NHF is thrilled to report that more than 65 participants attended the Insurance and Reimbursement Conference, “Whose Responsibility Is It? Increasing Motivation to Accept the Insurance Challenge!” held April 25-27 in Denver. Hemophilia treatment center (HTC) social workers and chapter executive directors from across the country attended the conference, which provided an update on upcoming changes to health coverage (both public and private), the potential impact on those with bleeding disorders, and tools to use to educate and prepare consumers for the changes.
Speakers addressed policy, insurance and operational issues facing HTCs and chapters. Michealle Gady of Families USA and Paul Tibbits from the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight at the US Department of Health and Human Services provided an overview of the changes made to Medicare, Medicaid and the private health insurance market by the Affordable Care Act. Katha Kissman, an organizational development and leadership training facilitator, suggested strategies for more effective personal and team communication, and collaboration between HTC social workers and chapter advocates. Paul Cook, PhD, from the University of Colorado College of Nursing discussed motivational interviewing. Michelle Rice, NHF Director of Public Policy, led a discussion of NHF’s Personal Health Insurance Tool Kit, in which attendees used the tool to evaluate sample insurance policies for a “John Doe” and his family.
A special thanks to the planning committee, Laurel Pennick, Linda Gammage, Mavis Harrop, Lynne Capretto, and Kelly Walters, for their efforts in helping make this conference a success. We want to also thank Baxter & Pfizer for their support of the program. We look forward to the continuation of this vital program in the coming years. If you have any questions feel free to contact Michelle Rice: mrice@hemophilia.org or Marla Feinstein, NHF Medical Information and Policy Coordinator:mfeinstein@hemophilia.org.
