More money trimming health insurance waiting list
Senator Pippy urges eligible low-income adults to apply

A waiting list for adultBasic, which provides a health care "safety net" for low-income adults, is being reduced and Senator John Pippy, R-37^th District, is urging eligible residents to file applications for the program.

The state Department of Insurance recently notified Senator Pippy that as a result of additional funding approved by the General Assembly as part of the 2004-05 state budget it is offering people on the adultBasic waiting list an opportunity to enroll for the coverage. Letters are being sent to 12,500 persons on the statewide waiting list. The persons currently receiving the offer are those who completed applications as of Apr. 30, 2003.

adultBasic provides basic health insurance to Pennsylvania citizens age 19 through 64 with incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (approximately $17,000 for a single adult) and who are employed in jobs that do not include health benefits or are in between jobs.

Benefits offered through adultBasic include preventive care; physician services; diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury; inpatient hospitalization/outpatient services; and emergency accident and emergency medical care. The cost to an individual is $30 per month.

The adultBasic insurance contractors began issuing letters earlier this month. The applicants will be asked to confirm that their financial and coverage circumstances have not changed from their original application. They will be instructed to remit the $30 monthly payment and could receive coverage as early as next month.

"I am extremely pleased to see that more people will have access to this coverage," Senator Pippy said. "I urge anyone who may be eligible to apply for this coverage. adultBasic fills a major health care coverage gap between CHIP and Medicare. Many working Pennsylvanians don't have employer-paid health-care benefits, can't afford to pay for the benefits themselves and earn too much to get coverage through Medicaid from the state. This basic coverage could make a major difference for families who are without a safety net to help them in the event of illness or injury."

Information about the adultBasic is available through a toll-free number, 1-800-GO-BASIC. County assistance offices, hospitals and community agencies also have information available. Applications also may be submitted via the Internet using COMPASS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services. COMPASS can be accessed through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us , PA Keyword: "adultBasic."

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More money trimming health insurance waiting list Senator Pippy urges eligible low-income adults to apply

More money trimming health insurance waiting list
Senator Pippy urges eligible low-income adults to apply