The Health Insurance Insider Says

Businesses must adapt to 401k Changes

2012-04-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for 2012 Business Retirement Planning Changes?

Fee disclosure

With the U.S. Department of Labor set to release its final rules on fee disclosure to both plan sponsors and plan participants, 2012 will be a year of changes for the retirement planning marketplace, especially with more focus on 401(k) plans.

Transparency: For the first time, companies and individuals will know what they are paying for record keeping, administration and advice. The general public will finally realize how much of their retirement earnings are going to pay for hidden fees. The fee disclosure rules are scheduled for implementation by August, unless the DOL grants an industry request for an extension.

401(k) advice

Industry experts predict that 401(k) advice will be more plentiful in 2012. The Employee Benefits Security Administration issued a new regulation in October that gives smaller companies the opportunity to bundle investment advice as part of their 401(k) and IRA plans. The regulation will allow fiduciary investment advisers to receive compensation from investment vehicles they recommend if the investment they provide is based on a computer model that is certified as unbiased and applies generally to accepted investment theories, or the adviser is compensated on a “level-fee” basis, meaning the fee doesn’t vary based on the investments a participant selects.

The Department of Labor and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also are working on competing definitions of fiduciary. The goal is to get more individuals the advice they need so they can save enough for retirement.

The downturn in the market and the losses most retirement plans experienced has made it clear that most investors don’t have any idea how to invest their money, and most are unwilling to pay someone for that kind of help. Having access to advice within a plan they are currently enrolled in will make saving for retirement much easier.

Investment models will change

401(k) investment models will include target date funds, which will take into account how much time participants have left until retirement and how much risk they should take at that point in their careers.

Simple, low-cost options will expand

The industry already has seen a trend toward simple, low cost alternatives to past plans. Recently, many large 401(k) plan providers have started offering small business 401(k) plans. This trend will only continue as rules change, making it easier for people to see what fees they are paying to their plan providers.

Individuals should save more

If the financial services industry is successful in fending off Congressional attacks on 401(k) plan tax incentives, if the economy improves and workers feel more stable in their jobs, 2012 should be a good year for retirement savings.

Fore more information or to discuss your personal or business retirement plan, call (800) 783-0802

California Real Estate Agents turning to New Career in Insurance

2012-04-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

California -

There have been a number of California Real Estate professionals that have found new careers in the insurance and financial services industry, in particular "Employee Benefits".
A career in the Insurance industry is basically recession proof. Individuals and Businesses need insurance and it is often a requirement, including driving a car, purchasing a mortgage or offering employee benefits. Insurance and Real Estate professionals share many of the same personal characteristics including;

Similar State Licensing Requirements
Being Self Employed or working as an Independent Contractor
Flexible Schedule
Unlimited Earnings
Skilled Negotiators

Insurance professionals do enjoy some benefits that Real Estate professionals would like, including;

No night or weekend work (unless you want to become a jack of all trades Farmers/State Farm agent)
Paid Training
Financial subsidies
Renewal income after the sale
Realistic 6 figure income - fast
Many companies still offer employee benefits including health insurance and retirement plans (401k)

One of the fastest growing insurance industries is the employee benefit marketplace. In addition to offering health insurance, ancillary benefits including Dental, Accident, Disability Insurance, and Voluntary Benefits are product lines that many insurance companies now offer, plan to offer or will be coming to market in a big way - especially in light of health-care reform.

The process is much like becoming a Real Estate Agent. To become licensed you need to take 52 hours of pre-license training, including 40 hours of insurance and 12 hours of code and ethics. Once you have completed this step, you can sit for the California insurance exam. This can be a great family business or new opportunity.
If you are considering a new career path send me an email and I will send you a list of insurance executive placement agencies / professional recruiters for your area. / vince@qbcmail.com

California Insurance Firm Qualifies for National Award

2012-04-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Quotebroker Insurance Services Qualifies for 2012 Golden Eagle Award

(Arlington,VA) — The Leading Producers Round Table (LRPT) of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) is proud to announce that Quotebroker Insurance Services of Valencia California has qualified to receive the association’s Golden Eagle Award.

Quotebroker has qualified for this award due to their exceptional professional knowledge and outstanding client service. Quotebroker Insurance Services has been offering Employee Benefit Services to Corporations, Business Owners and Independent Contractors for over 25 years. Quotebroker remains a family owned and operated business by The Pappadato family.

Quotebroker exemplifies the qualities that make health insurance agents and brokers such an important resources and advocates for American consumers,”. The Pappadato’s and their team worked tirelessly on behalf of countless clients to ensure they have the insurance coverage they need.”The Golden Eagle Award recognizes National Association of Health Underwriters members who demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge and outstanding client service.

The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. NAHU is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please contact Kelly Loussedes at 202-595-3074 or kloussedes@nahu.org.

For more Information about how Quotebroker Insurance Services can help your business, call (661) 702-1755 or visit their website at www.quotebroker.com

California Health Insurance Quotes

California Homeowner Insurance Quotes

California Auto Insurance Quotes

Quotebroker Expands Personal Lines Insurance Division

2012-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

To better assist their customers Quotebroker Insurance Services has expanded their personal lines insurance division to include Auto and Homeowner insurance in California. The addition of several new insurance company contracts include Travelers, Hartford, MetLife, GMAC, Kemper Specialty and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Quotebroker's unbiased approach to providing multiple insurance company options results in maximum insurance protection at the best available prices to their customers. Their complete insurance portfolio now includes;

Auto and Homeowner Protection
Umbrella Insurance
Health, Life, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
Medicare Supplements
Business General Liability
Professional Liability (E&O)
Group Insurance - Employee Benefits
Workers Compensation Insurance

For more information call (800) 783-0802 or request free quote to be emailed to you.

Buying Health Insurance after loosing your job

2012-04-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Loosing a job can be devastating, especially when you are married or have a family. The last thing you want to do is deal with insurance agents or the thought of deductibles, co-payments and qualifying for coverage, so if you are like many American's you "suck it up" and pay the exorbitant COBRA premiums offered by your former employer.

COBRA allows you to continue your benefits for a period of time, however you will pay the entire premiums that was once subsidized by your employer. These new premiums in California can be in excess of $1000 to $1500 for a family. An alternative is to use a convenient online health insurance shopping service such as quotebroker.com where you can shop for, compare prices and features in minutes without the assistance of an insurance agent. All major health insurance companies are represented and once you select a plan you can easily apply online with the insurance company of your choice. Of course if you need assistance in selecting a plan Quotebroker has insurance specialists to help you navigate through the various insurance providers to locate an affordable quality health insurance plan for you, your family or new small business.

Quotebroker's line of California Health Insurance companies include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Health Net, Kaiser and United Healthcare.

If you expect to find a job in the near future or if you have located a job and you have a waiting period before being eligible for new health insurance coverage, quotebroker also offers short term medical insurance. These short term health insurance plans are ideal to fill the gap of 1 week to 6 month's of insurance coverage. These plans are also available online at www.quotebroker.com

For more information call (800) 783-0802 or (661) 702-1755.

Senior Insurance Services - Mediare Supplements

2012-02-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

Quotebroker offers affordable insurance products and services to seniors. As an independent insurance broker, we represent most major insurance companies. This unbiased approach to shopping for insurance on your behalf provides you with affordable insurance options to choose from.

We also offer Medicare Advantage and Supplement insurance products. Changing from an individual health insurance plan to Medicare is confusing. We will assist you with the information you need to know in order to acquire your Medicare Supplement insurance plan. Although you can change coverage at any time, the open enrollment stage is also the Guaranteed Issue period. You cannot be turned down for any medical reason if you apply on time.

Contact our senior insurance specialists to discuss any of the following insurance and financial services. You can also click on any link to learn more about our available products. For an instant medicare supplement quote click here

California Health Insurance Report Card

2012-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

How does your health insurance plan compare? The State of California Department of Insurance released it's annual report card on many of the state’s HMOs and other health insurance plans. The report, released Wednesday from the state Office of the Patient Advocate, rated California’s nine largest health maintenance organizations, six largest preferred provider organizations and 212 medical groups representing 16 million consumers with private health plans.

These comparisons of health plans and physician practices are increasingly valuable for patients as they face higher out-of-pocket medical costs and the federal healthcare overhaul expands coverage to millions of more consumers. The report card can be found at http://www.opa.ca.gov/.

Are you happy with your California Health Insurance plan? If not - you should compare plans, benefit features and rates online. At Quotebroker Insurance Services you can receive a free instant quote and a proposal that will compare plans in an easy to read format. If you prefer to have a health insurance specialist help you select a plan call (800) 783-0802.

California Homeowner Insurance Discounts

2012-02-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Now Quoting Auto & Homeowner Insurance California’s Premier Insurance Brokerage firm now offers affordable personal lines insurance including; Auto insurance, Homeowner insurance and Umbrella coverage. Being independent Quotebroker offers insurance products from America’s best insurance Homeowner and Auto Insurance companies including Safeco, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Kemper, Travelers, The Hartford and others.

Quotebroker carefully listens to your needs before shopping the insurance marketplace for the best and most affordable insurance plan. Insurance discounts are available for:

Various Occupations (Teachers, REALTORS and others)

Multiple Policies

Associations, Alumni Members

Good Driver, Good Student

Home Improvements

And many more discounts

Call Quotebroker at (661) 702-1755 or (800) 783-0802 to learn how we can begin saving you money today.

Do you know someone age 65 or older that is concerned about the cost of their health insurance coverage or gap in medicare benefits? Receive a free medicare advantage or supplement quote online

Annual Health Insurance "Check Up"

2012-02-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

If you find yourself paying high insurance premiums for a plan with benefits you don't use, or if your insurance plan doesn't cover the benefits you do need, it may be time to review your policy with an insurance professional. A health insurance plan “check-up” can help you determine whether there may be other plan options to better meet your needs.

With the variety of health insurance plans offered, it is no longer necessary to settle for a one-size-fits-all medical. By shopping online, you can choose the plan that most closely matches your needs, including providing benefits for the medical care you need at an affordable price. Tailoring your coverage to your age, gender, and health care needs allows you to avoid paying for benefits you don't need while assuring coverage for the benefits and services you choose to include in your plan.

Take 5 minutes and receive a free instant health insurance proposal. All major companies represented and you can easily sort plans by company, price or benefit features.

California Health Insurance Buyers Guide

2012-01-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

Whether you are buying health insurance coverage through your employer’s group health insurance plan or you need to buy your own individual health insurance or family health insurance policy, it is important that you first health insurance choices and pick the best health insurance program that is best for you and your family. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when choosing a health insurance or major medical insurance plan:

Affordable Health Insurance starts with examining the cost of care.

What is the monthly health insurance premium I will have to pay?
Should I try to self insure most of my medical expenses or just the large ones?
What deductibles will I have to pay before the insurance plan starts to reimburse me?
After I have met my deductible, what percentage of my medical expenses are reimbursed?
What is the cost if I choose to use doctors outside the insurance company’s network?

Does the health insurance plan cover the services I am likely to use?

Are the doctors, hospitals, laboratories and other medical providers that I use in the health insurance company’s network?
If I want to use a doctor outside my PPO network, will the plan permit it?
How easily can I change primary-care physicians?
Do I need to get permission before I see a medical specialist?
What are my insurance benefits for a health emergency, at home or out of town?
If I have a pre-existing medical condition, will the plan cover it or is there a waiting period?
Are the Rx prescription medicines that I use covered by the plan? Is there a separate deductible
Does the health plan offer alternative therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment?
Does the plan cover maternity or well baby benefits?

The best way to buy affordable health insurance is online using comparison software offered by Quotebroker.com. Within minutes you can shop all available insurance plans in your State, compare features and apply for coverage online directly with the insurance company of your choice. For more information call (800) 783-0802

Anthem Blue Cross One Year Rate Guarantees Going Away

2011-11-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

Anthem Blue Cross of California is following the actions of several other health insurance companies by implementing a six month rate guarantee on all individual and family policies sold after 1/1/12.

The good news is that you can still apply online and request a 12/30/11 effective date and lock your premiums in for another 12 months.If you are healthy or have minor pre-existing conditions you will find individual and family plan plan prices cost MUCH less than association plan product offerings. Shop online and compare all available health insurance companies in minutes. Easily sort and compare plans by company, benefits or price.

Are you over age 50? If so, there is a AARP AETNA plan available for your consideration.

Share this 12 month rate guarantee notice with a friend

2012 Health Savings Accounts Limits Released

2011-10-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

The 2012 maximum annual amount that can be contributed to a Health Savings Account is:

Individual HSA limit is $3,100
Family HSA limit is $6,250
Annual catch up for individuals over age 55 remains to be an additional $1,000

The HSA limit in 2012 for High Deductible Health Plans have not changed from 2011, which equal:

Individual $1,200 Deductible / maximum Out of Pocket Expense = $6,050
Families $2,400 Deductible / maximum Out of Pocket expense = $12,100

To avoid taxation, all HSA distributions must be used for qualified medical expenses, which include:

Amounts paid for medical care that is not reimbursed by insurance;
COBRA health insurance premiums, and Qualified Long Term Care premiums
other health insurance premiums, but only if a person is receiving unemployment compensation

Quotebroker offers free online quotes and comparisons of available Health Savings Accounts in your area. You may also call (800) 783-0802 weekdays 8:30am - 4pm.

Are Health Exchanges 'Built to Fail?'

2011-06-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Affordable Care Act, often called simply 'Obamacare', has called for the establishment of health care exchanges in order to allow for the education and enrollment in new health care programs. The idea is that individuals can go to these exchanges to compare plans purchase plans on a wider scale and less expensive basis than currently offered. While this idea sounds great in principle, is it doomed to fail from the start? This is exactly the question posed by Director of the Manhattan Institute's Center for Medical Progress Paul Howard and University of Minnesota Insurance Industry Chair of Health Finance Stephen T. Parent e in a guest opinion piece for Kaiser Health News.

While the merits of the exchanges have been debated often before, Howard and Parent e bring up a unique criticism of the logistics of such a massive collaboration:

"Logistically, these requirements present a massive challenge. For the first time, secure data feeds from the Departments of Homeland Security (establishing legal immigrant or US citizen status), Justice (for felon history), Treasury (for tax return information to impute income) and the Social Security Administration (establishing that the recipient is not deceased) would have to be combined. These data feeds would then have to be securely coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services. There is no history of these agencies ever bringing their data together at this scale. It would qualify as the largest IT integration project in U.S. history. "

Given this perspective, it is difficult to imagine that implementing health care exchanges will actually cause administration costs to decrease, as widely proclaimed by proponents of an exchange system. Add this new found skepticism of the exchanges administration abilities to the existing merit-based criticism of exchanges in the first place and it is clear Howard and Parent e have posed an apt question: Are these health exchanges built to fail?

Health Insurance 101

2011-06-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Health insurance can be very confusing when you are researching on your own, whether via the internet or calling carriers direct. When shopping for California health insurance, you may find it difficult to understand the various moving parts of a particular policy. This is why we like to repost this Health Insurance Glossary every so often, as it seems like every day we speak to someone who may be just like you, looking for clarification on one topic or another. While we make no claim that this guide is comprehensive, get to know the following terms and you'll be able to have an intelligent conversation with a broker, if not make an informed decision all by yourself.

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Premium - Everyone's least favorite moving part of an insurance policy, the premium is the amount you must pay to the insurance carrier to secure coverage. As benefits go up, so do premiums. Generally, as premiums go down, deductibles go up, and vice versa.

Copay - a Copay is the portion of the service that you are responsible for paying. This is usually a small, flat dollar amount under $100 or so. Most of the time, copays do not apply to the deductible, but often do not require for the deductible to be met in order to use them. There are of course some exceptions.

Deductible- The amount you must pay before your insurance kicks in. Many plans have ways around the deductible, usually in the form of a copay. Services with a copay often do not require you to meet the deductible first. This is usually for services like doctor’s office visits and generic prescription drugs.

Out Of Pocket Maximum- This term has many names, including Annual Maximum Copay, Annual OOP, stop-loss, OOP MAX, but they all mean the same thing: you pay up to this amount, and the insurance carrier covers 100% after it, for all covered services in-network. This number is greater than or equal to your deductible.

Negotiated Rate- This figure represents the rate for which the doctor has agreed to work for in order to be a member of the insurance carrier’s network. These figures vary widely, but are often 30-60 percent less than what you would pay if you had no insurance at all.

Generic Prescription Drugs - these drugs are the less expensive type and are often available immediately without having to pay a deductible, for a small copay.

Brand Name Prescription Drugs - These drugs are more expensive and thus have a higher copay than generic drugs. Sometimes these drugs are not available until you reach a separate brand name drug deductible, and even then often there is a copay after the deductible.

Coinsurance - this is the amount you will pay after you reach your deductible, but before you reach your maximum OOP. In today’s California health insurance plans, this figure varies from 25-50%. Remember, this figure is taken from the already-lowered negotiated rate. Alternatively, this can be a flat dollar amount instead of a percentage, usually between $50 and $500 depending upon the services rendered.

PPO- Preferred Provider Organization. This is a network of doctors who have agreed to perform services at a specific rate for an insurance carrier’s members. With a PPO, you can choose among any of the carrier’s doctors at any time. You can self-refer to specialists.

HMO - Health Maintenance Organization- This is also a network of doctors that has an agreement with the insurance carrier, however with an HMO you choose one doctor who manages all of your care. You must see this doctor for all issues and be referred out should you need a specialist.

Out-of-Network - Out of Network (OON) charges can be incurred when you use a doctor that is not on the carrier’s pre-approved list. Even on a PPO, you can go outside of your network which can lead to the insurance carrier covering much less than they would had you used a doctor that is in-network.

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Now that you know these basic terms, you can use your new-found knowledge to quote and compare California health insurance plans. If you're uncomfortable going it alone, visit www.quotebroker.com or give us a call at 800-783-0802 and one of our licensed professionals would be happy to assist you.

Many Employers Set to Drop Health Coverage in 2014, Obama displeased

2011-06-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

A McKinsey & Co. study says 30% of all employers will “definitely” or “probably” stop offering their workers health insurance once the bulk of the healthcare reform law’s mandates take effect in 2014.

That figure jumps to 50% among employers with a “high awareness” of the reform law’s requirements, the study found.

While the Obama administration was quick to question the study, the numbers do not surprise me. As more and more small business owners, mid market accounts and large group administrators examine the repercussions of Health Care Reform, they are finding that there is an economic disincentive to provide coverage as outlined in the law. Many owners find that paying the penalty and providing alternative compensation to their employees makes more fiscal sense for their business. This strategy seems sound, as the same study found that 85% of employees would stay at their employer even if they were to drop coverage, and only 60% would expect some kind of additional compensation for their loss of coverage.

As a small business owner, what will you do in 2014? What are you doing in the meantime? As always, you can use the same tools insurance professionals and insiders use to quote your current group. Alternatively, if you are one of those employers (and specifically, small business owners) who has decided to drop coverage already, you and your employees can go here to find an individual plan.

Not-for-Profit Entity Blue Shield of California Announces Cap on Profit

2011-06-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

With health care costs rising for both insurers and consumers alike, it seems like rate "adjustments" are always going upward, and we never actually hear about rate reductions. Blue Shield of California recently revealed that they will cap their profits. Specifically, they have made a commitment to keep only 2% of net revenue, dispersing any additional funds back to policyholders and the community. While this is not the long term lowering of rates many would like to see, it is a step in the right direction. In an op-ed piece in the San Francisco Chronicle, Blue Shield of California Chairman and CEO Bruce Bodaken declared:

"If at the end of any year our net income is more than 2 percent because medical costs were lower or investment income was higher than we had projected, we'll return that amount to our members and the community. This is a long-term commitment and, we believe, the first of its kind in the country. We are committed to the 2 percent pledge"

He went on to enumerate exactly how this would be handled for the 2010 business year:

"We will apply this new policy beginning with our income in 2010, the year health reform was enacted. Our net income last year exceeded the 2 percent target by $180 million. As a result, we will give back $180 million this year: $167 million to our policyholders; $10 million to physicians and hospitals that invest in new ways to coordinate care through accountable care organizations; and $3 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation to support the safety net."

To the surprise of many, especially those who have received rate increases in the last year, Mr. Bodaken admitted that this rebate was not enough to satisfy policyholders or Blue Shield alike, as he called on others in the industry to follow his lead:

"While we are taking this action to help our customers pay for their health care coverage, we know that this is not enough. We have long advocated for health care reform to expand coverage, reduce costs and improve quality. We have developed innovative programs to restrain the rising cost of medical care, but we can't make a major dent in rising health care costs on our own.

That's because making coverage affordable is not something any company can do by itself. We all need to take better care of ourselves. Insurers, hospitals, drug companies, physicians and government must look inward, think creatively and take bold action to reduce costs. That's what we're doing - and we invite others to join us."

It will be interesting to see if others heed Mr. Bodaken's call, or simply dismiss his Op-Ed as unnecessary and redundant. Blue Shield of California is, after all, a not-for-profit organization. Should their declaration to limit profits really garner such headlines?

PPACA Creates New Form of Wage Discrimination

2011-02-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

The folks over at Employer Benefit News describe a hopefully unintended pitfall to the new PPACA legislation starting in 2014. Every day more and more details regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act come to light, some good and some bad. This is one of the bad ones. To summarize, employers who choose to continue offering health benefits, rather than dropping out entirely and paying the penalties for doing so, must charge no more than 8% of the household income of their employees. This creates a strong financial incentive to hire those prospective employees who come from dual income households, thereby allowing the spouse's income to factor in to that 8% figure. Prospective employees who would be the sole breadwinner for the household will end up costing the employer significantly more for their portion of health care costs, no doubt leading to a new form of income discrimination.

PPACA and its authors clearly have this wrong. One's position on PPACA and government-led health care reform aside, it is clear that the very people this bill was meant to protect are those who are going to suffer most in these cases.

Association Benefit Marketing - Auto & Homeowner Discounts

2011-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

Quotebroker Insurance Services is now a full service brokerage firm and is now offering quality Auto and Homeowner insurance from top brand insurance companies including; Liberty Mutual, Safeco, Hartford and many more.

As a member of a group or association you may qualify for Auto and Homeowner discounts ranging from 5-15 percent. As a college Alumni you can save between 15-17 percent. For more details call (800) 783-0802 or complete a quote request online. An insurance specialist will email or call you - you choose.

Open Enrollment for Children in California

2011-02-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

From the Los Angeles Times as of January 31, 2011:

If you haven't heard by now, we are currently in a 60 day open enrollment window for children in California, during which time children under age 19 with preexisting medical conditions may not be declined coverage. All California insurers must cover these children at a rate no more than twice the standard rate for a child without preexisting conditions.

If you have had trouble in the past obtaining coverage for a child, now is your chance. However, don't delay your decision, as the window closes March 1. After this time, you will have to wait for a major qualifying event, or for your child's birth month.

Visit this link to get a quote and enroll now.

Judge Strikes Down Health Care Reform

2011-02-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

A Florida judge has struck down Health Care Reform , ruling that health care reform's inclusion of a mandate to purchase coverage is unconstitutional. In fact, he not only struck down the mandate, but the entire bill:

"Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire act must be declared void. This has been a difficult decision to reach, and I am aware that it will have indeterminable implications," Vinson wrote.

With the news that 26 states are suing for the repeal of Health Care Reform, does this spell the end for the controversial bill?

Anthem Blue Cross releases new plans for 2011

2011-01-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

Anthem Blue Cross of California has recently released several new California Health Insurance plans available to Individuals and Families. All new plans are Health Care Reform compliant and offer;

Free wellness doctor visits, including physicals and O.B.G.Y.N services
Children under 19 years old qualify for guaranteed issue health insurance regardless of any pre-existing medical condition
Children under age 26 may remain on their parents policies

Anthem continues to lead the pack of California Insurance companies offering affordable HMO's, PPO's and Health Savings accounts. With a wide variety of plans available, individuals and families can locate a plan to meet any budget. Compare health insurance rates online and begin saving today.

Health Care Reform Watch - PPACA: The Bad Nuts and the Bad Bolts

2011-01-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

PPACA: The Bad Nuts and the Bad Bolts

A brief but informative look at the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( PPACA's) impact on employers with small group health plans. It looks like "if you like your plan, you can keep it" is not the case for these folks, and many others like them.

Disability Insurance- do you get it?

2011-01-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

A quick but informative story from one of our agents at Quotebroker Insurance Services:

I had a conversation today with a prospective client who had been told he should look in to disability income protection, but he just didn't "get the point" of the coverage. I thought it may be helpful to give the 60 second guide to Disability Income Protection.

Disability income protection insurance does exactly that- protects your income. This type of insurance is lifestyle protection- It protects everything you do- the car you drive, the house you live in, the restaurants you dine in. If you were injured and couldn't work, imagine the lifestyle changes you'd have to make.

But at what cost? On average, Disability Income Protection insurance will cost you 3% of your gross income yearly. So if you were offered a job at $100,000 yearly and if you become sick or disabled you would be offered "Best Wishes" from your company or a job that offered $97,000 yearly and if you were to become similarly disabled you'd received about $60,000 yearly- which would you take?

It's a no-brainer, but many forgo the opportunity to purchase this vital product until it is too late. As with most insurance products, the costs rise as you get older so purchasing a policy sooner rather than later is in your best interest. Protect what you have now or give up all you have later.

Republicans Plan Vote on Health Care Reform

2010-11-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

With their win in the House on Tuesday in hand, Republicans' first order of business is addressing Health Care reform, according to Kaiser Health News. It is unclear whether they will ask for a full-fledged repeal or a more simple compromise.

Most of the provisions of health care reform that have already been implemented are positive for the consumer, including unlimited lifetime maximum payouts, guaranteed issue child plans, free physical exams and a restriction on kicking members off plans after catastrophic claims (also known as rescission.) Republicans would do well to leave these provisions intact and address the future provisions such as state exchanges and large government control absent oversight.

Morning Headline Roundup for 10/13/2010

2010-10-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Let's see what's making headlines in the healthcare industry today, October 13, 2010.

73 indicted in healthcare scam... that targeted Medicare providers by issuing false and unnecessary claims. As America works to reform its healthcare system for those pre-Medicare age, this serves as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of a potential single payer system.
In a reversal from their earlier held position, some Democrats are touting health care reform in their campaigning. Previously this was thought to be a poor strategy as public opinion of healthcare reform continues to sour.
And finally, while not a headline from today, the San Francisco Chronicle breaks down the decision of many top California insurers to stop offering child-only policies. An unpopular position certainly, but given the adverse risk in play, also understandable. The fear that parents will wait until care is needed and then purchase insurance for high-cost procedures is real. The current system has no remedy for this, which the equivalent of purchasing auto insurance after you crash your car.