Back Page Briefs 4/98
Back Page Briefs 4/98
April 30, 1998
2 minutes read
Montana offers group insurance for children to divorced parents
HELENA, MT-Montana parents who are required to provide health insurance for their children under a divorce court order, now can obtain affordable insurance through a new statewide group insurance plan. As of April 1, parents can purchase insurance through Montana's Insured Children Program (MiChild). The monthly premium for major medical coverage with a $500 deductible, is $77. Security Continental Insurance Company of Downers Grove, IL has won the state contract. MiChild will be completely financed by the premiums paid by parents.
To qualify, a parent must have a case with the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) and have a court or administrative order to provide financial support and medical insurance to a child.
The state developed MiChild after officials found that many parents ordered to cover their children did not have insurance available at a reasonable cost. If more medical support orders can be enforced, savings may accrue to Medicaid. The savings for every child on Medicaid who becomes insured through MiChild will be $66 per month," said Debra Stipcich of CSED.
Contact Ms. Stipcich at 406-444-2480.
W. Virginia to designate another 11 hospitals for critical access
CHARLESTON, WV-West Virginia expects to designate another 11 hospitals as Critical Access Hospitals in the next two or three years now that it has received approval for its Rural Health Plan from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 authorizes $25 million in grants to help states improve access to essential health care services in their communities. Hospitals receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare and can limit their services to 24-hour emergency care, outpatient programs only minimal acute care capacity.
Sandra Pope of the Department of Health and Human Resources said that hospitals must have a relationship with a larger, more viable hospital and must do a community needs assessment before receiving the designation. They must also do a financial feasibility study. "We don't want a hospital in a financial crisis to participate in the program if that isn't the best thing for them to do. We want to make sure they really want to do it," said Ms. Pope. West Virginia Medicaid pays hospitals the same as Medicare which has been a big incentive for rural hospitals to try to get the designation, Ms. Pope said.
Contact Ms. Hope at 304-558-1327.
Back Page Briefs 4/98
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