offer this opportunity to
enroll in these valuable programs."
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance
information will be available in the first floor lobby of the
Westmoreland County Courthouse, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on
Monday, April 28, through 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 2. The Highmark
display table will have CHIP, adultBasic, Special Care and
Direct Pay Product health insurance application information
during regular courthouse hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A Highmark outreach specialist will be on-site
to provide application assistance on the following days:
Monday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Tuesday, April 29, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Applications for income-based programs (CHIP,
adultBasic, Special Care) and for some Highmark Direct Pay
products can be completed on site on the designated days. For
the CHIP and adultBasic applicants, the following information is
necessary: income documentation for the past 30 days
(employment, unemployment financial determination letter,
Medical Assistance denial letter, Social Security, pension,
worker's compensation and child support information).
"The CHIP program has given uninsured children
with unmet medical, dental and vision needs access to routine
healthcare, and the ability to be seen by the same network of
physicians and hospitals as those with private insurance," said
Barbara Breitenstein, Highmark Outreach Specialist. "Highmark is
grateful for the county commissioners' commitment to helping the
uninsured during 'Cover the Uninsured Week'."
Further demonstrating its commitment to helping
the uninsured and underinsured, earlier this year the
commissioners announced a discount program for prescription
drugs that is free to all residents of Westmoreland County. The
program offers consumers an average savings of 20 percent off
regularly prescribed drugs and is available to families with or
without insurance. To enroll in that program, visit
www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/rxcard or call toll-free
800.222.8848.
For more information about CHIP, including
eligibility guidelines, visit
www.chipcoverspakids.com or Highmark's web site
www.highmark.com. |
