Mandatory Health Insurance for Political Profit
December 23, 2007
Health insurance in todays political scenario often means forced purchase of health insurance at a high price with minimum benefits. After this comes the claim that health insurance has been provided to everyone.
There is news all around about making health insurance purchases mandatory. If this opinion finds more takers, you might find a family of two people earning just above $50,000 paying $12,000 for health insurance. Fabian Nunez, California Assembly Speaker is proposing legislation that would result in employers contributing only 6.5 percent to employee insurance as against a current 13 percent.
Read more
Farmers and Ranchers Incur Higher Health Insurance Bills
December 22, 2007
According to the Bismarck Tribune, Farmers and Ranchers dish out a lot more money on health insurance than the other Americans. Many do so even at the instance of struggling to pay premiums. This information is based on a report from the Access Project, a Boston based health advocacy group.
Farmers and Ranchers spend more than $7000 a year on health insurance for their families according to this report. If the health insurance costs grow greater than 10% of income this is an indicator of excessive burden of health insurance. Many people studied were under such a burden.
Read more
Greater Insurance Coverage Sought By Insurers
December 20, 2007
Many people are unable to get thier own health insurance. A number of steps may be taken that would allow a greater number of individuals, even unhealthy ones to obtain health coverage.
These proposals would make it difficult for insurers to deny coverage to people with ill health or to cancel policies. The proposed steps also seek to limit premiums being charged to ill people. The industry’s main trade group also wants the states to arrange for individual coverage to people with very large bills.
Read more
Health Insurance Costs Going Up According To Study
December 16, 2007
In Colorado, nearly 1.1 million people spend more than 10 percent of their pre-tax dollars on health care. This is one of the findings of a FamiliesUSA study.
The uninsured are no longer the only people affected by exorbitant health care costs. Another finding of the study was that three fourths of the people studied were insured. The heavy health care costs mean that middle class families may not be able to afford proper health care in the future. In addition businesses may have to stop covering their employees.
Read more
Blue Shield May Have to Cough Up $12.6 Million Penalty
December 15, 2007
Blue Shield is in line for paying a $12.6 million penalty if the states insurance commissioner has his way. This is due to improper claim processing and unfair cancellation of member’s medical coverage.
Blue Shield has committed 1,200 alleged law violations which has had the effect of 200+ people losing insurance coverage after submitting medical treatment claims. According to commissioner Steve Poisner, this has led to decreased trust in health care delivery.
Read more
COBRA and Whether You Should Opt For Permanent Insurance
December 13, 2007
Many millions of Americans are insured through their employers. However this coverage is with them as long as they have their jobs. If they lose their jobs or quit, they would be without coverage. In this scenario they can opt for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)
COBRA gives an additional 18 months of coverage to employees from firms with a strength of 20 or more employees. In Ohio, “Baby COBRA” allows for up to six months of coverage even for smaller firms.
Read more
Health Insurance: Finding Good Deals
December 9, 2007
Buying health insurance is like traversing a jungle. It is so difficult to find good deals. If you are looking for health insurance as an individual there are a number of additional roadblocks that you get stuck up on. Add to that the fact that companies can deny you insurance if you have a health condition already say like diabetes.
There is some good news however, Cigna, Humana, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare are now looking to the needs of individual buyers. This individual insurance generally depends on where you reside. Here is a list of steps to finding good health insurance.
Read more
Stop Selling Insurance, OIR orders Companies
December 8, 2007
Four unlicenced companies in Florida have been ordered to stop selling health insurance. The order was issued by The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
According to the order,National Alliance Healthcare and Affinity Health Plans have to stop insurance contract transaction. The reason is that they have not been granted an authority certificate from the OIR. They also have to refund all collected money and pay all outstanding claims within 10 days.
Read more
Affordable Health Insurance Simplified
December 6, 2007
Although health insurance seems to have become unaffordable, there are still plans available that are within your reach. Let us examine the four basic health insurance plans.
These four plans are abbreviated as POS, HMO, PPO and Medicare Supplement. The Point of Service or indemnity plan is the costliest. It allows you to choose medical providers. The Health Maintainence Organization plan is the cheapest plan. A network of medical providers are available that can be chosen from.
Read more
