Posts Tagged ‘preventative care’
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
However 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.
It is estimated that 75% of our health care spending in on such chronic health conditions. If these illnesses could be treated and diagnosed in the earliest stages, the better the outcome for the patient. Plus, it would result in less financial strain on our health care system. While opponents to the bill state that “unnecessary screenings” will ultimately cost us more, you can’t argue that prevention yields a longer, healthier, and more productive life.
Tags: Chronic Condition, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | 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?
We have yet to see where this will take us, but we are going to do our best to keep up with each passing moment in the world of health care reform, and pass on the information to you. It will be a lengthy learning process, but we are jumping in headfirst to the plethora of information out there. It is our ultimate goal to get the answers you need!
Tags: group health, health care reform, health insurance, preventative care, Universal Health Care
Posted in General, Government Run Health Plan, Resources, Tools | 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
- A “high risk pool” will be created for people who cannot otherwise obtain individual coverage due to pre-existing conditions
- Seniors will receive a $250 rebate for help them cover the costs of their medication while in the “doughnut hole” (between $2700.00 and $6154.00)
- The implementation of covered preventative care services requiring no co pays
Though the final outcome is still yet to be known, these are some of the highlights of the plan of action for health care reform in 2010. Though changes will be made, and battles will be fought, we can expect some of these changes to take shape in less than 6 months from now. From then on? No one knows for sure. We do know, however, that every American will be watching and waiting to see what happens next.
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 16th, 2010
Though 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
- national assistance to wellness programs at the worksite
- a vast public-private partnership to teach everybody about prevention and health promotion, including Web site tools for self-assessment and personalized prevention
- educating patients how to reduce their risks for chronic disease
- support for community-based prevention and health promotion (i.e. no-smoking rules, seat belt mandates, calorie counts on restaurant menus)
The concern lies in the fact that if these strategies are not implemented, positive and healthy life choices will not occur. By encouraging such lifestyle changes, and providing resources to help people start and maintain healthier living, the return is invaluable – healthy people, fewer chronic conditions, and an enormous reduction in the need for medical intervention.
Tags: Chronic Condition, health insurance, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Family, Government Run Health Plan, Individual, Resources, Tools | 1 Comment »
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.
Tags: added benefits, group health, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Group | 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.
The best news this year is the fact that Healthy Families (medical, dental and vision coverage for California children) has received much needed funding, and is now enrolling new members once again. In addition, many carriers have released catastrophic plans, which ensure low cost coverage for times when you need it most. There are also plans that offer coverage for immunizations and preventative care, allowing your child to keep as healthy as possible, and avoid trips to the emergency room altogether.
We will help you find the best coverage for your child. Call us today or visit the website for a quote today!
Tags: children's health, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Resources | 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.
Tags: Coinsurance, deductibles, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | 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 bill works in numerous ways to utilize taxes, donations, and cost sharing to avoid dropping children from the program. First, the First 5 California Commission, which oversees children’s health and educational programs via tobacco tax revenues, has offered to contribute more than $81 million. An additional $17.6 million is expected to be raised by implementing higher premiums for those above the poverty level, and raising copaymentsfor ER room visits, doctor office co pays, and prescription co pays. Health plans that administrators Medi-Cal benefits would see a 2.35% tax. This levy will replace the current 5.5% fee, which is expected to expire in October.
With all of the above and more, let’s hope this eases the financial burden on this program, and avoids having any child go without the coverage they need.
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.
Tags: health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Resources, State | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
How would you feel if your boss told you to get a checkup? You would be surprised at how many employers are now realizing the importance of regular exams for their employees. First, it helps find and treat illnesses earlier, resulting in better overall health for the employee. Second, it helps keep insurance premiums down. As employees get older and continue to practice unhealthy lifestyles, medical claims and expenses rise – along with the monthly rates.
If more employers would push their employees to get regular checkups, conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can be detected earlier – or before they become an issue at all. Though this may result in more out of pocket costs for the employee (for testing and prescriptions, for example), the costs for major surgeries and heart attacks is far beyond these costs.
Implementing wellness programs, designed to help employees lose weight or quit smoking are another motivational tool to keep employees healthy, and employers ensured productive and happy employees.
Tags: added benefits, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Individual | No Comments »
