Handy Tips for Handling Health Insurance Actual Coverage Month to Month

Before confusing the issue of insurance, my new game plan is to call the insurance company every time I have a doctor appointment, medical procedure (whether bloodwork, a hospital procedure or even getting medical equipment like a blood pressure cuff or blood sugar monitor or glucose monitor or strips. Some of those are only covered by certain official medical supply pharmacies even if one has insurance. They may be able to deliver the products if not nearby to where one resides.)

Anyone ever feel content to have figured out insurance only to find out 'certain procedures if not all' need Pre-Approval, otherwise they are not covered and can't be retroactively if not requested that day by a physician or other caveats?

How about 'your insurance termed out and you were supposed to renew your eligibility for coverage a month prior?

How about the guidelines changed based on reported temporary income that was considered to be a full year's income (when multiplied out) perhaps with two people listing their income and then bumping one into another category with less coverage (possibly no vision or dental, and maybe with co-pays or deductibles or higher ones.) 

Then there is the realm of 'trying to fix one's insurance coverage' but losing a month's coverage inadvertently because some insurance may not start until more than a month away depending on if one applies After the 15th of the Month versus Before the 15th of the Month.

There is a letter that may be sent to a current person on medicaid (even for people under age 65, called low income adult or other terms) 50 days before renewal time. It doesn't hurt to mark one's calendar with the phone number to call and verify one is compliant with any new eligibility requirements and so on. 

Be one's own advocate(and get some competent help too to advocate for you) and have a friend work with you on some basics (protecting key information as may be needed.)

These could be helpful tips for anyone but check with professionals if you have any financial or legal dealings or accounting requirements in general (such as having someone care for a child or elder other person for pay in one's home.

Workman's compensation penalities can be in the thousands if proper coverage for employees is not in place. Also Legal Caregiver Agreements (LGA) are important to have in writing and notarized before caregiving begins with the person receiving care or their legal representative understanding and signing the dated agreement. There is more information on sites such as ctseniorlaw.com and again speak with an elder law attorney who knows Title 19 terms as well.

Yes, the actual 15th day of each month can be a game-changer and is important to learn about, as are the 'review and renewal dates.' Generally having more information well in advance (think months not weeks since sometimes written or online verification from employers and landlords (not necessarily family members so maybe ministers or other neighbor's) is needed to prove one's residency.

Every state has its own version of Medicaid programs, one being 'straight medicaid' versus a medicaid plan linked to an insurance plan in New York state. The NY State of Health toll-free number is 855-355-5777.  www.NYStateOfHealth.ny.gov.

The information line in NY city is 311 (versus 211 in most states.) There are likely 800 numbers as well and online info at Infoline.com.