Health Insurance Quote

Survey: Americans use social media to research insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0600

Internet-savvy Americans may be turning to social media for information on the most affordable health insurance quotes, according to a recent survey by Mintel Comperemedia.

While only four percent of overall respondents said they used a blog, social networking website or online discussion group, this trend was significantly more pronounced among young adults, men and high income earners, according to the report. Ten percent of respondents earning $75,000 to $100,000 a year used these social media for insurance information while 9 percent of people age 25 to 34 and 6 percent of men who did the same.

Many of these individuals also found advertising on social networking websites helpful. This trend may present an opportunity for insurers, according to Daniel Hayes, vice president of insurance services at Mintel Comperemedia.

"Because these individuals are already engaged in social media and because they use the internet more for insurance research, policy management and purchasing, I'd like to see insurance companies start targeting them when creating social networking initiatives," Hayes said.

Some considerations when picking a health insurance plan include the size of the premium and the kinds of services it covers, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Consumers with preexisting health conditions should research how a certain policy would treat it.

Canadian Government offical comes to US for heart surgery.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:37:01 -0600

This is interesting to see.........

A Canadian Government official is having heart surgery this week in the US because the treatment he needs is NOT available in Canada. Why?
It's called Universal Health Care.

To read more click here:Universal Nightmare !!

Status of HSA's, FSA's, HRA's and MSA's in Health Care Reform

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:05:00 -0600

First and foremost, neither the House nor Senate health reform bills repeal HSAs. Earlier proposals that would have eliminated some of these options (particularly FSAs and HRAs) did not survive the legislative process. Below is a description of the remaining provisions that could be included in the final health reform legislation.

Changes Impacting All Health Care Accounts (FSAs, HRAs, HSAs, and Archer MSAs)

Both the House and Senate bills include a change in the definition of a “qualified medical expense” that impacts reimbursements and withdrawals under all types of health care accounts (i.e., FSAs, HRAs, HSAs, and Archer MSAs). As of 2011, expenses incurred for over-the-counter (OTC) medications and products will no longer be eligible for payment or reimbursement from any of the health care accounts. The House bill definition appears to apply to all OTC medications. However, the Senate bill would still allow OTC medicines obtained with a prescription and insulin to be reimbursed or paid tax-free from the health care accounts.

The Senate bill would impose an excise tax of 40 percent on employer-sponsored coverage that has a benefit value in excess of $8,500 for single coverage and $23,000 for family coverage (indexed annually). The benefit value of employer-sponsored coverage would include the value of the group health plan and contributions to employees’ FSAs, HRAs, and HSAs. This tax would be imposed on insurance companies, including self-insured plans and plans sold in the group market, and plan administrators. The House bill does not include a similar provision

The Senate bill would also expand the definition of a “beneficiary” to include domestic partners and same-sex spouses. This would make these individuals eligible for tax-free reimbursement of qualified medical expenses under FSAs, HRAs, and HSAs. The provision would be effective beginning in 2010.

Changes Impacting Only Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs)

The most significant change likely to be enacted is an annual limit on contributions made by employees to flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) for health care. Both the House and Senate versions of health reform legislation would limit contributions to no more than $2,500 annually. The limit would be indexed to inflation for future years. Under the House bill, these changes would not take effect until 2013. In the Senate bill, these changes would take effect in 2011.

Changes Impacting Only Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

The changes to health savings accounts (HSAs) proposed by the House and Senate bills are relatively minor. The only provision directly impacting HSAs (in addition to the change in the definition of a qualified medical expense described above) is that both the House and Senate bills would increase the tax penalty on HSA withdrawals that are not used for qualified medical expenses from the current 10 percent to 20 percent. The Senate bill also increases the penalty for non-qualified withdrawals from Archer MSAs. These provisions would go into effect in 2011.

However, the changes proposed to all health insurance policies could have potentially adverse affects on high deductible health plans (HDHPs) that currently make people eligible to contribute to HSAs. Some of the impact may not be known until regulations implementing the final provisions are written.

Both the House and Senate bills set new requirements for all insurance policies, including HDHPs. For example, all insurance policies will be required to provide first dollar coverage for preventive care services. In addition, the preventive services must be covered without any cost-sharing (e.g., copayments) or application of any deductibles. While HDHPs are currently allowed to provide first dollar coverage of preventive care services, and most do, in the future all HDHPs will be required to do so. These provisions would go into effect in 2013 in the House bill and 2014 in the Senate bill.

However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (and the Secretary of HHS) will prescribe the scope of preventive care services in the future. This could create a potential challenge for HDHPs to the extent that the preventive services prescribed conflict with IRS guidance on what constitutes “preventive care” for HSA purposes. The IRS may need to revise its guidance on preventive care depending on the outcome of this provision.

Another new requirement for all insurance policies is that they provide a minimum actuarial value for the benefits covered. Under the House bill, the minimum actuarial value must be at least 70 percent. Under the Senate bill, the minimum actuarial value must be at least 60 percent. Given the higher deductibles that most HDHPs have (compared to traditional HMO and PPO plans), the lower minimum actuarial value requirement in the Senate bill would make it easier for more HDHPs to meet the standard.

However, it is important to look more closely at how “actuarial value” is defined in these bills. Both bills use a different definition than the American Academy of Actuaries in that the bills would measure a plan’s actuarial value by comparing the percentage of covered benefits paid by the insurance plan relative to an identical plan with zero cost-sharing (i.e., no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). Conversations with House and Senate staff also suggest that a plan’s actuarial value would be determined assuming that an average or “standard” population would enroll in the plan, not taking into account any self-selection that may occur to do plan design features like deductibles, etc.

It is also not clear whether a plan’s actuarial value would include employer or individual contributions made to the individual’s HSA. The House bill is completely silent on this matter which would leave it up to the Secretary of HHS to define in regulations. The Senate bill requires the Secretary of HHS to issue regulations on this matter. Including the contributions in the calculation of a plans actuarial value would make it easier for more HDHPs to meet the minimum actuarial value requirement. If contributions are not included, HDHPs, many of which have actuarial values below 60 percent (or whatever the final standard becomes) based on the insurance coverage alone, could no longer be sold. Including contributions in the actuarial value calculation can increase a plan’s value by 10-20 percentage points (or more), depending on the size of contributions.

Another potential conflict could arise for HDHPs if the current House bill’s limits on out-of-pocket expenses for all health insurance plans are included in the final health reform legislation. The House bill sets limits on annual out-of-pocket expenses at levels lower than current limits for HSAs -- $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for families – and adjusted annually for inflation. The lower limits would also likely impact the actuarial value of insurance plans. The Senate bill also requires all insurance plans to include out-of-pocket limits but uses the current limits for HSAs (currently $5,950 for individuals with self-only coverage and $11,900 for individuals with family coverage in 2010) and adjusted annually for inflation. The out-of-pocket limits would go into effect in 2013 under the House bill and 2014 under the Senate bill.

The Senate bill includes a provision that would prevent small employers from offering plans with deductibles greater than $2,000 for singles and $4,000 for families. The limits on deductibles are indexed to the percentage increase in average per capita premiums. Employers may offer plans with higher deductibles if the employer offers a flexible spending arrangement (FSA) that reimburses the difference between the higher deductible and $2,000 / $4,000.

The House and Senate bills both impose “medical loss ratio” requirements that may create challenges for HDHPs. For example, the House bill requires health insurance carriers to provide rebates to enrollees if the carrier does not spend at least 85 percent of premium revenues on medical claims. The Senate bill would impose a lower standard of 80 percent on small employer and individual insurance policies. Although some of the details on how this provision will work will not be clear until the Secretary of HHS issues regulations, the high medical loss ratio requirements may not be appropriate for plans with high deductibles.

Other Provisions

The Senate bill would create a new “young invincible policy” that provides first dollar coverage for three primary care visits but no other coverage until the individual reaches current law HSA cost-sharing limits. These policies would be limited to those 30 years or younger and individuals exempt from the individual mandate due to affordability or hardship.

2010 HSA contribution limits set by IRS

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:21:00 -0600

HSA contribution limits for 2010 are:

Single:$3,050 maximum (up from $3,000 in 2009)
Family:$6,150 maximum (up from $5,950 in 2009)

Over 55 catch up provision: an extra $1,000

US Treasury website

Your health insurance company is making a 2.2% profit. Is this too much?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:36:34 -0500

A recent report indicated that the average health insurance company makes a whopping 2.2%.

Many think this is way too much...........

To read more click here: Health insurance makes 2.2%

Move to Massachusetts and lose your health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:30:16 -0500

Wendy Button who was once a speechwriter for John Edwards and Hilary Clinton recently got a taste of what she used to write about and believe in.

Ms. Button moved from DC to Massachusetts and her health insurance premium went from $225.00 a month to a whopping $550.00 a month. Why? Because they State of MA has the same health insurance system some want the rest of the country to buy into.

Think health insurance is expensive now.....wait until it's "free".

To read more about Wendy Button's story click here: MA health insurance affordable?

Consider an HSA or HRA when trying to buy health insurance for employees

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:29:55 -0500

More and more employers are turning to HSA and HRA qualified plans.

Why?
Affordability.
Plans offer coverage at a high level to keep employees from bankruptcy.
Attractive to younger employees who generally are the hardest to convince they need affordable health insurance.

To read more on this subject click here: HSA's the way to go for some employers

Younger employees and health insurance

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:34:00 -0500

One of the most challenging things facing our current health care system is the younger employee.
Many younger employees late teens to late 20's have a hard time justifying any cost related to medical insurance coverage. Quite simply....they don't think anything will happen to them, they are healthy, and they don't need it. Not for $5.00 a week and certainly not for $50.00 a week.

This puts a very big strain on the system. The current system needs the younger employees to be in the pool to offset the costs of the older and generally sicker employees.

To read more about the impact yourger employees have on affordable health insurance click here:Affordable health insurance for young employees

Health insurance premiums on the rise again?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:52:00 -0500

Many thought new legislation would help those now purchase affordable health insurance. But as like many other things the government does this may have an opposite effect and actually drive rates up.

Some but not all the reasons for this are:

All pre-existing conditions must be covered without have a real solution for making everyone purchase health insurance. We can't just cover the sick people when they need it hence higher premiums.

Out of pocket maximums set by the government. Even if you want to purchase a higher deductible health insurance policy to keep your costs down the government will not allow it. Hence...better coverage....higher premiums.

No real solution for those people trying to skirt the system. Fines of $750 for an individual that does not buy health insurance are less than an annual premium. Why buy?

To read more on this subject click here:Affordable health insurance maybe not?

Abortions and birth control in the news.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:41:00 -0500

Much debate lately about what and what will not be covered under a public government health insurance plan.

Should affordable health insurance cover abortions?
Should affordable health insurance cover birth control?

Click here to read more: Health insurance and coverage.

Senators demand public health insurance option.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:39:00 -0500

Many Democratic US Senators are demanding a public option.

This may be the part that makes or breaks health insurance reform in the US.

Click here to read more: Demanding a public option

Why we need affordable health insurance across state lines.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:36:00 -0500

One of the reason affordable health insurance is so difficult in the US is because we have to buy health insurance based on which state we live in.

To learn more about the many and confusing state plan options click here:State by state health insurance

Unions want health insurance reform.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:34:00 -0500

Many US Unions are calling for health insurance reform.

Unions now act as an affordable health insurance solution now for members.

To read more about Unions and health insurance click here: Unions and health insurance

Fix what's wrong in health insurance and leave what's right.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:25:00 -0500

The Texas Medical Association is asking lawmakers to consider fixing what's right in US health insurance and leave what's working alone.

Affordable health insurance can be obtained without overhauling the entire way health insurance is delivered to 270 million American's now.

To read more on the TMA click here:Texas Medical Association speaks out.

Will we have enough DR's in the US soon?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:22:00 -0500

One big question is if/when we get affordable health insurance reform will we have enough DR's to go around?

That answer is looking like NO we don't.

Click here to read more: Enough DR's?

The Massachusetts way of health insurance.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:14:00 -0500

How would you like to be responsible, purchase health insurance and still have to pay a fine because the government says it's not a good enough plan?

Well that's exactly what happened to a retired couple in Massachusetts recently.

They decided to buy a plan with a $2,500 maximum out of pocket per year. I assume they could afford $2,500 if something major happened to them and they wanted a lower premium.

Not so fast said the Massachusetts government. That plan does not fit into our guidelines and it's $500 too high in out of pocket maximums.

They will have to pay a $1,000 fine now.

Is Massachusetts our "model" state for affordable health insurance?

Be careful what you wish for....you could be fined for buying health insurance soon!

To read more on this story click here:Pay a fine?

Modern patients drive up costs.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:06:00 -0500

Today's patient is allot different from a patient in the 60's or even the 90's. The internet has given us all a world full of information to use at our disposal.

Affordable health insurance is the talk of the town.

Not long ago you took whatever medication your Dr. gave you without asking too many questions. We can now go online, do some research and ask our Dr. if the fastest and greatest medication is right for me.

This is a good thing.

There are also a few problems that come with it.

Is it possible that the generic drug works just as well? Example does my $20.00 a month work for controlling my HBP or do I need the $200.00 a month name brand that just came on the market?

If/when the government has a public option will I be able to do the same research and get whichever drug i want....for free?

To learn more click here: Today's modern patient.

Taxing health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:03:00 -0500

Does anyone know how taxing health insurance companies is going to lower premiums?

It's not...it will be passed of to the consumer making affordable health insurance even harder.

To read more click here: Tax my health plan?

Affordable Health insurance premiums?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:52:00 -0500

Many thought new legislation would help those now purchase affordable health insurance. But as like many other things the government does this may have an opposite effect and actually drive rates up.

Some but not all the reasons for this are:

All pre-existing conditions must be covered without have a real solution for making everyone purchase health insurance. We can't just cover the sick people when they need it hence higher premiums.

Out of pocket maximums set by the government. Even if you want to purchase a higher deductible health insurance policy to keep your costs down the government will not allow it. Hence...better coverage....higher premiums.

No real solution for those people trying to skirt the system. Fines of $750 for an individual that does not buy health insurance are less than an annual premium. Why buy?

To read more on this subject click here:Affordable health insurance maybe not?

America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) ideas.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:13:00 -0500

The American health Insurance Plans Association has a few ideas of their own when it pertains to affordable health insurance.

Click here to read more about AHIP's position:AHIP

If you are in need of an affordable health insurance quote click here: Free health insurance quote

Will you lose your health insurance freedom?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:07:00 -0500

Everyone is wondering what if anything will I lose if I currently have health insurance.

Affordable health insurance is hard to come by without losing freedom.

To read more click here: Health insurance freedom

To receive a free no obligation quote for affordable health insurance click here:Affordable health insurance quote

Some common HIPAA questions and answers.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:04:00 -0500

Do you have questions that pertain to HIPAA?

This is a great site to get answers from: HIPAA Q&A

Do you need a free no obligation quote for affordable health insurance click here: Free health insurance quote

Will the governmnet provide long term care health insurance too?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Part of the US health insurance reform bills contain language that will also offer some relief for long term care as well.

To read more about this click here: Long Term Care

To receive a free no obligation quote for affordable health care click here:Free health insurance quote

JLBG Health offers affordable health insurance.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:14:00 -0500

JLBG Health offers affordable health insurance to over 350 Associations in the US.

To find out more about our health insurance plans and to receive a free no obligation quote for affordable health insurance click here: Affordable health insurance quote

What is a health savings account (HSA)?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:11:00 -0500

HSA' are very popular plans and are getting more and more enrollment each day.

To read more about HSA's click here:HSA's

To get a free, no obligation, affordable health insurance quote for an health savings account qualified plan click here:Free HSA quote

Some common questions about health savings accounts.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:07:00 -0500

For those of you that have questions concerning health savings accounts (HSA's) here is the US Treasury website with helpful information.

Click here:HSA Q&A

To get a free, no obligation, affordable health insurance quote for an health savings account qualified plan click here: HSA free quote

What will happen to Health Savings Accounts?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:40:34 -0500

As a very large en roller of HSA plans (over 72% of our customer base) we are very concerned with the fact HSA's have not been mentioned in the current health insurance bills on the table.

To read more about HSA's click here: HSA's going to still be around?

Is Vermont's way the US way to affordable health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:52:00 -0500

The State of Vermont has had health insurance regulation for quite some time now.

Statistics show this has worked to some degree but as Vermont is a very small state this may not be our answer on a National level.

To read more click here:Affordable health insurance in Vermont?

Controlling US health insurance costs.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:50:00 -0500

The big question with US health insurance reform..........

How do we control costs to provide affordable health insurance because someone has to pay.

To read about a few ideas click here: Affordable health insurance

2013 until we see any health insurance reform.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:46:00 -0500

Most and wondering when we will see any relief when it comes to affordable health insurance.

A few things to consider:

Currently there are no laws that have been passed only pending bills in the House and Senate.

All of these bills do NOT take effect if ever until 2013......almost 4 years form now.

To read more click here: 2013..........