Care Issues

Care News

MDCH-HAPIS Documents

New Resource: Michigan Go Local
Wayne State University's Shiffman Medical Library staff has put together a tremendous new resource for locating HIV/AIDS related services in Michigan on the Internet. Linked through the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the Michigan Go Local resource is part of a large National Institutes of Health project and is connected to Medline Plus.

Assistance and Benefits

• Michigan Department of Human Services Assistance
  http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5455_7338-69226--,00.html
• HIV/AIDS BENEFIT INFORMATION SUMMARY
  GENERAL GUIDELINES  from the Michigan Department of Human Services - updated March 2008
• Disabilities Information
• Assistance Applying for Social Security
  
   

CARE Act

• New Website for Technical Resources

Drugs

See also DRUG Warnings

• Drug Assistance Program DAP

• Resources: Drug Images Added to Drug Fact Sheets AIDSinfo recently added images of anti-HIV medications to the drug information fact sheets found in the Drugs section of the Web site. Clicking on the drug icon(s) located to the right of a drug's name opens a larger image of the tablet, capsule, or bottle. AIDSinfo: Drug Databa

• Guides to Side Effects
• Report hoaxes to CDC

Treatment

• HIV Medications: When to Start and What to Take
• Adherence issues
• Care for Infants & Children
• Clinical Trials
• Hospital Care Comparison
• Treatment Guidelines

MDCH-HAPIS Documents

•  Michigan’s Part B 2009 Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need - PDF File
•  Michigan's 2009 Care Comprehensive Plan - PDF File
• For complete information on MDCH-DHWDC-HAPIS Care Programs see the new MDCH website at www.michigan.gov/hivstd
   

Medical

• Medical Research News
• Medical Conferences
• Medical jargon explained
• Physicians Desk Reference

PWA Issues

• Advisory Group to MDCH
• Advocacy - Michigan Positive Action Coalition (MIPOZ); National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)
• Ask 'The Body'
• Case Management
• Confidentiality Issues
• Drug Assistance Programs: DAP
• Dental Care 
• Documentation
• Hospice
• Housing
• Insurance Issues
• Medicaid -Managed Care
• Medicare
• Mental Health
• Nutrition and HIV
• Nursing Homes
• Patient's HIPAA Privacy Notice
• Project H.O.P.E. and  Returning to Work
• Patient Advocacy
• Social Security Benefits
• Support Groups listing provided by FRIENDS Alliance
• On-line User Friendly Manual for PWAs
in  SE-MI

See also Research News and Resources  resources for PLWHA

The (former) Michigan Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Needs Task Force Web site has a wealth of resources and information for PLWH/As, their caregivers and case managers.

Physicians: Looking for assistance with HIV patient treatment? See Resources in the Medical and Clinical section.

If you're caring for an HIV-positive child, one of the important decisions you'll make will be choosing a doctor and a program that will provide the best care. The National Pediatric and Family HIV Resource Center offers some tips on how to get the best care possible for HIV-positive children.

Frequently asked questions and answers concerning pediatric AIDS, from The National Pediatric and Family HIV Resource Center.

www.thebody.com/nphrc/questions/contents.html

Case Management

See the current DHWDC Case Management Training Schedule

PWA Confidentiality

"Shut UP! Project"

This was a project of the former MAX (Michigan Advocates Exchange) that was invented to distribute materials describing the HIV confidentiality law around the state, to allow people to deal with violations of their privacy. That project died when MAX closed. "Shut Up Project" actually had three tools: (1) the "Shut Up" article for people living with HIV that explained their rights and responsibilities, (2) the "Shut Up" cards with a summary of the confidentiality law on one side and MAX's contact info on the other, and (3) the "Shut Up" letter that could be sent by anybody to anybody else with a big mouth. I've done some updating.

Former MAX ED Kendra Kleber, JD announced on February 8, "The 'Shut Up' article has been updated, and it is still a great introduction to legal rights for a person living with HIV. The 'Shut Up' letter has morphed into another article, this one targeted at the 'blabber.' It has a completely different tone from the old version, and now is an explanation of the confidentiality law for somebody with no background. The 'Shut Up' card is gone."

These new articles will be posted on Kleber's website www.positiveoutlook.org, on a new "Shut Up!" section. Each article is just two pages, which means that you could print them double-sided to save paper.


Kleber now has a private practice, Kendra S. Kleber & Associates PLLC, supporting the self-sufficiency, independence and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS
by providing those who are disabled and unable to work with creative and effective legal representation on claims for Social Security disability benefits, nationwide. You may contact her at P.O. Box 1960, Royal Oak, Michigan 48068-1960
248-591-0301 248-548-7909 (fax); kkleber@positiveoutlook.org 


 

Dental Care for PLWH/A

Michigan Dental Care Program

See the MDCH web site for more information on this program www.michigan.gov/hivstd  direct link:

http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_2982_46000_46001-45691--,00.html

Other Programs in Michigan

There are several places in Michigan where individuals with HIV/AIDS can receive subsidized dental care. The University of Michigan Dental School is one place that all clients pay on an ability to pay basis and identification as HIV positive is not necessary for treatment. Individuals or case managers may call (734) 763-6933. The HIV/AIDS Resource Center in Ypsilanti, (734) 572-9355, is now the fiduciary for this service at U of M for clients in Regions 1 -8 seeking dental care. 

Also, the University of Detroit-Mercy has a clinic specifically for persons with HIV/AIDS who live in the Metro-Detroit area. Clients must have confirmed positive on an HIV test. Most are referred by physicians but some do come in on their own. The clinic has a leading edge professional staff for AIDS dental care.

HIVDENT Visit this site for information on oral manifestations of HIV disease (with photos), treatment, infection control and post-exposure protocol.

DENTAL HEALTH AND HIV

Why is dental care important for people living with HIV? Terry Wilder explains why, in AIDS Survival News.

www.thebody.com/asp/dec00/dental.html

Got questions about dental health and HIV? Ask The Body's online expert, Dr. David Reznik. www.thebody.com/cgi/oralans.html

Disabilities Information

Comprehensive Website for People with Disabilities
Social Security touches the lives of people with disabilities every day. That’s why we joined 21 other federal agencies to create www.disabilityinfo.gov . Disabilityinfo.gov is a comprehensive website designed to offer people with disabilities access to important information they can use. Disabilityinfo.gov is a one-stop website — not only for people with disabilities, but also for older Americans, employers, Social Security beneficiaries, community- and faith-based service providers and others. Disabilityinfo.gov features information on a number of related topics. The site is easy to navigate, and is organized into subject areas, including benefits, civil rights, community life, education, employment, health, housing, technology and transportation.

Assistance Applying for Social Security
Kendra S. Kleber JD, Kendra S. Kleber & Associates PLLC
Focusing on HIV/AIDS-based Social Security disability claims, and developing legal strategies and policy to enhance the self-sufficiency, independence and  quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. Nationwide.
P.O. Box 1960, Royal Oak, MI 48068; email kkleber@positiveoutlook.org , 248-591-0301
www.positiveoutlook.org 

 

Guide on Housing and the CARE Act

HOPWA

Administration of Michigan's Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program has changed from the Division of HIV/AIDS -STD to the Bureau of Community Living, Children and Families, directed by Virginia Harmon.

Hospital Care

New information provides consumers with standardized assessments of the care that nearly 4,200 hospitals across the country provide to all adult patients, based on valid and reliable measures that have been shown to reflect quality of care. Hospital Compare is available on the Internet at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov  or www.medicare.gov . Consumers without web access can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the same information on hospital quality.

Hospice Care

Hospice Advantage provides comprehensive, compassionate care and comfort to people living with a terminal illness.   Everyone deserves to live in comfort and dignity throughout their lives.  Hospice Care helps ensure that those with a life-limiting illness live everyday to its fullest, by tending to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  Care is provided at home, in hospitals, nursing homes and other residential facilities. All of us at Hospice Advantage believe strongly in our mission of helping patients and their families, and we’re committed to ensuring that end of life is free from pain and other symptoms so that their remaining time is as rewarding as possible.
Michigan offices in Bay City, Detroit, Flint, Milford, Sheboygan, and Lansing see
www.hospiceadvantage.net

INSURANCE INFORMATION

Online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  http://www.mihivnews.com/resource_national.htm#HIPPA

Insurance Information Institute
http://www.iii.org/home.html

Offers answers to consumers' questions on all types of insurance and provides an archive of insurance related news.

Insurance Assistance Program

The Michigan Insurance Assistance Program enables individuals with HIV/AIDS to continue health insurance coverage where in many cases the insurance would have lapsed because of economic hardships. This program has insured that the relationship and care that a client has had with his/her physician be allowed to continue with no sudden changes or disruption.  Also see DAP, for information on Michigan's Drug Assistance Program.

Effective 6/10/08: In order to clarify the prescription eligibility requirement for the Insurance Assistance Plus Program (IAP-Plus), the following definition will be used:

An applicant must be eligible for a private insurance policy with FULL prescription coverage.
Full prescription coverage is defined as prescription coverage with no annual maximum limit.
Please refer to the Insurance Assistance Program Pamphlet for additional eligibility requirements.

Please contact Monty Davenport, Insurance Assistance Program, Program Analyst with any questions that you may have: phone: (313) 456-3882; Fax: (313) 456-1680;
davenportm@michigan.gov

There is one application for both IAP programs.  You can find the application published at: www.michigan.gov/dhs-forms.

Insurance Portability

Online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  http://www.mihivnews.com/resource_national.htm#HIPPA

From: The Private Health Insurance Group (PHIG) at The Health Care
Financing Administration (HCFA)

Help consumers find out how their health coverage is affected by life
events such as:  job changes, marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death. Online help to answer health coverage questions is now available!
Are you aware of the Federal health coverage protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)?
If you field client or employee questions about: pre-existing conditions,
special enrollment, certificates of creditable coverage, or how to cope
with the denial or loss of health coverage, a welcome new tool has arrived.
A confidential, free, easy-to-use, 24-hour-a-day, Internet-based tool
called HIPAA OnLine helps answer consumer questions rapidly and accurately on the Federal health coverage protections provided by HIPAA. HIPAA OnLine responds directly to individual concerns about health coverage by guiding users through a series of questions that often lead to local resources for more information.
To request a CD, click on the Help icon on the HIPAA OnLine Web page or send an e-mail to hipaacd@saic.com (quantities are limited).

Additional Resources
HCFA is making another information product available.  "Protecting Your
Health Insurance Coverage" is a 45 page booklet outlining five key steps
that consumers can take to understand their Federal health coverage
protections under HIPAA. You may order single hard copies by calling
1-800-633-4227.  For 2-100 hard copies, fax your request to 1-410-786-4786.  For more than 100 hard copies, fax your request to 1-410-786-1905. In addition, the Georgetown University Health Policy Center also offers a user-friendly, widely-praised, interactive, state-specific HIPPA site at www.healthinsuranceinfo.net .

MEDICAID

Final Rules on Medicaid Beneficiary Protections Published

from the Kaiser HIV/AIDS Report 1/19/01

HHS published new regulations in the Federal Register requiring "greater patient protections" for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans. The regulations, which will be enforced by HCFA, implement provisions of the 1997 BBA, and will take effect 90 days after publication. The rules include strengthened beneficiary protections and new provisions "designed to protect the rights of otherwise vulnerable" Medicaid beneficiaries. HHS says that among the "most important improvements" are increased protections for those with special needs. Published regulations for Medicaid managed care plans include the following:

Quality Care: States will be required to assure continued care access for Medicaid beneficiaries who have "ongoing health care needs" and switch from fee-for-service to a managed care plan, from one health plan to another or from a health plan to fee-for service. In addition, states and participating plans must identify beneficiaries with "special health care needs" and "assess the quality and appropriateness" of their care.

Health Assessment: Medicaid managed care plans must provide expedited health assessments to beneficiaries "at risk of having special health care needs" or to those who already have special health care needs.

Health Plan Marketing: Medicaid managed care plans must provide consumers with "comprehensive, easy-to-understand information" about heath plans and offer "most" beneficiaries a choice between at least two "qualified" health plans. States must also approve health plan marketing materials used to enroll and re-enroll Medicaid beneficiaries, and plans are restricted from engaging in "door-to-door, telephone and other forms of 'cold call' marketing."

Emergency Services: Medicaid managed care plans are required to cover emergency health care service costs "wherever and whenever the need for such services arises." Plans "are prohibited" from requiring prior approval for emergency services or from requiring beneficiaries to obtain care at "approved facilities." Emergency services are "based on a 'prudent layperson' standard that requires payment in situations where the beneficiary reasonably assumes that he or she is in an emergency situation."

Reimbursement: States are required to set managed care capitation rates that are "actuarially sound." The new regulations omit the "generally outdated regulatory ceiling on what states may pay managed care plans." An HHS release notes that this provision is "particularly important," as "more state Medicaid programs include people with chronic illnesses and disabilities in managed care" who require more expensive care. This provision implements a "new approach" to regulating capitation payments, and will have a 60-day comment period.

Access to Care: Female beneficiaries may have "direct access" to a woman's health specialist within a health plan's provider network for routine and preventive health care services. Also, beneficiaries will be allowed to obtain a second opinion from a "qualified" health professional.

Patient-Provider Communication: Medicare managed care plans may not impose restrictions, such as "gag rules" that interfere with patient-provider communications.

Network Adequacy: Plans must "assure" that they maintain the capacity to serve the "expected enrollment" in their service area.

Grievance Systems: Managed care plans must implement a system to address appeals and grievances, and all grievances must be resolved in "state established time frames" not exceeding 90 days. Resolution of appeals must occur "in accordance with medical needs," and not later than 30 days. "Expedited" time-frames of no more than 72 hours are required for certain grievances and appeals."

Fulfilling a Promise

These regulations "fulfil[l]" President Clinton's promise to "extend a Patients' Bill of Rights to all Americans enrolled in public health care programs," the HHS release states. Outgoing HHS Secretary Donna Shalala added, "Managed care provides the promise of better coordinated health care at a more reasonable cost. But all Americans -- whether they are in Medicare, Medicaid or private health plans -- deserve the basic protections that a Patients' Bill of Rights provides" (HHS release, 1/18)

Medicaid to Managed Care

See new Federal Guidelines

See The Managed Care in Michigan 2001 Review

AIDS Action has on line publications
including: Mgd Care and HIV/AIDS, a guide for CBO's; Stigma and HIV Prevention; Medicaid/Medicare Dual Eligibility for people with HIV/AIDS
http://www.aidsaction.org/communications/publications/index.html

Interactive Tools on Medicaid
From the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured

The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured presents the State Medicaid Fact Sheets and the Medicaid Benefits Online Database, two interactive tools featuring the latest key data, information and services provided for each state’s Medicaid program. Both tools allow for easy access to the data which can then be printed, saved and emailed.

STATE MEDICAID FACT SHEETS
http://cme.kff.org/Key=9643.z0.C.C.NxKlpp

Michigan: http://www.kff.org/mfs/medicaid.jsp?r1=MI&r2=US

This new interactive online tool provides the latest key data for each state’s Medicaid program and the population it serves, allowing for easy comparisons of one state to any other state or to the nation as a whole, on a selection of important indicators. Utilizing the latest Medicaid data from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and drawn directly from Kaiser's continuously updated site for state health data, statehealthfacts.org, this tool provides figures and tables that can be easily printed as customized fact sheets, emailed or saved.


MEDICAID BENEFITS ONLINE DATABASE
http://cme.kff.org/Key=9643.z0.H.C.NmhmxT 

Michigan: http://kff.org/medicaid/benefits/state.jsp?nt=on&cat=0&yr=0&st=23

This interactive tool provides easy access to information on services provided by each state's Medicaid program. The database contains Medicaid benefits survey data from 2003 and 2004 with information about benefits covered, limits, co-payments and reimbursement methodologies for the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Territories.

The tool allows for searches by state or service and permits comparisons between 2003 and 2004 information. Customized searches and the options of printing, emailing or saving search results are also available.



Fact Sheets: Getting the Best Out of Managed Care

These illustrated fact sheets are designed for a general audience and are available in English and Spanish versions. The files are
available in Word, HTML, and PDF (Adobe Acrobat) formats.

Feel free to print out these documents and reproduce them. The PDF files are the best suited for reproduction.

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), in Lawrenceville, NJ,
provided funding for "Making Sense of Managed Care Quality Information for Consumers with Special Needs." This project was made possible through a separate grant to CHCS by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Fact Sheet 1: How can this information help me? (¿Cómo puede ayudarme esta información?)

Fact Sheet 2: Understanding Quality Measures (Comprenda las Medidas de Evaluación de la Calidad)

Fact Sheet 3: Figuring Out Which Health Care Plan Meets Your Needs
(Determine qué Plan de Atención de Salud Responde a sus Necesidades)

Fact Sheet 4: Report Cards (Boletas de Calificaciones)

Fact Sheet 5: Consumer Surveys (Encuestas de Consumidores)

Michigan is currently switching its Medicaid system over to managed care. For more information on managed care and medicaid to managed care background please see the John Hopkins website.

A company called Maximus has been contracted by the Michigan Department of Community Health to enroll Medicaid participants in the new managed care system. The program operated by Maximus, called Michigan Enrolls, will assist individuals in making this transition.

If you need help with reading, writing, hearing, etc., under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are invited to make your needs known to Michigan Enrolls.

Michigan Enrolls can:

• Tell you which doctors, pharmacies and hospitals are part of each health plan.
• Give you information to help you choose a primary provider.
• Answer questions you may have about how to get medical services through your health plan.
• And, enroll you in the health plan you choose.
  

If you are a medicaid client living in southeastern Michigan, you should have received the managed care health plan information.

If you have any questions, you may call Michigan Enrolls at:

1-888-ENROLLS (1-888-367-6557 or

TTY: 1-888-263-5897. This call is free.

Most people who get Medicaid must choose a health plan. If you do not choose a plan, Michigan Enrolls will choose one for you.

There are five ways to enroll in a health plan:

1. Call: Michigan Enrolls at one of the above numbers.

2. Mail: The enrollment form that has been/will be sent to you.

3. Go to a community meeting.

4. Visit an enrollment office.

5. Ask for a home visit, if it is difficult for you to leave your home.

Medicare

Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries
Help with Paying Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Insurances for 2009
 

• View claim status (excluding Part D claims),
• Order a duplicate Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or replacement Medicare card,
• View eligibility, entitlement and preventive services information,
• View enrollment information including prescription drug plans,
• View or modify your drug list and pharmacy information,
• View address of record with Medicare and Part B deductible status, and
• Access online forms, publications and messages sent to you by CMS.

Mental health

Winter 2007 Issue of "Mental Health AIDS" Includes Tool Box on Posttraumatic Growth of HIV Infected Individuals

Biopsychosocial therapy involves assessing an individual patient's biological, psychological, and social condition to help determine treatment. Mental Health AIDS is a quarterly biopsychosocial research update on HIV and mental health sponsored by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This publication is provided free of charge through the SAMHSA Web site in both PDF and HTML formats.

The Winter 2007 issue features the From Surviving to Thriving: HIV-Associated Posttraumatic Growth tool box, which summarizes recent research on posttraumatic growth (PTG) and HIV. Emotional trauma related to HIV infection, including depression, anxiety, fear, helplessness, and guilt, may lead to positive changes in relationship and life priorities, health behaviors, and outlook on life in some individuals with HIV infection (and in some cases, their caregivers). The toolbox includes suggestions for clinicians on how to incorporate principles of PTG into psychotherapy treatment for trauma survivors. AIDSinfo At-a-Glance: Volume Issue No. 52
 

Nutrition and HIV

AIDS Education and Training Center’s Health Care and HIV: Nutritional Guide for Providers and Clients

ABCNews.com/Healthology Press (12.14.01)::Meredith Liss, MA, RD,
CDN, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell
     Use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to treat
HIV disease has improved immune status for those people who have
access to the drugs and can tolerate them. However, maintaining a
good physical appearance and overall health continue to be
significant concerns for most patients.
     People with HIV must contend with body composition changes
that include wasting syndrome and fat redistribution syndrome as
well as metabolic changes such as elevated levels of cholesterol,
triglycerides and blood sugars. While many of these conditions
require medication, developing a healthy diet and exercise
program can make a great difference in longevity and the quality
of life.
     Good nutrition should be taken seriously as co-therapy for
HIV. Diet recommendations include a high protein diet to fight
wasting syndrome; a heart healthy, low saturated fat diet to keep
cholesterol levels within proper limits; and a diet high in whole
grains and low in sugar to maintain adequate blood sugar and
triglyceride levels. Also included should be 1-2 multi-vitamins
with minerals to insure that micronutrient needs are met...
    
     To reduce cholesterol levels, decrease intake of foods high
in saturated fat like red meat, poultry skin, whole and 2 percent
milk, cheese, butter, coconut and palm oils.
     One of the causes of weight loss in HIV infection is not
being able to eat enough calories. You may find that you get
hungry and when you sit down to eat, you become full too fast.
There are some medical causes of early fullness but a pattern of
small, frequent meals of six or more a day will probably help a
great deal. Also, high calorie, high protein shakes of ice cream,
yogurt, milk, fruits, peanut butter, wheat germ and fruit nectars
or canned supplements that can be purchased at local drug stores
and supermarkets are highly recommended as meal alternatives.
     Exercise is safe and does not weaken the immune system. It
is important to prevent or fight the loss of muscle mass and to
offset the effects of the fat redistribution syndrome.

Nursing Homes

Patient's HIPAA Privacy Notice

This resource has "information on every conceivable medication, and the search engine on this site will return results that are even just close to what you've entered. That means that if you have the spelling remotely close, you can probably find what you need.

Use this, for instance, to double-check the spelling and purpose of medications when filling out a Social Security disability application.."


http://www.healthsquare.com/drugmain.htm


Kendra S. Kleber, JD
President, Director of Legal Services
Michigan Advocates Exchange, Inc.
 

Project H.O.P.E.

DETROIT - POWER OF WORK SUPPORT GROUP. The Power of Work (POW) Support Group continues to meet every other Thursday at Goodwill Industries, 3111 Grand River, Detroit, MI from 5:30pm-7:30pm. This group’s focus is to learn to live again with HIV/AIDS while exploring options of returning to work, school or training. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share with the group. For more information, contact Rick Jones at 313-964-3900 ext. 423. Project HOPE (HIV Opportunities for Pursuing Employment) has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. They have hired a full time Vocational Services Coordinator and are in the process of applying for new grants to help with the return to work issues for people living with HIV.

For more information or to find out how returning to work will affect your benefits, call Ken Pape at the Family Independence Agency, (313) 456-1678, to schedule an appointment for benefits counseling.

 

Return to Work Incentive

Biggest change in HIV benefits since passage of the Ryan White Act in 1990.

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 has numerous, complex provisions affecting SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation services for disabled persons. It offers states a set of interrelated options for enhanced Medicaid coverage of disabled persons who work. It limits---but does not fully eliminate---the threat of being found "no longer disabled" for those patients in remission who are work ready or are already actually working. AIDS agencies and even businesses can now get federal funding for return-to-work, benefits counseling and vocational rehabilitation services. Click here for the full article by Tom Mcormick

ON SOCIAL SECURITY

If you are on disability and considering starting a business or working on your own, you should know that Social Security's regulations favor self-employment. Learn the details from AIDS Project Los Angeles.

www.thebody.com/apla/nov00/work.html

TUITION FOR DISABLED

Tuition tips for the disabled: A crash course in scoring financial aid for college while you are on disability.

www.thebody.com/apla/nov00/benefits.html

Social Security Benefits On-line

Guide to HIV/AIDS-Related Social Security Benefits Now Available
View Social Security Administration Publications online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/englist.html

Did you know people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) can qualify for certain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA)? If not, then you need to read the SSA publication, Social Security Benefits for People Living with HIV/AIDS. The booklet describes how PLWH/A can apply for benefits under two SSA programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and covers the following topics:

Benefits You May Be Able to Get; What We Mean by Disabled; How to File for Benefits; What We Will Ask; How We Make a Decision on Your Claim; How You Can Help Speed up Your Claim; What We Are Doing to Help You Get Benefits Faster; What Will Happen If You Go Back to Work

 

Documentation for Benefits

There are a few documents that people absolutely need to have at some point in their lives -- a birth certificate may be the best example, but marriage or death certificates, and perhaps a divorce decree, could be other essential documents. The fact is that in order to apply for Social Security benefits (and for a number of other reasons) you will probably need at least one of these documents, either the original or a copy certified by the state that issued it. Figuring out where to go to find the certified copies you need could be confusing -- until now. With this online resource you can find the addresses and phone numbers of the issuing offices as well as the fees for the documents you need. So even a person born in Alabama, married n California, divorced in Utah and retired in Florida can find everything he or she needs at the link below.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html

Treatment Guidelines

National Treatment Guidelines
http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov

Also AmFar Treatment Directory

Guides to Side-Effects

The National Minority AIDS Council NMAC has published the Patient's Guide to HIV Medicines and Guidelines for Their Use, a pamphlet meant to make topics such as HIV/AIDS and combination therapy more understandable to non-medical persons.

Also, see AIDSmeds.com's Currently Approved Drugs for HIV: A Comparative Chart http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/DrugChart.htm

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