HealthNet Plan
(Information as of December 16, 1999.)
This is a plan for people without insurance. In other words, you
cannot take advantage of it if you are enrolled in an insurance plan.
You may apply for HealthNet while your current insurance plan in
nearing the end of its term, but they will wait until your term ends
before processing your application.
Qualifying
According to representatives we phoned, college students may not
apply for this plan if they are taking 9 or more credit hours or
if their college otherwise views them as full-time. They may
ask you for proof of your registered status.
- Income
-
Although representatives for the plan did say that the income limits
for qualification are very similar to Free
Care, they will no longer give out those amounts. If you do apply,
they will now ask you for proof of income and compare your income
against their internal guidelines.
International students may need to show their passports as proof of
their status.
When applying to the HealthNet plan, they also encourage you to apply
for MassHealth, although it is not
mandatory. The criteria for qualifying for MassHealth are stricter
than HealthNet, but MassHealth can cover more (routine dental,
prescriptions at pharmacies other than the one at Boston Medical
Center, etc.)
You must re-apply every year.
Facilities
Healthcare under this program is only covered when provided at one of
the more than 10 Boston-area facilities that are part of this program,
which includes Boston Medical Center. The member facilities are listed
on the web (go to http://www.bmc.org,
then chose the "HealthNet" icon). Some facilities do not provide
certain services; however, since Boston Medical Center (BMC) is a
full-fledged hospital, you are likely to be able to get most services
you need at that location.
Services
You chose a primary care physician that coordinates all your healthcare
needs. If necessary, this physician will refer you to a specialist at
one of the member facilities.
The following specialties, services, etc. are covered 100% (no
co-payments, no deductibles) (This list is a combination of the
specialties listed on their pamphlets and web page. The 2 separate
lists aren't identical.):
- Adult Internal Medicine
- Adolescent Medicine
- Cardiology
- Dentistry (only extractions, not routine care)
- Dermatology
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Eye Care
- Family Planning
- Gastroenterology
- Health Education
- H.I.V. Testing and Counseling
- Home Health Care
- Immunizations
- International Health
- Mammography
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- OB/GYN
- Pediatrics
- Podiatry
- Radiology & X-ray
- Social Services
- Substance Abuse
- Treatment and Counseling
- Surgical Consult
- Urgent Care
- Urology
- W.I.C. Program
- Women's health
They also cover:
Laboratories tests and radiology (x-ray) work.
Hospitalization
Also, according to representatives we talked to on the phone, they
would cover hospital stays and surgery (if recommended by your
HealthNet doctors).
Prescriptions
The plan covers $100 per prescription per month (i.e., you could have
more than one prescription), but they must be filled at the Boston
Medical Center Pharmacy.
Sponsorship
Funding for HealthNet comes from Boston Medical Center.
Applying
You may apply by calling 1-800-792-4355. If you'd like additional
information on the plan, you may call 1-800-462-6381. There is also a
small amount of information about the plan on the web (go to http://www.bmc.org, then chose the
"HealthNet" icon).
You apply by filling out a short application. You should send proof
(e.g., your registration) of the number of credit hours you are taking
if you are a college student. Attach a letter explaining any additional
information you send (like your proof of registration). Applications
take 2-3 weeks to process.
To contact the Graduate Student Organization on healthcare issues, send
mail to healthcare@gso.bu.edu.