It is called health insurance.
Those who are not industry professionals can become tongue-tied, bedazzled and easily frustrated at the lingo, the technical terms and most certainly the processes. Even some of the pros will admit to an occasional stumble in their interpretation of the rules.
It isn’t their fault.
It’s just a confusing subject.
Now imagine the chaos running through the minds of those who rarely deal with health insurance — the paperwork, the multiple forms, the perplexing phrases and the frustration of carrying on a conversation with those who do understand the complexities but who don’t understand how to convey the information to those less knowledgeable.
It can be a bureaucratic nightmare.
And that’s why a local people-first service agency is hosting a 4-part “Health Insurance Information Seminar” — to bring understanding to those who have had issues with the health insurance industry and who have been unable to find proper answers.
The seminars, whose opening stanzas were held April 2 and April 5, are providing knowledge of the vocabulary and bylaws of insurance. Too, the sessions are offering attendees information that will help them find the health care needed for their specific physical and financial circumstances.
The cutting edge series is being coordinated through The Refuge Community Centre of Cleveland — one of several agencies operating in The Family Support Center (the former Blythe Elementary School facility) which is run by the well-recognized Family Resource Agency.
The seminars are free but the opening leg — Session 1: Insurance as a Second Language — has been completed. Still, three informational gatherings remain and all can be helpful in understanding health insurance — especially for those who don’t deal with it regularly.
Remaining topics include:
- Session 2: How to Handle a Health Crisis — Building a Healthcare Team.
- Session 3: Should I Sign up for a Medicare Replacement Plan? and
- Session 4: Should I Sign up for Medicare Part D (the prescription drug plan)?
Because of its location, The Refuge Community Centre targets much of its work on the immediate East Cleveland and Blythe Avenue neighborhoods; however, the health insurance seminars are open to the general public.
Attendees may choose from two cycles of the series: Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 12, April 19 and April 26 or Saturdays, from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 9, April 16 and April 23.
Who should attend?
Dr. Terry Johns, Refuge Community Centre director, best answers that question.
“The seminar classes are open to anyone who desires to learn more about health insurance, but especially those who struggle to maintain healthcare coverage, are underinsured, uninsured or need help finding new and better ways to keep adequate and reliable health coverage,” he told us.
The seminars provide answers to the whys, hows and whens of health and prescription insurance. It also is very informative about other avenues of healthcare for those who do not have personal health insurance.
The Refuge Community Centre is taking on this task because it is part of their mission — to help people.
Knowledge is power.
And information is gold.
Contact the center at 584-5211 for additional information or stop by the Refuge offices in Suite 8 of The Family Support Center.
