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Public Health Insurance Plan Option Wobbles

2009-07-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the most contentious piece of potential health care legislation facing Congress today - namely the public health insurance plan option - seems to be suffering from a lack of concrete supporters.

According to a recent article by The Wall Street Journal, the public health insurance plan "may be losing momentum in Congress," forcing supporters to fight for it.

The issue is whether or not such an option would drive the private health insurance plan off the market. Opponents argue that with so many perks coming at a better price, no one will want to purchase individual health insurance themselves.

Supporters argue that this would force the private market to offer better coverage at more affordable prices.

Potential solutions include "a network of regional health co-operatives, and a public plan with a "trigger" that would kick in if private insurers fail to cover certain groups."

In other words, only those who are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions could qualify for a "trigger" plan, since a private company isn't likely to take them on.

This, unfortunately, does little to mediate the issue of cost. For those who can't afford coverage there must be an option.

And, as 47 million Americans can attest, there are a lot of people who can't afford a decent health insurance plan right now.

Key Issues Keep Affordable Health Insurance Bill at Bay

2009-06-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

As Congress prepares to return from it's July Fourth recess, four divisive issues still appear to be hampering attempts to make affordable health insurance available to all Americans.

Neatly summed up by the Associated Press, these include the staggering cost, creating a government run plan, taxing workers' benefits, and penalizing employers that don't offer coverage to workers.

It's proving to be a nasty and complicated process to revamp health care, and provide affordable health insurance to the 47 million uninsured Americans out there right now.

The issue of cost is an easy one to understand: ranging from 1 to 2 trillion dollars, it's ironic that providing an affordable health insurance option won't come cheap. And, as the country struggles to free itself from a terrible economic situation, racking up new costs doesn't seem quite smart.

However, there's also the issue of billions of dollars lost for covering the uninsured and for dealing with inadequate medical record-keeping, which could save us money if we could minimize their costs.

Taxing worker's benefits and penalizing employers who don't offer coverage is a big issue with labor unions, who suggest that this will squash economic growth. These options aren't very popular, but affordable health insurance won't be affordable unless someone pays for it, and health care costs are going nowhere but up.

And the most contentious of all is the potential to create a government-run health insurance plan. Republicans argue that by providing such an option, the private insurance market will be driven into the ground.

In contrast, Democrats argue that the private insurance market, not known for its "customer friendly" policies these days, needs the competition in order to force them to lower costs and revamp the policies that could make their product more appealing to the public.

Health Insurance Companies Duck and Cover

2009-06-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

Major American health insurance companies are sweating bullets these days. With a potential public option for health care on the table from President Obama, the big agencies that provide coverage would have serious competition should his plan be signed into law.

Which is exactly why the President wants to provide such a plan. But now it's getting even worse. According to The Washington Post, a recent report released by the staff of Senate Commerce Committee finds that health insurance companies have "forced consumers to pay billions of dollars in medical bills that the insurers themselves should have paid."

How so? Mostly it involves those consumers who pay extra for the luxury of going outside their network for doctors and treatments. Insurance companies usually pay a percentage for what they call "usual and customary" rates for services.

And of course, they get to decide what is "usual and customary," which tends to be quite a bit lower than it should be when major health insurance companies are footing the bill.

This is just one more reason why consumers have to pay close attention to every detail when it comes to their health and health insurance coverage.

Whether or not a public plan will be devised by the end of the year remains to be seen, but let's hope that if it does, it won't involve lengthy and complicated application forms, or long-winded agreements that can leave consumers in the dark and out of luck.

Health Insurance Companies and Rescission

2009-06-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

It was the industry's dirty little secret until three years ago, but it appears that even now some health insurance companies refuse to part ways with the practice of rescission.

Rescission is the controversial practice in which health insurance companies find ways to cancel the insurance policies of individuals who become sick. They say that it's done to prevent fraud, and that the goal is to cancel the policies of individuals who lie on their applications about pre-existing conditions.

But the LA Times discovered that this wasn't the case. In fact, many health insurance companies had canceled the policies of people for what they claim were honest mistakes on their applications.

For example, the woman whose policy was canceled once she was diagnosed with breast cancer because she hadn't disclosed an appointment with her dermatologist for acne.

Or the man with lymphoma who lost his coverage after he failed to disclose a potential medical condition that his doctor had noted in his chart, but never mentioned to him.

Health insurance companies UnitedHealth, Assurant Health, and WellPoint Inc. admit that falsely canceling policies is a terrible practice.

But, when put on the spot, none of them agreed to cancel rescission as a company-wide policy.

Democrats and Republicans alike criticized the health insurance companies and their officials for such practices, and reiterated that this is exactly why we need a major overhaul for our health care system in America.

Doctors Say Lack of Health Insurance Coverage Impeding Care

2009-06-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today President Obama addressed the American Medical Association to discuss his plan to offer health insurance coverage to all Americans.

And, if he can do so without overburdening doctors with paperwork, limiting their health care options, or cutting their paychecks, he'll be a very popular guy.

According to NPR, many doctors feel that our current system is making it impossible for too many people to afford health insurance coverage, and as a result, they're seeing people who are too sick to be treated as they should.

For example, someone with quality health insurance coverage is more likely to go to well check appointments, to be counseled on appropriate lifestyle decisions, and therefore, are less likely to get sick in the first place.

Furthermore, those people who can't afford coverage are more likely to wait until their sickness has progressed to a dangerous degree, making it very expensive to treat them, if it's possible to treat them at all.

In fact, Dr. Nancy Nielsen, president of the American Medical Association, says the biggest problem facing doctors and patients alike is when patients don't have health insurance coverage.

This is why Obama is claiming that his plan will save over $1 billion in 10 years in minimized services alone.

Right now the argument about how to go about creating a system that provides good health insurance coverage to all citizens is raging hotly throughout the Senate.

But most people agree with Dr. Richard Roberts, a "family physician" who has been practicing in Wisconsin for 23 years: "The debates about whether it needs to be single-payer or multipayer, I'm going to leave that to the politicians ... I just want to get it done and have everybody covered."

Democrats Arguing Over Affordable Health Insurance Plan

2009-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

We're all used to the idea that Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how to structure an affordable health insurance market for all Americans. But, you know you're dealing with a complex and thorny issue when Democrats can't agree amongst themselves either.

And that appears to be the case. As President Barack Obama pushes legislators to provide him with a bill for affordable health insurance by October, it seems that no one is able to agree on exactly how to do that.

Sticking points, according to CNN, include a requirement that all Americans purchase health insurance coverage, that employers help to pay for it, and whether or not there should also be a government-run plan offered as a means of creating competition in the private market.

And while no one is going to say that Americans don't deserve a more affordable health insurance market, no one appears willing to give an inch, either.

How will we be able to afford it? Will the private market collapse if there's a public option for Americans? Will employers be forced to pay too much, hampering their productivity?

These are some of the questions that are now on the table. But none of them matter as much as this one: when will Americans finally have a means of obtaining health insurance coverage that they can rely on?

Democrats Want Individual Health Insurance to go Public

2009-06-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

In the struggle to overhaul America's individual health insurance market, Democrats are preparing to unveil an overhaul that would include a public plan.

This new public plan, not unlike Medicare and Medicaid, would provide competition in the individual health insurance market, hopefully driving down prices and simultaneously making it easier for some of America's 47 million uninsured to obtain coverage.

However, according to Reuters, the legislation is opposed by Republicans who fear that the plan is too expensive, and would lead to a "government takeover" of the health care market.

President Obama has long campaigned for an individual health insurance plan that could be both affordable and effective.

The plan, attracting a lot of attention, is still in the early phases and is "being discussed" as an "outline." Obama wants to back healthcare legislation that would enjoy bipartisan support.

How that will play out, and whether the final plan will be approved on both sides of the aisle, remains to be seen.

Lack of Affordable Health Insurance Leading to Increased Medical Bankruptcy

2009-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

An article released by Forbes today reveals that as access to more affordable health insurance has gone down, medical bankruptcy has gone up...way up.

Researchers at Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and Ohio University found that in 2007, medical problems and the expenses incurred by those with medical problems contributed to almost 2/3 of all bankruptcies in the US.

That's a jump of nearly 50% since 2001, and while those who have coverage are also in the group, those who haven't been able to find affordable health insurance are paying for it again and again.

"Medical bills for medically bankrupt families with private insurance averaged $17,749, compared to $26,971 for the uninsured and $22,568 for those who initially had private coverage but lost it during their illness."

Hospital bills and prescription drugs were the biggest expenses for these people...costs that should be covered by health care.

Sadly, since the study didn't include today's economic downturn, it's likely that even more bankruptcies are fueled by a need for affordable health insurance than the study could find.

Health Care Providers Promise Affordable Health Insurance

2009-06-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

In an effort to maintain some semblence of control over the insurance market, health care providers have promised to provide consumers with affordable health insurance by cutting up to $1.7 trillion in costs.

This would be accomplished by improving care for chronic illness, reducing unnecesary care and costs, and streamlining the adminstrative process.

This bid - and the focus on affordable health insurance for the masses - reveals how promises made to President Barack Obama have the potential to reduce the growth rate of health care by 1.5% over the next 10 years.

These savings, and their potential to support more affordable health insurance, are discussed at the Wall Street Journal. Savings for chronic care management could be "between $350 billion and $850 billion; administrative streamlining would save $500 billion to $700 billion; and improving the "utilization" of care would save $150 billion to $180 billion."

Some critics suggest that the savings won't add up to the necessary $2 trillion needed for the ambitious plan, but even minimal savings could make things easier for consumers struggling to find coverage in today's market.

Small Business Health Insurance Suffering From Economic Woes

2009-05-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

It's becoming a sad, but all too-common story - small business health insurance is becoming too expensive for business owners, forcing them to either drop coverage, or drop employees.

The recent piece at the Wall Street Journal brings it home even further, with concrete details about real-life business owners who had to cancel their small business health insurance. And, like most employers, they feel awful about it.

One employer, a third-generation business owner of a sheet-metal company, admits to having "a terrible time handling that I can't give them coverage." Another, president of an organizing company, says the decision to cut her small business health insurance plan "was incredibly painful."

But, with health insurance premiums for single workers rising 74% from 2001 to 2008, it comes as no surprise that today only 38% of small businesses can afford to offer coverage.

One option for business owners is to look into a less costly plan that offers a higher deductible and/or cost sharing.

Of course, shifting more of the burden to employees doesn't help their situation either, but offering some form of small business health insurance is always better than offering nothing at all.

Texas Health Insurance Suffers From Near Monopoly

2009-05-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

It seems that just about everyone is struggling to pay for their medical coverage these days, but according to Chron.com, Texas health insurance premiums take the cake.

The article states that in the last 6 years Texas health insurance premiums have risen to become 87% higher than in the past, far faster than the rise of inflation or paychecks.

"For family health coverage, the average annual combined premium for employers and employees rose from $6,635 to $12,403." And that's for family health insurance, which tends to be less expensive than the individual health insurance market.

The reason for this spike in costs, according to the American Medical Association, is that two health insurance companies have created a near-monopoly on the Texas health insurance market that has allowed them to "raise rates and reduce options with impunity."

The two companies in question, Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare each argue that it's the cost of health care and an aging population that relies on that care that has driven up their premiums.

But, insurers profits don't support this notion. From 2000 to 2007 the net incomes of the "10 largest insurance companies grew from $2.44 billion in 2000 to $12.8 billion in 2007."

President Obama is using this argument to support his notion that state-run insurance plans won't protect the consumer. And, with numbers like that, it's easy to see his point.

For those looking for better rates on Texas health insurance, or anywhere else, the key might be to go with a smaller insurer that isn't part of such a monopoly. It might take some time and effort, but saving the cash would definitely be worth it.

Will the Republican Party Save Individual Health Insurance?

2009-05-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

In a twist that proves just how badly our health care system needs remodeling, CBS News reports that some Republicans in the House and Senate are adopting traditionally Democratic positions in order to rescue individual health insurance.

According to the article these Republicans introduced health care legislation that's supposed to make affordable individual health insurance a reality for all Americans. The legislation includes funds to improve preventative medicine, certain legal reforms, and a tax credit so citizens can purchase the individual health insurance plan of their choice.

Opponents of the plan argue that these Republicans fall short by not requiring that insurers offer coverage to all Americans, regardless of any previous conditions, and that the proposed tax credits wouldn't provide enough money for the insurance.

But it's a sure sign of progress when legislators on both sides of the aisle can agree that "universal access to affordable health care for all Americans should be guaranteed."

Now, if only they could actually make that happen.

US Workers Struggle with Medical Insurance as Legislators Weigh Pros and Cons

2009-05-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

As the ramifications of our current economic crisis lead lawmakers to weigh the pros and cons of American health care, US workers find themselves facing record highs for their medical insurance.

As Reuters reports it, an estimated 170 million Americans get their medical insurance through an employer. But now, with the sinking economy making it difficult for employers to maintain coverage for their employees, health care costs now eat up around 14% of the average household income of those workers.

And that's for the ones who make about $50,000.

The rising cost of health care has combined with poor sales and a slow economy to create a burden that both employers and employees must bear. Employer's contributions for medical insurance increased as well, by 5.4%, revealing that they're also feeling the pinch of health care costs.

President Obama's goal of signing into law an overhaul of the US health care system could finally provide some relief, but in the mean time employers and employees alike must continue to search for the best group health insurance prices out there, without sacrificing too much of their necessary coverage.

Obstacles to Health Insurance for Unwed Couples

2009-05-09T16:52:00.000-07:00

It is hard for unwed couples to get individual health insurance, be they heterosexual or gay. According to a well written article in the nytimes.com, "...getting health insurance for a domestic partner is still a challenge." "...You've got to go through a lot of hoops..."

About one third of companies with more than 500 employees offer domestic partner benefits. That percentage drops off sharply when employers with fewer employees are counted. Even if the couple are married, but of the same sex, that does not always obligate the employer to cover the same sex spouse.

Many insurance companies have no problem insuring domestic partners, or gay couples. It is a matter of doing your homework and going site to site, insurer to insurer, to review options and plans. Of course, here at AlliedQuotes, the links to different insurance companies are already set up on the web page. All you need to do is point the mouse and click.

How to save on Group Health Insurance

2009-05-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

With health insurance costs rising, creative businesses are trying to find ways to lower the costs of group health insurance. One of the options to lower insurance premiums is by raising deductibles. In a comprehensive article by thenewstribune.com, we learn that with high costs, many employers are considering different health insurance plans.

Making substantial savings by using plans with higher deductibles, employers find they have extra money. For instance, Health Savings Accounts give employees a debit card they use to pay for the higher deductibles, like prescriptions or other services. Money not spent accrues interest that can be used later towards health costs.

Another marketplace solution is the Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which are employer-funded accounts that employees can draw upon to pay qualified medical expenses. Flexible Spending Accounts are employer established plans that reimburse employees for specified medical expenses. High Deductible Health Plans are often paired with Health Savings Accounts. They have higher deductibles but lower premiums and can save on unneeded services.

Health Insurance from Job to Job

2009-05-05T14:30:00.001-07:00

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your rights to continue your family health insurance from job to job. It also limits exclusions for preexisting conditions. According to a recent article by honolulu.injuryboard.com, the Mayo Clinic and Microsoft are combining efforts to provide a service that President Obama says we need to save money in our health insurance industry.

Microsoft and the Mayo Clinic have teamed efforts to set up something they call the HealthVault. They allow health professionals to store information about a person's medical condition. This new HealthVault system allows people to transfer information to a new clinic, hospital or specialist. Anyone can sign up for an account.

But there is a catch: does a patient lose their privacy guaranteed under HIPAA? Can an insurance company gain easy access to private health information? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: our outdated record-keeping system needs to be repaired to save us all money.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance for the Unemployed

2009-05-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

For employees over 65 and recently laid off from work, they are eligible for Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance. Many would have to pay the entire monthly premium plus an administrative fee if opting for COBRA coverage. In a recent article by www.prweb.com, we see there are other options.

For seniors, an alternative to COBRA is a Medicare supplement insurance plan. Finding the right plan for you can be overwhelming because of all the plans and information you must go through.

One way is to go to the internet for Medicare Supplement Plans and look there. Another way is here, at AlliedQuotes.com, where at the touch of a finger you can view different plans. You can see plans that are made so that they are appropriate for your health care needs. You can compare rates, plans, and benefits from different insurance companies.

Health Insurance for the Small Business

2009-05-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Once more we see a disparity between those with influence and those without. Rates for small business health insurance can be raised whenever the health insurance provider feels the need.

According to an article that appeared in section C-1 of the San Francisco Chronicle, that appears regularly in the website www.sfgate.com, "Lawmaker's 2nd try to rein in health care costs."
Assembly Bill 1218, put forth by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, wants the state's two regulators to approve health plan increases, co-payments, deductibles or other charges. That bill is scheduled to be heard today. If passed, the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance would have to approve any rate increases.

Of course, the California Association of Health Plans, the trade group for the state's health insurers, opposes the bill. They say the bill adds a burdensome new regulatory scheme.

Support for Health Insurance Reform

2009-05-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

A heavy hitter, the American Medical Association, has thrown their support for President Obama's goals for individual health insurance reform. The AMA has aligned itself with several core principals from President Obama's eight goals for health reform.

In a recent article by ama-assn.org, we are given hope that some good might come from all this effort to help reform our nation's health insurance. That would be good for us all. With health insurance the number one expenditure for both small and large businesses, any help would give support to our foundering economy.

A list of the President's eight goals for Health Reform: 1) Guarantee Choice of health plans and physicians. 2) Make health insurance affordable. 3) Protect families' financial health. 4) Invest in prevention and wellness.

5) Provide coverage regardless of your job or preexisting conditions. 6) Aim for universal coverage for all Americans. 7) Improve patient safety and quality care. 8) Maintain a plan that pays for itself.

Health Care Reform

2009-05-01T14:05:00.001-07:00

The battle for health care reform continues, state by state. Even those covered by short term health insurance find themselves on a waiting list while their cases are evaluated. Sometimes they are desperate for money.

In a recent article by concordmonitor.com, which refers to an article that was on the front page of the New York Times, we learn of another tragic story, of the many, that relates to health care that just isn't enough for one family.

This family was hammered by tragedy after tragedy. The husband developed Parkinson's disease, fell, and has to have round-the-clock care. The daughter was paralyzed by a work injury, but didn't have health insurance. Their son developed testicular cancer that metastasized.

This family is in fear of losing their home. Congress is debating plans that were crafted to meet President Obama's health care reform goals. Let's hope something good comes out of it.

Support for Health Insurance Reform

2009-04-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Health Care Reform

2009-04-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

The battle for health care reform continues, state by state. Even those covered by short term health insurance find themselves on a waiting list while their cases are evaluated. Sometimes they are desperate for money.

In a recent article by concordmonitor.com on health care, which refers to an article that was on the front page of the New York Times, we learn of another tragic story, of the many, that relates to health care that just isn't enough for one family.

This family was hammered by tragedy after tragedy. The husband developed Parkinson's disease, fell, and has to have round-the-clock care. The daughter was paralyzed by a work injury, but didn't have health insurance. Their son developed testicular cancer that metastasized. Wow.

This family is in fear of losing their home. Congress is debating plans that were crafted to meet President Obama's health care reform goals. Let's hope something good comes out of it.

More Developments on Health Insurance Reform

2009-04-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

State by state, lawmakers are taking on the difficult task of individual health insurance reform. According to a recent article in bizjournals.com on healthcare reform, Colorado lawmakers "...were considering a proposal that could fundamentally change Colorado's $30 billion-a-year health care system."

With health care the number one cost for businesses both small and large, it is no wonder everyone is considering health care reform. Big business health care is concerned because they see their era of run-away costs coming to an end. They want guarantees that every individual will have to obtain health care policies.

To ensure their profits, lawmakers in Colorado sponsored House Bill 1358 that would have a health care system that is both private and government sponsored. Government would provide a policy for expensive health care needs, also for most individuals without the ability to pay health insurance. Those who could afford better coverage would pay for private insurance.

Health Insurance Reform

2009-04-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

The struggle for health insurance reform continues. Those interested in group health insurance, such as business and for the middle class, might be interested in a recent article by the businesswire.com. A group out of Tennessee, called Rolling Hills Group, has responded to the President's call for grassroots input.

Rolling Hills Group has put together a comprehensive package on health insurance reform. Their plan has been reviewed by the Moran Group, a Washington DC healthcare research firm and found to be sound. Some of the parts of this plan would greatly help Americans.

One part is for employers to no longer have to provide insurance since employees would have a source to get credible affordable coverage. Their plan is transparent, requires coverage, and assures quality standards are being met. They even have provisions that keep Medicare, Medicaid/Medicare and state children's health programs intact. It is reassuring to know that Americans are responding to our President's call for input.

The Health Care Reform Debate

2009-04-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Many of us are concerned with the high costs of family health insurance. In a recent article by chicagobusiness.com, it was stated that our president has made his pitch for health care reform, and it looks like big business appears willing to meet him half way by advocating government intervention. Since the Clinton era, the costs for health care have risen so that, "employers' health insurance costs have been rising by double-digit percentages..."

Increasing costs and a poor economy has created an atmosphere favorable to changing our health care system. Midwest business Group on Health seems to advocate figuring in health care provider performance, that requires public reporting of results to stop rewarding poor quality care.

Despite many business that favor health care reform, there are others that do not want reform. Many franchised businesses oppose any kind of coverage mandate. The majority of restaurants in the U.S. are privately owned and operated and work on very thin margins. Any kind of mandate might cost too much for them to handle.