Happy Labor Day
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Happy Thursday and Happy Labor Day Healthcare Advocates
I would like to encourage comments and suggestions from you if you have time. If there is a special topic you’d like to see please let me know. Please use the comment button below.
A Few Days Off
I will take a few days off from writing and will return on September 5th. Reading and research continue as usual.
Have a happy Labor Day!!
Denials
I am still calling insurance commissioners to determine which states collect and make available the claims denial rates. It is slow going.
A few comments related to insurance claims denials were received (thank you) so here is a link to one of our previous articles on the subject. It has a pretty good table related to claims denials at the bottom.
On average ACA plans deny 17% of all claims. Some are as high as about 50%. There is insufficient data collected at the federal level, so far, to make really good comparisons.
It seems that having the rate of denial would help consumers choose a better plan at work or through the ACA or even on Medicaid (some states offer several choices for care).
If your claim has been denied - APPEAL and if that fails appeal to your state’s insurance commissioner. They can often help. See Denials in the resource section below.
RESOURCES
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Plan
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water Resistbot write up