Tag Archives: health news
Health Care Reform’s Time is Near!
Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr once famously observed, “Time takes time.” While I’m sure that Ringo Starr wasn’t talking specifically about health insurance as far as I know, his keen observation remains a timely one as we witness the gradual unfolding of health care reform. It makes you think doesn’t it?? The Affordable Care Act is now just five months away from the historic first open enrollment period of the new federal-state health exchanges. It is supposed to provide a simplified, one-stop online source for affordable health insurance for individuals and small businesses. But the on-line 21 page application has our federal government scrambling to find a more “stream-lined” version that will be less demonstrative for the many people that cannot maneuver around a computer let alone a complicated website and application process with no help. The individual mandate portion of the law, of course, requires all Americans to obtain health insurance or face a penalty on their federal income tax. But many are in the dark and will have to pay more for their coverage through the exchange verses if they would contact us at “Healthcare Solutions team” for the help that they so badly need. Unfortunately, a health …
+ Read Full PostHow Will The Insurance Exchange Operate?
I bet you’re wondering how this is all going to come together right? On October 1, 2013 an exchange operated jointly by the state and federal governments will become active allowing pre-registration for the plans offered in the “Obama-care exchanges.” In the state of Illinois, lawmakers are considering a bill to create a state-run exchange beginning in 2014. If the legislature does not approve that bill by May 31-the last day of the legislative session-the jointly run program could continue or Illinois could move to the federal only exchange. When the exchange is created, small businesses and individuals form a large pool, opening the possibility of more choices for insurance policies. The exchange will allow consumers to compare insurance plans (including Medicaid) and the rates. Unfortunately, even after all this work there is no guarantee that the rate that you seek will be less expensive then what we can offer. In fact, we have been actively working with the exchange in comparing prices and unless you are 400% below the poverty line there is a very strong possibility that you will end up paying more on your own than you would with us. Healthcare Solutions Team has prepared their agents …
+ Read Full PostYour Insurance Coverage Your Way!
With all the speculation on having to have health insurance in place by 2014 we believe that there is a pretty easy solution to this problem. As a rule we are a very independent people, so why would we consider letting someone tell us how to insure our families? We wouldn’t! One of the options that you have right now is to obtain a policy that protects you from the unexpected. Remember what I tell you in every single blog, “Your health insurance is to pay for the things that you cannot!” One of the plans that our insurance agents at “Healthcare Solutions Team” offer is the “HSA” or “health savings account.” There are so many advantages to this type of plan. What is great is that you are in control on what your insurance pays for. Here are some important benefits to an “HSA” plan. Finical Flexibility: with the many choices of deductibles and coinsurance amounts you can set the limit of out of pocket cost for all your health care needs. Optional benefits: by adding our accident or critical illness rider you will have the optimum coverage with the least amount of out of pocket costs. Triple Tax …
+ Read Full PostTHE SITUATION
Many consumers in our country are under the impression that Health Care Reform will provide affordable coverage to everyone regardless of their health status. With guaranteed issue coverage for personal health insurance plans it will most likely result in a higher premium for all. Even with the promise of help for low income individuals and families it is doubtful that the subsidy will make the premium low enough that it can be affordable. Buying health insurance can be an anxiety ridden experience and Healthcare Solutions Team is here to change this into a simple and seamless decision. Healthcare Solutions Team has prepared for the health care reform change in 2014. With products such as accident, critical illness and fixed benefit plans, we can help keep you safe while you decide on which venue is best for you and your family. Postponing, or going without health insurance coverage has never been a good idea. The financial risk is far too great to be without coverage for any length of time between now and 2014! Here are some facts for you to ponder. In 2014, all major medical health insurance will be Guarantee Issue, without any pre-existing condition clause. Guarantee Issue plans …
+ Read Full PostHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE “HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW!”
On Thursday, March 21st it was the third anniversary of Congress’ passage of the health care reform law. Even after three years, Americans seemed to be confused about the plans specific provision and really do not know what is and what isn’t in the health law. So here are some more “health insurance questions and answers” to such a popular and important subject! Will Obamacare replace private health insurance policies? No it will not replace the choices that you have to obtain an insurance policy with a private insurance company! The plans that we offer will still offer the same benefits as the exchange plans will and it will be a plan that we believe will be much more affordable. Will there be qualifying requirements with the plans from Obamacare? Yes, such as age and premium rating. That is where high-cost health areas will have more expensive insurance than low-cost areas. The cost will also be based on the size of the family and whether or not the insured are smokers. Do I have to have insurance? Yes you do. The mandate says that you must purchase health insurance or else face a fee. That fee, which the Supreme Court ruled was a …
+ Read Full PostHEALTHCARE REFORM: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The “Affordable Health Care Act” has set up the “insurance exchanges” in 13 out of 24 states that are now on board with the new plans. To make things a bit clearer, we took some of the questions that have been sent in and answered them for you! Where did President Obama get such a plan: the exchanges are based on those established under Massachusetts’s healthcare-reform law, where insurers offer various plans that customers can choose from. Prices will vary from plan to plan, and customers will be able to enter criteria such as their preferred hospital or which drugs they take in order to find the plan the best suits their needs. Can I be rejected for a new plan or dropped due to expenses? No! Insurers can no longer reject coverage to you if you have a preexisting health condition or are older, and your coverage can’t be dropped because your care has become more expensive! Do I have to have insurance? Yes! Under the “ObamaCare” law anyone who remains uninsured will be forced to pay a fine, including those who can’t afford their employer’s insurance plans. What effect will the new rule have on my current health coverage? …
+ Read Full PostNOT A THREAT BUT A REALITY ….CHECK!
As 2013 begins it has been announced that health insurance companies across the country are seeking and obtaining double-digit increases in premiums for some customers, even though President Obama’s health care law was to stop the rise in insurance costs for consumers. The ones to be affect by this are the people who do not have employer-provided insurance and must rely on themselves to buy it. Across the country there is a surge in premiums like a tidal wave. In California, Aetna is proposing rate increases of as much as 22 percent and Anthem Blue Cross 26 percent according to the insurers’ fillings. In other states, like Florida and Ohio, rates have already been raised at least by 20 percent for some individual policy holders. Yet, insurers have already paid $1.1 billion in rebates, and rate review programs have helped save consumers an additional $1 billion in lower premiums. If insurers collect premiums and do not spend at least 80 cents out of every dollar on care for their customers, the law requires them to refund the excess. As a result of the review process, federal officials say, rates were reduced, on average, by nearly three percentage points, according to …
+ Read Full PostSTICKER SHOCK!#@$%!
We are midway into the first month of January 2013 and all around the country the buzz is about healthcare and what it means for your future. If you work for a small business, your next health insurance premium, may give you a sticker shock! Many of the small business and individual insurance policies are working the health reform law’s 2014 fees into their 2013 bills, which mean double-digit premium increase for some employees. Healthcare Solutions Team is current with the implementation of the new healthcare reform law. Our agents are working with the carriers, large and small alike to make sure that now that it is time to act, we are here to help you decide what will be best for you and your family. Insurers say they have no choice but to increase premiums to cover those costs. But it’s hitting pocketbooks sooner than some people expected, and that is causing quite a bit of controversy. One of the CEO’s from Assurant Health was at our office this month addressing the changes, good and bad, with our agents and staff and it was good to hear that they had an active part in Washington to help protect the …
+ Read Full PostTHE FISCAL CLIFF AND THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT
When it comes to the deal that was signed in regards to the “Fiscal Cliff” and the new “Affordable Health care Act” there will be even more changes in store for us. For some states that have not begun to implement the exchange plans they may be at a loss when it comes to funding for the new “health care compliant plans.” A report for the state of Kansas indicates that funding for the new insurance cooperatives will no longer be available, but funding that is being provided for existing co-ops won’t be eliminated. This means that for states like Kansas who are still in the application phase are in jeopardy. To date, 24 states have received between $33 million and $175 million each to help launch insurance cooperatives. For ranking for the top three states one would expect California to be first with New York a close second but the surprise spot for third goes to Vermont. Vermont has been granted more than $158 million so far because they got an earlier start than many other states. Sound confusing? Yes it is. Healthcare Solutions Team has been educating their agents and staff so that when the time comes you …
+ Read Full PostWE ARE ASKING!
On November 6th of this year we had an election that was truly important to every single person in the United States. The days and weeks leading up to the election created stress not only on the opponents but on all you as well. As you know the agents that we have here at Healthcare Solutions Team want to make one thing clear, and that is that we care about you! We want to make this confusing time a time of relief knowing that our agents are the best in the business when it comes to the healthcare reform act and the many changes that are ahead for us come 2014. But in order to serve you better, we need to ask you a few questions. How did the outcome of the 2012 Presidential election impact your choices on what you wanted to do in regards to your healthcare policy? Are you unsure on what the transition will mean to your coverage? Do you think that you can just wait it out and see what happens when the conversion begins in 2014? Who will you turn to when you have questions in regard to your policy and how to use …
+ Read Full Post
Medical Plans by State:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Small Business Insurance:
Group Health Insurance, Group Dental Insurance, Group Vision Insurance
Supplemental Insurance:
Vision Insurance, Travel Health Insurance, Accidental Health Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance