Federal health reform funds creation of R.I. health insurance help line

PROVIDENCE – The state has been awarded $149,880 to develop a help line that consumers can call when they have questions about health insurance; create Web-based educational materials; conduct training sessions; and help people resolve their health insurance-related problems.
The grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and funded as part of the federal health care reform law, is being directed to the R.I. Department of Business Regulation, which will create two new positions in consumer outreach and assistance.
The help line will be bilingual, able to handle callers who speak English or Spanish, officials said, and the staff will be able to help investigate complaints from consumers.
In addition, the grant will support efforts to better coordinate the work of various state, federal and non-governmental agencies and programs, and track health consumer complaints to help identify problems and strengthen enforcement.
“This initiative will help Rhode Islanders get the information they need to make well-informed decisions about their health insurance,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, whose office announced the grant, in a news release.
“It will help consumers understand their options and provide assistance if they run into trouble,” he added. “This is another example of how health insurance reform is working to put patients back in charge of their health care, rather than insurance companies, who for too long made decisions that denied or decreased care.”
Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Health and Human Services also has received funding under this program, $742,888. The money will help support an existing help line, run by the nonprofit Health Care for All, as well as a statewide outreach campaign in collaboration with community, faith, business and government leaders.
In addition, the Bay State plans to expand the information that is available to consumers, in English, Spanish and Portuguese; track data on consumer concerns and health plan enrollment and share it with policymakers and advocates; and improve coordination among government agencies and with outside groups.
To learn more about the program that funded both states’ grants, go to www.healthcare.gov.