There’s no strong leadership regarding health insurance during this global pandemic & how this impacts folks w/ chronic illnesses, like myself. So I’m starting this thread to share any info from my specific experience that might be helpful to you or someone you know
#HealthThread

I’m not an expert; I’m simply sharing the resources from my own search. While my personal experience is very specific (NY State resident, HIV+, recepient of health coverage under 2 unions: AEA & SAG/AFTRA) my hope is this info might still prove useful in some way.
#HealthThread

I’ll be adding to this thread as I continue my own efforts for my own care. Follow the hashtag #HealthThread if you find this useful.

-This is not fuel for your political noise. For folks like myself this is literally a matter of staying alive so spare me your BS.-

Here we go

In regards to coverage specifically under AEA & SAG/AFTRA, my income is too high for most assistance programs, but not enough to afford COBRA nor paying monthly for Plan 1 & Plan 2. Here’s some resources I have come across thus far...
#HealthThread

Every Artist Insured seminars offered by The Actor’s Fund are a great place to start for understanding options before applying for health insurance. The seminars are live webinars every Thursday at 12:30pm.
Visit https://actorsfund.org/workshops/every-artist-insured-ny-1 to RSVP
#HealthThread

Action/Advocacy: The Actor’s Fund has a link on their website about the Federal COBRA subsidy bill called the Worker Health Protection Act.
https://actorsfund.org/about-us/news/cobra-subsidy-contact-your-reps
CONTACT YOUR REPS & advocate for this provision! The link includes a sample letter and phone script.
#HealthThread

NY residents can get insurance & find out about eligibility for assistance in paying for insurance or for programs like Medicaid or the Essential Plan by applying through the NY State of Health Marketplace aka the state Exchange.
Visit http://www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov  to...
#HealthThread

create an account. If you’ve had, or have, an acc w/ the NY State Dept of Labor/Unemployment, you would NOT register a new account, but rather log in to NY State of Health w/ the same user/pass. (Creating a new one will create a duplicate.) #HealthThread

The main purpose of enrolling on the Marketplace rather than directly through an insurance company is to see if you’re eligible for a program or subsidy to make coverage more affordable. The application process looks at household size... #HealthThread

& annual adjusted gross income to determine your eligibility in the programs & subsidies available. The application determines your eligibilty by household size & adjusted gross income on a scale called the Federal Poverty Level. #HealthThread

There are 4 main categories you may fall into: Medicaid, Essential Plan, Qualified Health Plan w/ a subsidy, Qualified Health Plan w/ no financial assistance. The Medicaid & Essential Plan programs are income-based, so you can apply for these at any time of year...
#HealthThread

If you’re eligible for a Qualified Health Plan you have to meet special criteria to be eligible to enroll in one of these plans outside of the Open Enrollment Period, which was in NY State: 11/1/2019 - 1/31/2020. Other states may have a different period. #HealthThread

(If your head is spinning at this point I absolutely get it.)
#HealthThread

If you recently lost your health coverage, you have a Special Enrollment Period & you have 60 days from the end date to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. If you’re about to lose coverage next month, you can enroll this month. #HealthThread

The annual adjusted gross income thresholds of eligibility for a single individual are:
Medicaid - less than $17,609
Essential Plan - $17,610 to $25,520
QHP w/ subsidy - $25,521 to $49,960
QHP at full price - Over $49,960
#HealthThread

Children in NY can enroll in the Children’s Health Insurance Program called Child Health Plus. All kids from newborn through the age of 18 are eligible to enroll any time of year, regardless of household income. Child Health Plus insurance plans...
#HealthThread

may be free, low cost ($9-$60 per month), or at full price (varies $180-$320 depending on plan). There are no copays or deductibles, so they are much more cost-effective than adding a child to an adult policy on the Marketplace. #HealthThread

Specifically regarding those, like myself, living w/ HIV:
Uninsured Care Programs Summary: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/resources/adap/
ADAP Application and Instructions: https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-2794.pdf
Medical Eligibility: https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-3608.pdf
APIC Application: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/general/resources/adap/docs/apiceng.pdf
#HealthThread

The Uninsured Care Programs provide access to free health care for NY State residents who are uninsured or underinsured. The program provides access to options for payment for health care services & medications for persons living w/ HIV/AIDS. #HealthThread

ADAP can help pay for meds, help people w/no insurance, partial insurance, Medicaid Spend-down/Surplus or Medicare Part D.
ADAP Plus (Primary Care) pays for outpatient primary care services through participating clinics, hospitals, & private practitioners. #HealthThread

ADAP Plus Insurance Continuation (APIC) helps pay for health insurance premiums for eligible participants.

Please refer to the links I shared 3 tweets above for detailed information and application information.

#HealthThread

Lastly, for today at least, depending on which meds you take, you might be able to receive assistance from Gilead through their Advancing Access program. https://www.gileadadvancingaccess.com/copay-coupon-card
This can help offset the Rx insurance out-of-pocket responsibility.
#HealthThread