Campaign launched to enroll low-income uninsured residents
Liquid Jazz benefit set for May 3 at Friday's Creek to raise funds
Prince Frederick, MD (April 17, 2008) - Next week, Calvert Healthcare Solutions will kick off a countywide campaign to enroll low-income residents who are uninsured. "This is a monumental step forward," said Jon Frank, CHS board president, "We're hoping to sign up at least 100 new participants."
Enrollment Locations
Sunday, April 27
Calvert County churches
Monday, April 28
Walmart, 4-7:30 p.m., Dunkirk
Tuesday, April 29
Food Lion, 4-7:30 p.m., Prince Frederick
Wednesday, April 30
Walmart, 4-7:30 p.m., Prince Frederick
Thursday, May 1
Giant, 4-7:30 p.m., Lusby
The campaign is part of "Cover the Uninsured Week," a national public awareness effort (April 27 - May 3) to focus attention on the uninsured and to bring together those who are interested in finding solutions.
"Everyone needs to understand the impact this issue has on our community," said Frank, "such as higher premiums for those who do purchase coverage and the use of the emergency room for those who lack access to community physicians."
In Calvert County, lack of health insurance is a circumstance that affects nearly 6,000 people. Forty percent of those uninsured are between the ages of 19-34, according to state figures and many work for small employers who do not offer coverage. Forty percent earn less than $21,000 per year.
Starting Sunday, volunteers will be available at various locations to help those who are interested in applying for Calvert Healthcare Solutions or other assistance programs. There are no enrollment fees, no deductibles and no monthly cost to participate. However, a $15 fee is required per office visit. Applicants must be 19 years or older, not eligible for Medicare and meet income requirements; up to $1,733 for a single person per month and up to $3,533 for a family of four.
The Calvert County Department of Social Services will be offering enrollment at the Prince Frederick Library from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday, April 28 through Friday, May 2.
"There is a significant portion of the population that is not served by federal and state programs that target the elderly, children and the poor," said Frank. "Calvert Healthcare Solutions was created in 2001 to fill that gap."
The seven-year-old organization is a unique partnership that includes Calvert Memorial Hospital, local physicians, social services, the health department and the chamber of commerce. Since it was formed, CHS has provided primary health care to over 1,000 uninsured county residents. Local physicians care for patients in their primary offices. CMH provides low-cost lab and X-ray services.
CHS also helps with prescription costs. The program covers 50 percent of generic medications and some other drugs purchased at Calvert Arundel Pharmacy, Chesapeake Drug, CVS, Eckerd Drug, Giant, Kmart, Safeway, Wal-mart or Whitesell Pharmacy.
In 2007, CMH received a three-year grant totaling $500,000 grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission to improve access to care for county residents with no health insurance. The hospital applied for the grant on behalf of the non-profit partnership.
The funding enabled the hospital to hire a case manager to coordinate care, to add evening and Saturday hours at the Twin Beaches Community Health Center and to provide mental health counseling for those enrolled in CHS. The center provides primary and preventive health care to children and adults. There is a sliding fee for those who qualify.
According to Frank, the grant pays for direct care. So, the organization still needs to raise funds to help with staffing and pharmacy costs. The 5th Annual Liquid Jazz benefit is planned for Saturday, May 3 from 1-5 p.m. at Friday's Creek Winery in Owings.
Admission is $50 at the door. The charity event features unlimited wine tasting, great food from Saphron and CUC Catering and live jazz music with the Kevin Brooks Project, Satin Doll Trio and Diane Daly with the Eric Byrd Trio.
For more information, please call Calvert Healthcare Solutions at 443-550-6927.
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Calvert Memorial Hospital
100 Hospital Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
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