The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits are also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial requirements. This program provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. To apply for this benefit, you must call the Social Security Administration to make an appointment to work with one of the SSI representatives who will then assist you with an application.
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Grannies on Safari answeredSee All 2 AnswersAnyone who travels should consider travel insurance. While not everyone will need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, this type of plan becomes more important when you travel outside the US and if you are pre-paying for an expensive trip and want to be sure you have enough coverage while you are traveling.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSince all insurance plans are different, this is a difficult question to answer. However, Medicare and most insurance plans cover diabetes testing for people suspected of having diabetes. People at risk for diabetes are also at risk for pre-diabetes. Since the test is the same and the risk factors are the same for both conditions, a prediabetes test may be covered. It is best to consult your physician and health insurance representative with specific coverage questions.
If your health insurance covers durable medical equipment, it may pay for a blood glucose meter, a finger-stick device, pens, pen needles, syringes, a pump, infusion sets, a continuous glucose monitor and/or an insulin injector. Some insurance plans may cover some or all of these supplies under the prescription drug benefit. As there may be differences in copayment or coinsurance depending on how your diabetes supplies are covered, be sure to check your insurance policy for clarification.
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Sharecare answeredSee All 2 AnswersInformation contained in your doctors' files (paper or electronic) is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). But that’s not the only thing that must be kept private. Conversations between your doctor and other medical professionals, information in your health insurer's computer system, billing information and most other medical information is also covered by federal privacy laws.
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ONC Consumer eHealth & Blue Button answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy protections apply to your "individually identifiable health information." This information can include:
- Information your doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers put in your medical record
- Conversations your doctor has about your care or treatment with nurses and others
- Information about you in your health insurer's computer system
- Billing information about you at your clinic
- Information used by companies or individuals that provide data, billing or other services to doctors, hospitals, health insurers and other healthcare organizations. This includes computer and data services providers, accountants and other professional services firms.
When this information is held by an individual or organization that must follow HIPAA, it is called "protected health information."
The HIPAA Security Rule protections apply to electronic protected health information.
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See All 2 AnswersThe HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires most doctors, hospitals, other health care providers and health insurance companies to notify you of a "breach" if unsecured information about you is seen by someone who is not supposed to see it. This Federal law also requires health care providers and insurance companies to promptly notify the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if there is any breach of unsecured protected health information and notify the media and public if the breach affects more than 500 people.
This requirement helps patients know if unsecured protected health information has been breached and helps keep providers accountable for the protection of your health information. Health information that has been encrypted so that people cannot read it is considered to be secure. Health care providers do not have to report if someone who is not authorized attempts to access encrypted information.
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Sharecare answered
You can revoke authorization to share your health information at any time. You, or someone representing you, must make the request in writing. Be sure to sign and date the request.
If you have agreed to share your health information for research purposes, you can cancel your authorization in writing by following the instructions on the authorization form. After the research study team receives your cancellation, they can't use your personal health information except in certain circumstances. For example, they may need to report when you cancelled your authorization, or share information to ensure that the research study is still reliable.
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Your doctor designates a privacy official who is responsible for making sure your medical records are kept private. In a small office, this may be the office manager. Large facilities have full-time privacy officials.
The Privacy Rule also requires your health care provider to inform you of your privacy rights. Clear privacy rules and procedures must be put into place, and employees must be trained in how to follow them. These procedures include passwords and other steps for securing your records against unauthorized use.