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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: LaTousha Daniels LOCAL MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDES NEW ANSWER FOR BRADENTON, Fla., March 14, 2008—Manatee County Rural Health Services (MCHRS), a private, not-for-profit medical group, is recommending a three-part solution to help the estimated 50,000 members of uninsured working families residing in the county. Dubbed the “Community Health Solution,” the concept suggests a discount medical plan, care financing and a hospital/surgical insurance plan. Area businesses and residents can apply for all three components, beginning with the Gulf Coast Discount Medical Plan, a program started by MCRHS that offers savings of up to 40 percent on routine office visits and diagnostics at MCRHS and other participating health care providers. Pharmacy savings can be even higher. The other two parts of the solution, provided by non-affiliated companies, are a healthcare credit program offering various terms for office visits and procedures, and a benefit-rich hospital/surgical plan provided by a leading national insurance company. “With our local employers facing unprecedented increases in their group health plan premiums and thousands of working individuals currently uninsured, we decided it was time for a fresh idea,” said Walter L. “Mickey” Presha, President and CEO of MCRHS. “We created the Gulf Coast Discount Medical Plan and asked other providers to join us. Then we identified complimentary programs we could recommend for financing and hospitalization and asked a leading insurance broker to help us manage it.” Community Health Solutions is marketed by IBC Insurance & Benefits Consultants. All three components are available through employers of all sizes. The Gulf Coast Discount Medical Plan is not a health insurance plan and does not make payments on members’ behalf. Instead, it provides members with a discount card to be used at participating facilities for a monthly fee of $25 for individuals or $30 for families, along with a one-time enrollment fee of $30. The providers are able to offer deep discounts because the patients pay with cash, check or credit at the time of service, saving the practices on insurance and billing follow-up. This program is available to anyone, regardless of income, credit or pre-existing conditions. Some restrictions will apply for the financing and hospitalization portions of the concept and not all applicants will qualify. The Gulf Coast Discount Medical Plan’s provider network started with the Joint-commission-accredited physician group of MCRHS, but other top providers quickly joined suit. “We were excited to see MCRHS invent this program for the community’s benefit,” said Jim Needham, CEO of Coastal Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, which recently joined the provider list. “We treat the vast majority of Manatee County’s orthopedic needs and have witnessed the increase in good, hardworking citizens without insurance. Surgery is often needed, but it is expensive. We’re pleased to be part of this innovative program that will help those in need.” Unexpected catastrophic medical expenses have been cited as one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in America. “For many Americans today, the burden of paying for some or all of their routine care has fallen on their shoulders,” said IBC’s Michael A. Moran, CIC. “Unfortunately, the majority of our working uninsured have no strategy to manage their healthcare expenses—much less to protect themselves financially from a healthcare crisis. These three components can work together to create a healthcare safety net for many working families.” Businesses and individuals can learn more at www.communityhealthsolution.com or contact IBC at 739-2133 or toll-free at (877) 955-2130. ### |
