Georgia State Health Insurance Assistance Programs

Youngbaer: Oral care should be included in Vermont health care reform efforts

Good oral health is integral to good overall health. The mouth reflects general health and well-being. Being able to chew food properly, or at all, is essential for proper nutrition and diet. Avoiding diseases of the gums and mouth helps keep us from developing more debilitating medical conditions that can spread throughout the body.

Yet, to date, Vermont’s health care reform efforts have excluded oral health, much as we excluded mental health for many years. For people with commercial health insurance, dental insurance is not included, and a secondary policy is often not available or affordable.

Children covered by Dr. Dynasaur fare better – comprehensive dental benefits are included. Still, in 2009 over 40 percent of Vermont children with Dr. Dynasaur did not see a dentist. Medicaid provides a meager $495 per year for adults – perhaps covering an extraction or two, but certainly not comprehensive care. The other Green Mountain Care programs,VHAP (Vermont Health Access Plan) and Catamount, have no dental benefit. The uninsured have it even worse. Far too many Vermonters lack access to important preventive and routine dental care, as it is out of reach because of cost.

At the Peoples’ Health & Wellness Clinic, which serves all of Washington County plus neighboring towns, we deliver primary health care and wellness education to uninsured and underinsured Vermonters, along with case management services, and assistance with application and enrollment to a variety of health insurance and assistance programs.

For the vast majority of people who come to our clinic needing dental care, however, we have little or nothing to offer. Many are suffering from a lifetime of oral health problems. Infections, injuries, serious pain and even disfigurements lead to a host of health issues. Missing or diseased teeth make it hard to seek a job or interface with the public. If you’re in constant pain, it is difficult to focus – at school or at work. If untreated, dental and gum diseases can lead to far more serious medical conditions, and even death.

Georgia State Benefits | FamilyFinancialHelpUSA

Your Guide to Public Benefits in Georgia

Find, understand, and apply for programs in your state that can help:

This fact sheet describes the programs in your state, helps you decide which are right for you, and tells you how to sign up. Income guidelines, eligibility requirements, and telephone numbers are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information in your ZIP code area log on to www.aarp.org/quicklink .

You can also go to the Benefits QuickLINK website ( www.aarp.org/quicklink ) to find out if you qualify for the benefits listed below or to print out applications for programs in your state.

Benefit: Health insurance that helps pay for preventive care, doctor visits, hospital stays and tell the operator where you live. You can also log on to www.socialsecurity.gov and select “Questions about Medicare.” For information about the Medicare prescription drug coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE ( 1-800-633-4227 ) or log on to www.medicare.gov .

For additional assistance, call the GeorgiaCares Services, also known as the Georgia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), toll-free at 1-800-669-8387 or 404-657-5334 or log on to the Division of Aging Services website at http://aging.dhr.georgia.gov and click on “Programs” then click on “Georgia Cares.”

Benefit: Pays for some of the costs of Medicare, including the Part B premium, deductibles, and co-payments. How much you get depends on your income and assets.

Who can apply: People who get Medicare and earn around $1,239 per month for one person, or $1,660 per month for a married couple.

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