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Update on the Blood Assurance Program
The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has notified me that some hospitals are no longer accepting coverage through the Blood Assurance Plans. When these plans were instituted, most insurance policies did not cover the cost of blood transfusions that patients received. Now that almost all policies DO cover the cost of blood, the hospitals have decided that the massive amounts of paperwork generated by claims are not worth the time and man-power. In our area, Hermann Hospital no longer accepts the “insurance,” and other hospitals will probably follow their lead. However, please keep in mind...
YOU CANNOT TRANSFUSE INSURANCE COVERAGE!!!
Many of us are a bit complacent and assume that if we ever need blood, it will be there, but it WON’T be if donors don’t give! Despite ongoing research, at this time there is no substitute for human blood. Donations are still desperately needed, and the Blood Center is working to offer other incentives for donors, such as earning points that enable you to “shop” in their online store.
As long as some local hospitals continue to accept the coverage, I will keep our list up-to-date and try to cover as many people as possible. If you are eligible to donate, PLEASE do so. Visit the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center website for other dates and locations, as well as tons of information, current needs, etc.
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