Caring Voice Coalition Insurance Education and Counseling Program provides specialized insurance assistance and guidance to patients by offering the following services related to health insurance:
Identifying sources of health care coverage
Assisting with enrollment into a plan
Reviewing and explaining benefits
Mediating problems and complaints
Preparing and submitting appeals

Valley Family Health Center (VFHC) patients are managed by a Care Team, which includes the providers you see at the Center- which can include a patient's physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioners and social workers. The Care Team will make sure the patient receives accurate and timely treatment and can be a source of guidance, support, education and empowerment. The team coordinates appointments and services while building strong relationships with other health care team members by keeping communication lines open with each other and the patient. The team will help you:

• Offer support, guidance and instruction

• Learn about your particular health care system

• Understand your diagnosis and treatment

• Find available educational resources and supportive services

• Get answers to insurance and financial concerns by connecting you to appropriate resources

• Coordinate appointments and transportation assistance

• Provide the answers you need and help you understand the information delivered

• Make referrals to appropriate resources

Regency Health Care provides fiscal intermediary services to consumers/clients who are self directing.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) - Part A helps to cover inpatient hospital care, medically necessary inpatient care in skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, home health care, and hospice care. You are automatically covered under Part A if you or your spouse are entitled to benefits under the Social Security System, Railroad Retirement System, or have paid the Medicare portion of the Social Security payroll (FICA) tax. In addition, some disabled persons under 65 may qualify for benefits. For those who do not automatically qualify, Part A may be purchased. Part A can help to pay for up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility during a benefit period if your condition requires daily skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. This skilled nursing is meant to be temporary since it is designed to treat a medical condition in which is expected to improve. Custodial nursing home care is not paid for by Medicare. Home Health Care Expenses covered by Medicare can be: part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, occupational/physical/speech therapy and medically necessary services such as part time home health aides, medical social services, and medical and medical supplies/equipment. All the Home Health Care Services must be provided by a Medicare-participating home health agency> Hospice Care can be paid for if: a doctor certifies the patient is terminally ill, and care is provided by a Medicare certified Hospice program.

MEDICAID COMMUNITY SECTION (PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS)

John H . Mulroy Civic Center 5th floor

421 Montgomery Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Hours: 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM Monday through Friday

Telephone: (315) 435-2928 Fax: (315) 435-3938

The Medicaid Community Unit processes applications for a variety of public health insurance programs including Medicaid, Prenatal care services (Presumptive Eligibility), Family Planning Benefit Program and the Medicare Savings Program.

Financial eligibility is determined based on the income and resource standards governing the Public Health Insurance Programs. A Supplemental Security Income recipient is granted Medicaid based on his/her certification for SSI benefits. A separate application for Medicaid is not needed for SSI recipients.

Persons eligible for Medicaid may be required to enroll in a managed care plan. Managed Care information and options will be provided upon application.

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP), administered by the New York State Office for the Aging, helps you understand Medicare and other health insurance matters. Trained staff and in some counties volunteers will answer your questions and assist you as necessary. The services provided by HIICAP are free and unbiased

Funded by the New York State Department of Health, the IPA / Navigator program provides one-on-one assistance for individuals and small businesses interested in shopping for and enrolling in health insurance through The New York State of Health - the Official Health Plan Marketplace. Navigators are now available to meet with individuals, families and small businesses at various locations throughout the community to provide education about the different types of health insurance plans offered through the New York State of Health marketplace and to assist with enrollment into public insurance programs and qualified health plans.

To schedule an appointment with a member of CCSI's IPA / Navigator team, please call appointment line at (585) 613-7662.

Provides affordable prescriptions for uninsured individuals, as well as those with private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.

The transition of health care and Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) into managed care can be intimidating for people with disabilities who rely on these vital services. Depending on your individual situation, managed care companies may recognize that you have been underserved and authorize increased hours, keep your services and supports the same or cut needed hours from your plan. We have seen the same thing happen to folks in traditional fee-for-service Medicaid LTSS. People with disabilities may face difficulties in addressing their healthcare needs as well.

The Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) recognizes that people with disabilities may need information, assistance and advocacy to get the healthcare, services and supports they need. Consequently, the Board has allocated some of our Independent Living funds to support managed care and health care advocacy.

RCIL's Healthcare Advocate is available to help consumers with all aspects of healthcare benefit planning including:

•Assisting with Medicaid, Medicaid Long Term Care, and Medicare;

•Explaining the differences among Managed Care plans;

•Assisting with health plan selection and enrollment into Managed Care;

•Obtaining home services to ensure independence;

•Appealing healthcare denials and serving as an advocate throughout the appeal process; and

•Representing consumers at fair hearings and advocating for the full integration, independence, and civil rights of people with disabilities.

People with disabilities who have benefit questions or concerns about managed care or long term services and supports can contact RCIL at (585) 442-6470.

Medical coverage for people who are unable to pay for their medical care and who have income below the eligibility guidelines set by the state of New York