HEALTH REFORM HIGHLIGHTS FACT-SHEET FOR STAFF

Kim Simonian, MPH with other staff of Partners Community Benefits have produced a staff fact-sheet about Health Reform, particularly regarding the transition from “Free Care” to the Health Safety Net. See attached. Highlights:

• We still “take” Free Care. Free Care has a new name – the Health Safety Net – and there are still patients for whom it is the only option. Our sites continue to provide services to HSN patients in the same way they served Free Care patients.
• Health Safety Net rules differ from the former Free Care rules.
  • HSN will not cover services that are not covered by MassHealth. With Free Care, MassHealth patients could use their Free Care Secondary coverage for non-covered services, but that is not the case with HSN.
  • HSN will not cover co-pays for privately insured patients who have HSN Secondary (although HSN can be used for deductibles and co-insurance). With Free Care, privately insured patients could use their Free Care Secondary coverage for co-pays, but that is not the case with HSN.

Patient financial counselors are on-site experts. Each site’s financial counselors have been trained on health care reform and can act as a local resource for staff and patients who have questions.

07/08