NEW RESOURCE FOR MISSOURIANS WITH PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS

NEW RESOURCE FOR MISSOURIANS WITH PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS


As you may have heard, there is a new resource available for

Missourians with pre-existing health conditions. The Missouri Health Insurance Pool, (MHIP) has run a state-mandated high-risk pool since 1991. Federal funding from the Patient Protection and

Affordable Care Act has allowed MHIP to create a second, federal pool. This new pool, funded by $81 million in federal money, offers rates about 30 percent lower than the state pool. Further, it places no restrictions on coverage of policyholders’ pre-existing conditions. To be eligible for the new federal pool, an applicant must:

Be a Missouri resident; Have a pre-existing condition; and Be without health insurance for at least the past six months.

MHIP has contracted with RightChoice, a subsidiary of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, to administer the program and Catalyst Rx to provide prescription drug coverage. The state pool has more than 4,000 members. MHIP has projected that the new federal pool can

accommodate approximately 3,600 members between now and 2014, including 1,000 members by the end of 2010. Both the

federal and state high-risk pools will be available until 2014, when the new federal law requires health insurance companies to offer coverage to all applicants, regardless of health status, at standard market rates. For more information on MHIP plans or to apply for coverage, call 800-821-2231 or visit http://mhip.org/.

Pregnant Women & the Flu

Vaccination Helps Protect Pregnant Women from Flu


Pregnant women everywhere know the importance of taking steps to maintain good health. However, one step that is too often overlooked is the need for pregnant and postpartum women to get vaccinated against the flu.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other trusted health care providers play a big role in educating expectant mothers on the risks of flu and the importance of vaccination. That’s why today, leaders from some of the most trusted organizations in the health field released a letter, urging all health care providers to promote vaccination in pregnant and postpartum women.

Their message is simple:

1. Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant

2. Pregnant women should get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies against flu

3. Influenza vaccine is safe during any trimester

Last year pregnant women accounted for 5% of H1N1 flu-related deaths and 7% of flu-related hospitalizations, despite representing only 1% of the U.S. population. Pregnant women with influenza are also at increased risk of developing serious complications, including hospitalization and death.

Get a copy of the letter or learn more at http://www.flu.gov/.

CPR classes

Effective November 1, 2010 our CPR class fees will increase to $35.00 per individual.
Please visit our Health Education blog http://www.plattehealthed.blogspot.com/

HHS Launches First of Its Kind Consumer Focused Website in Spanish

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled CuidadodeSalud.Gov, the first website in Spanish of its kind to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.  Click the link below:
http://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/enes/