Health Care Help Center
York Hospital’s Health Care Help Center (HCHC), is an easily accessible service where people—whether they are new or established YH patients or community members and members of the general public—can find answers to questions about their health care path. Located in the lower level of the Henry Warner Building, 16 Hospital Drive on the York campus, this space has been designed to be a central “hub” of answers and assistance that will help ensure the best possible patient access and experience at York Hospital. Whether a person needs to find a doctor, is having trouble scheduling an appointment, can’t afford to pay a bill, is without prescription drug coverage and needs assistance, wants to enroll in a health insurance plan but has questions, is looking for counseling in the area, needs assistance for an elderly parent, or doesn’t understand a diagnosis or what happens next, the experts at the Health Care Help Center at YH will be happy to provide caring support and guidance in a comfortable and confidential environment.
Don’t Risk A Gap In Your MaineCare Coverage.
Changes are coming to MaineCare, and your coverage will need to be renewed soon. Stay connected to stay covered! If it’s blue, it’s time to renew!
Public Health Emergency Extention for MaineCare Ending
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a federal public health emergency (PHE) due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on January 27, 2020. In response, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services implemented temporary changes to MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) eligibility and enrollment procedures under a variety of federal and state authorities to ensure access to critical health care benefits during the PHE.
As a result, the vast majority of MaineCare members’ benefits remained open to provide continuous coverage during the PHE. As a result, MaineCare enrollment has grown almost 40% since February 2020.
Under the PHE, most Mainers have been allowed to keep their MaineCare coverage even if they did not renew, did not respond to requests for information, or no longer qualified for coverage because of changes like increased income.
Usually if someone does not update their information to renew their coverage, or if someone reports changes that mean they are no longer eligible to receive MaineCare, they will lose their MaineCare coverage. The more flexible rules, referred to as continuous coverage rules, under the PHE have meant that most individuals in these situations stay enrolled with MaineCare.
When do the changes to eligibility take effect?
MaineCare redeterminations and normal eligibility requirements will resume April 1, 2023. All members must complete a renewal to see if they are still eligible for MaineCare. This renewal effort will start in April 2023 and continue for 12 months.
Click on the timetable below to view larger.
Maximizing Continuity of Coverage
MaineCare ineligible members will then be eligible for a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) of 60 days, during which they can enroll in a Marketplace plan. They will get tax credits to pay for their health insurance on the exchange with commercial insurance (Maine Community Health Options, Harvard Pilgrim or Anthem). 60 days after the end of the loss of MaineCare or NH Medicaid, they will no longer be eligible for a SEP. If you need help, please call one of our 4 certified Enrollment Assisters to schedule an appointment to do an application in the Coverme.gov system https://www.coverme.gov/ . If you live in NH, the application an be accessed here: https://www.healthcare.gov/ website, and enroll.
Learn About Prescription Assistance
- Prescription Assistance: York Hospital’s Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many can get their medications free or nearly free! This program is available to those who:
- Do not have prescription coverage through any other source including private insurance, MaineCare, Veteran’s Administration, Medicare Part D (some exceptions) or other plans.
- Meet income qualifications: Most programs accept gross monthly income at or below 200%-400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This amount varies by family size.
- Are legal residents of the United States.
- Take certain medications: Medication programs are available for chronic conditions. Not all medications are available.
- Have a York Hospital Provider: Your provider must be on York Hospital’s medical staff and agree to participate with program guidelines.
Call Renee Kocev, PAP Coordinator at the Health Care Help Center, at 207-351-2652 or email [email protected] for more information today!
Health Coverage Dates To Know
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICARE BEGINS OCTOBER 15, 2022, AND
ENDS DECEMBER 7, 2022.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MARKETPLACE BEGINS NOVEMBER 1, 2022,
AND ENDS JANUARY 15, 2023. To schedule an appointment contact Linda Westinghouse @ [email protected] or call 207-351-2007
IF YOU MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLLMENT, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL ENROLLMENT. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
HAVE YOU BEEN NOTIFIED THAT YOUR MAINECARE IS ENDING? CLICK TO RE-APPLY
There are options in Maine for affordable health care coverage:
An example of what a Medicare card looks like:
Important Medicare Enrollment Dates
Please be aware that a more limited Medicare Advantage open enrollment is from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023. This period allows you to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. It also allows you to sign up for Medicare if you MISSED your initial enrollment period. If you are new to Medicare, SMAA offers informative seminars to help you navigate. Please click here for the SMAA scheduled virtual class dates and time.
Click here to view a larger chart of enrollment dates
Click here for additional information from CMS.gov
You may also email one of our Certified Assisters to make an appointment to get help at: [email protected]
The Health Care Help Center is open Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm, or by appointment (appointments are suggested). Please call (207) 351-2345 for more information.
How we help.
The Health Care Help Center is here to answer any questions you may have about your health care path. The following is a list of common questions and requests that we are happy to assist with.
- I need help and I don’t know where to go or who to ask.
- I have a question about the patient portal.
- How do I get my records from my visit?
- I am scheduled for a procedure/appointment/lab work and I need a price on how much that will cost. I have no insurance or I have a deductible.
- My insurance is saying I’m not covered for what I need. Why is that?
- I have Medicare or am new to medicare and I don’t understand it.
- How do I get my medication covered?
- They told me I have Medicare now, not Medicaid. How does it work?
- I have Medicare Advantage, why do I have balances?
- I got a letter from the State saying I don’t have Medicaid anymore. Why?
- I have no insurance. I was told to call you.
- I had to pay $400 for my prescription this month. I can’t pay my rent now.
- I’m from out of state and visited your facility. Do you take my insurance?
- Who else might I receive a bill from?
- Is my ambulance bill covered?
- What does my secondary insurance pay?
- I should have received a bill by now. Can you help me get one?
- I am new to the area. How do I get a new doctor?
- I’m thinking of switching my doctor. How do I do this?
- What doctors/providers are accepting new patients?
- I’ve been seen in a walk-in or ER and I need to schedule follow up with a doctor/provider. How do I do this?
- I need a referral to a specialist. How do I get this?
- I’m a seasonal resident and I need a doctor/provider while I’m here. How do I do this?
- I’m a new employee at YH and need a doctor/provider. How do I find one?
- I need help coordinating medical care. Who can help me with this?
- I’d like to get my care at a tertiary hospital such as Mass General. How do I arrange it?
- I called my doctor’s office for an appointment and can’t get in soon enough. Can you help me?
- I can’t get information about a patient that I have permission for. Who can I speak with for help?
- What non-traditional healthcare resources are available?
- I am a physician calling from another hospital and need to connect with a physician. Who can I speak with?
- I need assistance finding help in my home. How do I do this?
- My elderly parent is having difficulty living independently. What steps can I take to help?
- Where can I purchase equipment such as a wheelchair or walker?
- I am unable to live in my own home now and would like to find information about available housing to include assisted living, nursing home, and hospice care.
- I’m new to the area and need information on community resources such as Meals on Wheels, food pantry, elder legal assistance, and fuel assistance. Where can I find this information?
- I can’t afford my medication. What do I do? How can I find a coupon to help decrease the cost of my medication?
Remember, the HCHC is open Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm, or by appointment (appointments are suggested). Please call (207) 351-2345 for more information or assistance. We look forward to speaking with you.
