ANDERSON — In hopes of helping uninsured Hoosiers receive health care, Community Hospital in Anderson announced it will pay the fees for the money orders of those on the plan.
The Healthy Indiana Plan offers low-cost insurance for low-income Hoosiers without access to health care coverage.
According to Katy Harrison-Troxell of Community Hospital, officials have had several informational events to help get Madison County residents enrolled but have seen a few problems for the low-income population served by the program.
“The biggest problem we’ve seen so far has to do with paying the monthly premium, one of the HIP stipulations. The premium payment has to be made by check or money order. Many of these people do not have a checking account,” she said.
A hospital team found that money orders range from 99 cents to $4.50.
“To help alleviate yet another burden to those making only 200 percent of poverty level, the hospital decided to cover the cost of a money order,” Troxell said.
Terri Rinker, director of Reimbursement Cycle at Community Hospital, said the hospital is not overstepping its bounds in providing the service.
“We’re only paying the cost of the money order. We are not paying the premium, because that is against the law,” she said.
Community Hospital chief financial officer John Harris said the staff at Community was touched by those signing up for insurance for the first time. “It was really moving when Terri went over our initial HIP sign-ups. People were in tears that they were going to get health insurance.”
For those who want the free money orders, Community Hospital has partnered with Indiana Members Credit Union in the lower level of the hospital. Right now, this is the only place the money orders are currently available.
Once a money order has been sold, Community Hospital will be billed for the cost.
“We hope this says to the community that Community Hospital Anderson is serious about helping. We know people need health insurance, and we’re doing what we can,” Troxell said.
Need help with HIP?
Community Hospital Help Center
Where: Patient Accounts Department of Community Hospital, 1515 N. Madison Ave., Anderson
When: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call: (765) 298-3300
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