Press Releases (2008)

Elkhart General Foundation Helps Medically Uninsured
February 1, 2008

ELKHART - Residents of Elkhart County without medical insurance may be eligible to have the cost of their Healthy Indiana Plan insurance premiums paid for by the Elkhart General Hospital Foundation.

Currently accepting applications, the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is a new health plan sponsored by the State of Indiana. The Foundation has initiated a program exclusively for Elkhart County Residents to pay the premium that the state requires for those who enroll in HIP.

“The Foundation has set aside a grant of $250,000 to pay for HIP premiums,” said Art Decio, President of the Foundation. “Our Board of Directors felt that many of the medically uninsured in Elkhart County would have trouble working the premiums into already tight budgets. We wanted to help them take advantage of the State program.” Decio said the Foundation has hired Enrollment Assistants to help individuals and families with signing up for the new State program and to coordinate premium payments from the Foundation.

“So far, our Enrollment Assistants have handled about 1,000 inquiries and have helped with more than 100 applications for the program,” Decio reported.

The Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization established to support the mission of Elkhart General Hospital. Pointing out that Elkhart General Hospital absorbed $13 million in uncompensated charity care in 2007, Decio said that reducing the ranks of the medically uninsured in Elkhart County could help reduce that burden on the Hospital, as well as on other health care providers in the County. In addition to Decio, the Foundation Board of Directors includes Glenn Banks, Al Bias, Thomas Dusthimer, Kevin Higdon, E. Larry Knight, MD, Gregory W. Lintjer, Frank Martin, James McNamee, Richard Treckelo, and Jeffrey Wells

Supported by funds raised through the State’s tobacco tax, HIP lets individuals choose what doctors they see, where they go for care, and also covers prescription drugs and hospitalization. Preventive care is provided as well. Workers whose employer offers health insurance are not eligible for HIP, even if they choose not to be enrolled in that program.

For more information or to determine HIP eligibility, call the State of Indiana directly at (877) GET-HIP9. To talk with an Enrollment Assistant with the Elkhart General Foundation, call (574) 524-7523.