Friday, 19 October 2007
Positive Reviews For Howard County’s Uninsured Program
The program to insure residents without coverage in Howard County, Maryland is getting good reviews from healthcare officials so far, reported the Washington Post.
The Healthy Howard Plan will eventually provide coverage for an estimated 20,000 residents who have no insurance. To start, the program will initially cover around 2,000 people. It will cost $2.8 million in the first year.
Residents are eligible for coverage if they are legal Howard County residents and have been uninsured for at least one year. The program is aimed at low-income residents, providing coverage for primary care, specialized care, hospitalization, and prescription drugs.
Healthy Howard will also assign “health coaches” to patients to help them manage their health conditions, and be diligent about preventive care.
“It’s a positive step. It’s teaching people how to take care of themselves,” said Robert N. Sheff, chairman of the board at the healthcare organization, Horizon Foundation. “They’ll utilize fewer resources from the medical community.”
But Dr. Michael E. Sullivan, a cardiologist at Howard County General Hospital, expressed concern that doctors might be wary of the program’s reimbursement system.
“The challenge is going to be to get physicians to participate,” said Dr. Sullivan. “Some physicians are more [generous] than others in this day and age where we’re all faced with declining reimbursements.”
The County Executive Ken Ulman and County Health Officer Peter Beilenson have scheduled three town hall meetings to also discuss the program with the community. The meetings will be in Ellicott City, Cooksville, and Savage.
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