Tips for buying insurance on the exchange

With the October 1 launch of the new health insurance exchange, consumers should take the time to research their options.

“You should at least do as much research when buying health insurance as you would when buying a major appliance or new car,” said Art Wingerter, president of Univera Healthcare. 

Individuals who are uninsured, or who are looking for lower cost health insurance coverage, have until March 31, 2014, to enroll in a health plan through New York State of Health, the state’s new online health insurance marketplace. 

Tips for shopping on the New York exchange: 

· Become an educated consumer: 

 Watch informational videos or read up at http://www.youtube.com/user/UniveraHealthcare , or nystateofhealth.ny.gov.

· See if you’re eligible for financial help. 

Try the Tax Credit and Premium Estimator at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Your premium may be reduced if your household income is below 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $45,960 for individuals or $94,200 for a family of four.

· Determine your health care needs. List your typical health services and costs in a given year. Use the list to help you pick a plan that best fits your situation. For example, if you go to the doctor often, you may want a plan with lower copays for doctor visits.

· Consider all costs. Don’t just shop for coverage based on a health plan’s premiums. Consider other costs, such as deductibles and copays.· See which health plans work with your doctor. It can be costly to see a doctor, pharmacy or hospital that’s not in a health plan’s network. You may need to double check this information with the provider or health insurer.

“It won’t do you a lot of good to purchase less expensive coverage, if the insurer’s provider network doesn’t include your doctors, or your preferred hospital,” Wingerter said.

New York state’s exchange offers an entirely new way to buy health insurance. If consumers do their homework, more individuals in upstate New York will gain access to affordable health coverage that meets their needs.

AMHERST SENIOR CENTER HOSTING ‘FESTIVAL OF BASKETS RAFFLE’ ON OCTOBER 11TH

Free Event Includes Live Entertainment by “The Frankfurters”

Amherst, New York – The Amherst Center for Senior Services will host a “Festival of Baskets Raffle” on Friday, October 11, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will include over 80 theme baskets, a silent auction, live entertainment by The Frankfurters from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and refreshments available for purchase.

Put on your lederhosen and join the Center for a fun evening and a chance to win one of many great theme baskets. All proceeds benefit the Amherst Center for Senior Services and the quality programs and services they provide for area seniors.

The Amherst Center for Senior Services is located at 370 John James Audubon Parkway in Amherst, behind the Audubon Library.

New Independent Health Foundation, West Side Community Services Van to Provide Reliable Access to Health Care

BUFFALO, N.Y., (September 20, 2013) – The Independent Health Foundation has partnered with West Side Community Services Center of Buffalo to offer the community a new van service that will help enable better access to health care.

The van service, which will be available by appointment to individuals who reside in and near Buffalo’s West Side, will provide reliable transportation to and from non-emergency medical appointments and health care services.

“Recent reports have identified a lack of access to transportation as a significant barrier to health care delivery,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director of the Independent Health Foundation. “This van service will be a valuable resource that empowers community residents to take better care of their health, ultimately supporting our efforts to improve the health of our community.”

The van service is an extension of the Independent Health Foundation’s longstanding partnership with West Side Community Services. Since 2006, the West Side Community Services Center has served as a site for the Foundation’s Good for the Neighborhood program, which brings health and wellness programs directly to residents.

“We’re excited to be able to expand our services to better meet the needs of the residents of our neighborhood,” said Nick Bonifacio, president, board of directors, West Side Community Services. “This van will allow us to build upon the many programs we have in place to continue enhancing the health and well-being of the West Side community. The Independent Health Foundation has been an outstanding partner, and we’re grateful for their support in helping us bring this vital resource to the community.”

“The Foundation and West Side Community Services look forward to this opportunity to continue to work together to care for the community,” said Meyer. “Providing easier access to health care is one of the many ways we are working to help community members become more engaged in their health. This transportation service will help us expand our relationship with the community and Independent Health members.”

The van will provide scheduled pickups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Individuals are asked to call West Side Community Services at 884-6616 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule transportation at least 24 hours before their appointment to ensure availability. West Side Community Services will be asking for a voluntary donation of $3 each way per patient; a friend or family member may accompany the individual scheduled for the appointment if needed.

More information can also be found online at www.westsidecommunityservices.org.

Established in 1992, the Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, wellness and education programs focused on community health priorities. For more information on the Foundation’s activities, visit www.independenthealth.com/foundation or call 635-4959.

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*Center for Healthcare Strategies 2007 report ‘Reducing Barriers to Healthcare – Practical Strategies for Local Organizations’ used focus groups to identify Medical Transportation Access as a significant barrier in healthcare service delivery. The report exemplifies the need for collaboration between local organizations and funders in improving 

Go “Back to School” with University Express this Fall!

Remember how much fun learning is? You’ll enjoy University Express, a unique lifelong learning program coordinated by the Erie County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Dept. of Senior Services. Instructors are retired faculty and other professionals who volunteer to teach one hour classes at senior centers. Classes are FREE, and open to all Erie County residents age 55 and over!

University Express is the place to go this Fall! If you‘re interested in WNY history, find out about Buffalo’s towering grain elevators, the people who worked in them, and the surrounding First Ward, including one of the most famous residents General “Wild Bill” Donovan; explore Buffalo from the water and the air – classes cover maritime history as well as aviation history of the region. Learn why Olmsted called Buffalo the “best-planned city in the world.” Buffalo was home to cultural greats such as Charles Burchfield and Mark Twain, and our jazz scene included names from Billie Holiday to Count Basie.

Explore in depth world events in the news: Immigration Law; Uneasy Neighbors – Pakistan and India; Confucianism and Modern China are a few topics this semester. If you enjoy history, literature or art, University Express offers opportunity to learn more about: Franklin and Eleanor during the War Years; Robert Frost; History of Allegany Park; McCarthyism’s Effect on 1950’s Culture; and the political context behind Alice In Wonderland. Other topics include: Coyotes; Evolution; Ethics of Eating Meat vs. Vegetarian; Food as Medicine; Tips for Healthy Aging; Communicating across Generation Gaps; Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors; Digital Photography 101; and much more.

The senior years are not a time to slow down and stop learning - It's a time for older adults to delve into areas of knowledge, find new interests, and put greater depth into their lives. RSVP and University Express has the goal of making lifelong learning accessible in WNY. Find the full catalog every semester at www.erie.gov/rsvp or call RSVP at 858-7548 to have one mailed to you. Classes start early October!

Upcoming health-related classes are:

Mon 10/7 at 1pm at Orchard Park Sr. Ctr. – Brainstormers: End of Life Issues

Wed. 10/9 at 1 pm at Cheektowaga Sr. Ctr. – Food as Medicine

Fri. 10/11 at 1 pm at SCENe of Springville – Secrets to Healthy Aging

And many more scheduled.. check out the full catalog on the website!

Lockport Presbyterian Home Boasts Elite National Ranking

Lockport, N.Y. – Lockport Presbyterian Home, the longest-established adult care community in Lockport, has earned a national designation.

A senior health care advocate, ServiceTrac, conducts surveys of residents of over 6,000 adult communities nationwide.

Lockport Presbyterian Home scored above the industry average in each of ServiceTrac’s seven statistical categories, thus earning the Customer Experience Award ™.

“We’ve always felt like our hard work has fostered a special environment here,” commented administrator Colleen Bullion. “It’s nice to know an organization like this sees it, too.”

While the community ranked above average nationally for most categories, it earned exceptional rankings in providing good value for cost, overall community satisfaction and willingness to recommend Lockport Presbyterian Home to a friend or relative.

Lockport Presbyterian Home consists of several restored Victorian mansions along High Street in the City of Lockport.

Contact: Colleen Bullion
cbullion@pscwny.org
716-434-8805

Mount St. Mary’s Expands Anesthesiology Services To Meet Patient and Physician Needs

Lewiston, NY - Mount St. Mary's Hospital has announced the formation of a team of anesthesiologists
anesthesiologists to meet the expanding surgical needs of patients and physicians. The team is a combination of current and new anesthesiologists who also have specific training in pain management.

The Anesthesiology Group includes: Chelsie A. Bax, DO; Mikhail Choubmesser, MD; Song Yi Han, MD; John C. (Jack) Huebschmann, MD; Edmund A. Juncewicz, DO; and Michael M. Kreymer, DO. Dr. Huebschmann is the chief of the department.

Dr. Bax is a graduate of Canisius College and earned her Medical Degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. She performed her Residency in Anesthesiology through the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dr. Choubmesser earned his Medical Degree from the Donotsk State Medical University in the Ukraine and graduated from the Anesthesiology Residency Program at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He performed a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at Women and Children’s Hospital. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Dr. Han is a graduate of Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA and earned her Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dr. Huebschmann is a graduate of Niagara University, attended the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA, and earned his Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo where he was a Resident in its Anesthesiology Program. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Dr. Juncewicz is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo where he performed his residency and earned his Medical Degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Kreymer is a graduate of the Ivanovo State Medical Academy in Russia and earned his Medical Degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology.

In addition, Jae Sung Lee, MD, is providing services in the department. Dr. Lee is a graduate of Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea and performed his residency at Buffalo General Hospital through the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Happy 26th Birthday. Feeling Lucky?

Weighing the Odds for the “Young Invincibles” -- Health Care Costs at Age 26

If your bicycle crashes and you break a leg, you could face more than $7,000 in medical bills if you’re an uninsured young adult in upstate New York, according to a new infographic by Univera Healthcare.  Or, suffer a concussion during a soccer game, and you could face about $3,000 in medical costs. 

“More than 280,000 New York state adults will turn 26 in 2014, and many of them will no longer be eligible for coverage through their parent’s health plan,” said Richard Vienne, D.O., vice president and chief medical officer, Univera Healthcare.

“Young adults will likely weigh the pros and cons of obtaining health coverage and decide whether to go without coverage or purchase insurance to protect themselves from unexpected medical bills,” he said.

Starting in 2014, almost everyone will be required to have health coverage. Individuals could obtain coverage through an employer, government program or college plan, for example, or through the New York health benefit exchange, ‘NY State of Health.’ Adults who forgo coverage will face paying a penalty.

Young adults may be eligible for financial help when purchasing coverage. In 2014, a young New Yorker with an average income of about $32,000 would qualify in upstate New York for about $400 to $2,500 annually in tax credits.

“We know that thousands of young adults in upstate New York annually face unexpected health problems, whether they sprain their ankle, hurt their back or develop a severe case of bronchitis,” Vienne said. “But young adults may go without health insurance because they don’t believe they’ll get hurt or sick and need coverage.”

The Univera Healthcare infographic covers the types of medical costs that uninsured young adults in upstate New York may face. The infographic also details possible benefits of obtaining coverage, including no cost for preventive services such as regular checkups, a $600 gym reimbursement and prescription drug coverage.

Go to univerahealthcare.com/factsheets to view a printable PDF of the infographic, or go to brand.univerahealthcare.com/infographics/turning26.php to view a mobile-friendly version.

To view a brief video on health insurance options for those turning age 26, visit Univera Healthcare’s YouTube channel at univerahealthcare.com/turning26 .

Grant Funds Music Therapy for Children on Autism Spectrum

BUFFALO, N.Y., August 29, 2013 – Families affected by autism spectrum disorders will benefit from music therapy thanks to a $7,990 grant from the J. Warren Perry and Charles Donald Perry Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The grant will fund a collaborative effort involving Community Music School, the Autism Center at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, and the Exceptional Education Department at SUNY Buffalo State.

The pilot program, called MusiConnect, will provide eight weeks of music therapy sessions for children with autism spectrum disorders, along with their siblings. While the children bond through music, parents will participate in a support group in a nearby room. The series will launch at Community Music School’s Elmwood Avenue location in the fall, and will be repeated for another group of families in the Amherst area in early 2014.

The program is the first collaboration of its kind in the Buffalo area, pulling together the tools of music therapy, research and evaluation, education theory and parent engagement.

The music therapy sessions will be led by Jamie Rowitsch and Elyse Kochmanski, both board-certified music therapists. Graduate Exceptional Education students from SUNY Buffalo State will collect data and help to supervise the music therapy sessions. The parent support groups will be facilitated by Jana Mertz, program coordinator in the Autism Center at Women & Children’s Hospital, and Kathy Ralabate Doody, PhD, assistant professor in SUNY Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education Department.

Families interested in learning more should contact Community Music School at (716) 884-4887, info@cms-buffalo.org orwww.communitymusicbuffalo.org.

Buffalo Woman Walks to Honor Mom’s Legacy - Raises Funds for Alzheimer's Association

BUFFALO, NY (September 4, 2013) – When Cheryl Rogers of Buffalo decided to join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2012, she described the effort as “a grief walk.” But things are different this year. When Cheryl takes part in the annual Alzheimer’s Association fundraising walk on September 21, 2013, she is walking “to celebrate mom’s life and show that her life had meaning.”

Viola Santore Rogers passed away at the age of 97 in 2012 after a slow decline from dementia and other ailments. “She was such a happy person…and so glamorous, like a movie star,” recalls Cheryl, who says her mother taught her to be a strong, independent woman, not only with words, but by example. “She never judged the decisions of any of her children and supported us because she loved us—it was that simple.”

Cheryl retired from a four-decade career as a speech and language pathologist to provide 24-hour care for Viola, who was diagnosed with dementia about 16 years before her death. “Mom did not think she had dementia. She would say she had some ‘age-related’ problems, but when she started having trouble while driving, and kept repeating stories and conversations over and over, we realized it was more than that.”

Like the 95,000 other Erie County residents estimated to provide care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, Cheryl needed guidance, and answers, and often, a gentle nudge when she was stubborn. “I was having a hard time accepting the situation and feeling utterly helpless. A wonderful woman from the Western New York Alzheimer’s Association led a support group that allowed me to vent when I needed to, and gave me strong shoulders to lean on.”
The Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter provides education, outreach and care consultations across eight counties to help the estimated 55,000 people who have Alzheimer’s or other dementia. The Chapter receives no federal funding and a small percentage of its annual budget comes from state grants. The vast majority of the funds needed for programs and resources comes from donations made through the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which also provides money for research to find effective treatments and hopefully, an end to the disease. The Buffalo Walk gets underway with registration at 8:30 a.m. at Delaware Park near the Buffalo Zoo, with free admission to the Zoo after the Walk.

Cheryl will be walking, carrying one of the vinyl pinwheel flowers all registered walkers receive to be part of a special ceremony at the start of the Walk. “Mom LOVED her garden. When she moved to a nursing facility, we would spend hours just sitting and laughing and talking in the garden, so it’s fitting that I will take part in the Promise Garden ceremony in her memory.”
Registration for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is available online at www.alz.org/wny or by calling 1.800.272.3900. Walks are also set in Niagara County (Artpark) and Genesee County (Batavia) on September 28 and in the Village of Warsaw in Wyoming County on October 5.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is made possible through the generous support of these fine local companies: Elderwood Senior Care, West Herr, Columbus McKinnon, and Tim Hortons, with media support provided by WTSS-FM and WKBW-TV.

Run in the Country to benefit Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village invites runners across Western New York to participate in the second annual 5K Run in the Country on Saturday, Sept. 28. Runners and walkers will enjoy a flat, fast and scenic certified course that begins and ends at Heritage Village, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst.

In addition to the natural beauty of the scenic course, awards for various age groups are being specially handcrafted by the skilled Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village blacksmith. These unique awards are sure to become the main attraction in any trophy case. The first 200 prepaid registrants will also receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt.

Following the race, runners are invited to participate in an after-party at Heritage Village featuring live entertainment, food and beverages. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the maintenance and restoration of the organization’s historic buildings and 35-acre campus.

A one-mile Kids’ Fun Run will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K run/walk taking place at 10 a.m. For more information or a race application, please visit www.bnhv.org. 

HEALTHeNET RECEIVES CAQH CORE CERTIFICATION

First health information exchange in the country with this designation

HEALTHeNET, the administrative equivalent of HEALTHeLINK, Western New York’s clinical information exchange, today announced it has received CAQH Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange (CORE) Certification, Phase I and II, for its clearinghouse product. CAQH, which serves as a catalyst for industry collaboration on initiatives to simplify health care administration, certifies and awards CORE Certification to entities that create, transmit or use the administrative transactions in accordance with the CAQH CORE Operating Rules. CORE Certification means HEALTHeNET has demonstrated that its IT system is operating in conformance with Phase I and II of the CAQH CORE Operating Rules.

HEALTHeNET provides secure access to administrative information from the health plans to assist the provider community in day to day business operations. With HEALTHeNET, health care providers and office staff are able to verify the status of their patients’ insurance eligibility, benefits and claims. Users are also able to initiate a referral and inquire if one is in place. Current health plans and payers connected to HEALTHeNET include BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Independent Health, Univera Healthcare, Health Now, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, Fidelis Care of New York, BlueCross BlueShield Association, New York State Medicaid and NOVA Healthcare Administrators.

“Since 2001, HEALTHeNET has been an essential administrative tool in physician offices and hospitals throughout Western New York and it laid the collaborative groundwork for our clinical health information exchange, HEALTHeLINK,” said Dan Porreca, executive director. “While the CORE Certification process is voluntary, using the Phase I and II CAQH CORE Operating Rules provides assurance to our HEALTHeNET users that we are operating at the highest level in providing consistent and secure access to administrative health data.”

CAQH is working to simplify health care administration through industry initiatives that promote quality interactions between plans, providers and other stakeholders; reduce costs and frustrations associated with health care administration; facilitate administrative health care information exchange; and encourage administrative and clinical data integration. Established in 2005, CAQH CORE is a multi-stakeholder collaboration of more than 130 organizations representing providers, health plans, vendors, government agencies and standard-setting bodies, developing operating rules to simplify health care administrative transactions.

“CORE Certification shows the industry that HEALTHeNET is ready and able to transmit streamlined eligibility and claim status transactions,” said Gwendolyn Lohse, deputy director of CAQH and managing director of CAQH CORE. “The full value of the CAQH CORE Operating Rules is realized when all participants touching the data – whether they are health plans generating data, clearinghouses transmitting or displaying the data, or providers receiving the information – are following the Operating Rules. Given HEALTHeNET’s role in connecting the various stakeholders, providers and hospitals in Western New York will benefit from these recent achievements.”

For more information on HEALTHeNET visit www.wnyhealthenet.com or call 716-206-0996.

New York State Health Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment Summit

Learn About the NYS Health Marketplace!

Monday, September 16th, 1:00 - 4:00
1199SEIU, 2421 Main Street, Buffalo New York
At Main & Jewett Ave - Behind the First Niagara Bank drive-through

Guest Speaker: Kyle Kotary, Director of External, Outreach and Marketing for NYS of Health The Marketplace (The Exchange)

TO REGISTER/RSVP:

Contact the Healthcare Education Project at 716-995-3705 or register here (copy & paste into browser address bar): http://www.citizenactionny.org/buffaloexchangesummit

On January 1, 2014, coverage under the New York health insurance exchange will begin providing quality low cost coverage for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Enrollment will begin on October 1, 2013. 

(The Exchange has now been renamed; it’s the “New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace.”) To ensure that The Exchange reaches everyone who will benefit, we must join together in a massive effort to get the word out! Navigators and health advocates, as well as representatives of community groups, insurance brokers, unions, hospitals and other health care institutions, health plans, and small businesses throughout Western New York, are encouraged to attend and learn the latest about The Exchange, hear about best practices, and help in coordinating our efforts.

This is one of a series of regional summits around The State in cooperation with The Exchange. For more information, contact Bob Cohen of the Public Policy and Education Fund/Citizen Action of New York at bcohen@citizenactionny.org. Bill Covington of the Healthcare Education Project at bill.covington@hepny.org or 716-995-3705.

Statewide Sponsors: 1199SEIU, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition of NYS Public Health Plans, Community Service Society of New York, Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Education Project, Health Care for All New York, New York Health Plan Association Council, and Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need