Insurance News, Articles and Opinions

As More Lack Access to Affordable Health Insurance, Medical Tourism Grows (July 26, 2007) The high cost of medical procedures in the United States coupled with increased numbers of those without access to affordable or low cost medical insurance has lead to measurable growth in the emerging industry of “Medical Tourism.”

Importance of Affordable Medical Coverage Reflected in Loop Holes in “No Fault” Auto Insurance Laws (July 25, 2007) If you are injured in an automobile accident, especially one in which you were 100% not at fault you may think that the insurance coverage of the person who hit you will pay for all of your injuries. Think again.

California Issues report on State of Health Care Insurance (July 24, 2007) A new report commissioned by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has been issued on the state of those without access to affordable health insurance in the state of California.

In The Real World Those Looking For Affordable Health Insurance Can Find a Happy Ending (July 23, 2007) In the wake of the release of Michal Moore’s recent film “Sicko”, one might think there is no such thing as a “Happy Ending” when searching for affordable medical coverage. While the film is right in pointing out some much needed repair in our health insurance and healthcare system, to say that there is no such thing as affordable health insurance in this country right now, is so much science fiction.

Clinic In Tennessee Celebrates 10 years of Helping Those Without Health Insurance (July 20, 2007) In political circles debate may still rage about how severe the problem is of those without health insurance in America. But the truth is there are millions of people without health insurance who do not qualify for state or federal programs and cannot otherwise afford medical coverage. And while many debate these issues, there are organizations that do more than just talk about the problem, they step up and do something about it – such as the Good Samaritan Clinic in Tennessee.

As Health Insurance Rates Increase, Small Businesses Face Tough Choices (July 19, 2007) The cost of health insurance premiums continue to rise and perhaps the impact is being felt most by small businesses. Today across the nation many a small business owner is faced with the often difficult decision to reduce or eliminate group health insurance benefits for their employees. Contrary to what you might think a large portion of the swelling ranks of the uninsured in this country is made up of people who are working. They just happen to be working for companies who can no longer afford to provide health insurance benefits due to increased costs.

Is lack of Medical Coverage Leading to Over Prescribing of Drugs for Kids Behavioral Issues? (July 18, 2007) The over 45 Million people without access to affordable healthcare insurance pose a problem to more than just themselves. Study after study has shown that people without health insurance postpone trips to the doctor until they are really sick. This puts a drain on already strained health resources. Those without adequate medical insurance often rely on emergency rooms for treatment, and we the tax payers pick up that tab, to the tune of millions of dollars a year. There can be no doubt that the public at large can benefit from policy changes that can make affordable medical coverage more accessible to more people.

How to find good Limited Health Insurance Plan - Most “Mini-Med” Plans have “Mini” benefits (July 17, 2007) With the cost of group medical insurance plans for businesses continuing to sore, a popular alternative for companies that want to offer their employees at least some benefit is the recently introduced “mini”-med or limited insurance plan. But insurance experts advise small business owners that may be interested in such plans, not to always go with the cheapest plan. Some of these low-cost insurance plans are not only “mini” in price but mini in coverage.

Experts Agree You Should Review Your Insurance Needs Every Year, Including Health Insurance (July 16, 2007) Things change. It’s a given. Take a look around you, how much in your life is exactly the same as it was a year or more ago. Are you driving the same car? Living in the same house? Working at the same job? Has the size of your family remained the same?

Parents and Insurers can Benefit From Low Cost Health Plans in California (July 13, 2007) A recent program in California is proving that providing lower cost health plans can benefit both consumers and insurance companies. The program called Healthy Families is a pilot “Wellness Program” designed to lower costs of health insurance and healthcare through education and preventive medicine programs, and it seems to be working.

Affordable Health Insurance and Pregnancy (July 12, 2007) Young, healthier people tend not to think too much about affordable health insurance. But they should, because insurance professional agree that when you are young and healthy this is the best time to purchase affordable health insurance, since young healthy people usually can purchase lower cost healthcare policies. But that is not the only reason. While youthful couples and single women are unlikely to face a high cost medical treatment due to disease or illness, they are very likely to face one of the most rapidly increasing healthcare costs in the nation; pregnancy.

Hawaii Top of The List For Affordable Health Insurance (July 11, 2007) Sandy beaches and tropical breezes may not be the only reason Hawaii is a paradise. Everyone talks about the “Massachusetts Experiment”, but many fail to realize that it was actually Hawaii that was one of the first states to make it mandatory that employers provide affordable health insurance to their employees.

Young Graduates and Their Parents Often Overlook Medical coverage (July 10, 2007) The caps have been flung, the hugs the parties have ended, and recent high school grads look forward to college days filled with growth, learning, fun, and often no medical insurance.

National Association of the Self Employed Ten Tips for Lowering Heath Insurance Costs (July 9, 2007) Health Insurance costs are rising for everyone. And as difficult as it has been for individuals who have private health insurance to keep pace, and large companies to continue to provide health insurance benefits for their employees, perhaps the hardest hit are small businesses.

AARP Forms New Partnerships – Closing Health Insurance Gaps for Seniors and Early Retirees (July 6, 2007) The senior organization AARP, already a powerful advocate for affordable health insurance for seniors, has formed two new strategic partnerships with two of the country’s largest insurers, Aetna and UnitedHealth, to offer access to an increased number of lower cost health insurance products for people 50 – 64.

Health Insurance and Popular Culture (July 5, 2007) You know issues involving health insurance and the health insurance “crisis” in America have really reached epidemic proportions when a subject as seemingly mundane as having access to affordable medical coverage appears as the plotline in popular movies and television series.

Medical Insurance Benefits and Unmarried Partner (July 4, 2007) There has been a lot in the News lately about Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships and you may be wondering just how are such arrangements recognized, if at all, when it comes to health insurance benefits?

Traveling? Pack You Toothbrush and the Right Amount of Travel Insurance (July 3, 2007) It is not just about insuring that your luggage arrives at your destination. It may not be pleasant to think about, especially while you are all excited and about to be whisked off on that long awaited exotic holiday, but the truth is anything can happen when you are away, and you need to consider carrying the right amount and right kinds of travel insurance.

Looking for Low Cost Group Health Insurance (July 2, 2007) Much has been said lately in these pages and elsewhere about the changing nature of today’s health insurance system. And much of the ballyhoo has been focused on the growing trend towards more consumer driven health insurance. And while more and more people are shopping for individual health insurance plans, and many companies have been forced to eliminate or cut back on employee health benefits, still there are many small to large companies that want to purchase affordable group health insurance.