Tips For Understanding Health Insurance Options
Employers and employees continue to face the challenge of rising costs of health insurance. Another challenge is it is difficult for many people to understand today’s complex insurance plans. Often, employees will ask someone in their Human Resources (HR) department who is responsible for creating their benefits package. This person is usually guided by a consultant or someone at the insurance company in creating a plan that helps employees while controlling employer costs.
Those without significant health challenges adjust their medical visits and decisions based on what insurance benefits their employer provides. They switch doctors to one who is in-network and accept generic prescriptions to help keep their costs low. For the bleeding disorder community this is a much more difficult and complex issue. Switching doctors is not usually an option. There is no generic prescription for bleeding disorder medication. What can a person living with a bleeding disorder do?
At Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG), we recognize the impact of the high cost of treating bleeding disorders has on a family. Our staff is here to help patients with insurance and billing issues. We also help patients understand and manage their insurance benefits. We have a dedicated payer relations team that negotiates contracts with insurance companies. Hemophilia of Georgia works with over 90% of health insurance providers in order to ensure optimal access for our patients.
Patients can also speak with their outreach nurse, social worker, or pharmacist about their options. HoG enhances patient care by offering services provided by our Medication Therapy Management Pharmacists (MTM), yet another resource for patients to have.
Hemophilia of Georgia is an in-network provider for most commercial and Marketplace plans as well as all three Georgia CMO’s and Medicare. Our subsidiary, Beacon Pharmacy, also serves as a provider for people who are enrolled in traditional Medicaid fee-for-service. Individuals who wish to use the HoG Pharmacy but do not see HoG on their plan or need help in obtaining insurance, should contact their social worker to discuss options that may be available and next steps. Learn more about choosing the right health care plan for you and your family by using our Healthcare Plan Comparison Worksheet.
If you need to contact your outreach nurse or social worker and do not know their number, please call 770-518-8272.