WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1,100,000 to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to strengthen and enhance consumer assistance programs.
“Creating opportunities for the people of Pennsylvania to make informed decisions about their health care is a critical step toward improving health care for consumers,” said Senator Casey. “These funds will help inform and protect Pennsylvanians and put consumers in greater control of their health care choices.”
Federal funding is awarded through the Customer Assistance Grants program created by the Affordable Care Act. It will be used to expand Pennsylvania Insurance Department programs that provide direct services to consumers with questions or concerns regarding their health insurance. Funding to these programs will provide state-wide education and consumer outreach programs as well as new interactive web enhancements making access to help more readily available. Programs will also support consumers acting on their new right to appeal if their insurance plan denies them coverage.
These grants are part of a nationwide program announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will award over $30 million in funding to help States move towards a more competitive, patient-centered health insurance marketplace. These new grants will allow States, who are in some cases partnering with local non-profits, to protect consumers from some of the worst practices of the health insurance industry.
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