Arizona Health Insurance News, Links & Information

Arizona chosen for Google health file experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:14:00 +0000

How would you like to have all of your medical records available, online, 24 hours a day, through Google? Here is a story in the Arizona Republic, describing such a scenario for Arizona Medicare recipients.

You may want to enroll in the experiment, but I wouldn't do it -- you just know that SOMEHOW people that should not have access to your records will end up seeing them. Just how many people looked at Joe the Plumber's confidential files, like his tax returns, etc? I've coined a phrase I call the Law of Lehrman: if it CAN happen, it WILL happen. Sooner or later, and probably sooner, some hackers will be able to access your medical records at Google. The link to the Arizona Republic story is here.

Before you sign up, be sure to read the article. Here is a sentence taken verbatim from the article: "...some have raised privacy concerns because there is no federal law that restricts how third-party vendors such as Google can use health records."

Wall Street Journal Article Agrees With What We've Been Saying For Years

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:35:00 +0000

Entitled "We Need a National Market for Health Insurance," this article explains a concept that we've been pushing for over a decade: if one could cross state lines to purchase a health insurance policy, one would have many more options available, both in terms of cost and benefits.

"States should be giving residents more options to buy policies that suit their budgets, not the priorities of politicians. Rep. John Shadegg, a Republican from Arizona, has proposed federal legislation that would allow people to buy health insurance across state lines."
Click here to read the article written by Grace-Marie Turner of the Wall Street Journal.

Can't Qualify For Health Insurance Because of Bad Health?

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:43:00 +0000

Are you finding it impossible to get a health insurance policy because of your pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, heart surgery, diabetes, depression, a stroke or other conditions? Many people who want to purchase health insurance are either declined or have their conditions excluded from coverage. At Lehrman Group, we find that a large majority of the individuals we talk with simply cannot qualify for a major medical health insurance plan due to their pre-existing health issues.

We are able to help these people with one of several limited benefit health insurance plans. These plans will cover pre-existing conditions after 12 months of coverage, or immediately if you are HIPAA qualified. These are excellent options for people who are simply unable to get approved for a major medical health insurance plan due to their pre-existing conditions. You will not be declined for any of these plans.

Some guaranteed issue plans are touted as health insurance but are merely discount plans. A discount plan is not true health insurance. Anyone that tries to sell you a discount plan as true health insurance is not only being dishonest, but breaking the law. Be cautious of discount plans. They offer a false sense of hope at an unbeatable price. They can also leave you owing a lot of money if a true emergency were to occur. The plans we offer are true health insurance policies and are not discount plans. (The plans include some discount benefits, such as prescription discounts, but the plans themselves are true health insurance plans.)

See this link for detailed information; you can even apply online for any of the plans: Guaranteed issue health insurance plans. Be sure to see the Health Max Plus plan. The Health Max Plus plan is the richest of the plans, with excellent benefits. We've found it to be the very best of all such plans available nationwide.

Does your Arizona health insurance policy have a maximum lifetime benefit level of ONLY one million dollars?

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:42:00 +0000

If so, you could be in for a rude shock. In today's high-tech medical industry, you could spend a million dollars in just three weeks. See this story, published in Phoenix's East Valley Tribune, by clicking here: Low Health Insurance Caps Strand Patients. Here are a few excerpts from that story:
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1. Kelly and Tom used to think the $1 million individual cap that came with the insurance they had for seven years offered plenty of protection.

Then doctors diagnosed their teenage son, Michael, with an aggressive form of leukemia in May 2007. His treatment called for 10 doses of a chemotherapy drug that cost $10,000 per dose. A 56-day stay in an intensive care unit cost about $400,000.

Michael reached his $1 million lifetime maximum in less than a year.

2. Mary thought her toddler was struggling with an ear infection when she seemed sluggish. Instead, a virus had attacked the little girl’s heart, damaging it beyond repair. Brea needed a transplant.

Within three weeks of a 2007 doctor visit, the 20-month-old had exhausted the $1 million lifetime maximum on her health insurance. Her parents have scrambled ever since for ways to cover thousands of dollars in monthly medical costs.
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If your health insurance policy has a maximum lifetime benefit limit of just $1,000,000, it's definitely time for you to think about increasing that benefit, before it's too late.

Could YOU be losing your doctor?

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:11:00 +0000

Some primary-care doctors here in Arizona are changing the way they run their medical practices. Seems there's a new way of doing business for these doctors, and it's called "concierge medicine." Some doctors are no longer going to accept your health insurance, or YOU as one of their patients, unless you pay them a fee each year in order to access the doctor's time. There is already a doctor in Tucson that is charging an annual fee of $6,000 if you want him to be your doctor! (Does that mean his fee is $12,000 per year for you and your wife, and $24,000 for you, your wife, and two children!?!) If this trend continues, we're all in for a bit of a shock. Here is a link that will take you to a story that ran in the Phoenix newspaper, the Arizona Republic, on July 23, 2008: Growing number of primary-care doctors adopt concierge medicine.

Avoid buying phony health insurance!

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:57:00 +0000

The Arizona Department of Insurance has produced an insurance publication called Ways To Avoid Being A Victim of Phony Insurance and they have made it available for download. Don't be a victim. Be sure you deal with a reputable health insurance broker. Make sure the broker is licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance, too. You can check on Arizona licensees here.

View Lehrman Group's Arizona Health Insurance Commercials

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:20:00 +0000

You can see Lehrman Group's "Arizona Individual and Family Market" health insurance commercial by clicking this link: Lehrman Group's Arizona health insurance commercial for individuals.

Lehrman Group's "Arizona Small Group Market" health insurance commercial may be viewed by clicking the following link: Lehrman Group's Arizona health insurance commercial for employers.

Walk-in Lab Requires No Physicians Referral Enabling Consumers to Take Control of Their Own Health

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:33:00 +0000

This nationwide testing lab, with an office in Scottsdale, lets you get just about any lab test you want, without having to have a "doctor's note." See the story here. They offer a wide variety of affordable and confidential laboratory tests including general health panels, pregnancy, HIV, STD, drug, paternity and genetic testing, plus many more health and wellness tests.

Extensive "Frequently Asked Questions" explaining health insurance terms

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:20:00 +0000

Ever wondered what "deductible" means? Ever wonder what an insurance company can do with "genetic information" they may have about you? See this FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions") for these explanations, and a lot more, located here: Arizona Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Check out the hospital before you go!

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Want to see how any given hospital in Arizona compares to another? Click here.

Medical discount plans -- don't buy one!

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Here is a story, running in Virginia, about the pitfalls of medical discount plans. Some unscrupulous insurance agents are selling them to people who either cannot afford or cannot qualify for a real health insurance plan. These shady agents refer to their discount plans as "health insurance" when these plans are clearly NOT health insurance. The link to the story is here. The story is relevant to Arizonans -- this article mentions an Arizona company that was (or still is?) selling these discount plans and ripping off the public.

Second Arizona Republic Article on Rescission

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Another article in the Arizona Republic newspaper discussing the rescission, or cancellation, of health insurance policies. The link is here. See the link to the first story two entries below.

Can You Get Health Insurance If You Are Already Sick?

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Nationally published article that quotes Lehrman Group's CEO, Tony Lehrman. This article is on the web at www.mainstreet.com. MainStreet.com is part of TheStreet.com, with Jim Cramer. The link is: here.

Arizona Republic Examines Health Insurance Policy Rescissions

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:39:00 +0000

The Arizona Republic wrote an article entitled "Insurers blasted for dropping the sick" describing how some health insurance companies are rescinding (cancelling as though never written) some health insurance policies. You can see the article by clicking here.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Introduces New Health Plan for Small Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona today introduced a new health plan that makes it easier for small businesses to offer health insurance benefits to their employees. BlueSolutions® is Arizona's first private market offering of a health plan in response to "mandate lite" state legislation passed in 2006. The plan enables business owners with between 2 and 50 employees to offer employer-sponsored health insurance to employees through a lower-premium, high-deductible health insurance plan. Such businesses are eligible if they have gone without insurance for at least six months before applying.

"Health insurance is an employee benefit that can result in more satisfied employees, less personnel turnover and better productivity," said Richard L. Boals, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. "BlueSolutions is a direct response to demand from small business owners for a lower-cost health insurance coverage option that provides employers and employees with financial protection from major medical costs."

Last year, the Arizona Legislature passed and Gov. Janet Napolitano signed House Bill 2698, allowing health insurance companies to offer more flexible medical plans to uninsured small businesses with between 2 and 50 employees. The bill lowers health care costs to businesses by reducing benefit mandates – those state requirements on health insurers to include certain benefits in their insurance plans before they can be legally sold.

Unlike many catastrophic, hospital, surgical or other limited benefit plans, BlueSolutions covers a broad range of services, including urgent care, maternity and well care. The plan also include copays for in-network primary care physician visits and copays for many covered generic prescription medications.

BlueSolutions includes access fees for emergency room visits, in-patient hospital visits and certain radiological services. Some services such as behavioral and mental health treatment, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and chiropractic services are not covered under the BlueSolutions plan.

BlueSolutions is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona's least expensive health plan for businesses. The lower-premium, high- deductible PPO version is available with $2,500 and $5,000 deductibles.

"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is pleased to lead the way to more affordable health insurance by offering the first private market response to the state mandate lite legislation," said Boals. "BlueSolutions is the latest result of our efforts to offer more affordable health insurance options to meet the needs of Arizonans."

BlueSolutions gives participants the freedom to choose from both in-network and out-of-network health care providers. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona's provider network is among the largest in Arizona, with more than 13,000 individual providers of health care products and services.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to more than 1.1 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson, the company employs more than 1,500 Arizonans. For information about BCBSAZ and its community programs such as Walk On!, visit azblue.com.

Group Health Insurance Information Booklet

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:19:00 +0000

This link will provide you with a booklet called "A Consumers Guide to Group Health Insurance in Arizona." It is published by the Arizona Department of Insurance.

Arizona Click here to download the Consumers Guide to Group Health Insurance in Arizona

Guide to Health Insurance in for Seniors - Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:14:00 +0000

Excellent resource for people that are eligible for Medicare. Gives rates for all of the various Medicare-type plans, shows how much Medicare will pay, provides lots of different options to help you make the best choice for your circumstances.

Visit the web site here.

Need to see a doctor and have no insurance?

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:36:00 +0000

Do you need to see a doctor and have no money and no health insurance? Here is a web site that will help you find a clinic in Arizona that will give you medical care, even if you have no medical insurance or money.

The web site provides the address and contact information for clinics that offer Primary Medical, Obstetrical and Gynecological, Dental, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care, Other Types of Medical and Support Services.

Visit the web site here.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:28:00 +0000

The Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free health-benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. Their mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed benefit decisions.

SHIP is an independent program funded by federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry.

The SHIP program is a partnership of the Department of Economic Security Aging & Adult Administration and the Area Agencies on Aging.

The SHIP web site can be found here.

About AHCCCS

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:10:00 +0000

AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program, designed to deliver quality health care under cutting-edge concepts of managed care. Over the years, independent evaluations repeatedly have praised the program’s effectiveness. AHCCCS has received national acclaim as a model for other Medicaid programs and the approach has been recommended to other states by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees AHCCCS.

AHCCCS contracts with health plans and other program contractors, paying them a monthly capitation amount prospectively for each enrolled member. The plan or contractor is then “at risk” to deliver the necessary services within that amount. AHCCCS receives federal, state and county funds to operate, including some money from Arizona’s tobacco tax.

Eligibility is not performed under one roof, but by various agencies, depending on the category. For example, pregnant women, families and children generally enter AHCCCS by way of the state’s Department of Economic Security. The blind, aged or disabled who receive Supplemental Security Income enter through the Social Security Administration. Eligibility for programs like KidsCare, long term care and Medicare Cost Sharing is handled by AHCCCS itself. Each eligibility group has its own income and resource criteria.

The AHCCCS web site can be found here.

KidsCare - the state Children's Health Insurance Program

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:42:00 +0000

KidsCare provides health insurance coverage for children age 18 or younger whose family meets certain criteria. KidsCare is very inexpensive — no more than $25 per month for one child, and no more than $35 per month, no matter how many children you have.

KidsCare
920 E. Madison
MD 500
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
http://www.kidscare.state.az.us/

Buying Individual Policies in Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:42:00 +0000

Unfortunately, Arizona law allows insurers to reject applicants for having preexisting medical conditions — UNLESS they are "HIPAA-eligible" individuals. "HIPAA eligible" individuals are people who have left job-based group coverage AND have elected and fully exhausted any COBRA or state-operated continuation coverage they were offered. HIPAA eligibility only lasts for 63 days after the date COBRA coverage expired. If you are "HIPAA eligible", insurers must offer you at least 2 different individual policies to choose from. For more information about HIPAA policies, contact the Arizona Department of Insurance.

Department of Labor

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:40:00 +0000

If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees - for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.

If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage — for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan — contact your regional EBSA office.

U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Los Angeles Regional Office
1055 East Colorado Blvd., Suite 200
Pasadena, CA 91106-2341
Billy Beaver - Director
Phone 626.229.1000
Fax 626.229.1098
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/

Complaint Management

noreply@blogger.com (Lehrman Group - Arizona Health Insurance) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:39:00 +0000

If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. They have a Health Care Appeals Request form available for download.

Arizona Department of Insurance - Phoenix Office
2910 North 44th Street
Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone:(602)364-2499 or (800) 325-2548
http://www.id.state.az.us/

Arizona Division of Insurance - Tucson Office
400 West Congress
Suite 152
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 628-6370 or (800) 325-2548
http://www.id.state.az.us/