Health Insurance Blog

Vista Health Plans accepts applications from nonprofit groups for VISTA Community Grants Program.  According to their website, VISTA Community Grants Program supports charities whose programs contribute to improving health in the community in the following areas:

• Preventative health
• Health education
• Disease management
• Community health outreach
• Improving Health care services
• Controlling health care costs
• Getting more people insured

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama has kept a close watch on the health care reform debate.  They fully support health care reform to improve medical care to all patients.  For over 70 years BCBSAL has tried to improve health care in Alabama.

Like many health insurance companies, BCBSAL has some concerns about some of the possible federal legislation that may pass.  They worry some of the proposals will have a negative impact on Alabama patients.  One example is the proposal that would create a new plan run by the government and could jeopardize access to coverage as well as affordability to the 160 million people receiving health benefits through their employers.

Another provision would make it possible for people to wait until they need medical care to purchase health insurance, which would make it more expensive for everyone paying in regularly.  It is still uncertain how the debate will pan out, but BCBSAL remains committed to earn the confidence of their customers and keep costs low for as many members as they can.

Congress has announced a 21.2% cut in Medicare pay for physicians according to the article “Reduction in Medicare Pay Worries Physicians and Patients” by Amit Pathania on TopNews.com.  This is a concern for many and will affect both Medicare patients and doctors.

With less money allocated towards Medicare doctors, the doctors are forced to see less Medicare patients which may mean many will have to look for a different doctor.  According to one survey of neurosurgeons from 2010, about 60% of doctors are lessening their Medicare patients in their practice, and 40% will be cutting back on consultations by new Medicare patients.  Neurosurgeons have made the decision to not treat new patients.

The Congressional Budget Office states an estimate of a savings of $7.3 Billion in the deficit by pushing the Medicare pay cuts to October 1st.  It’s critical that those on Medicare and using Medicare supplement insurance understand what their doctor’s intentions are with their Medicare patients so that they have ample time to find a new, quality doctor if need be.

According to their website, Humana Health Insurance has made some additions to their already top notch mobile program.  They are adding three more resources for the Mobile Web through their MyHumana Mobile Program.

These new resources will improve a member’s ability to make health care decisions and maximize access to Humana One and their effective tools.  The new tools include Mobile Urgent Care Finder, Mobile Spending Account Balance Viewer and the Mobile Member Information Tool.  These resources will be providing additional guidance for members and will be extremely valuable.

Mobile applications are to be offered in 2010 to enhance mobile capabilities for Humana’s members.  Humana is dedicated to connecting with their members in a way that will make their lives easier and give them the best information possible.  Resources and more information is available on their website.

President Obama called for a rare meeting with lawmakers as part of a last effort to revive his health care priority.  The debate lasted all day and there wasn’t a resolution but voices were heard.  Obama gave his personal experiences with individual health insurance, including his mother’s battle with cancer.  He appealed to the fact that the health care system is not getting better, but only worse.

The Republicans main argument was that the existing reform bills didn’t do anything to lower costs.  The bills are estimated to cost 1 trillion dollars over the next decade.  The Democrats pointed out that it is going to be costly initially to extend coverage to nearly 30 million uninsured Americans.  Republicans fear a government system taking over a mostly private sector.

There was agreement that there are fundamental differences between the two parties that are causing the major rift.  The Democrats are still hoping to revive the comprehensive bills that have passed the House and Senate but Republicans are clear that they do not do comprehensive very well.  The debate continues even longer.  This information was obtained from the article “Obama and Republicans Haggle in Last-Gasp Health Summit” found on earthtimes.org.

Health savings accounts are a useful tool many consumers can use to save wisely.  A health savings account (HSA) is an alternative to a traditional health insurance policy.  It can be used along with your health insurance as well.  It’s a savings account that allows you to pay for health care items out of this account specifically.

HSAs make it possible for you to pay current health care expenses and save for future expenses on a tax-free basis.  Many employers and insurance companies such as State Farm Health Insurance offer HSAs.  In order to take advantage of this type of plan you must have a High Deductible Health Plan which generally costs less than traditional health insurance.  They money that you save on monthly premiums can be placed into your savings account.

There are many benefits to taking advantage of an HSA.  You own and control what goes into your HSA.  You make decisions on how to spend the money on the HSA, as long as it is an approved medical expense.  You can also control the type of investments you put your money into.  Look into getting a HSA if you think it will work for you.

Geisinger Health Plan has an extremely useful website which offers tools for their members to better their health.  Their main goal is that their members have positive and comfortable encounters as they navigate the website and use the various services available.

Some of the tools offered on the website include health librarians available to answer questions, CareCost estimator to assist with health care finances, viewing and paying bills online, patient rights and responsibilities and help for teens and young adults.

The Teen Help option is a proactive approach to keeping teens safe.  They offer hotlines for AIDS, runaways, STD’s, suicide prevention, pregnancy care, and domestic violence.  It is sponsored by the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Task Force and supported by Geisinger Health Insurance.  You can sign up online to receive additional information on Geisinger Health Plans and their various tools and services.

Canadian Kristie Moore, age 30, is 5 1/2 months pregnant and is an Winter Olympic alternate in Vancouver according to the article on Yahoo Sports by Chris Chase.  She is an alternate for Team Canada’s curling team and has yet to be called upon but it’s a possibility.  It’s a shocking story but from all accounts Moore is fit, in shape, and up for the challenge.

Moore is only the 3rd known Olympic athlete in history to be with child.  The first was Swedish figure skater Magda Julin 90 years ago who won a gold medal in her first trimester.  In 2006, Germany’s Diana Sartor came in 4th in the skeleton.

Moore found out she was pregnant a few weeks before she was asked to join the team, and when she shared the news with them everyone was supportive.  She should have no problem finding health insurance and having proper coverage while she spends this time at the Olympics.  With Canada being strong contenders for a gold medal Moore is bound to have an exciting few weeks whether or not she competes.

To fill the need of those looking for short term health insurance in these tough times, Humana One has extended its short term health insurance to five more states.  These states include Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Georgia, and Kansas.  With these 5 new states Humana One now offers short term health insurance to 20 states total according to their website.

This is great news for many consumers in these states as the need for short term health insurance is increasing with the unemployment rate.  The design of the program varies from state to state, but they are quality benefits throughout.

Short term health insurance offers immediate and affordable health care coverage for those who are in between jobs or in the middle of a transition.  It’s a great opportunity for students who are about to graduate, seasonal employees, recent retirees waiting to be eligible for Medicare and those who are unemployed looking for new work.  It can be a very convenient option for many and it’s worth getting Humana Insurance quotes if you are in a state of transition.

Mega Health Insurance has named Keith Gleason on Maine as their National Personal Producer of the Year for 2009.  He was presented with the award at the annual convention for insurance agents held in December in Dallas, Texas.  Gleason is the first to win both the National Personal Producer of the Year and the National First Year Achiever.

Gleason finished 2009 with about $1.6 million in personal production which has brought his career production to over $6 million in only 3 and a half years with Mega Insurance.  In addition to being the top personal producer recognition, Gleason received awards in 10 other categories including top Value Seller Award and the President’s Award for personal and team production.

Senior Vice President Jack Heller says that Gleason works with integrity and a strong commitment to Mega Insurance.  They want other agents to follow in his footsteps and strive for his goals.  He continuously shows quality business with his client relations.