Month: May 2020

Stratford Paramedic Recognized by Bridgeport Hospital

STRATFORD – May 19, 2020: During times of tribulation, heroes emerge.  Stratford Full Time Paramedic Alex Lenches has been recognized today by Bridgeport Hospital as the “EMS Provider of the Year“.  In a ceremony at the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Department, EMS Coordinator Wesley Young, presented the award along with Hospital Emergency Department Representatives.

The EMS Provider of the Year award was established to recognize a provider that consistently demonstrates the highest levels of professionalism and patient care to his/her patients throughout the previous year.

 

Alex is a full time paramedic with both Stratford EMS (SEMS). He also works as a paramedic for Valley EMS (VEMS) and AMR-Bridgeport. Alex executes his duties with distinction and always maintains the highest standards in clinical excellence, with the highest degree of professionalism that these EMS services demand.

 

Norwalk News: Shots Fired

#Norwalk CT–On May 24 at around 9:40 p.m patrol officers were dispatched to Garner Street for a report of shots fired. Officers were given the description of a man firing a handgun in the air. When officers arrived on scene they located an individual matching the description of the suspect. The suspect, Timothy Simmons Jr, was detained and officers located a handgun in his pocket. After officers investigated they located shell casings on scene. This appears to be an isolated incident and no one was injured. Simmons was arrested and charged as follows:

Arrested: Timothy Summons Jr ( 28 years old) of 36 Amelia Pl Stamford
Charges: Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Reckless
Endangerment, and Breach of Peace
Bond:$50,000

 

Bridgeport News: Fall From A Parking Garage

#Bridgeport CT–At 8:50 this morning the Fire Department responded to a report of a person that fell from elevation off of the parking garage on Fairfield Avenue.  First arriving firefighters met with PD (already on scene) who located the patient in an adjacent dumpster.  FFs began working the patient who was unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse.  Rapid removal from the dumpster was performed by FD on a backboard, utilizing the side door of the dumpster.  Medics continued patient care with the assistance of two FFs that continued working the patient to St. V’s hospital. No Further Information at this time along with the condition of the party.

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

Bridgeport News: Director of Public Health and Social Services

Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim announced the appointment of Lisa Morrissey as the new Director of Health and Social Services for the City of Bridgeport. Ms. Lisa Morrissey brings extensive knowledge to the role and most recently served as Health Director for the City of Danbury for three years.

Mayor Ganim stated, “Lisa Morrissey came through a rigorous process. She has the experience in public service and extensive background in the area of health. Before her appointment, she played an integral role in securing COVID-19 testing for our City and her volunteer work through the pandemic has already greatly benefited our residents.”

Ms. Morrissey received a Master’s in Public Health from New York Medical College and most recently served as the Director of Health for the City of Danbury and is an adjunct faculty member of Western Connecticut State University.

Ms. Morrisey stated, “I would like to thank Mayor Ganim and the members of City Council for the opportunity to join the leadership of the Department of Public Health and Social Services as Director of Public Health. I am excited to lead the talented and dedicated staff who work tirelessly to assure the health of Bridgeport residents. Although it’s going to look different than how we’re used to interacting, I will be taking the time to get out there and meet our local leaders and engaging with the residents of Bridgeport.”

This press release was made possible by:

For more information see:
https://www.bmwofbridgeport.com/precisioncare-powered-by-clorox-total-360/

Insurance Covered Covid Testing

The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has placed families in financial hardship.

Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais reminds insureds that all out-of-pocket cost for testing of COVID-19 has been removed for all fully insured and self-funded plans.* UPDATE: Treatment for COVID-19 is covered under all fully insured plans, including high deductible plans, and also covered under most self-funded employer-sponsored plans. Members in an employer-sponsored plan should verify with the carrier or employer specifics of their coverage for COVID-19 treatment.

“Our insurance industry here in Connecticut has answered the call and protected those most affected by our current crisis by waiving out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 testing and treatment for all fully insured plans,” said Commissioner Mais. “Thanks to recent changes in federal law, employer-based plan sponsors are required to follow suit and remove all cost-sharing for testing for their workers and their families. I urge all employer-based plan sponsors to follow suit and also remove financial barriers to treatment for their workers and their families.”

Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford also praised the state’s insurance carriers and noted that public health coverage is also available to Connecticut residents who qualify.

“In the regular Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, together known as HUSKY Health in Connecticut, we are fully covering COVID-19 testing and treatment without any cost-sharing,” said Commissioner Gifford.

”In addition, HUSKY Health is now covering COVID-19 testing for uninsured Connecticut residents who are U.S. citizens or have qualifying immigration status, regardless of income; and covering COVID-19 testing for residents without a qualifying immigration status if they meet HUSKY income requirements and have COVID-19 symptoms,” said Commissioner Gifford.

For more information, the public can visit www.ct.gov/husky

and www.ct.gov/HUSKY/Special-information-and-resources-for-HUSKY-Health-members-about-coronavirus

.

The Connecticut Insurance Department regulates fully insured health insurance plans, including those with high-deductible health plans, issued in the State of Connecticut only.

Consumers should take note that there are some differences among plans and policyholders should contact their insurer or employer to provide additional information on important details.

Some employers, especially large ones, sponsor self-funded health plans that are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor under ERISA. Those plans are now required to cover COVID-19 testing with no out-of-pocket costs due to recent changes in federal law.

The Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the CARES Act

The FFCRA was enacted on March 18, 2020
Group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide benefits for certain items and services related to diagnostic testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 or the diagnosis of COVID-19 when those items or services are furnished on or after March 18, 2020, and during the applicable emergency period. Under the FFCRA, plans and issuers must provide this coverage without imposing any cost-sharing requirements (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) or prior authorization or other medical management requirements. Plans and issuers must cover items and services furnished to an individual during visits that result in an order of, or administration of, a COVID-19 diagnostic test, but only to the extent that the items or services related to the furnishing or administration of the test or to the evaluation of such individual for purposes of determining the need of the individual for the product, as determined by the individual’s attending healthcare provider.

The CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020
Section 6001 of the FFCRA includes a broader range of diagnostic items and services that plans and issuers must cover without any cost-sharing requirements or prior authorization or other medical management requirements.

*Coverage for testing is for all health plans; including fully insured, and self-funded, individual, and group health plan under these Acts. It also includes private employment-based group health plans (ERISA plans), non-federal governmental plans (such as plans sponsored by states and local governments), and church plans. Consumers and policyholders should contact their insurer or employer for information on the out of pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment if any.

Consumers, insurers, and brokers with questions can contact the department directly by email at insurance@ct.gov, online, or by calling the Department at 800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900. 

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, visit ct.gov/coronavirus

 

This press release was made possible by:

 

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