Freedom Disability-Partner Announcements
News Release Issued: January 10, 2007 9:02 AM EST
CIGNA HealthCare Announces Assistance for Members With Medical Disabilities
Program to Assist Employees of Businesses with Fewer Than 100 Employees
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare today announced that it has engaged the expertise of Social Service Coordinators Disability Services to assist CIGNA HealthCare members who become newly disabled in obtaining eligible Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). The program is targeted to CIGNA HealthCare members working for smaller employers, who often lack the resources to assist their employees when they become disabled and are no longer able to work. The program will also be available for employees' dependents who become newly disabled.
"If you have ever had a debilitating medical condition, you know how difficult it can be to just cope with the condition, not to mention the anxiety of no longer having a regular income," said Michael Showalter, Senior Vice President for HealthCare Strategy and Marketing. "This offering expands our health care advocacy programs by helping members understand that their payroll contributions to Social Security may make them eligible for these additional benefits," added Showalter.
This service, which is offered at no cost to the member or his or her employer, helps those who have become disabled because of a medical condition, and who do not have long-term disability insurance, obtain the disability income to which they may be entitled to through the SSDI program. Once the member is accepted into the SSDI program, they are then also eventually eligible for health care coverage through Medicare.
"The Social Security Administration has a very thorough application process that members who are also struggling with a disabling medical condition often find difficult to navigate," said Jonathan Mayhew, president of Social Service Coordinators Disability Services. "We have an 85 percent success rate because we help identify people who are legitimately entitled to the benefits and we know how to help them navigate the application process so there are fewer errors to slow down the approval of their application."
The program helps members obtain Medicare as well as cash benefits to help cover their increased medical expenses and lost income. It also protects their Social Security retirement benefits. For the employer, it potentially reduces their medical and pharmacy risk. "And for CIGNA, it's a valuable client and member service," concluded Showalter.
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA" or "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI). Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation.
SOURCE: CIGNA HealthCare
Contact: Lindsay Shearer, CIGNA HealthCare, +1-603-268-7721,
Lindsay.shearer@cigna.com
Web site: http://www.cigna.com/
News Release Issued: March 2, 2008
IEHP Collaborates with SSC for Members with Disabilities
San Bernardino, CA – As a leader in accessible health care and an advocate for its Member’s rights, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) has partnered with Social Service Coordinators (SSC) to help IEHP Members with disabilities apply for federal disability benefits.
“Many IEHP Members qualify for, but do not currently receive disability benefits,” says IEHP Chief Marketing Officer, Carl Maier. “We’ve contracted with SSC to provide our Members with the resources they need to ensure that they don’t miss out on important services and support.”
At no cost to the Member, the initiative helps reduce the barriers to obtaining benefits by identifying IEHP Members who may be eligible and assisting them with all aspects of applying.
“Many people with disabilities do not apply for benefits they’re eligible for – mainly because they don’t know about the benefits or because they’re not sure they’re eligible,” notes Jonathan Mayhew, President of SSC Disability Services. “SSC is here to help people understand their options and navigate the often complex application process.”
“We’re pleased to work with SSC to empower our Members and give them the information and assistance they need to live more independently and experience the best quality of life,” adds Maier.
IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, a Knox-Keene licensed Health Plan located in San Bernardino, CA, is a not-for-profit public agency. The IEHP service area includes San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and currently serves over 330,000 Members in the following Programs: Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California), the Healthy Families Program, Healthy Kids, and a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Program.
Social Service Coordinators, as a private social service organization serving Medicaid HMOs and their members, is committed to helping eligible individuals receive the Federal disability program benefits to which they are entitled. Their services are offered at no cost to Medicaid recipients.
Contact: Ben Jauregui, Disability Program Manager, IEHP, (909) 890-5833, Jauregui-B@iehp.org
website at: www.iehp.org
Saint Mary’s Health Plans Introduces No-Cost Disability Advocacy for Saint Mary’s Health Plans Members
Reno, NV-Saint Mary’s Health Plan has selected Tethys Health Ventures (Tethys) in partnership with Social Service Coordinators, Inc., the nation’s premier provider of government program advocacy services, to assist Saint Mary’s Health Plan members interested in applying for disability benefits offered through the Social Security Administration. Currently, Saint Mary’s Health Plan is the only health plan in the state of Nevada to implement this program. Our goal is to continue to provide superior service for which Saint Mary’s Health Plan has come to be known and to maintain our competitive rates.
The federal disability programs are designed to help individuals who are no longer able to support themselves due to a health condition or conditions. In addition to a monthly cash benefit, eligible members will, after a waiting period, become eligible for Medicare. Social Security Disability applications are complex, requiring medical and administrative documentation of eligibility. Many potentially eligible members are unaware of the programs, or have been unable to submit a complete application. SSC is uniquely positioned to help these members with electronic recreation of all relevant forms, and professional disability advocates who serve as the member’s authorized representative.
SSC will provide Saint Mary’s Health Plans members with professional advocacy through initial applications and, where necessary, reconsideration and appeals. Alan Flaumenhaft, SSC’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “Many members are unaware of their eligibility, or that they have paid into a federal insurance program to provide benefits in the event of deterioration in health. We at SSC are pleased to be able to educate the population about these programs and to provide professional disability assistance. We believe that Saint Mary’s Health Plans has shown a strong commitment to serving its most “at-risk” members.”
This service will help members access the federal cash benefits for which they are eligible, as well as coverage through Medicare, and protection of future Social Security retirement benefits. According to Don Kowitz Saint Mary’s Health Plans executive, “We are excited to expand our services to Saint Mary’s Health Plans members. After extensive investigation we are convinced that SSC will provide superior service to help Saint Mary’s Health Plans members who are eligible. With over 60% of all first time applications being rejected by the Social Security Administration, we recognized that qualifying for these benefits was a difficult challenge – a challenge we are pleased to help our members meet.”
About Tethys Health Ventures
Tethys Health Ventures helps Managed Care Organizations manage and mitigate risk through innovative programs including care management, network management, and government program eligibility services. In partnership with premier reinsurers, Tethys provides unique programs of Organ Transplant Management and HMO Excess ReinsuranceAdministration.
Contact:
Social Service Coordinators
Sean Libby
(203) 876-7522
www.sscincorporated.com