Insurance News, Articles and Opinions

The Need for Education About Private Disability Insurance is Great (June 22, 2007) “Many workers today dangerously underestimate their risk of becoming disabled and are unprepared to weather even a short-term disability” That is a direct quote from Karen Ignagni, the President and CEO of AHIP, the largest trade association representing the insurance industry.

The Future of Health Insurance Should not Be Based on the Past (June 21, 2007) Can you think of any business that is being run or service being provided the exact same way it was 10 or 15 years ago? Let alone a generation ago? If that were the case we would still be watching only 12 channels on a Black and White TV set, and sticking our fingers in a dial on a rotary phone. And yet despite the incredible changes that have occurred in every other aspect of our lives, we are still expected to approach healthcare and health insurance exactly the way our parents did, and even their parents before them.

Is a Medical Saving Account the Same Thing as a Health Saving Account? (June 20, 2007) Medical Savings Account or MSA was the term first used to describe long term annuity plans, similar to IRA’s, but specifically designed to put away tax deferred funds to use for medical expenses. MSA’s also had been referred to as “Super IRA’s” when they were first introduced.

Health Insurance and being laid off (June 19, 2007) If you are one of the more than 400,000 Americans who have recently received a company lay-off letter, your first thought is; “what do I do now”. And of the many mind boggling things that may be swimming through your consciousness at the moment, not the least of them is” what about my health benefits, and is there a way I can continue low cost health coverage for myself and my family?”

Is Affordable Health Insurance Good Health Insurance? (June 18, 2007) This is a very good question, and on the minds of many Americans today who find themselves perhaps in the market for Private Health Insurance for the first time. Of course when you suddenly find yourself without medical insurance due to a change in life circumstances, such as divorce, or graduation from college, or a change in employment, your goal is to find the Most Affordable Health Insurance coverage you can.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Committed to Providing More Affordable Health Plans (June 15, 2007) One of the oldest and most respected names in health benefits, Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance are committed to lowering the costs of health insurance and providing more Americans access to affordable medical coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies nationwide are showing a renewed dedication to making it easier for businesses large and small, and individuals to manage the costs of healthcare.

Alternative Medicine and Health Insurance (June 14, 2007) As more and more Americans are seeking treatments from alternative practitioners, the American Medical Association and health insurance providers alike are giving far more recognition to alternative and complimentary treatments.

Universal Healthcare Gaining More Universal Appeal (June 13, 2007) For years there has been strong opposition in this country against so called Universal Healthcare. Yet, for generations the U.S. has been the only industrialized nation in the world that does not provide some kind of universal health insurance.

Finding Affordable Health Insurance - The Value of an Agent (June 12, 2007) As we are seeing a new rise in consumerism in the healthcare field, many people are finding themselves in the market for private or individual health insurance for the first time. Indeed there are more and more great places for consumers to turn to learn about how to shop for affordable health insurance. Yet despite the increase accessibility to information about medical coverage, it may be more important now than ever before to work with a qualified and professional insurance agent.

Affordable health Insurance Scams Are on the Rise (June 11, 2007) If something is too good to be true - you are probably right. As more and more people struggle with rising healthcare costs, and more and more are seeking affordable health insurance, there is a growing target for con men and scam artists.

Rhode Island Law Exposes Big Companies That do Not Provide Health Insurance (June 8, 2007) Many of the calls for universal or mandatory affordable health insurance being proposed across the nation insist that large companies provide employees with access to affordable medical coverage, or be held accountable.

Discount Health Plans Should not be Confused with Low-Cost Medical Insurance (June 7, 2007) As self-employed individuals and the many others without access to affordable health insurance from their places of business struggle with healthcare costs, many are turning towards Discount Health Plans.

Understanding Pre-existing Conditions and Low-cost Heath Insurance Options (June 6, 2007) When you are in the market for low-cost private health insurance the best time to buy it is before you need it. While that may at first seem a little counter intuitive, it is a truism of all kinds of insurance.

Mini-Med Plans Could be an Option For Low Cost medical Insurance (June 5, 2007) As millions struggle to deal with the burgeoning costs of medical insurance, some employees and employers are turning to a relatively new product being offered by insurance companies. Mini-Med plans. The Mini -Med plan provides minimal coverage but at a minimal cost, so for many individuals and small businesses that cannot afford traditional health benefits they are a viable, if not perfect alternative.

Wellness Based Health Insurance Plans Save Money for both Employers and Employees (June 4, 2007) While employers and employees struggle to find ways to lower the costs of medical insurance without reducing or cutting benefits, a new option is increasing in popularity - so called Wellness Based health plans.

Michael Moore at it Again – This Time His Camera Takes Aim at Health Insurance (June 2, 2007) First it was the auto industry, then gun control, and then the war in Iraq, now controversial film director Michael Moore takes aim at the Healthcare industry and the problems of the 47 million without access to affordable health coverage in America. His next film, the soon to be released “Sicko” promises to in the film makers own words” tear down the last shred of resistance to Universal Healthcare”.

Fewer Trade Groups and Association offer Health Insurance (June 1, 2007) In an alarming trend fewer and fewer trade groups or business associations are offering health insurance to their memberships. There was a time when self employed individuals and those that otherwise did not have access to affordable health benefits from their employers sought membership in a group to obtain low-cost health benefits.