Insurance News, Articles and Opinions

Lack of Dental Insurance Sited as Reason for Poor Oral Health (February 16, 2007) - lf you are a regular reader then you have heard a lot about the 47 million Americans without any kind of health insurance. A serious problem to be sure. But did you also know that according to the Surgeon General there are over 110 million Americans without dental insurance?

More and More Health Insurance Plans are recognizing Domestic Partnerships (February 15, 2007) - Traditionally if an insurance policy issued by an employer extends coverage to a spouse, there is no law that states that the policy must also extend that coverage to other domestic partners. The question of medical insurance coverage for domestic partners is not only one that is part of the debate over same sex marriages.

Health Insurance can Pay to get Healthy and Stay Healthy (February 14, 2007) - When most of us think about our "health insurance" or medical coverage, we usually think of having a way to pay for treatments of disease, yet the term is health insurance - not just medical insurance, and with good reason. Many health insurance companies are realizing how they can save money by preventing, as well as treating conditions - and are putting the "health" back in health insurance.

Big Auto Manufactures Site Rise in Health Insurance Costs as Reason Posted Losses (February 13, 2007) - Many have said in recent months that we are at the tipping point where the current system of employer based medical insurance must change. Perhaps there is no clearer bell tolling the demise of employer-based healthcare then the fact that two of the largest auto manufactures are blaming the inability of their last quarter earnings to show a profit on the costs of medical insurance.

Medical Insurance has gone to the Dogs (and cats and birds too!) (February 12, 2007) - We all know how important having adequate affordable medical insurance is to protect your loved ones. But what about those four-legged and feathered members of the family? Veterinary medical bills and veterinary health care can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and many pet lovers are choosing to purchase medical insurance for their furry, feline and feathered friends.

Health Insurance, Medical Expenses, and Tax Time (February 11, 2007) - Even if you have not opened up a Health Savings Account (HSA), when it comes to tax time you may be entitled to a healthy deduction for your health insurance premiums and other medical expenses.

Healthcare Costs, not Health Insurance Costs could be the Problem (February 10, 2007) - We are facing a healthcare crisis in America. But it may not be the one that everyone's talking about. Much has been said in the news lately and in political campaigns about the health insurance crisis in America, and the problems of the 47 million and growing Americans without access to affordable health insurance coverage.

Having Health Insurance does not Necessarily Mean Equal Outcomes for African American's With Cancer (February 9, 2007) - Race should not enter into our healthcare system. But unfortunately it does. And a recent study found that even among those with health insurance a disparity in medical outcomes exists for African Americans with cancer.

Group Health Insurance isn't Always Cheaper than Individual Health Insurance (February 8, 2007) - Conventional wisdom dictates that a group health insurance policy will always be cheaper then an individual insurance policy. After all the buying power of the group makes it easier for them to buy affordable health insurance. Yes, in theory but that is not always the case, especially as regards smaller groups.

Groups Once at Odds Come Together to Provide Affordable Health Insurance (February 7, 2007) - Recently such disparate groups as the AARP and major Drug companies like Pfizer that often found themselves at odds when it came to offering solutions to the 47 million Americans without access to affordable health insurance, came together to propose a precedent setting healthcare reform proposal to the new Congress.

Success of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage a Model for Federal Health Insurance? (February 6, 2007) - When first introduced almost a year ago the Medicare prescription drug health insurance coverage faced a lot of criticism. Opponents said it was going to fail. It was too confusing, there were too many plans, and seniors would reject it. Yet here we are a year later and the plan is working, and working well.

Health Insurance Coverage and Mental Illness (February 5, 2007) - Mental Illness affects millions of American families. And whether forced to deal with the sometimes devastating emotional problems that occur with Clinical Depression, Bi-polar Disorder, or any of a number of other conditions - the stress and strain put upon a family dealing with mental illness is made that much worse when treatment is available - but may not be covered by your family health insurance policy.

New York Provides Health Insurance to Seniors that is "EPIC" (February 4, 2007) - It is called EPIC and it is does not refer to a new blockbuster at the box office. But it is going to be a "hit" with seniors as regards health insurance. It stands for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage and it is NY States program that makes prescription drugs much more affordable to its senior residents.

Candidate Edwards Proposes Sweeping Health Insurance Reform (February 3, 2007) - Former Vice-Presidential candidate and current democratic White house hopeful Senator John Edwards recently announced details of a sweeping reform of health insurance as part of his platform. While others in the race have mentioned healthcare being a primary concern, Edwards is the first serious candidate to disclose a detailed plan.

There Can be a Downside to State Mandated Health Insurance (February 2, 2007) - Recently States like Massachusetts have put into effect reforms to their healthcare system designed to make sure that all citizens in that state have access to health insurance. The cornerstones of such programs is that the State actually mandates that all citizens have health insurance, and offers penalties to those that do not comply.

Insurance Companies May not Have the Last Word When it Comes to Your Health Insurance Policy (February 1, 2007) - Much has been said lately about a new "consumerism" in healthcare and the health insurance industry. Emboldened by the empowerment, health insurance consumers and their advocates realize that they are in a position to fight back when faced with seemingly arbitrary or inaccurate decisions made by insurance companies regarding individual health insurance policies.