Insurance options; Insurance with an CHD

In the coming weeks I hope to compile information on what the different insurance options are available here in WI. Several times over the WI_ACHD list-serve ive seen now members asking or talking about their insurance status and I have been thinking about this since. I also will soon post a list I have compiled over the years of organizations and charities that offer financial and insurance assistance for programs such as high risk insurance or medication costs. If you would like a copy of this comprehensive (albeit there is no way to list all programs available) word document of assistance programs here in WI and national email me at thielerica@gmail.com In the mean time some of the options I hope to cover to some degree include:

Badger Care Badgr Care Plus and Badgr Care Core+ One is for families with small children making under a certain income limit per year depending on family. The other program Core+ is for adults without children lacking insurance who also make under a certain income limit per year.

WI-High Risk Insurance pool - (HIRSP) A plan offered to people in-eligible for private or federal insurance due to pre-existing conditions (which will no longer be a cause for dismissal or denial under the new Federal Halth Plan commonly referred to as 'Obama Care') HIRSP is a high risk insurance pool to cover more people who otherwise would not have health insurance. Deductibles and co-pays can often be very expensive although some underlying diseases offer programs to help cover such costs. As an example for my disorder there is a program through uneedpsi.org (Patient Services Inc) to help individuals covered under such plans as these cover the insurance costs and have access to life-saving treatments.

Medicaid - also referred to as Badger Care but differing in set-up from Badger Care Plus and Core+ plans although eligibility is also based on income limits and in some cases to those who are deemed disabled but not eligible for medicare due to not enough 'working credits' or no underlying working history.

Private Insurance - Often offered through ones employer health plan but can also be guaranteed to kids of parents covered under such policies up till the age of 26 with the new federal health insurance plan again ocmmonly referred to as 'Obama Care'. Usually the private insurance plan will require proof of post-secondary enrollemnt on a yearly or twice yearly basis.

Private Insurance under a parent or guardian as a disabled individual: This option is usually for those individuals who have been classified as disabled and met their parents/guardians health plan 'disabled family member' requirements. Typically when one is deemed disabled the individual or family can contact the insurance company/employer insurance group health plan provider before the age of 18 and ask for paperwork to establish longer term coverage and the insurance plan/company will go through a process and decide if the individual meets their standards for disabled coverage. This typically requires yearly renewals and paperwork verification.

Katie Beckett - The Katie Beckett Program is a special eligibility process that allows certain children with long-term disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs, living at home with their families, to obtain a Wisconsin ForwardHealth Medicaid card.
Children who are not eligible for other Medicaid programs because the income or assets of their parents are too high, may be eligible for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett Program. A child may be eligible for this source of Medicaid even if they are currently covered under a private health insurance policy. Although this program typically applies to children under 18 I was reminded that there are many ACHD'ers who also know others with small children with CHD and this program can help those children.

Look for further information on some of these options soon!
ET (WI.ACHD)