Health Insurance Blog

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has an outstanding health program with many different facets.  Their research shows that health outcomes drastically improve when people take an active part in their health.  This is especially important when it comes to major illnesses.  BCBSFL offers a series of programs designed to help members handle their health in the long run.

Some of these valuable programs cover topics such as care coordination, voluntary pre-service coverage review, prenatal education, and chronic disease management for diabetes, asthma and congestive heart failure.  These programs are incredibly beneficial for those experiencing serious illness and need additional support to manage their condition effectively.

BCBSFL offers affordable options for members through programs such as Go Blue Florida and Blue Cross medicare supplements.  Their first priority is looking out for their members and ensuring positive experiences through their company.

Anthem Blue Cross which is a subsidiary of WellPoint, INC has notified some policyholders in California, Maine, Oregon and other states that individual health insurance rates are going to increase.  This is according to the article “Individual Insurance Rates Soar in 4 States” by The Associated Press on msnbc.com.

In California the rates are to increase up to 39% by March 1.  This is going to be devastating to many individuals who are already struggling to pay bills.  In Maine they are asking for increases up to 23% this year.  Last year alone they increased rates in Maine by 32%.  In Oregon many health insurance companies were granted rate increases of 15% or more this year after about 25% increases from last year.

Health insurance quotes are much more volatile for individual policies when compared to policies under employers and other large groups.  Those types of groups often have bargaining tools and a large pool of people to spread out the risk.  This makes it tough for those who aren’t part of groups and must get individual health insurance.  These rates increases are going to hurt a lot of people financially.

Akron Ohio based Summacare is going old-school by bringing back an old fashioned health care tradition and will be once again making house calls.

The Summacare House Call Program will be made available to select members of their traditional Medicare health plans in addition to members of their Medicare managed care products.

As part of the program, a geriatrician or nurse practitioner makes house calls to provide routine and preventive health care for frail patients who struggle to get to their doctor’s office.

In addition to being enrolled in one of SummaCare’s eligible products, patients also must have a diagnosis of hypertension, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, bacterial pneumonia or other chronic illnesses to be eligible for the program.

More about: senior health insurance options, Ohio health insurance.

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.

Anthem Blue Cross is delaying their proposed rate increase to their California individual health insurance customers after much criticism, and a request by the California Department of Insurance.

The proposed health insurance rate increase would have raised monthly premiums for some members by as much as 39%.  According to Anthem the rate increase represents anticipated medical costs.

Regulators do not believe the sizable rate increase is justified given how profitable parent company Wellpoint was in 2009.

Situations like these, where health insurance companies have been coming off record profits, and then request significant rate increases based on actuarial data are not endearing themselves to the American public, and to politicians looking to solve the country’s health care issues.

Medica Health Insurance has gone mobile according to their website.  You can now get Main Street Medica on your mobile iPhone and compare health insurance costs on the go, right at your fingertips.

Main Street Medica Mobile gives you easy access to price and quality comparison information simply by logging in on your iPhone.  You can simply choose between Chiropractic, Clinic, Medical Equipment/Supplies, Pharmacy, Radiology, or Same Day Surgery to look at the various price estimates for over 60 procedures.  You can also compare generic drugs and medical equipment information.

The estimates are all based on Medica’s in-network contract rates with the various providers in the Medica Choice network.  Medica Health Insurance continues to strive for new and advanced technologies to ensure customer satisfaction and efficiency.

Humana Inc, a leader in finding health insurance for consumers, will be presenting the 20th annual UBS Global Healthcare Services Conference according to their website.  Chief financial officer and treasurer will be making the presentation to investors at the conference on Monday, February 8th.

There will be a live audio Web cast of the presentation available on Humana’s website.  They recommend logging in abou 15 minutes early to allow time to run systems and download any necessary software which is free.

Humana Health Insurance is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky and is one of the country’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies.  They have about 10.3 million medical members and about 7.2 million specialty-benefit members.  They offer a wide variety of health solutions for individuals, employer groups and government programs.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association issued a statement on the US Department of Health and Human Services’ National Summit on Health Care Fraud held in January.

BCBS believes health care fraud is a serious crime and they commend Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder for bringing the summit together.  They bring together private sector stakeholders, law enforcement, Medicare beneficiaries, health insurance companies, and other experts to help combat health care fraud.

Blue Cross Blue Shield companies across the country work together aggressively to discover fraud and educate consumers in an effort to protect them from fraud.  BCBS anti-fraud activities resulted in about $350 million in savings in 2008.  BCBS wants to protect all of their customers, from Medicare customers to Go Blue health insurance.  They continue to work with the Obama administration to fight against this very expensive crime which compromises an effective health care system.

Oxford Health Insurance has a priority to keep their members healthy and fit by providing valuable information.  On their website they have a publication with a variety of health tips called Healthy Mind Healthy Body. The publication goes over important information such as medical updates, diet advice and exercise programs.  They spend a great deal of time focusing on the importance of eating right.  The American society creates challenges when choosing the right foods, but it is possible to make healthy choices.

There is a lot of medical research to show links between eating the proper foods and staying healthy.  Many experts agree that diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes may be prevented through the appropriate diet and exercise.  The diet should include moderate portions of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low fat dairy.  It’s also important to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.  Limiting certain foods is important as well, including saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt and added sugar.

Through being a member of a Oxford health plan not only do you get access to competitive prices and great benefits, but you get the reassurance that they truly have your best interest as a priority.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama now offers health and dental coverage for children and young adults from birth to age 24.  According to their website, your child may be eligible if he or she is a resident of Alabama, is not eligible for Medicare, and they meet certain health underwriting guidelines.

This is a fantastic program offered through BCBSAL.  The plan covers doctor’s visits, emergency room visits, prescription drugs, lab tests, outpatient surgery, hospital costs, ambulance services, physical therapy, allergy testing, mental health treatment and many more.

Ages 0-14 can get health insurance quotes as low as $76/mos and ages 15-24 can pay as little as $80/mos.  You can easily add dental coverage as well for as low as $17/mos.  During a time where individual health insurance and family plans can be challenging to find at an affordable price, this is a program that will benefit many.