Health Insurance Myths

Let the myths about health insurance begin: It's too expensive. It's impossible to be self-employed and get good Montana health insurance plans. I have to have a job with full benefits to be properly insured. All I can afford is a shell of a plan that covers only catastrophes. If I make sure my children are properly insured, I'll have to forgo coverage for myself and take my chances. As a Montana health insurance professional, I have heard just about every (often largely unfounded) reason for why folks think they cannot afford quality health insurance. Perhaps it's based on what politicians promise and argue over, maybe it's just a case of "everyone says it's so," or maybe it's fostered on us from doom and gloom from the media. Whatever the underlying reason, many are the misconceptions regarding the issue. The truth of the matter is that medical insurance, when you seek the guidance of a proper agency, can be relatively affordable. Being properly insured will provide you the peace of mind you deserve, knowing you and your loved ones are covered in the event of an illness or injury. What's more, it is also possible to secure Montana health insurance plans that include well care, which is vital to people with children so as to provide regular checkups, immunizations, and other care. And the list goes on of the superb options that exist to get the affordable health care that you and your family deserve... and now is the time to get it. Tragedy can hit at any time. You must be ready. Ensure you find Blue Cross health insurance plans in Montana where the agent has been successful in writing policies for folks with preexisting conditions and other issues that present challenges. While such policies, of course, necessarily command higher premiums, with the help of a good Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana agent it is possible for higher-risk clients to become properly insured. That is to say, everyone has options.

Health care to include eating disorders

Argentinian senators have approved a bill declaring obesity and other eating disorders diseases covered by the nation’s public and private health care programmes. The politicians unanimously backed the Obesity Law, saying that fighting obesity, anorexia and bulimia is in the national interest. Patients can now seek treatment under Argentina’s health programmes. The law also prohibits the media from releasing diets that are not backed by a health professional and requires that high-calorie foods carry a warning label. The bill already had been approved by the lower house. The obesity bill was boosted by a popular Argentinian reality TV show – A Question of Weight – that helped obese contestants slim down.

Help for health care

People who need primary care and mental health services could soon have their needs met in one visit. An educational session on a plan to integrate services was held Wednesday at Glen Oaks Community College. It was a rare meeting attended by members of the Three Rivers Health, Sturgis Hospital and Community Mental Health of St. Joseph County boards. Sturgis Hospital CEO Rob LaBarge welcomed guests. Liz O’Dell, director of St. Joseph County CMH, introduced keynote speakers Donna Sabourin, director of the Washtenaw Community Health Organization and Bev Hammerstrom, former state legislator. Three Rivers Health president/CEO Matt Chambers announced that an $85,000 Rural Health Service Area grant has been awarded to begin making plans for integrated services. While there are historical cultural differences between mental and physical health services, working together could save hospitals money and make life for patients easier. In applying for the grant, a needs assessment had to be prepared. According to the assessment, St. Joseph County is a rural, medically underserved and economically challenged county. The county is medically underserved and it is difficult to recruit primary care and behavioral health providers because of the large number of uninsured and under-insured and the low reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare. The pool of available primary care doctors is also diminishing as more primary care doctors are retiring than entering the market from medical schools. At Sturgis Hospital, 20-25 percent of those treated in the emergency room have no family physician. Three Rivers Health has a total patient population that is represented by more than 50 percent of patients covered by either Medicaid or Medicare. Public mental health services provided by St. Joseph County CMH where 80 percent of those served have Medicaid. Cutbacks in state funding and changes in eligibility requirements have resulted in many in need going untreated or undertreated. Chambers said a recent study has found that people with serious mental illness are dying on average nearly three decades earlier than the general population. There is a high prevalence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this population. Chambers said there is growing evidence that an integrated approach linking mental health services in primary care settings improves clinical outcomes and has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for those with mental health problems. This concept of integrated care will make the best use of limited resources to provide cost effective care for county residents.