Bleeding Disorder Legal Hotline

The Delaware Valley Chapter is pleased to announce the Bleeding Disorder Legal Hotline. This free, confidential phone line is manned by an attorney, Beth Sufian, in Houston, Texas. She has over 17 years of experience helping people with chronic conditions understand the laws intended to protect them regarding health insurance and school/work issues. This Hotline was initiated by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation in 2006. Hotline callers have reported that the information was helpful and would have been difficult to find without the help of this service. The Hotline can provide information on the issues listed below:

1. Obtaining and maintaining private health insurance.
2. Obtaining coverage from insurers for medical treatment.
3. How a small business can obtain health insurance.
4. Legal rights regarding Medicaid & Medicare.
5. Applying for Social Security benefits.
6. Appealing a denial of application for Social Security benefits.
7. Protection in the workplace from discrimination.
8. Family Medical Leave/Reasonable Accommodations in the workplace.
9. Insurance issues related to transitioning young adults.
10. Legal rights of children with medical conditions in the school setting.

The Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline is open to people affected with a bleeding disorder and the medical professions that provide care for them. Quite simply, the Hotline is designed to bridge the gap between the laws and the people who need to know about them. Call 1-800-520-6154 and get informed.

The Hotline is recognized by the National Hemophilia Foundation as a valuable resource to the bleeding disorders community

Delaware Valley Chapter
Support Network

In an effort to increase our service and help to families in areas outside of the central Philadelphia area, we have established five branches of the Delaware Valley Chapter. The purpose of the branches is to help network patients and families affected by hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD). If you are a patient or parent/s of a patient and would like to socialize with others who share your issues, please contact one of the following team leaders to get involved. These branches meet informally, in private homes, for social events and support. There is no charge for being involved.....just networking with families just like you!!

Camp Hill Branch
Shannon & Jay Penica
717-975-2897

Delaware Branch
Gail & Luke Vannicola
302-378-1278

Lititz/Lancaster Branch
Lorie & Brian Kerstetter
717-626-9679

Mount Carmel Branch
Jolene & Sam Scicchitano
570-339-4137

Reading/Pottstown Branch
Tina & Jeff McMullen
610-582-1731

These branches are not open to any person who works or has a family member who works for any industry or company directly or indirectly involved in products or services for patients with bleeding disorders.

Resources for Pennsylvania Patients with Bleeding Disorders

Medicare (including Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans) For free counseling and personalized help, contact the APPRISE Program at (800) 783-7067 or visit them on the web at http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=173806. You may also visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website at http://www.medicare.gov/ or call (800) MEDICARE.

Social Security If you think you may be eligible for social security benefits, visit the Social Security Administration website at http://www.ssa.gov/, contact your local Social Security Office, or call (800) 772-1213.

Medicaid For more information on Pennsylvania Medicaid, visit http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/MedicalAssistance/ or call (800) 842-2020.

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers free or low-cost health insurance coverage to uninsured children and youth up to age 19 who meet the specified financial requirements. Depending on the size of the family and household income, some families with enrolled children may have monthly premiums of $38 to $150 per child and co-payment of $5 to $50 for certain services. For more information on CHIP, visit http://chipcoverspakids.com/ or call (800) 986-5437.

Children w/ Special Health Care Needs Program The Bureau of Family Health provides financial assistance for medical care and an array of support services for children and youth up to age 21 with special health care needs. To receive assistance, individuals must meet certain medical and financial requirements. Children and youth up to age 18 who are diagnosed with hemophilia are eligible for services. The Bureau is in the Department of Health. For more information, visit http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=179&q=244303 or call (800) 986-4550.

Hemophilia or Chronic Disorders Assistance Program The Hemophilia Program works in conjunction with the state hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) to assist adults age 19 or older with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease with paying for medical care, clotting factor products and an array of support services. To be eligible, individuals must meet the specified eligibility requirements which include showing proof of diagnosis, citizenship, residency and health care coverage. The program is administered by the Bureau of Family Health under its special health needs initiative. For more information, visit http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=179&Q=232550&PM=1
or call (800) 986-4550.

High-Risk Insurance Pool Program Pennsylvania does not offer a high-risk insurance pool program for the medically uninsurable. However, the state has an open enrollment period in which any person who applies for health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield will be accepted regardless of any health conditions they may have. Choice of health plans may be limited and there could be a waiting period for some pre-existing conditions. For more information, visit http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp or call (877) 881-6388.

Other programs AdultBasic provides Medicaid benefits to uninsured people ages 19 to 64 who meet
eligibility requirements. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. For more information, visit http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp or call (800) 462-2742.

General Health Insurance Questions For general health insurance information, visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website at http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp or call (877) 881-6388. You may also get state specific insurance information at http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/.