Posts Tagged ‘health plan’
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
A surprising number of employees make vital errors during their company’s open enrollment process, often resulting in unexpected out of pocket costs. By not understanding deductibles, coinsurance, or premiums amounts responsible out their own pockets, many find out too late that they have made an error and must wait until their next anniversary date to make a change. Some of the most common mistakes are not knowing what benefits they have, not clearly understanding costs for the coverage chosen (for themselves and their dependents), and not taking advantage of pre-tax premiums and/or flexible spending plans, and not electing ancillary benefits (i.e. dental and vision), all by not taking advantage of face to face interaction prior to enrolling or renewing their benefits.
As your agency, we will assist you in every step of your open enrollment process, whether you are the employer or employee. We will walk you through the plan options, explain out of pocket exposure, and break down your monthly portions for you and your family members before you enroll, ensuring that you are on the best plan for your needs. Our enrollment meetings are not only a great way to get to get to know us, it also guarantees your complete understanding of your company’s benefits.
Permanent link to this post (209 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)
Tags: deductibles, group health, health plan, health savings accounts, premiums
Posted in Employees, Employers, Group | No Comments »
Monday, July 18th, 2011
As part of their medical underwriting review requirements, Anthem Blue Cross has starting using a paramedical exam as part of the application process. These in house exams will be required for any applicant age 55 and older who have not been seen by a physician in the last twenty four months, as well as anyone age 30 to 54 who have not seen a physician in the last five months. These exams will be performed at no cost to the applicant, and are intended to provide the most up to date and current health status of the individual.
This is a preview of
Anthem Blue Cross Implements Paramedical Exam Requirement
.
Read the full post (299 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
Tags: health insurance, health plan, individual health
Posted in Family, Individual, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
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
.
Read the full post (202 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)
Tags: deductibles, health care costs, health plan, health savings accounts
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Individual, Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
This is a preview of
The Balance Between Age and Health Insurance Coverage
.
Read the full post (293 words, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
Tags: health care reform, health insurance, health plan, individual health, medicare
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Seniors | 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 »
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Small Businesses are definitely hit the hardest when it comes to premium rates. However, recent studies have shown that incorporating ancillary benefits, such as life, disability, and dental benefits, ensures employees are not only healthy and happy – but loyal as well. A MetLife study showed that 73% of employees who felt adequately covered were happy with their job. On the other hand, those employees who felt that their coverage left them too exposed, were not. Only 22% of such employees stated that they were satisfied with their job.
Productivity is also greatly affected by health benefits. If an employee knows that the coverage is there when they need it, they will push further for their employer. With economic times at their tightest, knowing that they will not incur large medical or dental bills, or leave their family without protection if something should happen to them, means employees can focus on the task at hand. In these cases, everyone benefits!
Though the economy is in tough shape right now, Employers may find that a bit more out of pocket costs for their employees will result in a return of happy, healthy, and productive workers in the end.
Permanent link to this post (201 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)
Tags: added benefits, health plan, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Group | No Comments »
Friday, June 12th, 2009
Many people may still not quite understand what role an agent or broker plays when it comes to your health insurance plan. You don’t pay fees to work with an agent or broker, and the return in services in invaluable.
Most importantly, we serve to help you understand the complex world of health insurance. Whether you are an individual or family shopping for coverage or an Employer looking to cover their employees, we provide you with access to multiple insurance companies and plans, thereby ensuring you have all the information necessary to make your decision.
Agents also work to negotiate the best rates for you. We work with the carriers to make certain your rates are the lowest they can be. They serve as your underwriting liaison to contest declines, or work with rated policies. This is the case for all plans – individual/family plans and small/large businesses as well.
When it comes to group plans, we work to take the burden of administering your plan off of you. We will walk you through the plan options, negotiate your rates when it comes to renewal time, and help your employees complete all of their paperwork. When it comes to new hires, terminations, or COBRA enrollments, again we step in to facilitate the necessary paperwork.
Once your plan is issued, we continually work to help you. Whether it is obtaining medical records for claims processing, assisting your pharmacy in getting a medication authorized, or explain detailed claims benefits, you can always count on us to be there to assist.
Health Reform concerns often bring up the concept of removing agents from the picture. This would destroy the personalized service you have received from us for years.
Permanent link to this post (291 words, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
Tags: agent, COBRA, health plan
Posted in Group | No Comments »
Monday, June 1st, 2009
We are all tightening our belts as we ride out the economic crisis, but some people have gone as far as to neglect their own health care as a result. Walgreen’s has released a report stating that the number of prescriptions filled has decreased considerably. It has also been noted that the number of physician visits and overall health care services have too been on a steady decrease.
Tags: deductibles, health plan, wellness
Posted in General, Resources | No Comments »
