VOLUNTEER(S) OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCEMENT!
VHF is proud to announce our 2021 Volunteer of the Year is George Stone. In a new category, we are also recognizing our 2021 Unite Walk Volunteer of the Year, Monika Eiden. Both George and Monika have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the mission of VHF this year, going above and beyond in their volunteer commitments and contributing in meaningful ways. Congratulations to both of you for an amazing year!
DATES AND DEADLINES FOR 2022 HEALTH INSURANCE
You can enroll in or change 2022 Marketplace health insurance right now. The 2022 Open Enrollment Period runs from Monday, November 1, 2021 through Saturday, January 15, 2022.

If you don’t act by January 15, 2022, you can’t get 2022 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that starts January 1, 2022.
NEW DATA ANALYSIS SHEDS LIGHT ON BLEEDING PATTERNS IN YOUNG VWD PATIENTS
Historically, data on infants and toddlers (ITs) with von Willebrand disease (VWD),particularly relevant to bleeding patterns, has been lacking. To address this absence of data, a team of researchers from the U.S. Hemophilia Treatment Center Network (USHTCN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a retrospective analysis of HTC patients with VWD who are less than two years of age. The data were obtained through the USHTCN. The results were published in the journal Blood Advances.
NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION (NHF) HANDI
NHF’s information resource center HANDI is ready to assist you! Now in its third decade, HANDI continues to be a trusted source of information and referrals for those affected by inheritable bleeding disorders and the general public.

Information specialists are adept at providing the latest resources on a wide variety of bleeding disorder-related topics and there are several easy ways to reach HANDI:

Call: 800.424.2634 (extension 2), 9am-5pm Eastern, Monday to Friday,


Submit an information request via HANDI’s online portal.
NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION (NHF) NYLI
Are you a member of the bleeding disorders community between the ages of 18-22 and interested in a leadership program? The National Hemophilia Foundation's National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI) is now accepting applications for its 2022 cohort! Applications due December 15th.
HEMOPHILIA FEDERATION OF AMERICA (HFA) PATIENT ASSISTANCE
Living with a bleeding disorder can be a great financial burden among expensive treatments, health insurance costs, travel to specialty medical appointments and necessary medical equipment.

Managing a bleeding disorder has unforeseen crises including hospitalizations that cause missed wages from work. With these added costs and potential emergencies, families may find themselves having difficulty affording basic living expenses or other necessary medical items not covered by insurance. But you don’t have to face this burden alone. HFA’s Helping Hands Program is here for you. Use the button below to learn more.
VHF/HACA ADVOCACY EDUCATION MEETING
Date/Time: Monday, January 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Join VHF & HACA for a virtual advocacy education program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our traditional date for our annual advocacy day. This program will focus on the 2022 General Assembly. Join in and hear details from advocacy consultant, Becky Bowers-Lanier, about proposed legislation of interest to the bleeding disorders community, its partners and other stakeholders. You will also learn more about the VHF/HACA legislative updates that will occur weekly via zoom during the 2022 General Assembly session and how you might be able to get more involved.
VHF/HACA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WEEKLY CHECK-IN
Date/Time: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022 4:30 PM to Tuesday, Mar 15, 2022 4:30 PM

Location: Zoom

Join HACA and VHF for a quick weekly General Assembly check-in. We will gather to get an overview of the past week’s events in the Virginia General Assembly and get insight from our advocacy consultant, Becky Bowers-Lanier, on what to look for, trends and any actions that will need to be taken about proposed legislation of interest to the bleeding disorders community.

When you register you will receive an email with a re-occurring zoom link that you can use for all of the weekly check-ins on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm (EST).
VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSION - KEEPING AND MAINTAINING HEALTH INSURANCE DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES
Date/Time: Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Get your insurance questions answered and learn more about:
  • Prior authorizations – commercial plans and documentation required for initial authorization/reauthorizations.
  • Medicare eligibility and Medigap enrollment.
  • Additional protections under the Build Back Better infrastructure bill.

Speaker: Lynne M. Szott, RN, RMC, CCM, Senior Manager, Reimbursement & Access, CSL Behring