Highmark Helps Those in Need During 'Cover the Unins...( Resource guide gives people a hand ...),Health

Resource guide gives people a hand in identifying their health insurance

options

PITTSBURGH, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of Pennsylvania's leading health insurers, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Since navigating the insurance maze can be burdensome or confusing to many people, Highmark has released a new simple and easy-to-read self-help guide to give people a hand in identifying their health insurance options.

"Because it is impossible to predict illness or injury, people need to have the right health insurance coverage to protect themselves and their families against extreme financial burden or hardship that accompanies unexpected medical bills," said Highmark's Director of Individuals Markets, Ken Cikovic. "National 'Cover the Uninsured Week' is providing an opportunity to continue the conversation in communities across our service area about the importance of having health insurance regardless of one's age or health status. And, we have a new resource available to help."

A recent Highmark market study indicates that approximately 20 percent of Pennsylvanians under age 65 are uninsured. Of those uninsured, 38 percent are considered "chronically uninsured." This means they have not had insurance coverage for more than five years or are age 30 and above and never had insurance. Increased visibility during national "Cover the Uninsured Week" is giving Highmark an opportunity to focus on the needs of the uninsured and under-insured in order to change that statistic, lower the percentage and help people identify and secure the insurance coverage that's best for themselves and their families.

Today, being uninsured is no longer a result of "being poor." While residents of both Western and Central Pennsylvania and in the Lehigh Valley cite employment issues and cost as primary reasons for going wi
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