Insurance Coverage In Utah?

[CowTown]

Does anybody have full coverage in Utah? If so, what is it, how good is it?
Are there any CF specific programs there?

Thanks!

 

[CowTown]

Does anybody have full coverage in Utah? If so, what is it, how good is it?
Are there any CF specific programs there?

Thanks!

 

[Faust]

Newfy, please explain your coverage in California (i'm assuming you meant California and not Canada in your previous post). I'm curious how you can have such thorough coverage. Is it state run coverage, or is it some form of private coverage? I currently am covered for everything you could imagine under my mothers companies health insurance (large company = the health insurer will kiss your but to keep you and keep your massive $$$ you pay in, with relatively low health needs), but if I go on medicaird/medicare or even a smaller HMO or whatever, i'll have crappy coverage.

 

[Faust]

Newfy, please explain your coverage in California (i'm assuming you meant California and not Canada in your previous post). I'm curious how you can have such thorough coverage. Is it state run coverage, or is it some form of private coverage? I currently am covered for everything you could imagine under my mothers companies health insurance (large company = the health insurer will kiss your but to keep you and keep your massive $$$ you pay in, with relatively low health needs), but if I go on medicaird/medicare or even a smaller HMO or whatever, i'll have crappy coverage.

 

[CowTown]

Sean, my coverage in CA is a state funded program in Sacramento, that covers about 8 diffferent illnesses with CF being one of them. It's called Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP). You have to be 18 years or older, you have to pay an annual fee based on income, a sliding fee scale that is very reasonable. Something like if you make 50k or more, you pay an annual fee of like $600 or something. If you make less than 24k, then you don't pay anything. It doesn't matter what your annual fee is, they pay 100% of everything. They are a pain the booty to deal with but if at the end of the day they pay for everything (...eventually), then I'm happy as a bug in a rug. They have brought in some new restrictions this year that says (I think, I haven't read it all yet) when you reapply every year for GHPP you have to also fill out paper work to see you're eligible for Medicare. If you are, then Medicare *has to* be your primary and GHPP says they will cover the remaining. I don't qualify for Medicare so they should remain my primary. They're dreamy really, I don't understand how there aren't any other programs like this out there. So far so good, they were my knight in shining armor when I turned 18, because having them has allowed me to work for myself, work from home, be 100% independant and be pretty darn comfortable. That's worth a million $!

Link: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ghpp/

 

[CowTown]

Sean, my coverage in CA is a state funded program in Sacramento, that covers about 8 diffferent illnesses with CF being one of them. It's called Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP). You have to be 18 years or older, you have to pay an annual fee based on income, a sliding fee scale that is very reasonable. Something like if you make 50k or more, you pay an annual fee of like $600 or something. If you make less than 24k, then you don't pay anything. It doesn't matter what your annual fee is, they pay 100% of everything. They are a pain the booty to deal with but if at the end of the day they pay for everything (...eventually), then I'm happy as a bug in a rug. They have brought in some new restrictions this year that says (I think, I haven't read it all yet) when you reapply every year for GHPP you have to also fill out paper work to see you're eligible for Medicare. If you are, then Medicare *has to* be your primary and GHPP says they will cover the remaining. I don't qualify for Medicare so they should remain my primary. They're dreamy really, I don't understand how there aren't any other programs like this out there. So far so good, they were my knight in shining armor when I turned 18, because having them has allowed me to work for myself, work from home, be 100% independant and be pretty darn comfortable. That's worth a million $!

Link: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms/ghpp/

 

[CowTown]

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[CowTown]

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[lovingBenandCambree]

Kelly,
My first question to you would be does this company offer insurance? I have pretty good coverage. Yes it is full coverage through my husband's company. It was even better before they just recently switched providers but I won't complain. My new insurance is through United Health Care. The only problem is that the University of Utah hospital, where the CF accredited clinic is is not an IHC provider and my insurance is IHC. Thankfully, my insurance has worked with me and given me "special permission" on a visit by visit basis so it isn't always a guarantee. For this year they have approved me to see the doctors but to go in the hospital I have to get permission everytime. In NOvember they did cover me 100% so I am hoping for the same from here on out.

The biggest question for you is what I asked earlier. There is no way that I could have gotten on insurance without doing it through my husbands company. Good luck! IF you have any further questions please let me know!

Emilee

 

[lovingBenandCambree]

Kelly,
My first question to you would be does this company offer insurance? I have pretty good coverage. Yes it is full coverage through my husband's company. It was even better before they just recently switched providers but I won't complain. My new insurance is through United Health Care. The only problem is that the University of Utah hospital, where the CF accredited clinic is is not an IHC provider and my insurance is IHC. Thankfully, my insurance has worked with me and given me "special permission" on a visit by visit basis so it isn't always a guarantee. For this year they have approved me to see the doctors but to go in the hospital I have to get permission everytime. In NOvember they did cover me 100% so I am hoping for the same from here on out.

The biggest question for you is what I asked earlier. There is no way that I could have gotten on insurance without doing it through my husbands company. Good luck! IF you have any further questions please let me know!

Emilee

 

[anonymous]

Hello!
We live in Utah and are students at the University of Utah. My husband (21, w/cf) sees Dr. Ted Liou at the Intermountain CF Center. Here's a link: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://uuhsc.utah.edu/pulm/cf/">Intermountain CF Center</a>
You should call <b>Cathy Loring</b> at <b>801-585-2804</b> for more info. She schedules everything for Dr. Liou and the rest of the Center. She probably can answer your insurance questions or at least know who you should talk to.
Since we're both students I don't know much about insurance. We're currently trying to get accepted by Medicaid which pays everything. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> But that's not an easy thing to do.
Good luck!
~ Shauna

 

[anonymous]

Hello!
We live in Utah and are students at the University of Utah. My husband (21, w/cf) sees Dr. Ted Liou at the Intermountain CF Center. Here's a link: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://uuhsc.utah.edu/pulm/cf/">Intermountain CF Center</a>
You should call <b>Cathy Loring</b> at <b>801-585-2804</b> for more info. She schedules everything for Dr. Liou and the rest of the Center. She probably can answer your insurance questions or at least know who you should talk to.
Since we're both students I don't know much about insurance. We're currently trying to get accepted by Medicaid which pays everything. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> But that's not an easy thing to do.
Good luck!
~ Shauna

 

[CowTown]

Thanks for the info.

Emilee, I'm sure this new company he's looking inot offers coverage but I would imagine it's 100% coverage. For instance, the company where my husband works now offers insurance but you would have a $5,000 annual deductible (that's $416/month! - if they allow you to break it down), then once the deductible is met, they would only pay 80% of everything. So, $416/month PLUS 20% of med bills is completely not doable considering how much hospital and medications cost. This is what I mean, it just doesn't seem possible.

You mentioned having pretty good coverage, how does it break down a month or a year for you? What are your out of pocket expenses to cover whatever they don't? Do you have an annual deductible and or copays? Thanks for the help.

Shauna, thanks for the contact info. I will call to see what Cathy thinks.

 

[CowTown]

Thanks for the info.

Emilee, I'm sure this new company he's looking inot offers coverage but I would imagine it's 100% coverage. For instance, the company where my husband works now offers insurance but you would have a $5,000 annual deductible (that's $416/month! - if they allow you to break it down), then once the deductible is met, they would only pay 80% of everything. So, $416/month PLUS 20% of med bills is completely not doable considering how much hospital and medications cost. This is what I mean, it just doesn't seem possible.

You mentioned having pretty good coverage, how does it break down a month or a year for you? What are your out of pocket expenses to cover whatever they don't? Do you have an annual deductible and or copays? Thanks for the help.

Shauna, thanks for the contact info. I will call to see what Cathy thinks.

 

[NoExcuses]

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[NoExcuses]

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[CowTown]

Amy, what you just explained that you have, sounds really good. Those are numbers I can work with! Can I ask what insurance carrier does your company use?

 

[CowTown]

Amy, what you just explained that you have, sounds really good. Those are numbers I can work with! Can I ask what insurance carrier does your company use?

 

[CowTown]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>lovingBenandCambree</b></i><br>Kelly,

My first question to you would be does this company offer insurance? I have pretty good coverage. Yes it is full coverage through my husband's company. It was even better before they just recently switched providers but I won't complain. My new insurance is through United Health Care. The only problem is that the University of Utah hospital, where the CF accredited clinic is is not an IHC provider and my insurance is IHC. Thankfully, my insurance has worked with me and given me "special permission" on a visit by visit basis so it isn't always a guarantee. For this year they have approved me to see the doctors but to go in the hospital I have to get permission everytime. In NOvember they did cover me 100% so I am hoping for the same from here on out.

Emilee<hr></blockquote>



Hi Emilee, So you're covered through United Healthcare. What are your monthly out of pocket expenses for whatever meds and hospital bills they don't cover? Annual deductible, co pays? Just wondering if it would be affordable for us. Thanks.

 

[CowTown]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>lovingBenandCambree</b></i><br>Kelly,

My first question to you would be does this company offer insurance? I have pretty good coverage. Yes it is full coverage through my husband's company. It was even better before they just recently switched providers but I won't complain. My new insurance is through United Health Care. The only problem is that the University of Utah hospital, where the CF accredited clinic is is not an IHC provider and my insurance is IHC. Thankfully, my insurance has worked with me and given me "special permission" on a visit by visit basis so it isn't always a guarantee. For this year they have approved me to see the doctors but to go in the hospital I have to get permission everytime. In NOvember they did cover me 100% so I am hoping for the same from here on out.

Emilee<hr></blockquote>



Hi Emilee, So you're covered through United Healthcare. What are your monthly out of pocket expenses for whatever meds and hospital bills they don't cover? Annual deductible, co pays? Just wondering if it would be affordable for us. Thanks.