Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Diabetic clients will be finding more comprehensive dental and vision benefits with Anthem Blue Cross starting 1/1/2010. These integrated benefits will help such individuals obtain the care they need to manage their conditions, and prevent diabetes related complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy can be a common occurrence, but is almost 90% preventable with proper vision care. Therefore, members who have the Blue View Vision plan and the 360 degree health program will be enrolled in the ConditionCare for Diabetes program. This program will help clients take a proactive role in managing their condition should a diabetic-related vision diagnosis occur.
Dental benefits will also be extended for diabetic clients, adding one additional dental cleaning or periodontal maintenance procedure every year. High blood glucose levels can help germs to build up on teeth and gums, and increase the probability of gum disease and ultimately tooth loss. Another concern is the fact that dental infections can worsen diabetes by causing hyperglycemia.
Please contact us with any questions regarding these vision and dental enhancements. We want to help you to get the care you need to stay as healthy as possible in 2010.
Permanent link to this post (190 words, estimated 46 secs reading time)
Tags: added benefits, group health, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Group | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
According to studies done in 2010, High Deductible Health Plans increased significantly in both the group and individual markets. Many found that taking on higher out of pocket plans greatly reduced their premiums, while not affecting first dollar benefits, such as preventive care or doctor office visits. It was shown that individual enrollment in HDHP’s increased from 39% in 2007 to 51% in 2010. Numbers were similar when reviewing group enrollment in HDHP’s. It is believed that as more information is provided to potential enrollees of HDHP’s regarding the benefits of adding on a health savings account, more people wanted to take advantage of the tax benefits as well. Overall, many feel that these plans gave them more control over their health care needs and costs as a whole.
This is a preview of
High Deductible Health Plans and HSA’s Growing in both Group & Individual Markets
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Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Federal, Group, Individual, Laws | No Comments »
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Important news for our Blue Shield of California clients who are currently on individual and family plans. If you miss a payment, and exceed your grace period, they will no longer reinstate you after January 1, 2010. In these cases you will have to reapply for coverage and be subject to medical review once again. You are not guaranteed approval, even though you were a recent member.
We will make every effort to give you updates if you show late on payments. Not only will we send you email reminders, Blue Shield will also send you late payment notices via mail. Make sure to send in your premium, or contact us to set up monthly automatic payments via credit card or checking account to avoid cancellation.
Permanent link to this post (126 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)
Tags: health insurance, premiums, underwriting
Posted in Family, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Is there a database out there with all of your medical information available to prospective and current insurers? No. However, there does exist a shared central database called the Medical Information Bureau that may contain some important medical information about you. This data base is used primarily by insurance companies when applying for individual or life insurance. These companies can use information in the MIB’s database to help make a decision as to whether or not you will be offered coverage.
However, based on HIPAA laws, this database does not include your entire medical history, doctor’s chart notes, etc. Instead, information in MIB reflects medical conditions (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) or lifestyle choices (i.e. skydiving or smoking) that are thought to be significant. While the decision to decline coverage is not solely based on reports in the MIB, it definitely plays a strong role.
It is very important that you monitor information in the MIB as you would with anything else, such as your credit report. If you note any incorrect information, you can work to have it corrected, and not hinder your chances of obtaining health or life insurance in the future.
Permanent link to this post (199 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)
Tags: individual health, pre-existing, underwriting
Posted in Family, Individual, Privacy, Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Disturbing news shows that children without insurance are 60% more likely to die from a serious illness, such as pneumonia or asthma. This is most likely due to the fact that care is not sought out until it is much farther advanced. This is tough to swallow, but keep in mind there are always options to ensure that your children are not without the coverage they need.
This is a preview of
Children with Insurance Have Brighter Prognosis in Hospitals
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Tags: children's health, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Resources | No Comments »
Monday, November 16th, 2009
Anthem Blue Cross has discontinued some of their PPO Share (maternity) plans in California, and although you may keep your current coverage, you may find the rates higher than you anticipated. In this case, new plans have been designed to offer comparable coverage with lower premiums. For instance, those individuals and families on the PPO Share 2500 or 1500 may want to consider moving to a less expensive plan, such as the PPO Share 3500. These plans will balance the escalating costs of maternity coverage with higher deductibles and out of pocket maximums. You will still have the comfort of knowing that your coverage is in place should you need it, and continue using your current doctors and hospitals. Also, moving to a new plan will not always require medical review, making the process even easier.
As your agent, we also suggest reviewing options for those family members who do not need maternity coverage, and consider separate plans for your family members. You’ll find that this can often reduce your overall premiums, as you are no longer paying for coverage you don’t need.
Permanent link to this post (186 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)
Tags: Coinsurance, deductibles, heath insurance, maternity
Posted in Family, Individual, Resources | No Comments »
Saturday, November 7th, 2009
We all know that changes need to be made in the health insurance industry, though no one as much as someone who experienced a major illness without health coverage. For those who are nearer to retirement age, a major illness (i.e. cancer or heart disease) can mean a loss of close to half of their household assets in order to get the medical care they need. This loss is more severe for the uninsured ages 51 – 64 as they have accumulated greater assets for retirement, along with fewer options to re-establish these assets if they are lost due to an illness. The situation in these cases can mean a financial disaster.
It is vital to ensure that your assets are protected, and even more imperative that care is sought out in the case of an illness. Treating conditions earlier mean a better chance of recovery, and better quality of life. Even basic insurance can help you avoid catastrophic losses, and the added support from a Long Term Care policy will help you protect your future, and your family’s as well. Contact us today to see how we can help you protect your health and your peace of mind.
Permanent link to this post (200 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)
Tags: Chronic Condition, health insurance, long term care
Posted in Family, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Health Savings Account plans, high deductible health plans, have the added benefits of tax deductions. Unused balances can be carried over to following years, thus allowing you to save money tax free. Since an HSA allows you to purchase a high-
deductible insurance plan with lower premiums, it an excellent way to save money on healthcare. Add to that the fact your contributions to the fund are tax free, you can enjoy considerable
tax savings. Finally, since the interest is tax free and tax deferred, you can also use Health Savings Accounts to supplement retirement income.
For those with Health Savings Account Plans, please note the following contribution limits for 2010:
• For individual coverage, the maximum contribution is $3,050
• For family coverage, the maximum contribution is $6,150
• In addition to the maximum contribution amount, catch-up contributions
of $1,000 may be made by or on behalf of individuals age 55 or older and
younger than 65
If you have more than one HSA account, these limits are going to be applicable for all the accounts together.
Permanent link to this post (182 words, estimated 44 secs reading time)
Tags: health insurance, health savings accounts, pre-tax
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Individual, Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
California children will not be losing their Healthy Families coverage thanks to the implementation of Assembly Bill 1422. Over 600,000 children were going to be disenrolled starting October 1st, due to a lack of funding. Currently, there are 71,000 children on the waiting list since enrollment was frozen in Mid-July. Parents and guardians can breathe a sigh of relief, however, as this affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage will remain in place.
This is a preview of
Healthy Families Program Spared Massive Cuts
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Tags: children's health, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, Individual, Laws, Resources, State | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
The State of California has been in financial crisis as of late and now is going to hit home for many families whose children are enrolled on the Healthy Families program. This is a low cost state run plan that offers affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage for California children. Unfortunately, due to a lack of financial support from the state, they are planning on disenrolling children from the program starting October 1, 2009.
Budget cuts that totaled over $128 million dollars caused a major financial strain, and further enrollments were halted this July. This resulted in a waiting list of over 55,000 children, and a prediction of the removal of nearly 670,000 children having to be removed from coverage.
It is important to keep updated on these proposals, to ensure that California’s children maintain comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care. With too many children already forgoing vital preventative care, we have to find a way to keep our future healthy. Please visit the California Major Risk Medical Board for updated information and ways to become involved.
Permanent link to this post (179 words, estimated 43 secs reading time)
Tags: health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Resources, State | No Comments »
