Laid Off? 3 Ways to Reduce Your Health Insurance Costs

SAN JOSE, CA, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) --
With up to 2 million Americans predicted to be laid off in 2009, it's
critical that those at risk of losing their medical coverage become aware
of available alternatives within the current public as well as private
sponsored insurance system. The nonprofit Foundation for Health Coverage
Education (www.coverageforall.org) has created 3 options to consider for
recently laid-off employees. The purpose is to make them aware of
stimulus package-generated options as well as existing government
sponsored programs and private industry initiatives they may now qualify
for. Combined, these programs could save a family of 4 up to 75% a month
on health insurance premiums.

"The fear of losing health coverage in today's economy is real but
shouldn't be overwhelming," said Phil Lebherz, FHCE executive
director/founder. "By reviewing new COBRA eligibility rules, checking on
eligibility for public programs for children under 19 and visiting
websites for organizations that help lower drug costs, there may be
stop-gap measures to help families keep their coverage."

1. Reducing costly monthly premiums by 65% through new COBRA rules -- On
average nationally, unemployment benefits are $1,278 a month while COBRA
premiums for family coverage average $1,069 a month. Under federal law,
businesses with 20 or more employees are required to provide involuntarily
terminated employees continuation of group health coverage. With the new
rules, workers who were involuntarily terminated from September 1, 2008
through the end of 2009 and were previously insured are eligible for
government assistance in paying premiums covering 65% of the cost of
continuing a worker's health insurance, leaving only 35% of the original
premium to be paid by the worker themselves, a substantial savings.

2. Public Children's Programs Laid-Off Workers May Now Qualify For -- In
many states a family of 4 can qualify for comprehensive health insurance
for their children while making up to $66,000 a year. By clicking on
www.coverageforall.org and taking the 5 Question Eligibility Quiz one can
begin the process. For those who prefer a live, one-on-one help line, the
U.S. Uninsured Help Line (800-234-1317) provides 24/7 multilingual help
with live, trained specialists.

3. Saving Money On Name Brand Pharmaceuticals -- Prescribed medications
are expensive. Programs are available from pharmaceutical manufacturers,
state assistance programs and nonprofit groups that can help pay for
prescription drugs. Checking drug company sites for specific medications
or patient advocacy sites for eligibility for cost-saving programs. These
sites include TogetherRxaccess, www.togetherrxaccess.com, RxAssist,
www.rxassist.org, and Partnership for Prescription Assistance,
www.pparx.org.

The Foundation for Health Coverage Education, www.coverageforall.org, has
centralized information about COBRA and public programs available in all
50 states and captured on a single Web site.

Media Contacts:
Marilyn Haese
Bobbi Rubinstein
Haese & Wood
(310) 556-9612
mhaese@haesewood.com

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