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Who Pays for Your Health Program

Who Pays for Your Health Program

Chronic diseases can place a significant financial burden on individuals and families. Managing these conditions often involves ongoing medical expenses, such as frequent doctor visits, medications, and sometimes hospital stays.

These costs can add up quickly and lead to financial stress.

Available resources can help alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with managing chronic diseases. If you need assistance navigating these options, a social worker or patient advocate can provide additional support. 

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Chronic diseases often come with chronic financial pressures

Who Pays for Your Health - Empowering patients who have barriers to staying healthy

In a significant effort to enhance healthcare accessibility, overcome barriers patients face to scheduling doctors’ visits and improve the lives of patients, Three Rivers Area Medical Associates’ medical team has developed a comprehensive solution under its Who Pays for Your Health program.

These bundled solutions cater to individuals who may have insufficient income to pay for their basic needs and whose financial constraints prevent regular access to healthcare.

Particularly for patients living their lives while struggling with financial limitations that limit access to healthcare, the impact of these solutions is profound. By embracing this approach, Three Rivers Area Medical Associates is working to ensure that no one may be isolated or left without essential care.

Have you or someone you know been affected by this? Here are some links that discuss the problem of chronic diseases that often come with chronic financial pressures.

In the United States, about 90% of the nation’s $4.5 trillion annual healthcare expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions.

This includes direct costs like medical bills and indirect costs such as lost productivity due to illness.

Additionally, individuals with multiple chronic conditions are more likely to face financial hardships, including medical debt and even bankruptcy

It’s a challenging situation, but there are resources and support systems available to help manage both the health and financial aspects of chronic diseases.

Here are several organizations that provide financial assistance for individuals with chronic diseases:

  1. Good Days (formerly Chronic Disease Fund): This nonprofit organization offers financial help for life-saving and life-extending treatments. They assist with copayments, insurance premiums, and travel costs for patients with chronic illnesses.
  2. PAN Foundation: The PAN Foundation provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs, including medications, insurance premiums, and transportation expenses. They have specific funds for various chronic diseases.
  3. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases: This foundation offers financial support for underinsured patients with chronic and life-altering conditions, helping with drug copayments, deductibles, and health insurance premiums.
  4. GoFundMe: While not a traditional fund, GoFundMe can be a useful platform to raise money for medical expenses. Many people use it to gather community support for their healthcare needs.

Learn more:

  1. mygooddays.org
  2. panfoundation.org
  3. everylifefoundation.org
  4. gofundme.com

Financial Rewards and Incentives offered by Health Insurance Companies

Patients in Michigan can receive incentives and Wellness and Rewards Programs offered by health insurance companies.

Many health insurance companies offer these programs to encourage healthy behaviors. These programs typically provide incentives such as:

  • Reduced Monthly Premiums: Active participation in health-related activities can lead to lower premiums.
  • Cash Rewards: Members may receive cash incentives for completing specific health tasks.
  • Prepaid Debit Cards or Gift Cards: These cards can be used to purchase merchandise from the insurance company's online store.
  • UnitedHealthcare offers various wellness and rewards programs, including Rally Health, UnitedHealthcare Motion, UnitedHealthcare Rewards, and Renew Active.
  • UnitedHealthcare Rewards Program: Enrolled members can earn incentives totaling up to $1,000 per year by completing ongoing and one-time activities such as achieving daily step goals, tracking sleep, getting a biometric screening, and completing health surveys.

2. Healthy Habits Incentives: Health insurance companies often reward members for adopting healthy habits. Some ways to earn incentives include:

  • Getting Vaccinated: Many insurers offer rewards for getting flu shots or other preventive health screenings.
  • Purchasing Healthy Products and Services: Members can earn rewards for buying health-related products they already use regularly.

3. Priority Health: Priority Health offers affordable, award-winning health insurance plans for Michigan individuals, families, employer groups, and Medicare and Medicaid members. Enroll today to explore their specific incentives and rewards programs.

Tax Implications  - It's essential to be aware that some rewards may be considered taxable income. For instance, employer-provided cash rewards and nonmedical care benefits from wellness programs are reportable gross income for employees.

Remember to check with your specific health insurance provider to understand the available incentives and take advantage of programs that align with your health goals!

Resources:

  1. What are health insurance rewards programs, and how do ... - PeopleKeep. https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/what-are-health-insurance-rewards-programs.
  2. Wellness and rewards programs for members | UnitedHealthcare. https://www.uhc.com/member-resources/health-care-programs/wellness-and-rewards-programs.
  3. 5 Ways Health Insurance Companies Can Reward Your Healthy Habits. https://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=5_ways_health_care_companies_can_reward_your_healthy_habits.
  4. IRS Reminds Employers: Wellness Incentives Are Taxable - SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/irs-reminds-employers-wellness-incentives-taxable.
  5. Affordable Michigan health insurance | Priority Health. https://www.priorityhealth.com/
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