Universal Health Coverage May Not be the Answer (April 30, 2007) As debate heats up for the upcoming Presidential Campaign, candidates from both parties have been talking about Healthcare, and health insurance reform. A term that comes up often is Universal Health Coverage.
What Effect is State Mandated Health Insurance Having on Businesses? (April 27, 2007) With States like Massachusetts and California either currently mandating that businesses provide health insurance to their employees, and many more states poised to follow their example, some feel the key to success or failure of such plans has been their real or perceived negative impact on small businesses.
New Online Site Helps Consumers Better Understand HSA's (April 26, 2007) Heath Savings Accounts are an integral part of the shift toward consumer driven health insurance. If you are in the market for private health insurance, or you if your employer is switching from a traditional indemnity health plan to a High Deductible Health Plan, then you have no doubt heard about HSA's.
Archives 2007:
Study Finds Women Pay More for Health Insurance - but is it discrimination? (April 24, 2007) In an effort to create more affordable health insurance, and to help reduce the growing number of those Americans without access to adequate medical coverage, many insurance companies and States have introduced low cast high deductible insurance plans. The idea behind such plans is that premiums are kept low, by having high deductible amounts on the policies.
Computer Software Makes Health Insurance Agents More Efficient (April 23, 2007) Computers and the Internet have made practically every industry more efficient, and health insurance is no exception. The many online health insurance sites have made the task of shopping for affordable health insurance much easier for consumers, who at the click of a mouse can get a free quote for any and all of their medical insurance needs.
Missouri Follows Lead of Other States - Makes Health Insurance More Affordable (April 19, 2007) The Show-Me State is showing residents and businesses how to make access to quality health insurance more affordable. Primarily aimed to at small businesses with the idea to help them provide access to affordable health plans for their employees, the Missouri House recently drafted a Bill that allows small businesses to pay for health insurance coverage premiums with pre-tax dollars.
You are What You Eat - Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Proper Diet (April 18, 2007) Time and time again we are reminded about the benefits of eating right. It's a fact that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other anti-oxidants can help you to lose weight and stay fit. But a healthy diet can also reduce your healthcare costs, and your health insurance premiums.
Young and Single? You should Think About Disability Insurance (April 17, 2007) Ahhh... the freedom of being out on your own. Maybe you are a recent grad that has entered the workforce for the first time, and are really beginning to enjoy the freedom that having a decent income and your own place can bring. But with "adulthood" also comes adult responsibilities, and studies have shown that one that many young people overlook is disability insurance. Especially singles.
Minnesota Wants to Join Ranks of States Mandating Health Insurance Coverage (April 16, 2007) While it may be to early to say that the apparent success of the "Massachusetts Experiment" mandating access to affordable health insurance for all of its residents is creating a groundswell of support, more and more States want to follow the Bay States lead. Most recently Minnesota.
Major Hospital Association Supports Health Insurance For All (April 13, 2007) The tide calling for Universal Health Insurance is rising. Already several States Governors including California, Pennsylvania, and most recently Minnesota are pushing for Universal Coverage. The idea is heating up in the Presidential campaign, as it is the cornerstone of the cost-effective health insurance plan put forth by Senator John Edwards in his bid for the White House.
Insurance Companies Wrestle With Coverage for Pharmacogenomic Tests (April, 12 2007) As the age of individualized medicine dawns, major health insurance companies are wrestling with the question of whether or not to pay for FDA approved Pharmacogenomic tests. Pharmacogenomic testing is designed to test a persons genetic make-up to determine the effectiveness of a given treatment, specifically how they will react to certain drugs.
High Deductible Health Plans Cut Down In Non-Emergency ER Use (April 11, 2007) There really is only one place within our country's healthcare system that will treat all people, despite their health insurance status - that's hospital emergency rooms. Under federal law an Emergency Room is required to give any person that shows up there treatments at least to stabilize their condition, no matter if they have or do not have medical insurance.
The 411 on 911 - Am I Covered in an Emergency? (April 10, 2007) Most people who have health insurance think they are covered for all emergency room visits or ambulance transportation. But the American College of Emergency Physicians suggests that the time to make sure of the limitations of your health insurance policy is long before you need to dial 9-1-1.
Getting the most out of Employer Health Benefits (April 09, 2007) If you are one of the dwindling few that still get healthcare benefits as part of your jobs compensation package, consider yourself lucky. But with so many jobs that offer benefits changing them or cutting back on medical benefits, even if you have access to heath insurance at work, you may not be getting the most out of them The Department of Labor Benefits Security Administration suggests several ways to make sure you are getting the most out of you employer paid health benefits.
Coming to A Shopping Mall Near You - Health Insurance (April 5, 2007) There is no surer sign that we are entering the age of consumerism in health insurance than a recent move by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Now after buying shoes, and dinning on a lunch of Bourbon Chicken in the Food Court, you can shop for an affordable health insurance policy.
Most Workers Overlook the Need for Private Disability Insurance (April 4, 2007) There is no doubt that we are entering a time were people are becoming less reliant on their employers and Government programs for their health insurance needs, and more on themselves. But as consumers evaluate their health insurance requirements, and figure out what kinds of medical coverage is best to protect themselves and their families, they often overlook an important component to healthcare insurance - private disability insurance.
Reception to HSA's Still Luke Warm - Requires Cultural Shift According to Experts (April 3, 2007) Until something better comes along akin to some kind of Universal Healthcare, the flagship in of many state and federal programs designed to reduce health insurance costs and increase access to affordable medical coverage for uninsured Americans involves the purchase of High-Deductible Health Plans and couples those with Health Savings Accounts.
California Health Insurance Carriers Expand Vision Coverage (April 2, 2007) Blue Shield of California and Blue Shield of California Life and Health Insurance Company, independent licensees of The Blue Shield Association and Blue Shield Health Plans; have announced plans to expand vision coverage. Strong advocates of vision health, the companies have always recognized the importance to overall health and wellness of providing medical coverage for vision care and eyewear.