From Kelly Montgomery,
Your Guide to Health Insurance.
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Missouri Department of Insurance

The Missouri Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Missouri including health insurance policies.

If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Insurance can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Missouri. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own search online.

If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. You can find a downloadable complaint form to print and mail online, as well as an online complaint form to submit electronically.

Missouri Department of Insurance
301 West High Street, Room 530
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 800-726-7390
http://insurance.mo.gov/index.htm

U.S. Department of Labor

If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees. For example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.

If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.

U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Steve Eischen - Director
Phone: 816-285-1800
Fax: 816-285-1888
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/

Buying Individual Policies in Missouri

As a general rule, insurers in Missouri are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:

• had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
• you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.

People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Missouri Health Insurance Pool (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Department of Insurance can help you find out.

Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP)

MHIP offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The MHIP site has information on their eligibility requirements, as well as current premium rates and benefit packages.

Missouri Health Insurance Pool
Phone: 800-821-2231
http://mhip.org/index.htm

MC+ for Kids - the Missouri State Children's Health Insurance Program

MC+ provides health insurance coverage for children under age 19 whose family meets certain income requirements.

MC+ for Kids
Missouri Department of Social Services
221 West High Street
P.O. Box 1527
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1527
Phone: 888-275-5908
http://www.dss.mo.gov/mcplus/

Community Leaders Assisting Insured of Missouri (CLAIM)

CLAIM provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.

CLAIM
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Phone: 800-390-3330
http://www.primaris.org/beneficiaries/medicare_help.asp

Missouri Medicaid

Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about Missouri Medicaid, including eligibility requirements, contact the Missouri Department of Social Services at the number listed below.

Missouri Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
615 Howerton Court
P.O. Box 2320
Jefferson City, MO 65102-2320
Phone: 573-751-3221
http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/msmed.htm