Articles & News About Health

Allsup Introduces Health Discount Program to Millions of People with Disabilities

Belleville, Ill. (Vocus) October 6, 2008 -- Allsup announced today it is offering a new Health Discount Program (http://www.allsup.com/Health-Discount-Program.aspx/?=PRJ2) to help millions of people with disabilities gain access to discounted healthcare and medical services. The program is among the new financial and healthcare-related services Allsup (http://www.allsup.com/?=PRJ2) has introduced for people with disabilities to complement the nationwide SSDI representation services it has offered for nearly 25 years.

"The Health Discount Program provides the opportunity to further support the needs of individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are uninsured and do not yet qualify for Medicare," said Paul Gada, personal financial planning director for Allsup. "We offer a way to reduce healthcare costs so they will be more likely to seek the health and medical services they need."

About one-fourth of the 2.5 million individuals in the SSDI application process (http://www.allsup.com/About-SSDI/SSDI-Process.aspx/?=PRJ2) each year do not have health insurance, according to Allsup research. Either they have no health coverage available to them through their former employer or a spouse, or they cannot afford the high cost of COBRA coverage or private health insurance. They are not eligible for Medicare (http://www.allsup.com/Medicare-Advisor.aspx/?=PRJ2) until 24 months after their date of entitlement to cash benefits from the Social Security Administration.

The Health Discount Program offered through an agreement between Allsup and OptumHealthSM Allies helps make affordable quality healthcare possible by offering these individuals and their families access to a network of more than 500,000 physicians, practitioners and facilities nationwide, as well as online and mail-order providers. The program includes savings for certain medical, behavioral health, dental, vision and hearing care, as well as prescription drugs and health supplies, long-term care and alternative care services. Examples of potential savings include: a $72 savings on a $235 doctor's office visit; $5.40 savings on a $12.90 Amoxicillin prescription; $26 savings on a $70 dental cleaning; and $17 savings on a $57 eye exam.

"We know from speaking with people with disabilities that their health often suffers while they are awaiting SSDI because they have to choose between paying for food or electricity and getting the medical attention they need," said Gada. "It's an incredibly difficult position to be in and anything that can be done to help ease the financial burden is something we want to be able to offer to our customers."

This is underscored by findings from the Kaiser Disability Survey (2003), which concluded that two-thirds of uninsured individuals with disabilities reported postponing care and almost as many reported splitting pills, skipping doses or not filling a prescription to save money.

Gada pointed out that the Health Discount Program is not a traditional health insurance product. It is a cost-savings program. Allsup anticipates the program will be of greatest interest to individuals awaiting Medicare eligibility. Some also may choose to use it to complement their Medicare coverage once they become eligible, helping to further reduce out-of-pocket costs.

To Learn More about the Program

Individuals interested in learning more about the Health Discount Program (http://www.allsup.com/Health-Discount-Program.aspx/?=PRJ2), including detail on participating providers, can do so by going to http://www.allsup.com/Health-Discount-Program.aspx or calling (888) 271-1173.

The program has a 30-day risk-free trial and a nominal monthly fee of $15.50.

About Allsup

Allsup, Belleville, Ill., is a leading nationwide provider of financial and healthcare-related services to people with disabilities. Founded in 1984, Allsup has helped more than 100,000 people receive their entitled Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits. Allsup employs more than 500 professionals who deliver services directly to consumers and their families, or through their employers and long-term disability insurance carriers. For more information, visit Allsup.com (http://www.allsup.com/?=PRJ2).

About OptumHealth Allies

The OptumHealth Allies health discount program provides access to healthcare savings to more than 15 million members nationwide. Based in Glendale, Calif., OptumHealth Allies is part of OptumHealth, one of the nation's largest consumer health services companies, and an affiliate of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). More information about OptumHealth Allies can be found at www.optumhealthallies.com. OptumHealth Allies is administered by HealthAllies®, Inc., a discount medical plan organization located at 505 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 850, Glendale, CA, 91203, 1-877-426-2559.

The information provided is not intended as a substitute for legal or other professional services. Legal or other expert assistance should be sought before making any decision that may affect your situation.

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