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Finding Affordable Health Care Coverage
For Children and Families 2007-2008
Cindy Flye, health center coordinator, attended an informational seminar facilitated by representatives of Consumers for Affordable Health Care – a non profit organization that provides information, assistance and referrals regarding health care coverage options for children and families. Thousands of Maine citizens are without health care coverage but there are a number of programs available to consider, including MaineCare, DirigoChoice and CarePartners.
MaineCare is free or low-cost health insurance for families with children and pregnant women. It provides coverage for comprehensive services including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental care, mental health and substance abuse treatment as well as services offered in our school-based health center. Applications are available in the student health center. For more information or application assistance, call 1-877-543-7669 or visit www.maine.gov/bms/member.htm
DirigoChoice™ is health care coverage designed to give Maine businesses with 50 or fewer employees, the self-employed, and individuals an affordable, high-quality option for health coverage. It is part of a broad strategy to lower health care costs, increase access to health care, and ensure high quality health care for all Maine citizens. This coverage looks like many other health insurance plans and is currently administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine. Harvard Pilgrim will administer the program beginning in January 2008. Participation is voluntary. Currently enrollment is open to individuals and self-employed people without a discount. If you would like to inquire about discounted coverage, call the Dirigo Health Agency and you will be placed on a waiting
list.
DirigoChoice will encourage a healthy lifestyle by offering a variety of wellness resources and 100% coverage for prevention services. For more information call the Dirigo Health Agency at 1-877-892-8391 or visit www.dirigohealth.maine.gov .
CarePartners is a large group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who have volunteered to provide many health care services you may need such as regular check-ups and care when you are sick, prescription medications you can afford, lab, x-ray and hospital services at no cost, and referrals to other services and resources. If you become a member of CarePartners you will pay no more than $10.00 for each office visit and $5.00, $15.00, or $25.00 for each prescription. Lab, x-ray and other hospital services are no charge. To be eligible for CarePartners an applicant must be between the ages of 19-64 and reside in one of the CarePartners program service areas for a period of at least 6 months (or have a participating provider). Kennebec County is one of the service areas. Applicants cannot be eligible for
health care insurance through government sponsored programs, which include, but are not limited to: MaineCare (formerly known as Medicaid), Medicare, and Veterans Benefits. For more information call 626-1684 or visit www.carepartnersmaine.com .
Need help sorting through all the options? Finding affordable health care can be difficult. Consumers for Affordable Health Care HelpLine staff can help. Call the HelpLine even if you think you don’t qualify for any programs! The Helpline number is 1-800-965-7476 or visit www.mainecahc.org.
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