Anthem Blue Cross recently announced that they have extended their provider network to include retail health clinics. These are walk-in clinics, albeit small, that are conveniently located in many of your local retail outlets, such as pharmacies and supermarkets. Rather than making an appointment with your primary doctor for such common illnesses as sore throats, coughs, colds, or minor fevers, you can walk into any of these clinics for an immediate exam and treatment plan. Clients who have utilized these services state that most visits take less than 15 minutes, and also include wellness and prevention services (immunization and screenings).
Archive for the ‘Tools’ Category
Anthem Blue Cross Introduces Retail Health Clinics
Monday, August 9th, 2010Overage Dependent Coverage Hits a Snag
Monday, August 2nd, 2010Though many insurers have implemented the law early, which states adult dependents may remain on their parent’s plan until the age of 26, there have been a surprising number of employers who opted out of the earlier implementation of this law. Instead, they are waiting until they are legally required to do so – January 2011. Even though provisions of this law take effect September 23, 2010, employers do not have to comply with this until the New Year.
Healthcare Reform and the Prevention of Chronic Illnesses
Thursday, July 1st, 2010However you may feel about health care reform and the changes it will bring, one major outcome will be the mandatory implementation of preventative care on all policies. It is proposed that preventive care will be covered without any co pays or deductibles. Considering it is thought that half the conditions we treat in our health care system could be avoidable, the expansion of preventive screenings and vaccinations should help to bring down the number of chronic conditions that we see today.
Health Care Reform – where it is headed?
Monday, May 17th, 2010We 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?
Lack of Pediatric Specialists a Growing Concern
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010Health 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?
Health Care Reform is here! What does this mean for you?
Monday, March 22nd, 2010No one really knows! It seems that revisions are made by the hour, and nothing is quite set in stone as of yet. Also (as of this hour) 11 states have filed lawsuits stating that the bill is unconstitutional, in that it forces people to pay for coverage or face financial penalties. Does it promise to cover all Americans? Supposedly, by 2014, after spending the next few years inching towards this goal by means of guaranteed issue policies, no lifetime maximum amounts, the cessation of policy rescission’s, etc. Once this is in place, individual policies would be purchased via an exchange:
Health Care Reform and Preventive Care
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010Though no one knows where the health care reform bills are headed, it is of utmost importance that disease prevention and health promotion are at the top of the list. If we aim to “fix” a broken system, we need to ensure that the system is designed to “fix” us as well. This will be achieved by balancing the cost of providing medical care with providing services to help avoid the need for such services in the first place. Some concepts for prevention strategies are (notes from San Francisco Chronicle):
- a yearly personalized prevention plan for Medicare patients
64? Let's Talk About Medicare
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010You would be surprised to hear how many Medicare eligible clients do not understand how Medicare actually works. With an aging population, and enrollees at the highest levels to date (expected to increase dramatically with the baby boomers entering the system starting in 2011), it is most important to know the ins and outs of the system to ensure coverage in place when you need it.
People age 65 or older are entitled to Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) if they or their spouse are eligible for Social Security payments and have made payroll tax contributions for 10 or more years. Medicare coverage was also expanded to offer coverage for clients under the age of 65 if they have permanent disabilities.
Public Views on Health Care Reform
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010A 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
Blue Shield of California Cancellations for Non-Payment of Premiums
Thursday, December 24th, 2009Important 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.
