Menu
Submit
Submit

  • Finances for Health

  • Paying for Health Care

    When you need health care, you shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for it. But for many Americans, health care is a major expense. And understanding your insurance coverage can be confusing. We want to help. You can call our Financial Counseling Office at 443-481-6500 or access our online resources, including a list of charge estimates.

    Living Without Insurance

    If you live in Anne Arundel County and have no health insurance, turn to Administrative Care Coordination, part of the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

    If you’re uninsured, Administrative Care Coordination can help you find out whether you’re eligible for programs that can help you pay for health care, such as Medical Assistance or HealthChoice programs. If you’re already enrolled in one of these programs, they can help you get the most out of your benefits and find local resources. They also offer outreach and education to the community.

    To reach Administrative Care Coordination, call 410-222-7541.

    Understanding Medicare

    If you’re enrolled in or eligible for Medicare, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you understand and access your benefits.

    Medicare is the federal insurance program for Americans who are 65 and older. Younger people with certain diseases or conditions may also be eligible.

    SHIP provides free, private, one-on-one counseling for those eligible for Medicare. They can help you understand:

    • Medicare Advantage plans.
    • Medicare Prescription (Part D) plans.
    • Medicare Supplement options.
    • Options for dealing with health care costs.
    • Medicare billing issues.

  • Paying for Medical Bills

    When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, money is usually not the first thought that comes to mind. However, thoughts about money, insurance coverage and income maintenance are often part of the second wave of questions. Use these tips to keep a handle on the financial aspects of treatment:

    1. Don’t be afraid to talk about the cost of treatment. It’s important to know what to expect from treatment, both in terms of physical and financial side effects. If your provider doesn’t raise the issue of cost, you should.
    2. Call your health insurance company and request an insurance case manager. This single point-of-contact with the health insurance company will help you understand your coverage. Having a case manager allows you to build a relationship and keeps you from having to explain your situation each time you call.
    3. Ask a friend or family member to help you keep medical bills organized. Keeping up with the explanation of benefits (EOBs) statements from your health insurance company and matching them to the bills received from multiple providers can be an overwhelming task. Friends and family often want to help in some way. Asking someone you trust to keep track of this aspect of your care can benefit both of you.