health & wellness
Assistance in Living.,
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Health Care Reform
Enjoy friends from the
old neigborhood and
make new friends.
With Oct. 1 coming, learn where you
stand with the Affordable Care Act.
Ruthan Brodsky
Special to the Jewish News
H
ealth care reform affects
every American because the
new law signed by President
Barack Obama in March 2010 estab-
lishes new consumer protections and
responsibilities. Many parts of the exist-
ing private insurance system are kept,
but there are many major changes.
"We are at the 11th hour for health
care reform:' says Andy Hetzel, vice
president of communications for Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "On
Oct. 1, health insurance 'marketplaces'
open in every state as part of the health
reform law, the Affordable Care Act:'
The marketplace is for you if your
health insurance is not covered by your
employer or you have zero coverage. At
this site, www.healthcare.gov, you can
find the coverage that you need at a
price your can afford. In Michigan, you
can apply online, by mail or in-person
with the help of a qualified person. (See
Resources: application assisters).
Most people who have insurance can
keep their current plan and don't need
to do anything for 2014. However, if you
have purchased insurance from a work
or group plan, it's a good idea to see if
you can find an easier or more afford-
able plan from Michigan's marketplace,
or exchange, at wwwmichigan.gov/difs .
For instance, you may want to change
your health plan if you're getting insur-
ance through a spouse's employer or if
you've been using a catastrophic plan.
To prepare for enrollment, you should
learn about the different types of health
insurance, gather basic information
about household income, find a plan
with the right balance of costs and
coverage, and make a list of questions
before you choose your health plan.
In Michigan, visit the website, www
localhelp.healthcare.gov, to get personal
help applying for health coverage. Find
out how to compare plans and enroll.
Fleischman Residence/
Blumberg Plaza
6710 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield
Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
• Personal Care Assistance
edication Administration
ealth Clinic
• Laundry,
Housekeeping and
Transportation
• Beauty/Barber Shop
• Safe, Secure Environment
omplete Kosher Meal Service • Nosh Nook/
• Respite Rooms
Gift Shop
Recreational, Educational, Cultural & Spiritual Programs
Daily, Shabbat and Holiday Services in our Chapel
\ I /
N
/
IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY
'New Year
1 -----
' $500 off Private Suite first month's rent
Special —
1---
----- $300 off Shared Suite first month's rent
,----
President Obama signing the
Affordable Care Act in March 2010.
"Michigan is fortunate," Hetzel says,
"because there are 14 companies offer-
ing their products, including Blue
Cross Blue Shield. Michigan consumers
benefit from the competitive offers. All
insurance coverage includes covering
people with pre-existing conditions that
probably were denied coverage previ-
ously or had to pay high fees because
of those conditions. Now they can pur-
chase health insurance that covers their
conditions without paying additional
costs. Our company has spent two years
planning and preparing products to
offer that meet these new regulations:'
Expansion Of Medicaid
Michigan is among the 25 states that
decided to expand Medicaid so that
low-income adults have more oppor-
tunities for coverage. The eligibility
level will be raised and standardized at
133 percent of the federal poverty level
(about $21,400 for a family of two).
Michigan expects that 470,000
people will gain medical coverage. Even
if you were previously told you don't
qualify, you may qualify under the new
rules. Medicaid will continue to sup-
port seniors and those with disabilities
who need long-term care.
However, this part of the law won't
take place until April 1, 2014, in
Michigan because of state legislature
politics. If this delay confuses your
efforts to sort out your options, call one
of the resources listed and get help.
Visit Michigan's Medicaid website
(wwwmfia.state.mi.us/mars/) and apply
to see if you qualify now or in 2014.
Get Help Here
• www.healthcare.gov
• www.healthcarereformbasics.com
• www.familiesusa.org/resources/resources-for-consumers
. 1111111 ontact Marcia Mittelman
Application Assisters
248-661-1836 www.jsimi.org
• Wayne State University Physician Group Application Assisters,
26400 12 Mile Road, Southfield 48034; (248) 581-5840 (main);
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Website: www.wsupgdocs.org/
Email: financialcounselors@wsupgdocs.org.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield: Health plan adviser, (855) 499-0544; email
questions to healthcarereformbasicsquestions@bcbsm.com .
Staci Fealk, LMSW, Administrator
(f)
a residence of
JEWISH SENIOR LIFE
Supported by
The Jewish Federation
OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT
1864640
42
eptember 26 • 2013