Lewiston-based Community Health Options (Health Options), the state’s only nonprofit, Member-led health insurance plan, has awarded grants to nonprofit agencies supporting Maine communities and organizations experiencing some of the most troubling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late April, when COVID-19-related business closings created the worst unemployment rates since the Great Depression, a small team of call center workers in Fort Kent, Maine were starting new permanent jobs with Lewiston-based Community Health Options (Health Options), the state’s only nonprofit, Member-led health insurance plan.
In an 8-1 decision handed down today by the US Supreme Court in Maine Community Health Options v. United States, the Court held that Congress did not void the Government’s statutory obligation to reimburse health insurance companies for losses under the Affordable Care Act’s Risk Corridors program.
Community Health Options is waiving member cost sharing for COVID-19-related admissions. This expanded benefit is designed to eliminate financial barriers for members seeking COVID-19 treatment at in-network hospitals. The new policy will be in effect until June 30, 2020 and is subject to change if the public health emergency continues. If members received COVID-19 treatment prior to this announcement, their claims will be covered and reprocessed.
Maine-based insurer Community Health Options is currently working closely with the Maine CDC and local healthcare agencies to monitor the progress of COVID-19 and are exploring ways to support all of its Members who may contract the illness, particularly those at high risk. To remove financial barriers that could prevent its Members from obtaining provider-recommended testing for COVID-19, the insurer has waived cost-sharing for that screening test, associated lab processing fees and the office visit to collect the specimen.
In recent role changes within Health Options' leadership, Maggie Kelley has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Community Health Options and Dr. Jacquelyn Hedlund has accepted the part-time position of Senior Medical Director.
“The central question to be decided is whether the government’s failure or refusal to allocate money to pay a debt cancels that debt,” says Kevin Lewis, CEO & President of Community Health Options. The resolution of this issue has implications far beyond the immediate case. The bigger question is whether the government is obligated to honor its commitments to a private company that has performed its part of the bargain.
Community Health Options has expanded its pharmacy benefit for Members to fill prescriptions for overdose-reversing medications naloxone and Narcan with no co-pay or out-of-pocket expense.
Community Health Options & Northeast Delta Dental Announce New Initiative That Recognizes the Key Link Between Oral Health and Overall Health in Maine.
Community Health Options receives national recognition as one of 23 honors recipients for 2018.
Kevin Lewis, CEO of Community Health Options, recently announced that Kirk Miklavic has joined the organization as HR Director.
Open Enrollment for individual and family health plans began on November 1st and will close on December 15th. Health Options’ analysis of call volumes and Internet traffic for comparable enrollment periods show activity has exceeded the prior year and is increasing.
Community Health Options, a leading non-profit, Member-led health plan providing comprehensive, Member focused health insurance benefits for individuals, families and businesses in Maine, announced today that it has been named one of the 2017 Best Places to Work in Maine.
Community Health Options and LifeFlight of Maine announced today their collaborative partnership to provide people with quality patient care and service.
Community Health Options, in partnership with a local hospital, tested an innovative program designed to reduce emergency department utilization and promote better health outcomes for its Members through education and care management interventions.