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Latest News
NAMI Surveys Members
NAMI Hamilton County is seeking feedback about our Education and
Support programs. Please take a moment to click on the link below and
complete the survey. Surveys are anonymous. If you would prefer a paper
copy, call 513-458-6670 to request one, and you will be able to return
the survey by mail or fax. Thanks for taking the time to help us with
your feedback!
Follow this link to
take the survey.
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CAN’T FIND A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER?
Link to WCPO-Channel 9 Special Report
In 2007, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield/Wellpoint decided to cut
payments to mental health providers in Ohio, such as psychologists and
counselors and social workers, by 20%. As a result, it has become nearly
impossible to find a mental health provider willing to accept Anthem
insurance coverage.
Yet Anthem/Wellpoint reported profits of $3.3 billion in 2007, with
growth of over 15% expected in 2008. Remarkably, mental health claim
represents a minuscule fraction of Anthem’s overall health claims each
year.
This issue affects thousands of tri-state residents who seek to obtain
mental health care through their health insurance plan, only to find
that there are no providers accepting Anthem (or any other insurance).
If the provider will accept Anthem, there can be waits from 3 to 7
months for the initial appointment.
There is only one way to change this unacceptable restriction and
discrimination against people seeking treatment for their mental illness
or emotional disorders. We must SPEAK UP!!!
We encourage you to file a written complaint, with both Anthem (or other
managed care company) and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
We encourage you to file a written complaint, with both Anthem (or other managed
care company) and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Follow this link to
download a sample complaint letter.
Send your complaint to:
Anthem/Wellpoint:
Greg Greenwood, PhD
Executive Director
Central Region Behavioral Health
Anthem BCBS/Wellpoint
4361 Irwin-Simpson Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
Greg.greenwood@anthem.com
Ohio Department of Insurance:
http://www.ohioinsurance.gov/forms/scripts/formsdownload.asp?formid=0
Advocacy Alert
The Advocacy Committee of NAMI Hamilton County continues to work on
gathering data to address patient access to mental health care through
Anthem and other managed care companies.
If you would like to help, or want to share your stories of
difficulty finding an Anthem provider, please email or call NAMI HC at
info@nami-hc.org or 513-458-6670.
Advocacy Committee News
Meetings are held the first Monday of each month, at
our offices on the 5th floor of Rookwood Tower.
Agenda items include:
- Preparing letter to
Hamilton County Commissioners regarding the new jail and treatment
opportunities
- Continued work with the
Psychiatric Emergency Services unit at University Hospital to expand
opportunities to serve as a community "hot-line" for at risk adult
mentally ill persons
- Advocacy for increased
use of diversion courts in Hamilton County
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NAMI-HC Brings "Peer to Peer" Program to Cincinnati
The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Course is a nine week education course on the
topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is
interested in establishing and maintaining wellness. The course uses a
combination of lecture, interactive exercises, and structured group
processes. The classes are taught by teams of three mentors/peer
teachers who are themselves experienced at living well with mental
illness.
NAMI – HC will offer this informative course for the first time in
the Greater Cincinnati area. The 9 week class will be held on Wednesdays,
September 19 through November 14, 2007 from 6 – 8 PM. Please call the
office to register: (513) 458-6670.
Family to Family Schedule
Beginning Date
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Time
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Location
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Wednesday
April 2, 2008 |
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
VA Medical Center
3200 Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH 45220 |
Wednesday,
May 21, 2008 |
6:00 – 8:30 PM |
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati,
3458 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229
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Tuesday
July 8, 2008 |
6:30 - 9 PM |
Madeira Silverwood Presbyterian Church
8000 Miami Road
Cincinnati OH 45243 |
LATE SUMMER - EARLY FALL
SPANISH LANGUAGE |
TBA |
TBA |
Monday
September 8, 2008 |
6:30 - 9 PM |
Westwood United Methodist Church
3460 Epworth Ave.,
Cincinnati, OH 45211
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Hand to Hand Schedule
Date
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Time
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Location
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Thursday
March 27, 2008
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6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Mercy Mt. Airy Hospital
2446 Kipling Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45239
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Peer-to-Peer Schedule
Beginning Date
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Time
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Location
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Wednesday
February 13, 2008
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6:00 – 8:00 PM |
Greater Cincinnati
Behavioral Health Services
1322 East McMillan
Cincinnati, OH 45206
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We've Moved!
NAMI Hamilton County
3805 Edwards Rd., Suite 555
Cincinnati OH 45209
513-458-6670
Fax: 458-6685.
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This Month at NAMI
NAMI meets every month to hear local speakers, get answers to questions,
share stories and find support. The featured presentation begins at 7:30
PM. If you're new to our group, please come
at 7:00 PM to learn more about us. Location: 3805 Edwards Road, Room
555, Cincinnati OH 45209. Link to map and directions.
We also hold our "Family-to-Family Support Group" before each monthly
meeting. |
| Next Meeting |
April 21, 2008 |
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7:30 PM |
Adolescent Suicide Can Be Prevented Dennis Walsh and Cathy Strunk |
| Before the
Meeting |
| 6:00 - 7:15 PM |
Family-to-Family Support Group
Designed for family members/friends who have taken the 12 Week
Family-to-Family Course. Family members/friends who are concerned about
a loved one with a mental illness/brain disorder are also welcome. |
7:00 PM
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Social/Support Time
Special welcome for newcomers at 7:00 PM. |
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Follow this link to
read and download our monthly newsletter, the
Telegraph. |
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