Copyright 2000 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Chicago
Sun-Times
February 09, 2000, WEDNESDAY, Late
Sports Final Edition
SECTION: NEWS; ON HEALTH
INSURANCE; Pg. 60
LENGTH: 456 words
HEADLINE: Program provides affordable care to
uninsured patients
BYLINE: Barbara
Melman
BODY:
I received a press release from Katie
Barnickel, public relations manager of the Access to Care program, proudly
announcing that more than 45,000 patients have been served since the program
began 11 years ago. I felt this would be a good time to again promote this
wonderful program.
Access to Care partners with doctors to deliver
primary health care to low-income, uninsured
residents of suburban Cook County in their neighborhoods. More than 500
physicians have joined the program, and they're committed to serving 20,000
patients this year. Through the program, which costs nothing to join, patients
can visit a local primary care doctor in his or her private office for $ 5.
Other services include prescription medication for $ 7 (generic) or $ 15 (brand
name) and basic lab and X-ray services for $ 3.
Program participants
must have an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. A
family of four with an annual income of less than $ 33,400, no health insurance,
or a deductible of $ 500 or more per person would qualify, for example. The
family could not be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare.
Enrollment is
offered through township offices, social service agencies, public health
departments or mail-in application.
Many part-time employees, students,
the unemployed, low-wage earners and those not offered health insurance by their
employers are eligible for Access to Care.
If readers are aware of
programs offered by other counties or medical centers that I can promote, please
contact me so I can help spread the word. It's important for people to know
there are programs to assist them and their families.
Call (708)
531-0680 for more information or an application.
I would like to
congratulate the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan on its 10th
anniversary. I often suggest this plan for people who otherwise would be unable
to obtain insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition, but can afford
to pay the premium. It's also an option for those who have had group or
individual plans that are no longer affordable. In many instances, the ICHIP
premium costs less and the benefits are better.
The program originally
served 1,783 participants, and over its 10 years has served 18,000. Today there
are more than 7,800 people enrolled in ICHIP.
People who have been
denied health insurance coverage for current or previous medical conditions
should contact ICHIP at (800) 962-8384. The Illinois CHIP program is considered
one of the leading health benefits risk pools in the country.
Barbara
Melman is president of Claim Relief, a Chicago company that helps people with
health insurance problems. Write her at the Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash,
Chicago 60611.
LOAD-DATE: February 09, 2000
