Insurance and Financial Resources
Webinars
- 11/16/2011 Paying for Dialysis in NY State: An Overview
Resources:
New York State Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP)
HIICAP
What is HIICAP? Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program, is the New York State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It receives federal funds from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to operate a statewide network of local programs.
HIICAP educates the public about Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, EPIC, and other health insurance options and issues
HIICAP assists Medicare beneficiaries [this includes those with the ESRD Coverage] to access needed health care and to apply for programs such as the Medicare Savings Programs
HIICAP Hotline Number - For local assistance in answering Health Insurance (HIICAP) questions please call 1-800-701-0501.
New York State Medicaid
You may be covered by Medicaid if:
You have high medical bills; You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI); You meet certain financial requirements.
For more Medicaid information:
See your Local Departments of Social Services
Medicare:
Medicare Coverage of Kidney Disease and Transplant PDF
How to Apply for Medicare: Speak with your dialysis social worker. If you’re eligible for Medicare because of ESRD, you can enroll in Part A and Part B by visiting your local Social Security office or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
Note: If you’re already enrolled in Medicare based on age or disability, and you’re already paying a higher Part B premium because you didn’t enroll in Part B when you were first eligible, the penalty will stop when you become entitled to Medicare based on ESRD. Call your local Social Security office to make an appointment to re-enroll in Medicare based on ESRD.
Resources:
New York State Insurance DepartmentFor appeals regarding existing private insurance coverage
Medicare Rights Center:
The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives. HOTLINE: 1-800-333-4114
Life Options Educational Power Point Program*
This is a six part program. You need to download the entire series. The final set of teaching tools and Powerpoint presentation is:
“How to Have a Good Future with Kidney Disease Your Money and Your Life”
*If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download a PowerPoint viewer from the Microsoft website (Windows users only).
The American Kidney Fund Patient Grant Program:
The American Kidney Fund leads the nation in charitable assistance to dialysis patients. In 2010, 101,000 people—1 out of every 4 U.S. dialysis patients—received assistance from the American Kidney Fund for health insurance premiums and other treatment-related expenses that insurance does not cover.
If you are a patient who is in need of treatment-related financial assistance, speak with your dialysis center social worker about submitting an application to AKF.