Accidents & Injuries
Bankruptcy
Banks & Credit Unions
Business
Cars & Motor Vehicles
Charities
Children & Parents
Colleges/Grants&Loans
Contracts
Credit & Debt
Crime Victims Domestic Violence
Criminal Justice&Police Misconduct
Disabilities
Divorce & Marriage
Food Matters
Government
& Gov. Assistance
Health & Medical
Health Clubs
Homeless
Home Matters
Immigrants/Refugees
Insurance
Internet
Landlord/Tenant
Lawyers/Cts/Self-Help
Mail & Postal
Money & Investments
Occupational-
Licensing
Boards
People Search
Phone & Utilities
Privacy/IdentityTheft
Public Records
Refunds, Repairs & Replacements
Scams & Cons
Seniors
Support Groups
Taxes
Travel
Wills, Probate &
Estates
Work/The Wk Place
Workers Compensation
FAQs On Workers Compensation
(GA)
Government
Agencies. Georgia Health Associations & Non-profits
GA Insurance Regulations & Complaints
Insurance
Complaint Form (GA) (Need Acrobat Reader)
Workers
Comp Claims: Prepping For Adverse Medical Exams
Consumer's
Resource Handbook
Contains 144 pages of assistance with consumer
problems and complaints.
Consumer And Government Health
Care Links (NCQA.org)
Find
Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously.
Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to
report to. (DC Not Included).
See Consumer-SOS- The
Workplace/Insurance. & Benefits
Insurance Regulations &
Complaints
Regulations
Complaints
Insurer
Bad Faith (GA Only)
Your rights when your insurer in bad faith refuses to pay your claim.
YOU MUST CLICK ON LINK, USE YOUR BACK BUTTON AND THEN
CLICK ON LINK AGAIN OR YOU'LL BE STUCK ON THEIR HOME PAGE!!!
Regulators Governing
Health & Ins. Plans (All 50 States & DC)
For Both Managed Care Plans and Fee For Service Plans.
Know Your
COBRA Rights (With Links To All 50 States & DC)
Their drop box links you to your regional or district office of the Pension and
Welfare Benefits Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, which oversees
COBRA.
Consumer And
Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance
companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.
Your Rights Under The Family Medical Leave Act
Where Else To Go For Help
(Consumer-SOS)
Related Topics
Insurance
The Work Place
Back To Top
Complaints
Insurer
Bad Faith (GA Only)
Your rights when your insurer in bad faith refuses to pay your claim.
YOU MUST CLICK ON LINK, USE YOUR BACK BUTTON AND THEN
CLICK ON LINK AGAIN OR YOU'LL BE STUCK ON THEIR HOME PAGE!!!
Ins. Co. Emergency Claim Numbers
Managed Care
(Consumer-SOS)
HMOs, PPOs, Hospitals, etc.Choosing a health plan, getting them to treat you
right, and where to complain and get help.
State
Insurance Regulators (All 50 States & DC)
Insurance
Complaints (All 50 States & DC)
Also has good info on resolving disputes.
Fighting Insurance Companies When They Deny Your Claim How to protect yourself, establish contacts, gather allies and write your appeals and grievance letters.
Consumer And
Government Advocates
Many of these groups protect the consumer against unethical insurance
companies. May also furnish you with regulations if you ask.
Find
Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously.
Select Texas, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to
report to. (DC Not Included).
Where Else To Go For Help
(Consumer-SOS)
Back To Top
Medical Directives/Living Wills
*Living
Will (GA)
Fill in the blank form for Georgia.
*Durable Power Of Attorney
For Health Care (GA) (Printable form)
Change the date after the first paragraph (says year 2000).
*Becoming
A Guardian (Consumer-SOS)
What to do if an adult becomes incapacitated and there's no living will.
Durable Power Of Attorney & Health Care Directives (Nolo.com)
Writing A Living Will That's Valid In
Your State (For All 50 States & DC)
Scroll down to nearly end of page and select your state. Then just download
form and fill in the blanks!
Writing A Valid Living
Will In All 50 States (Backup Site)
Register Your Living With With
US Hospitals
Register Your Living Will With US Hospitals (Free Online Service)
The Registry electronically stores your advance directive in its computer
database and identifies it by your social security number. Hospitals from
anywhere in the country can then call the computer on the telephone, and request
a copy of your advance directive.
Power of Attorney
(Consumer-SOS)
Information on general power of attorney and not just for health care.
Living Trust Offers: How to Make Sure They're Trust-worthy
Last
Acts
Links and brochures on death related issues.
Consumer And Government Health Care
Links (NCQA.org)
See Elder Care Topics
( Nolo.com)
For information on Social Security, Retirement Plans,
Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and Managed Care, Long-Term Healthcare, Estate Planning, Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney
and more.
Back To Top
Related Topics
Children
Disabilities
Government
Insurance
Lawyers, Courts &
Self Help
Seniors
The Work Place
Wills & Probate
What To Ask & Tell Your Doctor
To
get the most from a short visit with your doctor, it helps to prepare for the
dialogue.
Before
Your Appointment.
· Write down all the questions you want to ask. Pick the three you think are most important to you.
·
Bring a list of all your medications, both prescription and
over-the-counter. Bring in any
herbs or
supplements that you take.
If
you are feeling sick or too scared, bring a friend or relative who can help take
notes and ask questions for you.
At
The Start Of The Visit.
· Ask your doctor how much time you have together.
· Explain what you have already done to get better.
· Mention the top three "must discuss" items on your list.
·
What does the doctor think happened to you, and why?
·
What do you need to do now?
·
What will the doctor do for you?
·
Will it hurt, and, if so, for how long?
·
When will you and the doctor know more about how you are
doing?
Discuss
A Plan.
·
Ask the doctor to write down the treatment choices for your
illness, and the pros and cons for each
choice.
·
If you don't understand what the doctor is suggesting, ask
him or her to use different words that you do
understand.
·
Agree on a plan of action with your doctor.
And then write the plan down.
·
Ask who-and when-you can call with more questions.
My
Medicines (What To Ask)
Tips on how to read the label, avoid problems, ask questions and keep a record.
Other Questions
·
What are the brand and generic names?
· Do You Have Any Trial Samples (Saves You $)
·
Is there a less expensive drug?
·
Which symptoms will it treat?
·
How long will I have to take it?
·
At what time of day?
·
What happens if I miss a dose?
·
Can I eat anything I want? Do I take it with food?
·
Are there side effects.
·
Should I avoid certain things like alcohol, smoking or sun
exposure. (may cause problems with certain
antibiotics).
·
Will I need to refill the prescription?
·
When Should I be feeling better?
Where
Else To Go For Help
Free or Low Cost
Medical Help For the Poor or Uninsured (Consumer-SOS)
Includes free or low cost prescriptions and medical treatment.
Atlanta Area Hospitals
(With links)
http://www.consumer-action.org
Check out their website for information on health care,
privacy issues, insurance matters, pricing surveys on banking credit and other hot topics.
Consumer Action is also a lobbyist
group. Their representatives in
California and Washington DC promote laws
with consumer interests at heart.
The Joint Commission On Accreditation Of Heath Care
Organizations/Office Of Quality Monitoring(630)
792-5642
This trade organization consists of over 5,000 hospitals and
1
The Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Office (404) 656-2056
Call if you have a problem with your insurance benefits.
Low Cost Medicines
One-stop link to thousands of low cost medicines offered through hundreds of
patient assistance programs sponsored by member companies, non-member companies
and government and local organizations.
Benefits Checkup
Find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs
of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or
services. Please fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can
assist you or your loved ones.
The Medical Information Bureau (617) 426-3660
For a charge of $8.00 they will tell you if your medical
record
is kept on file. Give them a call
if you have been denied insurance
coverage and think such was based on an error
in your insurance records.
The Georgia Attorney General's Office (404) 656-3300
This agency deals with a variety of matters including medical related
fraud.
Department of Medical Assistance/Managed Care Division
Georgia State Government/Secretary Of State (404) 656-3900
To complain about a health care worker's performance or to
file a report with that person's licensing board.
The National Committee For Quality Assurance (800) 839-6487
This agency will tell you if your health plan meets their accreditation standards.
The Medicare Hotline (800) 772-1213
Call if you're a Medicare or Medicaid recipient unhappy with your
treatment. Don't hang up if you
hear a recording about social security. The automated system will eventually
offer Medicare options.
Health & Human Services/Division Of Health Services & Quality (404) 562-7398
Medicare and Medicaid recipients can call this agency if unhappy with their
treatment.
Division Of Aging Services
(404) 657-5319
To report problems with nursing homes/elder care services.
GA Dept. Of Human Resources/Office Or Regulatory Service
(404) 657-5550
To complain about the cleanliness or quality of care at a
medical facility.
Georgia Hospital Association (770) 955-0324
May help you with a dispute with a hospital if it involves a
hospital that is one of their members.
GA Dental Association Peer Review Mediation (404) 636-7553
Medical Association Of Atlanta (404) 881-1020
Helps in resolving fee disputes.
The Georgia Clerk's
Office For The House Of Reps (404) 656-5015
For
More Help contact your local TV and radio stations.
Large
companies hate bad publicity.
And the last thing your insurer/HMO wants is to be on TV for not paying
your claim. Georgia Residents can call Channel
11's Call
For Action (678) 422-8466 and ask that someone call the insurer on your
behalf. They can also call WSB CONSUMER ACTION CENTER (404) 892-8227 and ask if
they'll do likewise.
If that doesn't work, get in touch with the Georgia Insurance
Commissioner (404) 656-2056. When
all else fails, talk to an attorney.
Free Or Low Cost Medical Help For
The Poor or Uninsured (GA & National)
GA PeachCare: Low Cost
Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
Low Cost Health Insurance From The
Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program (Consumer-SOS)
Insurance for between $21-40 per month! Includes the kids!
Free or Low Cost Prescription Drugs
(Consumer-SOS)
Medical Bills (Consumer-SOS)
Cutting your costs and negotiating with insurance companies.
More Help for the Uninsured
If
you are uninsured and need medical attention, seek help at your local church or
synagogue. Your community may have
more resources than you ever dreamed of, but you’ll never know without asking.
But if your community can’t help you, try the organizations below for
assistance. Most of these require
payment based on your ability to pay.
Dental
Cobb Community Dental Clinic 678-560-5247
Click
Here for even more listings.
Vision & Hearing
Georgia
Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.
General Clinics (Cobb County)
Good Samaritan
770-419-3120
For Cobb County residents who do not have private health insurance and
can not afford to pay for healthcare in the private sector. The center is
located at 1605 Roberta Dr Marietta, GA 30008
Patients are seen by appointment
For Medical and Dental get on their waiting list, usually takes up to 2 months, for a call back, unless they have a cancellation.
Sweetwater C.A.M.P.
Food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance for medical prescriptions,
rent, and utilities. Also has a health and dental center. Serves citizens of
South Cobb County living in the communities of Austell, Mableton, Clarkdale, and
Powder Springs.
West
End Medical Center (404) 752-1400
Luke's Place
(Mableton and Surrounding Areas)
No appointment necessary--just show up and sign in. Will issue prescriptions as
needed.
Provides Free, Quality, Basic Healthcare to the Uninsured of Mableton &
Surrounding Communities. Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Patient
Sign-up 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm) 1st & 3rd Saturdays 9:00 am to 12:00 noon (Patient
Sign-up 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm).
The
Georgia Partnership For Caring Foundation
(678) 578-2920
To qualify a person must live in Georgia, must be uninsured (no Medicaid,
Medicare or private insurance), and must have family income at or below 125% of
the federal poverty level. You will be notified regarding your eligibility for
the program in 5 to 8 weeks after you apply. For Free Or Low Cost Prescriptions
click Here.
Sliding Scale Fee Community Health Care Centers (Throughout GA)
GA PeachCare: Low Cost
Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
For Other Social Service Help in Cobb County
Medical, legal, financial, etc.
Bring in your prescription for one of the generic oral antibiotics listed below and receive up to a 14-day supply, FREE.
|
|
The
Georgia Partnership For Caring Foundation
Certain prescription
medications have been donated to the GPCF program by such pharmaceutical
manufacturers such as Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories and
Novo Nordisk.
Georgia Lions
Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.
Check Walmart and Sam's for Their $4.00 Generic Drug List (All States)
ACRX Prescription Card (All
States)
Offers 40-60% off generic and name brand drugs. One card will take care of a
whole family. Cards are good at 50K stores from Walgreen, Walmart, Eckerd's
Droger, K Mart, Publix, and many others.
Partnership
for Prescription Assistance (All States-1-888-477-2669)
Many of the prescription drug programs listed by the
Partnership offer free or low-price medicines. Each medicine savings program has
its own guidelines. These are prescription assistance programs offered by drug
companies, states, and other resources. If you're in need, fill out their
Hardship Form.
Together
Rx Access 1-800-444-4106 (50 States & DC, PR)
See their
Site Map
for more details.
GA PeachCare: Low Cost
Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
Dental
Good
Samaritan Health Center (404) 523-6571
Medical, Dental and Counseling Services.
Ben
Massell Dental Clinic (404) 881-1858
Click
Here for eligibility requirements.
Click
Here for even more listings.
Vision & Hearing
Georgia
Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.
General Clinics
Good
Samaritan Health Center (404) 523-6571
Medical, Dental and Counseling Services.
St.
Joseph's Mercy Mobile Health Center
Bilingual
Hotline (Spanish) (404) 851-7777
Other FREE Clinics in Fulton and Other GA Counties
Southside
Health Care (404) 688-1350
West
End Medical Center (404) 752-1400
Morehouse
Family Practice (404) 756-1200
Clinics In
Fulton, Dekalb And Other Counties
Clinics
Throughout Georgia
This Web site will help you find a clinic for medical care, even if you have no
medical insurance or money.
Other Help
GA PeachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
PRESCRIPTION HELP
The
Georgia Partnership For Caring Foundation
Certain prescription
medications have been donated to the GPCF program by such pharmaceutical
manufacturers such as Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories and
Novo Nordisk.
Georgia Lions
Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.
Check Walmart and Sam's for Their $4.00 Generic Drug List (All States)
ACRX Prescription Card (All
States)
Offers 40-60% off generic and name brand drugs. One card will take care of a
whole family. Cards are good at 50K stores from Walgreen, Walmart, Eckerd's
Droger, K Mart, Publix, and many others.
Partnership
for Prescription Assistance (All States-1-888-477-2669)
Many of the prescription drug programs listed by the
Partnership offer free or low-price medicines. Each medicine savings program has
its own guidelines. These are prescription assistance programs offered by drug
companies, states, and other resources. If you're in need, fill out their
Hardship Form.
Together
Rx Access 1-800-444-4106 (50 States & DC, PR)
See their
Site Map
for more details.
GA PeachCare: Low Cost
Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
Medical Help In Other Locations
Dental
Click
Here for even more listings.
Children, disability,
seniors, housing, health & medical, crisis hotlines, employment & other social
services.
Vision & Hearing
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor
General Clinics
Physician
Care Clinic (Dekalb County)
Clinics In
Dekalb Gwinnett And Other Counties
This Web site will help you find a clinic for medical care, even if you have no
medical insurance or money.
Children, disability,
seniors, housing, health & medical, crisis hotlines, employment & other social
services.
Other Help
GA PeachCare: Low Cost Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
PRESCRIPTION HELP
The
Georgia Partnership For Caring Foundation
Certain prescription
medications have been donated to the GPCF program by such pharmaceutical
manufacturers such as Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories and
Novo Nordisk.
Check Walmart and Sam's for Their $4.00 Generic Drug List (All States)
Georgia
Lions Lighthouse (404) 325-3630
Providing vision and
hearing care to the uninsured and working poor.
ACRX Prescription Card (All
States)
Offers 40-60% off generic and name brand drugs. One card will take care of a
whole family. Cards are good at 50K stores from Walgreen, Walmart, Eckerd's
Droger, K Mart, Publix, and many others.
Partnership
for Prescription Assistance (All States-1-888-477-2669)
Many of the prescription drug programs listed by the
Partnership offer free or low-price medicines. Each medicine savings program has
its own guidelines. These are prescription assistance programs offered by drug
companies, states, and other resources. If you're in need, fill out their
Hardship Form.
Together
Rx Access 1-800-444-4106 (50 States & DC, PR)
See their
Site Map
for more details.
GA PeachCare: Low Cost
Insurance For Kids (Statewide)
The Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program
(404-364-7335)
The Kaiser Permanente Bridge Program is part of the US Dept of Labor Workforce
Investment Act (WIA Program). It involves interaction with your county
government career center and KAISER.
Counties Served Include:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1716495/Department-of-Labor-kaiser-permanente-bridge-program
Order or Check (Call your county to verify,requirements may vary).
You may submit a phone bill if you don't pay for your utilities, but also include a letter
stating why you don't have utilities, i.e. "My landlord pays for utilities and it's factored
If you don't have a social security card, you will need a letter from the Social security
Administration stating you applied for one.
THEM. This will be used to verify the # of residents in your household.
INSURANCE
RESOURCES
http://www.insure.com/health/
Provides well written, authoritative advice on health
insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, etc.
You can also link to insurance companies, quote services and agents, but
the selling is done off the insure.com site.
www.quotesmith.com
This site excels at comparing prices and terms from many firms. Their checklists
help determine if health factors bar you from a specific life policy.
Mental
Health
American
Psychiatric Association
Mental
Health Net
National Help Orgs For A
Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The
Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.
