Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance
The virtual PCP can refer to an in-person specialist. The goal for Blue Shield’s virtual PCP implementation is to reduce wait times to see a physician and reduce costs to the plan and member. Behavioral health will also be a part of the Accolade Care virtual system as well as a health coach. PPO plan members will also be able to select an Accolade Care virtual PCP.
While the network of health care providers is small with Medi-Cal programs, if you qualify for the 250% Working Disabled Program, you may be able to save quite a bit of money. To see you if you might qualify, contact your county’s social service department for Medi-Cal eligibility unit.
All of the categories of health insurance premium assistance – Individual and Family, Medicare, Employer Sponsored – can also help with out-of-pocket health care expenses. The programs will cover expenses that accrue to meeting the maximum out-of-pocket amount of the health plan. These costs include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, all of which add towards the maximum out-of-pocket amount.
The 2025 Medicare Part D standard benefit structure will have a $590 deductible. After the drug deductible is met the plan member goes into the initial coverage phase. During the initial coverage phase, the plan member is responsible for 25 percent of the drug costs.
My ReSound Nexia hearing aids cost thousands of dollars. They work well for me. Other people might be able to find a less expensive OTC brand on the internet to meet their hearing challenges. I review my expensive hearing aids.
Not all the below options may be available to you because some are contingent on your age, employment, or income. Those health insurance alternatives available to you are worth investigating and considering if they meet your budget or adequately address health care challenges you may be facing.
Medi-Cal breaks up the income into unearned income, earned income, in kind income, and exempt income. Finally, there are certain expenses that will reduce the final countable income for eligibility in the Medicare Savings Program.
The Stanford Health Care hospitals and facilities contract with Blue Shield ended on June 28, 2024. Despite many months of good faith negotiations with Stanford Health, we have not been able to reach a reasonable agreement on reimbursement rates and contractual terms that are beneficial for both parties and keep care sustainably affordable for our members.
There is no abortion tourism, a term Serevino uses to trivialize the critical health care decision by a woman. Some states have increased abortion procedures, not because women want to visit Disneyland, but because their home state has banned the procedure. It also appears that Serevino is advocating for the expansion of the surveillance state. He wants as much data on women and their health care decisions as possible. It is kind of creepy.
The Paragon Health Institute report on fraud in the ACA enrollments is flawed and biased. The report does highlight the desperate need for affordable health insurance in many states that have not expanded Medicaid.
