Insurance Tug-Of-War
Posted by editor on Sep 30, 2008
The upcoming elections will define the state of life of the Average Joe in the future. In the field of health insurance, the winning candidate’s proposal will be implemented. Let’s examine the two differing plans, as scrutinized by NEWSWEEK’s Mary Carmichael in her discussion with Katherine Swartz, a professor of health policy and economics at Harvard.
Obama’s plan: An insurance exchange that looks like the Health Connector used in Massachussets. Every plan would have a minimum set of benefits, and you would get a subsidy if your income is below the threshold.
Their prediction: The total cost will be more than the estimate. His requiring insurers to cover pre-existing conditions would probably raise premiums. Although children and more people would be covered than there is now, some adults will continue to be uninsured.
McCain’s plan: to take away the tax break workers get on health insurance at their jobs, and give people who buy their own insurance $2,500 ($5,000 for families) in tax credits.
Their prediction: Low-income people would have a hard time getting affordable insurance on their own. In the long run, employers would probably stop offering health insurance, and more people would end up uninsured than there are now.
Unrecycable Scary Syringe
Posted by Administrator on Aug 15, 2008
Image Source: newilluminati.blog-city.com
An outbreak of Hepatitis C caught the attention of the CDC which sent people and determined that the improper reusing of vials and syringes at a Las Vegas Clinic was to blame. The CDC was contacted by officials from the state’s health department due to a sudden outbreak of the highly infectious disease which was spreading fast with no clues to the possible source. Officials have determined that two people treated at the now closed Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada contracted the disease after 84 cases of the disease were detected and reported to their offices. Employees were found by the CDC to have been reusing syringes to administer anesthetics whom when interviewed said the practice was common and accepted at the said center. This is just one of the severe cases of violations to safety and control regimens set by the government which is not a good picture but may be an indicator of the current status of public health care in the whole of the US. Their high tech facilities and technologies are good for specialized treatment but most government programs run on almost barrel scraping funds that are quite inadequate to get people the high level of care they need.
Questions on Getting Health Insurance (Final Part)
Posted by Administrator on Feb 15, 2008
I’ve had a serious health condition that appears to be stabilized. Can I buy individual health coverage?
Depending on what your condition is and when it was diagnosed and treated, you can probably buy health coverage. However, the insurer may do one of three things:
- provide full protection but with a higher premium, as might be the case with a chronic disease, such as diabetes;
- modify the benefits to increase the deductible;
- exclude the specific medical problem from coverage, if it is a clearly defined condition, as long as the insurer abides by state and federal laws on exclusions.
One of my medical bills was turned down by the insurance company (or health plan). Is there anything I can do?
Ask the insurance company why the claim was rejected. If the answer is that the service isn’t covered under your policy, and you’re sure that it is covered, check to see that the provider entered the correct diagnosis or procedure code on the insurance claim form. Also check that your deductible was correctly calculated.
Taken from http://childrenshealthinsuranceinfo.com/
Questions on Getting Health Insurance (Part 2)
Posted by Administrator on Feb 11, 2008
I’m planning to keep working after age 65. Will I be covered by Medicare or by my company’s health insurance?
If you work for a company with 20 or more employees, your employer must offer you (through age 69) the same health insurance coverage offered to younger employees. After you reach age 65, you may choose between Medicare and your company’s plan as your primary insurer. If you elect to remain in the company plan, it will pay first for all benefits covered under the plan before Medicare is billed. In most instances, it is to your advantage to accept continued employer coverage.
But be sure to enroll in Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization and can supplement your group coverage at no additional cost to you. You can save on Medicare premiums by not enrolling in Medicare Part B until you finally retire. Bear in mind, though, that delayed enrollment is more expensive and entails a waiting period for coverage.
Taken from http://childrenshealthinsuranceinfo.com/
To be continued…
Questions on Getting Health Insurance (Part 1)
Posted by Administrator on Feb 8, 2008
What is the first thing to know about buying health coverage?
Your aim is to assure yourself as well as your family against the most serious and financially disastrous deficiencies that can result from an illness or accident. If you are offered health benefits at work, carefully review the plans’ literature to make sure the one you select fits your needs. If you purchase individual coverage, buy a policy that will cover major expenses and pay them to the highest maximum level. Save money on premiums, if necessary, by taking large deductibles and paying smaller costs out-of-pocket.
Is it possible to buy a single health insurance policy that will most likely provide all the benefits I might need?
No. Although you can select a plan or buy a policy that should cover most medical, hospital, surgical, and pharmaceutical bills, no single policy covers everything. Moreover, you may want to consider additional single-purpose policies like long-term care or disability income insurance. If you are over 65, you may want a Medicare supplement policy to fill in the gaps in Medicare coverage.
Taken from http://childrenshealthinsuranceinfo.com/
To be continued…
I’m uninsured and living in New York. What are my health insurance options?
Posted by Administrator on Jan 18, 2008
Every New Yorker is guaranteed the right to buy health insurance. New Yorkers cannot be discriminated against because of their health status or age. However, a pre-existing condition waiting period may be imposed on you for up to 12 months if you let your insurance lapse for more than 63 days. You should always make sure you have continuous health insurance coverage in order to avoid such a waiting period.
You have three basic options for obtaining health insurance as an individual other than employer or union plans in New York:
Q&A
Posted by Administrator on Jan 11, 2008
Q What is the first thing I should know about buying health coverage?
A Your aim should be to insure yourself and your family against the most serious and financially disastrous losses that can result from an illness or accident. If you are offered health benefits at work, carefully review the plans, literature to make sure the one you select fits your needs. If you purchase individual coverage, buy a policy that will cover major expenses and pay them to the highest maximum level. Save money on premiums, if necessary, by taking large deductibles and paying smaller costs out-of-pocket.