Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
As of June 1, 2010 major changes will be made to the Medicare Supplement industry. This comes via HR 6331, also known as the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which was passed on July 9, 2008. This act intends to modernize the current Medicare market by dropping some coverage options and adding others to streamline the plans. Here is an overview of some of these changes:
“At-Home Recovery” benefit will be dropped from all 2010 Medicare Supplement plans
Medigap Plans I and J will no longer be available for new sales
Plan G will be modified to increase excess charges from 80% to 100%
New Hospice Benefit will be added to all plans
Two new Medigap Plans M & N will be available in 2010
Tags: health insurance, medicare supplement, medigap
Posted in General, Resources, Seniors | No Comments »
Monday, May 17th, 2010
We are now well into the first year following the passing of the health care reform bill. However, we still are not completely sure of what the changes are going to be, and how it will affect all of us. While some portions of the bill are clear cut, such as extending coverage to overage dependents, many of the larger concepts remain to be fully explained. How are small and large businesses going to be able to afford coverage for their employees? How will the tax breaks help or hurt? How can coverage for all Americans remain affordable?
This is a preview of
Health Care Reform – where it is headed?
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Tags: group health, health care reform, health insurance, preventative care, Universal Health Care
Posted in General, Government Run Health Plan, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Health Care Reform promises to ensure that all Americans have access to medical coverage. The most pressing concern is the fact that many children are without coverage and the care they need now, so the bill states that by September 23rd, 2010, no child can be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. While this is well needed, it does bring to light the fact that there is an increasing shortage of Pediatric Specialists. With an influx of new patients entering the system, and the demand for both medically necessary and non-medically necessary treatments rising, will there be enough physicians to handle the load?
This is a preview of
Lack of Pediatric Specialists a Growing Concern
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Tags: children's health, health insurance, pre-existing, Universal Health Care, wellness
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
This is a preview of
The Balance Between Age and Health Insurance Coverage
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Tags: health care reform, health insurance, health plan, individual health, medicare
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Seniors | No Comments »
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Though some fine tuning will be taking place, the plan for implementing the Health Care Reform Bill during the first year will (most likely) look something like this:
- Dependent children will be eligible to stay covered under their parent’s plan until their 26th birthday. The House is still pushing to make this coverage last through their 26th birthday.
- Insurers can no longer impose exclusions on pre-existing conditions in children. Children are considered exempt from this until their 19th birthday
- Lifetime maximums on benefits and annual limits on coverage will be discontinued
This is a preview of
The First Year for Health Care Reform – Step One
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Tags: doughnut hole, health care reform, health insurance, pre-existing, preventative care, Universal Health Care
Posted in Federal, General, Government Run Health Plan, Laws | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
A recent poll shows that 57% of Americans do not like any of the proposed health care bills, and agree that Congress should start fresh, rather than attempting to piecemeal a model from scrapped ideas. Trying to reach a bipartisan agreement as to what needs to be done is not an easy task, but it is vital to ensure that resolution is achieved. These polls shows interesting trend among voters as to how they feel now, as compared to a year ago in regards to health care reform:
• 53% said they strongly or somewhat oppose the legislation in both House and Senate plans
Tags: health care reform, health insurance, health plan
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, General, Group, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Recently, the California Department of Managed Care has released some new guidelines for HMO patients, in order to create a more efficient and comprehensive level of care for these patients. Among the new rules:
• A physician appointment within 10 business days of a request
• A specialist appointment within 15 business days of a request
• An urgent care visit within 48 hours of a request
• Telephone access to a health care professional at all times.
This is a preview of
California's Timely Access to Medical Care
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Tags: health insurance, HMO plan, network provider
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, General, Individual, Laws, Resources, State | 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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Read the full post (171 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)
Tags: children's health, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Recent studies show that the United States spends almost 44% more for health care than Switzerland, though Switzerland has the second higher per capita health care costs. Even with these escalated costs, Americans have fewer visits and spend less time with their doctors, as well as experience shorter hospital stays than any other industrialized nation.
This is a preview of
Do Americans Really Pay More For Their Health Care?
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Tags: health care costs, negotiated rates, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
Many carriers have released information that they will be covering the H1N1 virus (swine flu) vaccine and all administrative costs associated with obtaining the vaccine. Although focus will start with clients at most risk, all members will be ultimately covered. The two anti-viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, both offered in a generic formula as well, will be covered under the Tier 1 benefit, which ensures the lowest copayment for members to get their medications.
Companies that have agreed to this thus far are Blue Shield of California, Aetna, and BCBS IL, with more carriers joining in every day. Please contact us or check your insurance companies website to see how they will help you to protect yourself and your family members.
Note:
It is important to understand that these benefits are subject to the vaccine’s availability. The CDC is working with local health departments to ensure the following targeted priority populations receive the vaccine first:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
4. Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
5. People ages 25 through 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Permanent link to this post (209 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)
Tags: Coinsurance, deductibles, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
