PSI Welcomes New Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell

MIDLOTHIAN, Va., June 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patient Services, Inc. (PSI), the "ground breaking" 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization of its kind, congratulates Sylvia Mathews Burwell on her confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve as the new Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

As Secretary, Ms. Burwell will oversee the continuing implementation and enforcement of the Affordable Care (ACA). In a rare show of bipartisan support on that issue, Ms. Burwell was confirmed with only 17 dissenting votes after being unanimously confirmed as Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director just over a year ago. She won praise from several key Republicans for her responsiveness to Senate Finance Committee queries, including concerns about prescription drug benefits under Marketplace plans, the adequacy of provider networks within the Marketplaces, and HHS efforts to mitigate against any steep premium hikes for 2015.                                  

Ms. Burwell brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the position. In addition to serving as OMB director, she also was the chief of staff for the Department of Treasury Secretary and has headed two private foundations. 

PSI will immediately be working with Ms. Burwell on formally clarifying that non-profit charitable organizations can continue to assist with premiums and cost-sharing for Marketplace plans.  Outgoing Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reiterated last month that such third-party assistance from non-profits are permitted under HHS rules and recent guidance.  However, a March 19^th interim final regulation published by the agency includes a provision that would allow Marketplace plans to prohibit non-profit premium assistance. PSI is securing letters from members of Congress urging the agency to promptly correct that contradictory provision.

About Patient Services, Inc.
PSI (http://www.patientservicesinc.org) is the "ground breaking" 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization of its kind.  Founded in 1989 by Dana Kuhn, Ph.D., the Midlothian, Virginia based company has helped people who live with specific chronic illnesses or conditions locate suitable health insurance coverage and access ways to satisfy expensive co-payments. PSI provides assistance with the cost of health insurance premiums associated with COBRAs, State High Risk Pools, Open enrollment, Guaranteed Issue policies, HIPAA conversion policies; and prescriptions co-payments associated with private insurance as well as with Medicare Parts B and D.

Media Contacts:
Mandy Herbert
PSI Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone Number: 804-521-7916
Email: [email protected] | Company Website: www.patientservicesinc.org

Mark Hobraczk, JD, MPA
PSI Associate, Government Affairs and Advocacy
Phone Number: 804-840-8967
Email: [email protected] | Company Website: www.patientservicesinc.org

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140224/DC70603LOGO

SOURCE Patient Services, Inc.