Paula Said:

Does GHI (insurance) cover Mental Health?

We Answered:

I'm not sure which plan your father has, but call one of these numbers. You'll need your insurance card & the member ID number.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Value Options) Providers
ValueOptions BMP (serving commercial membership) 800-692-2489
ValueOptions Empire (NY State membership) 800-952-4276

Your father would probably know about your visit, but they won't share any information unless you're talking about hurting yourself.

Visits to a therapist are pretty expensive, & you'll need to go more then once in order to get the full effect.

Don Said:

I am recently retired. I still have health insurance (GHI) I also have Medicare. Which should be my Primary?

We Answered:

I would suggest dropping the GHI completely and looking for a medicare supplement and part d coverage or a MAPD plan while you are still in your special election period for guaranteed issue. Medicare B + a supplement tends to be cheaper than any private insurance plans in most areas, same with Medicare Advantage plans. They're government regulated and subsidized so their rates are very very inexpensive compared to most private coverage.

Jeremy Said:

GHI health insurance Policy for children under coverage?

We Answered:

You can try getting your own individual policy. However, you said you NEED to have coverage; does that mean you have a health condition needing care? If so, more than likely (depending on the condition) it will not be covered since it's a pre-existing condition or you may even be declined. Visit a local agent that works with all the major companies in your area. The agent can find out which plans would be available to you with your health condition and what each insurance company would do. There is no extra charge using an agent.

If you are not in school full time you will not be able to stay covered under your moms policy.

Kathleen Said:

How does Medicare Part D calculate its payment when coordinating with Group Health Insurance that is primary?

We Answered:

First off, when you have a Part D plan Medicare doesn't pay anything toward your drug costs, the plan does.

The donut hole is calculated with the cost you pay + the cost the plan pays, costs that GHI pays are not counted. Assuming a $100 drug cost - prior to reaching $1400 the drug plan will pay $70 and you pay $30. $100 is applied toward the donut hole.

After you reach $1400, still assuming a $100 drug cost, GHI pays $80 which leaves $20. Since $20 is under the co-pay of $30 that the plan has you will pay the $20. If, for example, that drug has a plan co-pay of $5 you'd pay the co-pay and the drug plan will pay the other $15. Either way, $20 is applied toward the donut hole.

It's doubtful you'll ever reach the donut hole in this situation since GHI pays 80% after deductible unless you have very expensive medications. Even if you do reach $2830 in total costs (yours + the drug plans) GHI is still paying the 80% and you're paying 20%.

Leona Said:

GHI health care policy for children under care?

We Answered:

Well, the other way to stay covered, is to get a full time job with health insurance benefits.