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Archive for May, 2011

Healthcare Reform Means Better Health Care Services For Senior Citizens

31 May

The new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)–otherwise known as healthcare reform–brought relief to many senior citizens for whom preventive care is so critical to their good health. PPACA brings many advantages for seniors on Medicare, one of which is annual preventive care exams. Preventive care on an annual basis means early identification of disease and greater opportunity for treatment and recovery.

Beginning in September, 2010, new Medicare insurance plans and some current plans (specific changes must be made in order for them to be qualified) will begin coverage for specific services like colonoscopy and mammography. Seniors who show evidence they need the tests, and whose doctors order them, will be able to get the services. Beginning in January 2011, other requirements fall away and the services will be available as preventive care with no copay or deductible applied.

Many elderly have been subjected to high copays and deductibles for preventive care services like colonoscopy and mammography. Some were not covered at all. Older adults have a much higher risk of developing cancer, diabetes, aging-eye disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression, than the younger generations; as a result, the need for preventive services increases with age. Improved coverage means older and more vulnerable seniors will have access to preventive services starting in 2011.

Seniors and their medical professionals are now free to make appropriate choices about medical care based on the need for preventive services, not whether or not the elder can pay for the service. Many senior citizens have had to choose between food and shelter or medical care; they are on poverty level fixed incomes. They will no longer have to make this abhorrent choice, thanks to healthcare reform and affordable coverage for everyone.

Healthcare Reform Means Better Health Care Services For Senior Citizens

Article provided by Sharon Shaw Elrod. Senior Citizen Journal provides current and relevant information on topics of interest to seniors. Please visit my web site at http://www.seniorcitizenjournal.com/.

 
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Medically Uninsured Or Underinsured?

30 May

According to government statistics, approximately 46 million Americans do not have medical insurance. This number is probably much higher if you add to it those who are underinsured. It has been predicted by some experts that if our health care system remained unchanged, the number of uninsured Americans will reach 65 million in 10 years. These are frightening numbers. Do you or someone you know belong to this group?

In this discussion, the term underinsured will be used to signify both the uninsured and underinsured.

Some of the reasons people are underinsured include:

They can not afford the medical insurance
They chose not to have it (maybe they are wealthy, or maybe they are just taking a chance)
They are not poor enough to qualify for low income insurance like Medicaid or similar programs, but can not afford insurance either
They have a high-deductible policy, either privately purchased, or employer purchased
They have pre-existing conditions which the insurance policy does not cover
What do the underinsured usually do in time of need?

They rely on home or over-the-counter-remedies, which may not be helpful
They simply deny themselves the medical care
They end up in emergency rooms, rather than in the physician’s office
The price we pay for having such a large population of underinsured Americans is enormous, and it hurts everyone.

Many underinsured people who end up receiving medical care find themselves in a deep financial hole, owing their sole to hospital, doctors, lab, and other medical facilities.

The longevity of uninsured people is significantly lower than that of those who have insurance. The risk of dying at any age, as an uninsured, is 40% higher than that of the insured person.

Is there a ray of hope for the underinsured?

Even in the absence of a meaningful healthcare reform, there are many things you can do for yourself and decrease your risk of early disease and premature death:

Change your lifestyle. The lifestyle related health risks of smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, eating too much salt, and consuming too little omega-3 fatty acids, account for over 40% of early deaths in the US.
Choose a doctor who will take into consideration the fact that you are underinsured and can’t pay the full “retail” price of your visits and tests. This retail price is often inflated, much higher than what the same physician would accept from a third party payer like Aetna or United. In most cases, there is room for negotiation.
Look for a doctor who may make arrangements with blood testing labs and imaging facilities (for MRI’s, mammograms, etc.) to accept lower payment if you pay on the spot.
So what should the underinsured patient do?

Select a doctor who will take your financial situation in to account.
If you’re a veteran, the VA hospital facility may be able to help.
At the doctor’s office: Ask the pertinent questions only. That’s how you’ll get the most for you money.
Let you doctor help you find the less costly alternatives for medications and testing. In many cases, generic drugs will do.
Ask for medication discount coupons. Many are now available.
Above all: Take better care of yourself. No smoking, no excessive drinking. Exercise regularly, eat less fatty food (even the fast food places have lower fat, lower calorie food choices), eat less salty food. Save the money you would have spent on cigarettes to schedule a basic physical examination by a physician who cares. Spend the rest on a deserved vacation.
Remember: Even if you are uninsured, there is a lot you can do to live a healthier life and obtain medical care when you need it.

Medically Uninsured Or Underinsured?

Dr. Igal Staw is a practicing physician with offices in Norwalk and Fairfield, CT. Over than 30 years in the practice of internal and pulmonary medicine, with a special passion for preventive medicine, early detection of potential health problems, and minimizing health risks. With the growing number of uninsured patients, Dr. Staw has now taken significant steps to make health care much more affordable to the uninsured. For more information: http://www.drstaw.com

 
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Health Care Reform Act Affects Big Business, Employers and Employees

28 May

With the passing of the Health Care Reform Act, employers will be dealing with America’s health brokers in a different way. Many of the provisions for larger business employers (over 100 employees) will remain very similar to the status quo, but there will be a few changes that may be beneficial to the employee.

SEC. 311. HEALTH COVERAGE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

(3) CONTRIBUTION IN LIEU OF COVERAGE- Beginning with Y2, if an employee declines such offer but otherwise obtains coverage in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan (other than by reason of being covered by family coverage as a spouse or dependent of the primary insured), the employer shall make a timely contribution to the Health Insurance Exchange with respect to each such employee in accordance with section 313.

What this means is that the employee can opt to enroll in the business health insurance plan, or the employee can opt to seek a more affordable health insurance plan by seeking out a prospective deal through America’s health care brokers via the exchange. The details of the exchange have not been thoroughly set, as of now, but the direction of it is leaning towards a state to state variance where many of America’s health brokers compete to offer health plans at an affordable price.

It may be in the employee’s best interests to enroll in an employee medical insurance plan, because group health insurance will always be more affordable than individual health insurance. Another alternative would be to collaborate with a group of individuals to create an affordable group health insurance plan through the exchange.

A key point of interest for employees who work for a large company (over 100 employees), and are seeking health insurance coverage, is that their health insurance premium will automatically be covered by “not less than 72.5% of the applicable premium” {SEC. 312(1)(A)}. For spouses and children, “Not less than 65% of such applicable premium of such lowest cost plan” {SEC. 312(1)(B)}. As far as family health insurance plans go, it may be difficult to find a medical benefit plan that through the exchange that can compete.

By the year 2014, it will be required by law for every U.S. citizen to have personal health insurance coverage. Those who do not conform will be penalized for it. In order to reduce the problem with big businesses, there is a section that requires auto enrollment by employers. With the progression of smaller businesses merging with larger corporations, there is security in knowing that health insurance benefits are ideal for larger corporations. No longer will pre-existing conditions be a cause for non-enrollment or discontinuation of an existing plan.

America’s health brokers will have a much larger consumer base when the new law takes effect, which means that not only do the consumers win, but they do as well. In an era of sweeping change in the health care industry, group health plans will be beneficial to all who are involved. They will be beneficial to either a personal health plan as well as a family health plan. America’s health brokers will have a number of new avenues, but the greatest prospect will still be with larger businesses.

Health Care Reform Act Affects Big Business, Employers and Employees

You need someone you can count on, a health life insurance company that will work for you in your best interest. America’s Health Brokers is that company. We tailor our plans to fit your needs, regardless of your budget. Our partnerships with many A+ rated companies allow us to provide you with a variety of options offering financial flexibility. Plus, we are the only company that offers a concierge customer care plan with all of our plans.

 
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Health Savings Accounts Will Remain Viable Under Health Care Reform

27 May

One of the more optimistic prognostications of the effect of Health Care Reform on the future of Health Insurance, includes the continuity of the availability of HSA, or Health Savings Accounts, which means that if you lock into a plan now, you will be able to maintain it under the new guaranteed acceptance rules which kick in in 2014. The implementation of guaranteed acceptance ensures one key fact, health insurance costs will not decrease, they will increase, guaranteed. So it makes sense to investigate the lower premium HSA’s now, in order to start saving money, prior to the likely increase in premiums. You can find Health Insurance Premium Savings, by enrolling in a Health Savings Account compatible plan.

A Health Savings Account HSA plan is a combination of a high deductible insurance plan with certain features, with a tax-qualified savings plan, that allows pre-tax deposits and tax deferred growth, in conjunction with tax advantaged withdrawals for health related expenses and routine medical bills. The Health Savings Account allows the individual who is self employed or pays their own health insurance premiums to save money both in taxes and on insurance premiums, optimizing their outlay from both a tax burden and cash flow perspective, a truly win win situation. You essentially use the cash that you would spend on the higher premiums of a traditional health insurance plan, the money you would spend on income tax from both the growth of your account and the pre-tax deposit provision, as well as the tax free use of funds for medical bills, of the HSA to fund the higher deductible that is characteristic of the HSA. When you purchase a low deductible, traditional health insurance plan, you are essentially betting that you will need to use the insurance for a significant claim, For most people it makes sense to go with the lower premiums, and save the difference. You can augment the HSA with far less expensive catastrophic coverages, in order to maintain peace of mind if you like, while still maintaining a large premium outlay advantage.

The process of obtaining an HSA is simple, and I would be more than happy to assist you in negotiating this procedure. The first step is to identify an HSA compliant insurance plan, that both meets your healthcare needs and the budget you would like to accommodate. The second part of the process includes establishing and funding the actual savings account. Most carriers have a default financial institution that they would encourage you to deposit with, however most banks are able to establish an account for you, should you choose to use your own financial entity. You may even move your account to a more aggressive savings vehicle once you have your account fully funded, as the funds from your HSA grow on a tax deferred basis and it rolls over from year to year, you can actually use this account as another Tax deferred income growth strategy.

Health Savings Accounts Will Remain Viable Under Health Care Reform

For further information, visit our Health Insurance website, at http://KenJamesFord.com.

Kenneth Ford is the independent Insurance Master General Agent, for The Ford Agency, Disability, Annuity and Senior Market Products, as well as Business Benefits. Our professional staff is in high demand, so if you would like to review your options with a seasoned professional, make sure to request a contact time on the comments section of our contact page, at http://KenJamesFord.com/.

 
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The Private Health Care Insurance Debate

26 May

For a majority of people, health care is one of those sensitive subjects. No matter what solution to health care is presented, there is undoubtedly going to be someone that disagrees. And given the current political climate, the debate over health care is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Until this debate comes to some form of resolution, for most of us there will continue to be only two types of coverage: group insurance and private health insurance.

Of these two options, the more appealing is typically the group insurance option. Most people would rather not have to front the entire cost of the insurance, as well as worry about the myriad of other factors involved with private insurance. If your employer is going to offer health insurance as a benefit package, in most cases you will be best off taking the offer.

Group insurance offered by your employer will often cover at least a portion of your premium costs. Certain packages may even be designed to provide coverage for the employee’s family. For the company, providing this benefit can be a strong recruiting incentive and allow for retention of important employees.

Aside from the benefit of premium assistance, the major advantage to group insurance is that the employee is guaranteed coverage by the company’s plan. There is no sort of discrimination by the company based on the insurability of the participant. You cannot be turned down for preexisting conditions.

On the other hand, private health insurance does not share these same characteristics. You are responsible for the premiums of yourself and your family, and you are not guaranteed acceptance into the policy. If you have medical conditions that the insurance company deems risky, you will have a difficult time getting the coverage that you need.

Preexisting conditions are also a notorious problem for private health care insurance. If you are accepted into a policy with a preexisting condition, you will often have to wait a lengthy period of time before coverage will begin. You have to first prove to the company that you will not be a major cost liability to them.

Private health insurance is not all negative however. First of all, it is health insurance coverage, and some coverage is often better than no coverage. For millions of people, private health insurance is literally a life saver.

And while private health insurance is generally considered more expensive than group insurance policies, there are circumstances when the private option is cheaper. Small businesses can frequently get themselves into trouble with group policies. If they have a string of bad luck with a couple of expensive claims, their average claim per person increases. This later translates into much higher premiums for the entire group.

The bottom line is that health insurance is still a big concern for a majority of people. What works for one person, doesn’t work for another. Either way, it is a necessary evil, whether we like it or not.

The Private Health Care Insurance Debate

Edward T. Richards writes about general insurance topics and has found himself increasingly interested in the area of private health insurance. Visit him online at the Life and Health Guru to learn more about his unique strategies.

 
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Does the Canadian Health Care System Cover Those Visiting Canada?

25 May

The Canadian Health Care System is based on several socialized health insurance plans providing full coverage to Canadian citizens and a model to follow that the American Health Care System has been analyzing for a while.

In Canada, federal government set the guidelines that apply to the different provinces and territories of the country in health matters, but the system comes from public funding on a territorial or provincial basis.

Because every Canadian region manages its own health care system, there is too much controversy and debate in relation to health care coverage for both locals and people visiting the country.

People who want to access the Canadian Health Care system must apply for a provincial health card and wait for no longer, than three months to obtain their health card in the case of new immigrants.

While the Canada Health Act guarantees that all residents of a territory or province will be accepted for health coverage, temporary visitors can only access this system purchasing insurance by themselves.

However, there are also Public Health Care Providers that ruled under the same act, providing services such as hospitals, dental surgery, ambulatory services, primary care doctors, and specialists to cover provincial insurance policies.

As a visitor to Canada, you can purchase a health care insurance policy and benefit from these public services during your stay in the Canadian territory.

Canada counts with about 30,000 primary care doctors, who account for over half of all Canadian doctors so you will not have a problem finding a physician that can provide you with preventative care or basic medical treatment.

Specialist doctors account for 28,000 all over the country and there are countless private clinics operating in the country offering specialized medical services, although under federal law they should not provide those services covered by the Canada Health Act.

Even though, most clinics offer such services regardless the legal limitation, they are covered by private insurance policies to provide health care assistance to people that otherwise would be left without medical protection.

Private insurance in Canada may cover up to 80% of medical cost and it is available to visitors and local residents unsatisfied with their provincial or territorial health care system.

In terms of medical availability as of 2007, there is one primary care doctor for every 1000 Canadians, who spend nearly ,300 per capita on health care attention every year.

Keep in mind that the Canadian Health Care System does not provide basic services to residents, and some of them are those that visitors usually require, such as optometrists, dental services, and prescription medication, which people have to pay.

Does the Canadian Health Care System Cover Those Visiting Canada?

Independent Travel Travel Health Insurance Broker

 
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Missouri Health Insurance and Medical Coverage

24 May

Consumers who need health insurance quotes and coverage in Missouri have numerous options available to them. There are several well known carriers offering affordable coverage in MO including Aetna, Anthem, American Community, Assurant and United Health Care. Individual and family units can choose from high deductible, catastrophic plans as well as low deductible, comprehensive plans.

Self-employed individuals, small business owners, those losing COBRA, and the unemployed usually seek health insurance in the individual market. Consumers can purchase short term insurance that provide coverage for up to six months – ideal for those who are certain they will soon be eligible for benefits with an employer. And consumers can enroll in permanent plans that cover maternity, prescriptions and hospitalization if group coverage is not available to them.

Benefits, Coinsurance, and Deductible Options

Most carriers offer plans with a wide range of benefits, deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pay options. Typically, consumers can select from deductible amounts ranging from 0 to ,000. Insurance carriers also offer several coinsurance options including, but not limited to 20%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. (In most plans, the consumer is responsible for the coinsurance percentage up to ,000.) Lifetime maximum benefits will range from 3 million to 8 million per individual with most policies.

Additionally, all plans in Missouri will have a large network of doctors and hospitals for the insured to choose from. Before purchasing a policy however, it is important to confirm the availability of health care provider in the insured’s area. Additionally, some carriers offer plans with no networks at all. These plans are more expensive, but the insured can choose from any doctor or hospital they wish.

Health Saving Accounts

Recently, legislation was passed approving tax-favored savings accounts that can be coupled with a high deductible health insurance policy. Health Savings Accounts (or HSA’s as they are also known) are now a viable alternative to traditional insurance plans. They allow consumers to self-insure for small claims through a tax deferred savings account, but also offer peace of mind that the insurance policy will pay benefits once the deductible has been met.

They are gaining in popularity due to their tax advantages and flexibility. Money deposited in an HSA grows tax-deferred and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified medical expenses. Common expenses could include meeting a deductible or coinsurance amount as well as paying for prescriptions, vision, and/or dental care. Unused funds remain in the account year after year for future medical expenses. The funds always belong to the insured even if the insurance needs to be cancelled.

In summary, those in need of Missouri health insurance quotes will have several options from well rated carries. Plans can be tailored to fit most budgets and nearly all plans are portable should the insured need to move out of state. The agents of Hyers and Associates look forward to helping clients in MO who would like to compare policies today.

Missouri Health Insurance and Medical Coverage

A.M. Hyers has been working in the insurance and investment industry for over ten years. He owns and operates Hyers and Associates, Inc. an independent insurance agency doing business in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.

His agency offers insurance products in the individual, family, and small business group marketplace. They use the leading national insurance carriers to quote health insurance, health savings accounts, dental, and vision plans.

Other lines of insurance offered include life insurance, disability insurance, and long term care insurance. They use several carriers to quote Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Part D coverage for seniors. Additionally, the independent agents of Hyers and Associates Inc. offer fixed, indexed, and immediate annuity policies for individual and group retirement plans.

Insurance quotes in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio

 
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How Does Health Insurance Work?

23 May

There are lots of different kinds of health insurance. Plan that cover medical services and prescription medicines, plans that cover dental expenses, disability insurance that replaces income lost due to extended illness or injury, long-term care, and so on. In the United States, people typically refer to the plans that cover medical expenses as “health insurance”, and these plans are usually bought by employers and offered to employees as part of their compensation, or “benefits”.

Health insurance plans are usually sold once, then renewed on an annual basis. So when a consumer buys health insurance (either directly or through an employer), the insurer agrees to pay for health expenses as long as the premiums are paid on time and the account is in good standing.

Health insurance plans come in two flavors: “Fee-for-Service” or “Managed Care”. Both types of insurance cover major medical, surgical and hospital expenses, and are often referred to as “major medical plans”. Fee-for-service plans pay the medical service provider a fee for each service provided to a patient, and that patient can usually go see whatever health care provider they wish. Managed care plans, on the other hand, pre-pay contracted providers for each member’s coverage in advance. Members are offered a financial incentive to use providers who belong to the plan.

Here are a few common terms that you’ll probably run into:

Deductible: This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurer will pay anything. Deductibles can vary widely, ranging from to a few thousand dollars.

Co-insurance amount: This is the percentage of your medical expenses you must pay after you reach your deductible. This will typically range from 10-30%.

Maximum out-of-pocket amount: This is maximum amount you are required to pay in a given year, after which the insurer will pay 100% of the cost of covered medical expenses.

Covered benefits: Types of medical services the insurer will pay for.

Exclusions: Types of medical services the insurer will not pay for.

Its true: there’s a lot of jargon, and plans are difficult to evaluate and compare. But it’s important, and worth your time. Carefully review plan descriptions, and take your time to understand the coverage of any plan you’re currently under – or considering purchasing.

How Does Health Insurance Work?

Kurt Stammberger is VP, Marketing at Healthia Inc. Healthia provides integrated comparison-shopping information on group health insurance and small business insurance plans [http://www.healthia.com], free tips and advice for selecting the best plans that suit your needs.

 
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What Are the Largest Health Insurance Companies in the United States?

22 May

When looking for a health insurance company, sometimes bigger is better. If you go with one of the 5 largest health insurance companies in the United States, you will be surrounded by many provider choices, many customer services options, and many different plan options. Here is a brief synopsis of the top 5 insurance companies in the United States.

One: United Health Group is the largest health care provider in the United States with 70 million members and over 600,000 providers. It is accepted in every state and over 5,000 hospitals.

Two: The second largest insurance company is Well Point which has over 35 million members. It is a relatively young company being in existence for only 5 years. But, since it was developed through a merger, Well Point still offers a lot of experience.

Three: The third largest insurance company is CIGNA Corp. CIGNA insurance company has been an insurance provider for over 200 years and offers polices for individuals and employment based health care.

Four: The fourth largest company is Aetna. Aetna first developed the idea of consumer-directed insurance product and has since been a leader in the industry.

Five: The fifth largest company is Anthem, Inc. Insurance Company which specializes in family plans and coverage options.

While a large company does offer certain benefits, there is no guarantee that a big company can best meet the needs of you and your family. Depending on your health, the ages of the people to be covered, and other specific lifestyle factors, a smaller company might work for you. The only way to be sure is to look into the specific policies from several health insurance providers.

What Are the Largest Health Insurance Companies in the United States?

If you are looking for health insurance and are considering going with a one of the largest health insurance providers in the United States you should compare quotes. You can do this online through a quote comparison tool. Compare rates on both small and large health insurance companies and polices now.

 
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What Are the Merits and Demerits of Health Plans?

21 May

How does one protect and secures his/her life? You can protect your life and your family life’s by health insurance plans. You would find many people in California who are without health insurance. Now this has become one of the most necessities things in a person life. There are many insurances and each insurance covers varies from other.

Some of the major health insurance in California are Kaiser Insurance, Anthem Blue Cross Insurance, Blue Shield Insurance, Aetna Insurance, Health Net Insurance and Pacificare Insurance. The insurance which are mentioned above have different plans such as Medical plan, Individual plan, Group plan, HSA plan, Indemnity plan, HMO plan and PPO plan.

Almost all the things in this world have both merits and demerits and you will also find merits and demerits in insurance plans. Each plan varies from other plans and each plan has it own advantage. Health insurance is mainly for protecting you and your family life. These also help you in paying for any major surgery bill. You can now apply for any kind of insurance on online. Almost all the insurance have minimum premium which is paid once in year. There are insurance where you have expenses apart from premium. Lets us have a look at the merits and demerits of each plans.

Group Plan:

The benefit of group plan is they are less expensive and covers the insurance for whole family. The insurance company ties up with some of the hospitals and doctors for their health plan. If you go to these hospitals and doctors then will immediately start the medical treatment.

Individual plan:

As the name indicates this plan is especially for individual where all the medical expenses are paid by the insurance company. The medical expenses includes dental, therapies like physiotherapy, radiotherapy etc. medication and hospitalization.

HMO Plan:

This health maintenance organization plan covers almost all the expenses and offers all the health care facilities. The demerit of this plan is they refuse to treat certain medical treatment.

PPO Plan:

The Preferred Provider Organization provides a contract of health care facilities to the insurer at low cost. These have a bigger network of choosing doctors and hospitals of your choice. But the disadvantage of this plan is these are more costly than the traditional HMO plan.

HSA Plan:

These Health Saving Account plan is tax incentive where the taxes are free. The money in your account can accumulate interest and these are paid for your medical and health expenses. You will be provided with a debit card which is used for paying any health expenses.

Indemnity Plan:

Here you need to pay all the medical expenses from your pocket and then you can ask the reimbursement from the insurance company. The advantage of this plan is you can choose any doctor or hospital of your choice. The disadvantage is you need to fill many forms at doctor’s place and also at insurance company.

What Are the Merits and Demerits of Health Plans?

Charles Victor is a SEO copywriter for Anthem blue cross. He has written many articles in various topics like Blue shield CA.

 
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