New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Health and Care

Consumer Advocacy and Consulting

• Are there any resources or organizations that can assist consumers make decisions regarding health care and insurance options?
• I am currently covered by Medicaid due to a disability. I would like to seek employment but fear private insurance will not sufficiently cover my medical needs. What other health care coverage options are available to working individuals with disabilities?

Dental

• I have not seen a dentist for several years because I cannot afford dental care. Is there any program that offers dental service for free?

Home Care

• How can I locate a home health aide?

Financial Assistance Paying Medical Bills

• I do not have good health insurance! How do I find assistance in paying for mounting doctor or medical bills?

• I do not have insurance, are there any non-insurance programs that can offer assistance in paying for mounting medical bills?

Presciption Drug Assistance

• Are there special prescription drug benefits for Veterans?
• I am unable to pay for necessary prescription medication. Are there any financial assistance programs available?
• I am deaf and have had trouble communicating with nurses and doctors when I've been to the hospital. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, are they required to provide interpreters?

Safety

• I rely on electrically powered medical equipment in my home. What can I do if the power goes out?

Q: Are there any resources or organizations that can assist consumers make decisions regarding health care and insurance options?

National

• A: FirstGov offers information on various topics relating to Health. They offer much information on disease / disability specific health issues, information on insurance options and other various useful facts.
• A: Health Pages is an online consumer health care service who publishes information on general health care topics and community-specific comparative information on physicians, hospitals, allied health professionals and health plans.

Wisconsin

• A: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services' (DHFS) offers an on-line Consumer Guide to Health Care, designed to assist consumers locate information and support regarding all aspects of health care. The guide includes information on how to find a doctor, dentist or hospital. It also discusses paying for care, available insurance options, resolving problems with your health care, who to contact if you have a complaint, getting the most out of your health care, as well as self-care help and tips on talking to doctors.

Q: I am currently covered by Medicaid due to a disability. I would like to seek employment but fear private insurance will not sufficiently cover my medical needs. What other health care coverage options are available to working individuals with disabilities?

• A: Medicaid Buy-in Programs have been initiated in several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin and Vermont. The program allows working people with disabilities to pay a premium for continued coverage under Medicaid, just as they would for private insurance. The premium will not exceed 7.5% of an individual's income. Visit the link provided above to learn how you can advocate for such a program in your state.

Q: I have not seen a dentist for several years because I cannot afford dental care. Is there any program that offers dental service for free?

A: The following Wisconsin resources offer dental care services for people with disabilities. Many of the services offer free care.
• Action Alert!The Wisconsin Disability Organizations are concerned with Dental Care for people with disabilities in regard to the 2007-2009 State Budget. Many low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities struggle to find oral health care services, because very few dentists accept Medicaid, BadgerCare, or Healthy Start. Disability organizations are calling for access to dental care can be improved by increasing reimbursement rates for providers. Contact your Wisconsin Representative about Dental Care for people with disabilities.

• Wisconsin Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped through the Donated Dental Service (DDS) program offers free comprehensive dental care services to people of all ages with a serious disability, advanced age, or medical condition that do not have enough income to pay for dental care. There is no cost to qualifying individuals, however if you can pay for part of the care, you may be encouraged to do so. For an application or more information on the program, call (414) 276-0370.

  (If you have used the Donated Dental Service, we would be interested in passing on your experience to others who are interested in this service, please send us your, Review a Resource.)

• Department of Health and Family Services, State of Wisconsin, Consumer Guide to Health Care, Free or Reduced-Fee Dental Services offers a list of free or reduced-fee dental programs or clinics in the state of Wisconsin.

• Family Dental Center offers free dentistry and will treat people with disabilities. Those patients who need assistance transferring to the dentist chair must bring their own assistant or caregiver. The Family Dental Center is located at 3500 W. Lisbon Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208, or phone: (414) 342-0378. The Program Service Area is the City of Milwaukee, Central City and the West Side.

• Marquette University School of Dentistry, Advanced Care assesses treatment when you visit for an exam. They will not be taking patients now until September, however, you can call and schedule after June 1, 2007. Write for more information to P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, or call (414) 288-1510 (English), (414) 288-1520 (Spanish).

• The Max W. Pohle Dental Clinic provides dental care with a special focus on persons with particular medical needs. Special payment plans for the uninsured are available. The clinic is located in Madison and for more information for the treatment of persons with special needs for dentist care they can be reached by phone at (608) 267-6500. One can schedule an exam to assess treatment, however, there is a several month wait list for treatment.

• Dr. Steven R. Schnoll, DDS accepts patients with special needs in the Milwaukee area at 2669 N. Swan Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53226-1800. For more information, call (414) 258-2216.

• Strupp Dental Dr. Tobin J. Strupp at 8500 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, accepts patients with special needs in the Milwaukee area. For more information, call (414)771-3730

• South Side Guadalupe Dental Clinic, 1112 S. 3rd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204, (414) 643-8787.

• Dr. David Walther accepts patients with special needs in the Madison area at the East Clinic at 49 N. Walbridge Ave., Madison, WI 53714. For more information, call: (608) 246-2555 or Fax: (608) 443-1774.

Q: How can I locate a home health aide?

• A: See the guide in Library and Research: Publications Guide to Searching for and Selecting a Home Health Aide. Acquiring a home health aide can be a formidable, frustrating task. This guide gives you ideas on what to consider and how to find information.

Q: I do not have good health insurance! How do I find assistance in paying for mounting doctor or medical bills?

• A: For help paying medicine, hospital or doctor bills, consider options as outlined by the American Cancer Society. See their comprehensive article, Medical Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient. This comprehensive article offers complete information about insurance. In addition, it also suggests you enlist the aid of your social worker, speak to all parties to whom you owe money, possibly enlist them in assistance in your present circumstances, and consider asking for assistance for your mortgage, rent, food or utility bills to assist during your current situation.

Q: I do not have insurance, are there any non-insurance programs that can offer assistance in paying for mounting medical bills?

• A: The Karis Group is a for-profit, health cost containment and medical discounting firm based in Austin, Texas. They offer several fee-based services designed to meet the needs of people without insurance, including negotiation of bill payment and / or write off, a pre-paid medical advocacy program, and a preferred discount program. (Note: NHU does not endorse specific providers, nor do we guarantee the services provided).

Q:  Are there special prescription drug benefits for Veterans?

• A:  Prescription drug benefits are available from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  A 30 day supply of prescription medications costs only $2.00 through the VA (disabled or low income veterans can receive medications for free).  A veteran must be honorably discharged from the military, must enroll with the VA and must be seen by a VA doctor.  The VA may charge for a doctor visit, but your insurance may cover this charge (disabled or low-income veterans can visit doctors for free).  If you are a veteran, you can call toll-free, (877) 222-VETS or (877) 222-8387.

Q: I am unable to pay for necessary prescription medication. Are there any financial assistance programs available?

• A: Each state has a program designed to assist specific groups of individuals obtain prescription medication. To find a program in your state, visit RxHope.com.
• A: RxHope.com "can help prescribers obtain medications for their patients when the patient is unable to afford them and does not have access to prescription insurance or government-funded programs." This service is FREE. Physicians can visit their website and enter their request on the "Patient Assistance Request Form". Once completed, the request is sent directly to the pharmaceutical company for processing. Ask your doctor if they are familiar with this service.
• A: Pharmaceutical and Manufacturers Association has a directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs "It lists company programs that provide drugs to physicians whose patients could not otherwise afford them." Entries for each program include information about "how to make a request for assistance, what prescription medicines are covered, and basic eligibility criteria."

Q: I am deaf and have had trouble communicating with nurses and doctors when I've been to the hospital. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, are they required to provide interpreters?

• A: Under the ADA, all health-care providers, including hospitals, physician offices, specialists, etc. must provide effective communication for a deaf or hard-of-hearing patient. If you are at a "critical point" in your treatment, the health-care provider is obligated to hire a "qualified" interpreter. There are tax credits available to the doctor for half the cost of interpreting services if the bill exceeds $250. If you have been denied translation services by a medical facility contact the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 368-1019.

Q: I rely on electrically powered medical equipment in my home. What can I do if the power goes out?

• A: Wisconsin Electric has a voluntary registry for customers who rely on electrically powered medical equipment at their home called Medical Alert. If you register, they will help you develop a backup plan for power outages. To register, call their Customer Contact Center at 1-414-221-3333 in the metro Milwaukee area, or 1-800-242-9137 outside Milwaukee. For power outage, call their Lights Out number, 1-800-662-4797. If you do not live in the Milwaukee area, check your local power company for backup plans for power outages.

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