Health Insurance Blog

New York health insurance is ahead of the game when it comes to health care reform according to the article “Feds must consider NY situation in fixing care” by Kenneth Adams on poughkeepsiejournal.com.  New York is one step ahead of the nation when it comes to health care infrastructure, medical education, research, health insurance mandates, and insurance taxes.

New York’s plan isn’t perfect and is much more expensive than other states’ plans.  This is why New York is an important state to look at as Congress tries to put together health care reform.  According to the United Hospital Fund, NY ranks 25th across the country with 15% of New Yorkers without health insurance under 65.  If federal policies make New York health insurance more expensive NY cannot improve their numbers. 

59% of people in New York still get their health insurance from employer sponsored plans.  New health insurance taxes without reform to offset the increasing prices will force more New York companies to stop offering health insurance benefits to their employees.  That will cause even more uninsured residents since it will be harder for them to obtain individual health insurance.

About eight out of ten Americans favor a public option health insurance plan on the table in Congress right now.  This is according to the new poll underwritten by AARP and completed by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates released Tuesday night at an AARP event in Denver. 

While most people seem to favor this public option, only four out of ten can accurately define what a public option health insurance plan means.  This is not good news for President Obama who may be facing possible defeat on his health care reform platform. 

The poll surveyed 1,000 Republicans, Democrats and independents across the nation earlier in August.  The survey does suggest that Americans agree on health care reform of some sort, but there is much less agreement on whether or not it’s worth higher taxes or higher health insurance rates. 

Most are still very concerned about having affordable health insurance.  65% oppose tax increases and 73% oppose higher health insurance premiums.  This information was found through the Wichita Business Journal in the article “AARP polling shows uncertainties about ‘public option’ insurance in health reform” by Neil Westergaard. 

State Farm Health Insurance is giving America a highly needed challenge.  They are challenging Americans to collectively lose 50 million pounds across the nation, according to the article “Insurance agency challenges Americans to lose weight” on wqow.com. 

Bob Johnson, an agent at State Farm Insurance, says that the healthier you are the less frequently you visit the doctor which will help lower your health insurance rates over time.  There is also the benefit of living a longer, higher quality life the healthier you live.  A healthy lifestyle will help you lose weight, have more energy and just feel better overall.

Online registration is available and participants can track their progress throughout the challenge.  There is also information on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.  State Farm Health Insurance is offering a kit which includes a pedometer and an information booklet.  Hopefully America is up for the challenge because obesity continues to be on the rise. 

One of the most popular arguments against a government run health care plan is the lack of competition that would arise among health insurance providers, but according to the article “Competition Lacking Among Private Health Insurance Companies” by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar on the huffingtonpost.com, private insurance companies already lack sufficient competition.

Studies show that in a number of areas across the country one or two health insurance companies dominate the marketplace.  When this happens prices can be driven up since those needing health insurance do not have many options.  The Democrats believe that a public health insurance plan would fix this problem since it would directly compete with the private insurers.  The Republicans are concerned over the government having that much power.

As Congress tries to figure out the best way to provide health care in this country, it’s important that consumers take matters into their own hands for now.  If you are in the market for health insurance get numerous health insurance quotes to ensure you know what’s available out there.

If you are a North Carolina resident and have received any recent health insurance quotes, you know rates are way up.  They are up an astonishing 97% since 2000 according to an article on bizjournals.com by James Gallagher.  Income in the state has only increased by a mere 18.4% during the same time period. 

This information was obtained from a new study completed by Families USA released Tuesday.  If this trend continues more and more families will drop their health insurance because they will be unable to afford the costs.  The cost to obtain North Carolina health insurance for a family has gone from $6,649 to $13,083. 

In regards to employer sponsored health plans, more of the cost has been shifted to the employees as prices have gone up.  Employers covered about 73% of health insurance costs back in 2000, but by 2009 it’s down to approximately 67%.  Part of this decline is due to small business dropping their coverage altogether because they could not afford the benefit. 

Families USA supports health coverage for all and they conclude that the steep rate increase can be attributed to rising health-care spending, not enough competition in the industry, a lack of regulation from the government and cost shifting from those without insurance to those who are covered.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania has filed a rate increase request with the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance for a handful of individual health insurance products.

If the rate increase request is approved it would impact about 56,000 existing customers of the Blue Cross health insurance company, or about 10% of their subscriber base.

The individual product offerings that will be impacted include:

• Security 65:  Medicare Supplement Plans.  37,000 Subscribers impacted.  Requested rate increase is 10% for 1 option and 19.9% for another.
• Blue Care Cooperative: 7,000 subscribers impacted.  Requested rate increase 48.9%.
• Special Care: 5,000 subscribers impacted.  Requested rate increase 27.0%
• Major Medical: 6,000 subscribers impacted.  Requested rate increase 27.0%
• HMO Individual Conversion: 1,000 subscribers impacted. Requested rate increase 27% (with Rx) 12% without.

More information about Pennsylvania health insurance.

Congress may be backing away from their idea of a public option only health insurance plan.  The New York Times reported earlier today that public health insurance may not be included in their plan at all according to Sheryl Gay Stolberg on the NY Time’s site. 

White House officals state that President Obama hasn’t fully put aside the idea of a government only plan, but the door has been opened.  The president still believes there is great value in having a purely government plan, but he views it as only a small piece of a broader goal.  Ultimately the initiative is to control costs, make coverage available to as many people as possible, and make health care a much more efficient program. 

President Obama envisions the public health insurance option as a flexible plan backed by the government where consumers can buy public or private individual health insurance based on what fits their needs most.  Over time the plan would be financially self sustaining and require no additional subsidies.  But there is fear that this would drive private insurers out of business over time.

According to the article “Immigrants soon to lose state health insurance” by Kay Lazar on boston.com 30,000 legal immigrants are receiving letters informing them that their Massachusetts health insurance which is subsidized by the state, will no longer be available after August 31.  It will be replaced by patchwork care until Massachusetts officials can determine a comprehensive plan for the critically sick.

It is still to be determined what type of coverage these immigrants will have available to them.  The interim plan only covers emergencies and a few other limited services.  This is leaving many worried as to what is going to happen when health care is needed by the affected group.  Immigrants will be receiving emergency health care in hospitals through the Health Safety Net and MassHealth Limited.

It’s very likely that coverage for routine and preventative care from their current physician will not be covered.  The federal government doesn’t help to pay for these 30,000 legal immigrants.  They are more expensive for the state to insure as they are not yet citizens.  Many states in the US have stopped covering immigrants in this category but Massachusetts has continued to cover this group for comprehensive care until now.

According to the article “An affordable insurance quote requires careful research” on healthcare.com customers will benefit from doing their research when shopping for health insurance quotes.  You may find an affordable quote quickly, but read the fine print to prevent future issues with your policy. 

One potential issue is in and out-of-network stipulations.  PPO and HMO plans offer discounts to health providers that the insurance company has negotiated with to set reasonable rates.  Medical tests and various procedures are usually cheaper with in-network physicians.  Researching what is included in the in-network costs can save you a lot of time and money as you use the health care system.  There have been many scenarios where patients go to an in-network hospital but tests are sent to an out-of-network lab and the patient is left with the cost. 

To avoid such complications, compare options side by side and shop around for health insurance quotes.  Find out how benefits vary from providers to ensure you have the coverage best suited for your needs at reasonable costs. 

Good news for those looking for Oregon health insurance.  A new state Farm Insurance Angency has opened in Salem, OR according to the article on statesmanjournal.com by Kathie Hodges and they are offering health insurance. 

Jeff Stewart opened the agency on Commercial St. in Salem and has worked for State Farm for 4 years now.  Before becoming a State Farm agent he was a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual.  He has his BA in economics from the University of Oregon and is extremely knowledgeable on insurance.

Mike Speten and Peggy Zepp are part of his team as well and all are licensed in proprety and casualty, life insurance and even State Farm health insurance.  They are also State Farm Bank certified.  Hours are 9-5pm Monday through Friday and evenings and weekends with an appointment.  This offers a great opportunity to Salem residents to shop for insurance.