Libraries with Heart Program Expands to Fontana Regional Library

 

PUBLIC RELEASE (07-11-2024)

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION 

Libraries with Heart Program Expands to Fontana Regional Library

The American Heart Association launches initiative in additional counties to support better blood pressure control in Western North Carolina

Franklin, NC, July 11, 2024 — Fontana Regional Library patrons are now able to check out healthier hearts and brains through an expansion of the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program.

In collaboration with local Together to End Stroke sponsor, Mission Health, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, the association is excited to announce the extension of the Libraries with Heart program from Rutherford County to Macon, Jackson and Swain counties. The initiative aims to improve health outcomes by making blood pressure monitoring more accessible to the public and empower more individuals in the region to make positive health changes.

Fontana Regional Library patrons will be able to check out home blood pressure monitors and toolkits with information on how to measure and track blood pressure correctly and a list of local clinics for those without a primary healthcare professional.

Additionally, the public and library patrons can check their blood pressure at a specially designed kiosk at the following libraries:

• Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library
• Hudson Library
• Jackson County Public Library
• Macon County Public Library
• Marianna Black Library
• Nantahala Community Library
  
  

“We cannot thank the American Heart Association enough for offering this resource. The Libraries with Heart initiative has not only provided a wonderful opportunity for our community members to take control of their health, but it has also created a wonderful relationship between our library system and local health providers,” said Abby Hardison, Macon County Librarian. “I believe that together we can provide resources and information that could not only improve outcomes, but potentially save lives in our community."

North Carolina has nearly 2 million adults (30%) diagnosed with high blood pressure, sometimes called a “silent killer” because it usually does not have any symptoms you can see. The Macon County high blood pressure rate is akin to the North Carolina average; however, Swain and Jackson Counties are higher than the state average with 36% of residents diagnosed with high blood pressure. 

Amanda Pack, Nurse Manager for Angel Medical Center's Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation was part of the team who trained Fontana Regional Library staff.

"Unregulated blood pressure leads to many chronic health issues including heart disease, stroke, loss of vision, and more,” said Pack. “We are so proud of our local library, and excited they now can offer patrons the chance to take an active role in their health. We hope everyone takes advantage of this new community resource. "

To learn more about high blood pressure visit heart.org/highbloodpressure. For more information about the Libraries with Heart program in Western NC, contact Tonya.Ehrhardt@heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.    

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Letter to the Editor: Did you purchase an Aetna CVS Health plan for 2023?

**February 16th, 2023 Update** 

Karen Williams reports the NC Dept of Insurance has sent her a copy of a letter from Aetna asking for more time to do an internal investigation. Also, the Franklin Press wants to interview her for a story about these HMO policies next Thursday.

Letter to the Editor: Did you purchase an Aetna CVS Health plan for 2023?

I would like to warn citizens in Western NC about a new insurance sold for 2023 on healthcare.gov through Aetna CVS Health!

Aetna has been good insurance in this area for a long time. I know since I've done medical billing and management around here for over twenty years. This year, they are accepting Premuium Tax Credits from our Government and premiums from policy holders and have few to NO providers in the western counties of NC. Angel Medical Center has ONE provider in the entire hospital that is considered in network. They show Harris Regional completely out of network along with most medical providers.

When an insurance company is accepting tax credits and premiums for HMO policies with NO out of network benefits and NO network to support those policies sold, that my friends is INSURNANCE FRAUD!

If you purchased an Aetna CVS Plan from the Marketplace and you live in Western North Carolina, you need to pick up the phone or get on their website and see if your providers are in network with this insurance company! It could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in denied medical claims, not to menition the stress and frustration! Aetna providers in our area are not considered in network with the new Aetna CVS plans. Protect yourself and file complaints if necessary with the NC Dept of Insurance.

Karen Williams of Franklin, NC

Photo provided by author.

Editor's Note: Today (ending at midnight), February 11, 2023, is the last day that someone can change policies on the marketplace. Open Enrollment begins in November and will be the next opportunity to change policies.

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Press Release: One Million+ Americans Have Signed Up for ACA Health Insurance through During Special Enrollment

PRESS RELEASE (06-03-2021)

PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Care

 

(Asheville, NC) – Are you missing out on new savings for quality, affordable health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace? Since the Special Open Enrollment Period began on February 15, more than one million American have gotten covered, and there is still time to sign up before the August 15 deadline.

 

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Americans are seeing reduced monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs. For new consumers selecting plans during the time, the average monthly premium, after tax credits, fell from $117 for those enrolling from Feb. 15 - March 31 to $86 for those enrolling from April 1 - 30. The tax credits also helped lower out of pocket costs for new consumers. The median deductible for new consumers during the Special Open Enrollment Period fell by nearly 90 percent, from $450 prior to April 1 to $50.

 

Here in Western North Carolina, Russell and Fran called local nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services to review their options for free. They found better insurance at a huge savings and switched from short-term, limited duration insurance plan to comprehensive ACA coverage.

 

“It’s been life-changing,” says Fran. The couple went from paying $870/month for an expensive plan that covered catastrophic events to now paying $79/month for Gold Plan ACA insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, like the $3,000/each monthly shots Fran needs to save her eyesight. “When we got the new insurance, I almost cried,” she says. “We were taking money out of our retirement accounts to pay for insurance before this.”

 

Jaclyn Kiger, Pisgah Legal Services’ COO, says, “These new savings are truly a game-changer for people who may have found this coverage out of reach in the past.”

 

She continues, “Here in WNC, we saw double-digit increases in many of our mountain counties during regular open enrollment last year, so we know the need for affordable, quality care is great. Now we are seeing local folks find plans for low or zero monthly premiums thanks to the American Rescue Plan. We also know that even more subsidies will be coming in July for anyone receiving unemployment.”

 

Kiger says, “Even if you are already enrolled, you can return now to the Marketplace to see if you qualify for more savings. Anyone in WNC can make an appointment for free with Pisgah Legal Services, or one of our WNC Enrollment Partners, before the end of the Special Open Enrollment Period on August 15.”

 

Free Help Is Available
Trained assisters are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

 

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

 

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.

 

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services.

 

Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services in 11 WNC counties and offers immigration and ACA health insurance assistance in 18 counties. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

 

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland and Rutherfordton. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.

 ---END PRESS RELEASE--

If your organization has a press release or item for our #MaconCalendar, please send it to editor@MaconMedia.com. Please include any images you wish to include or we'll use one of our own. This also applies to Letters to the Editor.

Published at 11:34am on Thursday, June 4, 2021

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New COVID-19 ACA Special Enrollment Period: Feb. 15th – May 15th

PRESS RELEASE

PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

Another opportunity to enroll in comprehensive, affordable health insurance

 

(Asheville, NC) – People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Special Enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), and its enrollment partners of WNC, are once again offering free assistance helping people in the 18-county mountain region review their options and sign up for ACA health insurance.

With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered, but they must act quickly. For free help locally, with trained assisters, make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

“More than 535,000 North Carolinians enrolled in a health insurance plan during the last Open Enrollment period,” said Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal’s Health Justice Program Director. “This is a new chance for people to sign up, and anyone who needs health insurance should visit HealthCare.gov today, or contact Pisgah Legal Services if you need assistance. Don’t delay.”

Health insurance is more affordable than many people think. In North Carolina, 83 percent of current marketplace consumers had plans available for 2021 that cost less than $50 per month, after financial help. Nine out of 10 marketplace enrollees in North Carolina received financial help that lowered their monthly health insurance premiums last year. In addition, 57 percent of enrollees also qualified for lower out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

“With this new Special Enrollment Period, both new and existing marketplace consumers can shop for marketplace pans, compare options, costs and even make changes. It opens up the ability to get health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Our certified application counselors can help answer questions and get you enrolled in the plan that works best for you and your family,” said Cornelius.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage, with no pre-existing condition exclusions or markups. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits.

“HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage,” said Cornelius.

 

Make a Free Appointment Today

The health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available. Appointments can be made online at www.pisgahlegal.org/aca or by calling (828) 210-3404. For the safety of consumers, staff and volunteers, all Pisgah Legal Services appointments are currently being conducted by phone, some community partners may offer in person assistance.

 

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local residents free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services.

Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services in 11 WNC counties and offers immigration and ACA health insurance assistance in 18 counties. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, and Rutherfordton. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of more than 300 volunteer attorneys.

Pisgah Legal Services continues to serve clients during the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information, visit www.pisgahlegal.org to apply for help online or make a gift in support of this important work.

 

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Mission Health Announces Plan to Help Consumers Affected by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s Decision to Exclude Mission Health from its Network

PRESS RELEASE
Cara Truitt
Regional Advocacy Director
Government and Community Relations
Mission Health


ASHEVILLE – August 17, 2017 – Since Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) has refused to engage in any dialogue toward a new contract, Mission Health has outlined a plan to help consumers affected by the inevitable end of its current contract with BCBSNC on October 5, 2017. Mission’s transition plan will cover everyone with BCBSNC insurance coverage, including consumers with BCBSNC commercial insurance coverage and BCBSNC Medicare Advantage plans.

The absence of Mission Health hospitals and physicians from BCBSNC’s network may have serious financial, logistical and clinical access impacts on consumers who need vital healthcare services. It will also affect the many self-insured employers who pay for their employees’ and dependents’ care expecting access to one of the nation’s Top 15 Health System, Mission Health. As a result of BCBSNC’s decision to refuse to even speak about a new contract and oust Mission Health from its network, BCBSNC will likely pay a lower percentage of the out-of-network fees than they would pay for the same in-network services.

“Now that we know BCBSNC’s final decision is to refuse to even speak with Mission, we are completing plans and associated logistics for this important transition,” said Paul McDowell, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Mission Health. “Mission Health is committed to helping consumers through this difficult change to the degree humanly possible, and we will have the final details worked out in the next few weeks. This is a sad situation. Not only do we wish this issue didn’t exist at all, we also wish it was simple; but it’s very complicated. Particularly so because BCBSNC will not provide Mission with access to the customer and member agreements that specify covered benefits. Mission will do everything it can, within the boundaries of the law and an employer’s benefit plan, to ease this unnecessary transition burden on consumers.”

For Consumers
There are significant exceptions to the problems created by the expiration of Mission Health’s contract with BCBSNC. First, state law prohibits BCBSNC from financially penalizing fully-insured patients when a participating provider is not available without unreasonable delay. This prohibition is critically important for patients and is a legally significant issue. Because Mission is the only provider of certain services within the region – including but not limited to heart surgical services, pediatric specialty services, high risk maternity services and others - we will be assisting impacted patients to make full use of this important law’s consumer protections. Unfortunately, this state law does not apply to consumers with self-funded employer coverage.

Second, to reduce harm to consumers, Mission will provide a generous, prompt payment discount to the balance of a patient’s bill after taking into account the patient’s personal financial responsibility. That discount will be applied when patients send their explanation of benefits (EOB) and any check received from BCBSNC to Mission Health within 10 days. This process is designed to manage any circumstance where BCBSNC may send benefit payments directly to the patient rather than to Mission Health as the service provider. This practice, already illegal in the majority of states in America, is something that BCBSNC has routinely threatened to do.
“While we are helping employers through this transition, BCBSNC can help their customers by honoring each patient’s assignment of benefits election,” said McDowell. “There’s no reason whatsoever for BCBSNC to send checks to patients once Mission Health is out of network – other than trying to harm Mission and unduly worry consumers. Burdening sick or injured individuals and their families who are under duress with the myriad complexities of medical billing and asking them to sort through BCBSNC’s nearly impossible to understand reimbursement methods is simply wrong. What every employer and patient wants is for their insurance company to do what a patient has asked by making all payments exactly as they have elected.” Mission Health also encourages patients to demand in writing that BCBSNC honor their assignment of benefits election so that they are not unduly burdened when they are sick or injured and Mission Health can respond to any BCBSNC errors.

For All Employers
The most important factor for every employer to consider is whether they will stay with BCBSNC after October 5 and lose in-network access to Mission Health or whether they will evaluate other highly competitive health benefit options that include Mission Health. “The really great news for every employer in the region is that Mission Health’s new contracts with Aetna and Cigna provide previously unavailable, affordable choices in the region that keep Mission Health in network,” said McDowell. Further, Mission Health will work collaboratively with any employer considering a switch from BCBSNC to another insurer to make the transition as easy and seamless as possible for them and for their valued employees.

For Self-Insured Employers
Aetna, Cigna and Health State each offer new, previously unavailable and highly competitive alternatives to BCBSNC. This is important news in that the state law prohibiting BCBSNC from financially penalizing fully-insured patients when a participating provider is not available without unreasonable delay does not apply to self-insured plans. Any self-insured employer that intends to remain with BCBSNC will need to specifically direct BCBSNC to continue to pay benefits on its behalf as in-network if the employer desires to protect its employees during this transition time. A self-funded employer’s plan is its own – and not BCBSNC’s plan – so the employer controls what BCBSNC does on its behalf.

***
More details on all transition plans will be announced by Labor Day. For the latest updates and more information on what you can do, please visit StandWithMission.org.


About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is the state’s sixth-largest health system. For the fifth time in the past six years, Mission Health has been named one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company and part of IBM Watson Health in 2017. We are the only health system in North Carolina to achieve this recognition. Mission Health operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. With approximately 12,000 team members and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org or @MissionHealthNC.

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PRESS RELEASE: Mission Health and Aetna Sign Multi-Year Agreement

PRESS RELEASE
Mission Health
Asheville, NC
July 31, 2017




ASHEVILLE – July 31, 2017 – Mission Health and Aetna have signed a new, multi-year agreement providing Aetna customers who receive healthcare benefits through their employers with in-network access to Mission Health’s hospitals, outpatient centers and employed physicians across western North Carolina. This agreement provides employers in western North Carolina with further access to competitively priced network providers.

“This is the latest in a series of exciting announcements, and this new agreement extends our long-standing, collaborative relationship with Aetna, and offers sustained network coverage to members who rely on our providers for the highest quality healthcare services,” said Paul McDowell, Deputy CFO for Mission Health. “We are committed to a more competitive insurance market in western North Carolina, which will greatly benefit large- and small-group employers and consumers alike, and we’re backing up our words with action. We are lucky to have trusted health plan partners like Aetna, and we look forward to working closely with them to improve quality and control costs in the coming years.”

The agreement is effective October 1, 2017, and includes all of Aetna commercial, employer-based healthcare plans.

This is exciting news for local employers that need reliable access to high quality health care in western North Carolina,” said Jim Bostian, Aetna’s market president for North Carolina. “We applaud Mission Health’s efforts to strengthen our collaborative relationship, and bring more affordable and innovative coverage options to the market. We are pleased to partner with an organization that is so strongly committed to providing the highest level of quality care to our members, as evidenced by Mission Health being named one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics for the fifth time in the past six years.”


About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is the state’s sixth-largest health system. For the fifth time in the past six years, Mission Health has been named one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company and part of IBM Watson Health in 2017. We are the only health system in North Carolina to achieve this recognition. Mission Health operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. With approximately 12,000 team members and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org or @MissionHealthNC.



About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44.9 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. Aetna projects to have at least 75 percent of its claim payments in value-based models by 2020. For more information, see www.aetna.com or follow @AetnaNews and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world.




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