TLRMC helps locals get insured

Feb. 28--The deadline to sign up for healthcare coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace is Monday, March 31, and Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center wants to make sure locals receive the best insurance available.

The deadline comes as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, after President Barack Obama.

According to TLRMC Chief Financial Officer Scott Arndell, the hospital has several trained counselors ready and willing to visit any company that doesn't offer health insurance and discuss health insurance options with its employees.

"We'll go out for a couple of hours or all day if they have several employees needing assistance," Arndell said. "We're happy to do it, too."

TLRMC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Meriwether said in a recent letter sent out to local businesses that this service may be performed at no cost to either the company or its employees.

Hospital counselors are working diligently to make sure as many community members are signed up for healthcare coverage as possible, Arndell said.

"The support [community members] would receive would be great," Arndell said. "For us, it's vital."

Arndell said TLRMC is relying on its patients to sign up for healthcare coverage because the government has reduced hospital funding in other areas in anticipation that all patients would have healthcare coverage either from Medicaid or commercial insurance.

Because of this reduction in funding and the lack of Medicaid expansion, a number of hospitals, including four in Georgia, have been forced to close down, Arndell said.

According to Arndell, however, Grayson County has had an encouraging percentage of residents signing up for healthcare coverage.

Reportedly, the healthcare coverage sign-up rate for Grayson County is 60% higher than the state rate, Arndell said.

Any local employer or employee who would benefit from this service is encouraged to contact TLRMC's Director of Patient Financial Services Derek Dennison, CPA, MBA, at 270-259-9543 at his or her earliest convenience.

"The more people who sign up for healthcare coverage, the healthier our community, and your employees, will be," Meriwether said.

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