Health Insurance Blog

Support is growing for a proposed health care system overhaul that would require all Americans to maintain health insurance coverage.

The mandate, which is being proposed by insurance industry leaders has received support from an coalition of doctors, hospitals, nurses, business, consumer, and insurance groups which have agreed on a set of ideas for reform, which also include the health insurance mandate.

The aforementioned coalition is called the Health Reform Dialog, and includes AARP, American Hospital Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Congress among other influential groups.

President Obama, who initially was not a supporter of such a mandate seems to be softening his stance, mentioning in a White House question-and-answer session on Thursday that the issue will be “part of the debate.”

UnitedHealth Group announced that Ovations, their health and well-being company for seniors, is launching a new portfolio of Medicare Health Plans for 2009.

Ovations’ Medicare portfolio includes Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Supplement insurance programs, and innovative special needs plans.

to find more information about the new medicare plans being offered by UnitedHealth Group, visit www.uhcmedicaresolutions.com

Bloomberg.com reports that premiums for medicare drug coverage will rise more than 20% on average from 2008 to 2009.  This expected rate increase is on the heals of another 20%+ rate increase from 2007 to 2008.

Among the largest medicare drug plans, AARPs MedicareRx is increasing rates by 8% while Humana’s PDP Enhanced plan is raising premiums by 64%.

According to health insurance companies such as Humana, the volatility in premiums charged for these drug plans can be blamed on inaccurate forecasting of drug costs.  Humana’s PDP plan’s premiums have quadrupled since its inception in 2006.  While most senior citizens tend to stick with the same drug plan that they are already enrolled in, the volatility in prices has made it important for seniors to shop around for the best rate.  For 2009 there are nearly 1,700 government approved prescription drug plans, and every Medicare enrollee in the country (except for Alaska) has a plan available to them at a monthly cost of less than $20 per month.

Nationally, about 16 million Americans enroll in a standalone medicare drug plan such as AARPs MedicareRX, as opposed to obtaining drug coverage through a comprehensive health care plan such as Medicare Advantage.