http://www.protect-no-fault.com

http://www.michigancatastrophic.com/

www.healthpartnersinc.com

CONSUMER GROUPS

• Brain Injury Association of Michigan
• Disability Advocates of Kent County
• Disability Network of Michigan
• Michigan Citizen Action
• Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
• Michigan State AFL-CIO
• UAW Michigan CAP

MEDICAL GROUPS

• Michigan Brain Injury Providers Council
• Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
• Michigan Health & Hospital Association
• Michigan Home Health Association
• Michigan Nurses Association
• Michigan Orthopedic Society
• Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Association
• Michigan Osteopathic Association
• Michigan Rehabilitation Association

Take the time to ask questions. Learn about the programs that are helping so many accident victims access the care and rehabilitative therapies necessary to continue to live as “normal” a life as possible after a life-altering auto accident. It’s likely you’ll find that those individuals, their families and loved ones will tell you that they would never be able to access the necessary care to live as happily or productively as possible without the current Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits.

Write to your state legislators and let them know how you feel. If enough of us express that we are NOT in support of these bills we have a much better chance of protecting our existing No-Fault model.

• By winning several important court decisions which have resulted in a substantial loss of rights for injured people; and
• By proposing legislation that would reduce insurance benefits, adopt managed care, impose medical fee schedules, and allow insurance companies to write polices that would pay for only a fraction of the medical expenses suffered by catastrophically injured people.

The need to vigorously oppose these efforts by the insurance company is what led to the creation of CPAN (the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault) in 2003.  CPAN is fighting on behalf of injured people and healthcare providers throughout our state to keep our model no-fault system intact.”

There are currently two bills that are up for review HB6094 and HB6095. According to experts who strongly oppose these bills, HB6094 would allow drivers to purchase as little as $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection Benefits. The result of that choice will be bankruptcy due to excessive medical bills and would, in effect, create a cost shift to Medicaid which will cost taxpayers more because of the need to raise taxes. Bankruptcy would also result from the liability suffered if you are the “at fault” driver.

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, which is funded by drivers for drivers, with NO contributions from the insurance industry spends approximately 700 Million each year for the services needed for catastrophically injured Michigan citizens. Why allow a cost shift by the very profitable insurance industry onto taxpayers via Medicaid??

The question is this: Unlimited Medical Benefits, as we have known for 37 years, or a $50,000 limit?? Would you want the bankruptcy that would surely follow? How about very limited benefits under Medicaid; which is already breaking the state budget? If you are paralyzed, you often need 24 hour care. Medicaid does not provide that. This bill would inevitably, cost nearly 1 million healthcare jobs.

Michigan drivers are entitled to receive FULL DISCLOSURE at the point of sale for an insurance policy, elaborating on the need for full coverage and the risks associated with limited coverage.

In short- HB6094 promises to raise taxes, cost healthcare jobs, reduce access to medical care, increase insurance premiums due to the greatly increased need for more liability coverage for all drivers, and it also increases litigation for Michigan citizens- which is the antithesis of the intention of the current Michigan No-Fault Insurance model.

Is all of this of this suffering for Michigan citizens worth it because the insurance companies want even greater profits?? The 1973 legislature was genius to design the current system which serves Michigan citizens who are accident victims. Not a single driver is impervious to such a misfortune. What would you want?

Experts continue to explain that the second proposed bill, HB6095, is nothing short of an attack on the Health Care industry and its employees who serve and provide care for injured Michigan citizens. Annually, insurance companies collect approximately 12 billion in premiums from 7.2 million insured vehicles. With only an estimated 1400 Michigan citizens crossing the threshold of the MCCA each year at $460,000, for a cost of $644,000,000 and remaining insurance claims of which 95% are less than $50,000, there is plenty left over for insurance companies- which averaged 21% profitability in 2006. (See the Jay Angoff report at www.CPAN.US)

Even with the current state of No-Fault provisions, insurance companies are wrongfully denying claims and forcing care providers to litigate, making them wait years for payment on services rendered. How much more profits do insurance companies expect to squeeze from Michigan citizens??

Bill HB6095 proposes to cap in-home services at 56 hours/week or 8 hours/day, for 37 years. Doctors regularly prescribe that their patients receive 168 hours/week or 24 hours/day for the necessary comprehensive care Michigan citizens have been given that benefit- enabling these citizens to achieve the maximum level of functionality and “normality” for daily life. Now the insurance industry wants to cut benefits- even after gaining record profits??
The No-Fault model was designed to serve Michigan citizens and assure timely payment for services necessary for them to experience their maximum potential for quality of life. These are the same citizens who already fund the MCCA. The HB6095 bill is truly a specious proposal.

Please PROTECT, PRESERVE and STRENGTHEN the existing law and provide consumer protection with a proposal of “bad faith” legislation, which would hold insurance companies accountable

Guaranteed payment of lifetime medical and rehabilitation expenses for all individuals sustaining injury in motor vehicle accidents, regardless of fault, in exchange for fair and reasonable limitations on the rights of seriously injured victims to recover noneconomic loss damages from the careless drivers who cause injury.

As a result of this basic compromise, Michigan was successful in establishing a no-fault system that was the envy of the nation – balancing fair and necessary first party benefits while preserving tort rights for seriously injured victims, all while keeping premiums affordable. (http://www.protect-no-fault.com/index.html)

A full explanation of Michigan’s Auto No-Fault Benefits may be found at the following link: http://www.protect-no-fault.com/michigan-no-fault-system.htm
Many Michigan drivers have no idea that we are the only state in the union to provide such benefits.

Soon the situation becomes clear- the flashing lights, smoke from the flares, twisted metal that moments ago carried commuters, a new driver or perhaps, a family.  You wrench your neck to gawk as you pass the scene. Many times it’s a minor fender bender, but more often than we realize- people are fatally or catastrophically injured on Michigan roadways each day.

Catastrophic injury in an automobile accident is a very serious, life-altering event. It affects not only the injured party, but every person and every aspect in that person’s life. Individuals who sustain catastrophic injuries typically are in for a long recovery period and many require some type of supportive care for the remainder of their lives. Can you imagine the impact on you or your loved ones if this very unfortunate event visited you?

“My whole personality has changed since I became a full time family caregiver.”

“I once was compassionate, loving, giving, gentle, happy, patient, fun loving, dreamed dreams.. Now, I’m less compassionate- there’s too much pain in the world, and I can’t help everyone.”

“I love very few people, and they frequently disappoint me…I have little left to give.”

“I smile less as time goes on…”

I had to pause after reading each entry. I tried to envision myself in each of their unique  pairs of  shoes, which seemed ill-fitting and painfully uncomfortable. Many of these  individuals were caring for a spouse or elderly parent. Some had no other family to help. Others had family members who were just simply oblivious to the toll that caregiving was taking on the responsible party. My heart went out to each of them and I said a silent prayer that they somehow find the strength to prevail and the support to help lift a bit of the burden.

The woes af the family caregiver are not unfamiliar to me. In my position, I often counsel families who are struggling with their own set of unique needs, concerns and stresses. Some have been caring for a spouse or aging parent for quite some time and are burned out. Some have only just begun the caregiving  journey and are seeking supportive resources. Some have the financial wherewithall to afford assistance. Others have yet another set of circumstances to add to the mix- finding the financial resources to continue to be able to care for their loved one. The sense of being overwhelmed is the exclamation point at the end of each of their spoken sentences.

I happen to be one who would love to be able to help EVERYONE! I have grand visions of universal happiness for all. Perhaps it’s what helps me get through the day after hearing and reading the sad and broken statements of the family caregiver. I realize that we live in the “real” world and that not everyone is going to find the help, compassion, resources or support that they need or deserve. But I also realize that there are always options out there. Sometimes people are simply too exhausted, time deprived, stressed, and overwhelmed to find them.

To the Family Caregiver, I offer you this- Health Partners has a wonderful staff available to  help you navigate the long, steep path toward finding the right resources for care. We have individuals available to provide you with the respite care YOU need. If we don’t fit your budget or circumstance, we can help you find a trusted resource that may. You don’t have to feel that you’re in your situation alone. You are NOT alone.

Health Partners has been committed to assisting individuals in need of Home Care and their families for two decades.

Please feel free to call our Private Duty Representative, Toni Erskine (248)860-2580 any time.

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Wound Care
• Medication Administration
• Obesity Management

Our remote technology offers privacy and comfort- while providing 24-hour oversight by our team of health professionals and immediate health assistance, when needed, for the monitored client. In addition, the HP Tele Health Monitoring System features devices that are portable and easy to use.

We work with our Attorneys to set up the proper Estate Plans, our Financial Advisors to set up the proper Financial Plans and other trusted advisors to be sure that we may have the wherewithal to be able to do so. However, how often does someone work with a Health Care Professional to set up a pro-active Health Care Plan?

If our health is compromised, everything we have worked so hard for and saved for- all of the planning we have considered- is all for not. Often times, I find that one of the greatest obstacles for families of an aging or health challenged loved one is initiating the conversation necessary to facilitate supportive measures. Denial of the need for health oversight is usually the debate. Understandably, an aging parent or loved one begins to feel that their independence is being threatened.

The concerned parties usually retreat until they are forced into a reactive situation following a health setback for their loved one. Many times such setbacks result in the downward spiral of the overall health condition- physically, mentally, emotionally- until eventually, there are few remaining options for our loved one.

Implementing pro-active supportive measures, (i.e.; monitoring devices) does not mean we lose our independence. On the contrary, we may find that the added safety net, if you will, allows us to feel more confident about our daily health and well being, just knowing that someone is there if needed, in turn enabling us to have the peace of mind to remain independent.

One thing to remember…BREATHE! All of the hubub surrounding the Holiday Season is temporary. Love the ones you’re with (even the ones who are a challenge), and if you are the Master of Ceremonies/Organizer/Cook/Gift Wrapper/Mediator of Conflict Situations/House Cleaner/Child Wrangler…Etc. for the events in your life- remember to take a few minutes for yourself! It IS possible, and important!

For many people, this is also a time of year when you may be gathering with your elder family members and friends. How wonderful! Listen to their stories and ask questions! Sometimes it seems like there may not be much to chat about with 90 year old Aunt Lucy, but I’d bet she’d love to tell you some fantastic stories, if you lend the ear and take the time. It might be the greatest gift you could ever give her- a little bit of your time and interest.

Enjoy the Season and all of the SIMPLE things that make this time of year so special! Please be safe and remember those who may need a little extra patience or a gentle helping hand.

From Health Partners to you and yours-

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Private Duty care varies, depending on the individual case and unique care plan for each individual client. In addition, home care doesn’t always mean in a “house”. Sometimes, an individual who needs care may be living in an assisted community or facility.