The changes to Massachusett's health system under the sweeping Health Care Reform Act, passed this summer, haven’t been felt yet by many of the state’s employers, but they will be, predict health insurance companies, and health-care industry professionals.
Massachusetts has implemented the first stages of the Health Care Reform Act, a widely-watched, first-of-its-kind health-care measure designed to provide every Bay State resident with health insurance, in some form. If they don’t receive it from their employers, they themselves will be required to buy it. As of this past October 1, the law imposes fines for employers who don’t offer insurance and, as of next July 1, it will penalize individuals who do not elect to purchase it.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
New York Health Care
GOV.-elect Eliot Spitzer has to tackle New York's out-of-control Medicaid spending. But New York's individual health insurance marketplace is just as obscene a mess. What New York health care needs is free-market medicine.
The on-line brokerage eHealthInsurance compared the prices for a basic, family health insurance policy in America's 50 largest cities; New York City was the second most expensive. The basic family health plan costs $171 a month in Kansas City, $180 in Long Beach,Calif., $185 in Tucson, and a staggering $713 in New York.
State lawmakers have mandated that health plans cover a host of procedures and, including alternative health care services, far more than most states. Each mandated benefit adds to the policy's cost.
The incredible price of health insurance partly explains why - despite being the fifth wealthiest state - New York still has the second-highest rate of uninsured adults.
The on-line brokerage eHealthInsurance compared the prices for a basic, family health insurance policy in America's 50 largest cities; New York City was the second most expensive. The basic family health plan costs $171 a month in Kansas City, $180 in Long Beach,Calif., $185 in Tucson, and a staggering $713 in New York.
State lawmakers have mandated that health plans cover a host of procedures and, including alternative health care services, far more than most states. Each mandated benefit adds to the policy's cost.
The incredible price of health insurance partly explains why - despite being the fifth wealthiest state - New York still has the second-highest rate of uninsured adults.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Individuals without Health Insurance
Individuals without health insurance through their employerhave other options available.
It's not as simple as it looks. Experts say that a health insurance plan that works best for a single person might not be ideal for a family or a recent college graduate who expects to find a job in a few months.
While some people are capable of doing the research and choosing a health plan online, families with several dependents talk with a broker in person.
One option is the health savings account (HSA).
There are two parts to health savings accounts: a high-deductible health plan and a tax-advantaged savings account. The idea is to take the money you save on premiums and put it into a savings account that can be used for deductibles, vision and dental care, long-term health-care plans and more.
The one constant is that you should never go without some type of health insurance coverage, even if it's a simple plan that provides only catastrophic coverage.
It's not as simple as it looks. Experts say that a health insurance plan that works best for a single person might not be ideal for a family or a recent college graduate who expects to find a job in a few months.
While some people are capable of doing the research and choosing a health plan online, families with several dependents talk with a broker in person.
One option is the health savings account (HSA).
There are two parts to health savings accounts: a high-deductible health plan and a tax-advantaged savings account. The idea is to take the money you save on premiums and put it into a savings account that can be used for deductibles, vision and dental care, long-term health-care plans and more.
The one constant is that you should never go without some type of health insurance coverage, even if it's a simple plan that provides only catastrophic coverage.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Maryland Health Insurance Plan
There's discussion about a new bill that would require Maryland residents to buy health insurance.
The Maryland Health Care Commission is working on the plan. It would be called Maryland Health and would replace the traditional system of health insurance plans chosen by employers. Instead, workers would chose their plan from an insurance exchange and take the coverage with them as they change jobs.
Employers would cover part of the cost and lower-income people would get subsidies. Many details have not been worked out, but the commission staff hopes to supply more information to the General Assembly in January.
One other state - Massachusetts - approved a similar health insurance plan last year, but it has not yet gone into effect.
The Maryland Health Care Commission is working on the plan. It would be called Maryland Health and would replace the traditional system of health insurance plans chosen by employers. Instead, workers would chose their plan from an insurance exchange and take the coverage with them as they change jobs.
Employers would cover part of the cost and lower-income people would get subsidies. Many details have not been worked out, but the commission staff hopes to supply more information to the General Assembly in January.
One other state - Massachusetts - approved a similar health insurance plan last year, but it has not yet gone into effect.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Higher Health Insurance Rates for Smokers and Obese?
Most Americans believe smokers and the obese should pay more for their health insurance, but they have mixed views on how to help the millions without health insurance.
The health insurance industry unexpectedly threw its support behind a plan for nearly universal health care.
The rate of uninsured, now nearly 16% of the US population, has been climbing for years, driven by consumer demand and escalating prices for prescription drugs and hospital care.
About 20% of large employers are already giving health insurance discounts to workers who do not smoke.
The health insurance industry unexpectedly threw its support behind a plan for nearly universal health care.
The rate of uninsured, now nearly 16% of the US population, has been climbing for years, driven by consumer demand and escalating prices for prescription drugs and hospital care.
About 20% of large employers are already giving health insurance discounts to workers who do not smoke.
Monday, November 13, 2006
SC Auto Insurance Falling
There is some silver lining to Auto Insurance costs this year.
While homeowner's insurance premiums remain high, now might be the right time to shop around to save money on your South Carolina auto insurance.
Many auto insurance carriers can afford to be generous, having prospered in a year of mild hurricane activity, almost no big payouts for terrorism, and high auto-insurance premiums. Berkshire Hathaway Inc., for example, which sells catastrophic insurance and owns Geico, the huge auto insurer, recently reported more than four times the third-quarter net income it declared last year.
South Carolina typically ranks in the middle of the pack nationally in auto insurance costs. In 2003, according to the most recent information available from the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto insurance premium was $821 a year nationwide, but $744.79 in South Carolina.
In 2002, those figure were $777 and $702.44, respectively.
While homeowner's insurance premiums remain high, now might be the right time to shop around to save money on your South Carolina auto insurance.
Many auto insurance carriers can afford to be generous, having prospered in a year of mild hurricane activity, almost no big payouts for terrorism, and high auto-insurance premiums. Berkshire Hathaway Inc., for example, which sells catastrophic insurance and owns Geico, the huge auto insurer, recently reported more than four times the third-quarter net income it declared last year.
South Carolina typically ranks in the middle of the pack nationally in auto insurance costs. In 2003, according to the most recent information available from the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto insurance premium was $821 a year nationwide, but $744.79 in South Carolina.
In 2002, those figure were $777 and $702.44, respectively.
Milwaukee Health Insurance Costs to rise
The average cost increase for health insurance for Milwaukee-area businesses that are renewing their plans will be a little more than 10 percent, according to an informal survey of health insurance brokers.
That corresponds roughly with a survey of the region's businesses released in September by the Greater Milwaukee Annual Report on Health Care, which found that about 60% of employers anticipated double-digit increases.
For more information about Milwaukee Health Insurance.
That corresponds roughly with a survey of the region's businesses released in September by the Greater Milwaukee Annual Report on Health Care, which found that about 60% of employers anticipated double-digit increases.
For more information about Milwaukee Health Insurance.
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
NY to offer HSAs for low income families
New York's Healthy NY program, which offers subsidized health insurance plans for low-income workers will offer high-deductible health plans designed to be used with health savings accounts (HSA).
Healthy NY provides basic health insurance coverage to New York residents with annual incomes of up to $25,125 for an individual or $49,875 for a family of four.
The New York Department of Insurance said the new plan will reduce health insurance premium costs by as much as 25% for some workers and will have deductibles of $1,150 for individuals and $2,300 for families.
Health NY also will be expanded next year to provide health coverage for prostate screenings, home health care, and physical therapy after hospitalization or surgery. To be eligible, applicants must be employed or have been employed within the last year
Healthy NY provides basic health insurance coverage to New York residents with annual incomes of up to $25,125 for an individual or $49,875 for a family of four.
The New York Department of Insurance said the new plan will reduce health insurance premium costs by as much as 25% for some workers and will have deductibles of $1,150 for individuals and $2,300 for families.
Health NY also will be expanded next year to provide health coverage for prostate screenings, home health care, and physical therapy after hospitalization or surgery. To be eligible, applicants must be employed or have been employed within the last year
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
UPMC to offer Childrens Health Insurance Plan
Press Release
UPMC Health Plan is the newest health insurance company in Pennsylvania to offer health insurance coverage for the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.
CHIP, offered now by UPMC for Kids, offers free or low-cost health
insurance coverage to children from birth up to age 19. It covers
hospitalizations, immunizations, well-baby visits, emergency care,
prescriptions, dental, vision, home care services, diagnostic services, and
more. It also offers services to help promote health and wellness for the
children who enroll.
UPMC for Kids administers CHIP in a 27-county Western Pennsylvania
service area. Once enrolled, children have access to a full network of
health care providers, similar to UPMC Health Plan's other provider
networks. Seven other insurers offer CHIP throughout the state.
To be eligible for CHIP, children cannot be covered by Medical
Assistance or have any other health coverage
UPMC Health Plan is the newest health insurance company in Pennsylvania to offer health insurance coverage for the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.
CHIP, offered now by UPMC for Kids, offers free or low-cost health
insurance coverage to children from birth up to age 19. It covers
hospitalizations, immunizations, well-baby visits, emergency care,
prescriptions, dental, vision, home care services, diagnostic services, and
more. It also offers services to help promote health and wellness for the
children who enroll.
UPMC for Kids administers CHIP in a 27-county Western Pennsylvania
service area. Once enrolled, children have access to a full network of
health care providers, similar to UPMC Health Plan's other provider
networks. Seven other insurers offer CHIP throughout the state.
To be eligible for CHIP, children cannot be covered by Medical
Assistance or have any other health coverage
Thursday, November 2, 2006
New MA health insurance program
For the first time in a while, there was full agreement on changes to the employee health insurance program before voting.
Town Manager Brian Sullivan announced at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting that both parties were on the same page after a series of meetings he had with the Health Insurance Advisory Committee and outside consultants.
Selectmen unanimously supported the suggested health insurance rate increases that range from 3.5 percent to 14 percent. The rate setting, which applies to the next calendar year, is based on an estimate of what health insurance costs will be, with collective bargaining determining the share that employees contribute.
Included with the new employee program is a broader array of health plans going into open enrollment, which ends on Nov. 21.
For both HMO Blue, which has the largest enrollment of all the town's plans, and Blue Choice, two products will be offered: One with the existing benefit structure, and one with co-pay increases for drugs that would follow a three-tier model.
All non-union employees and retirees would move to the new healthcare plans, as would members of three union groups whose contracts have been negotiated. Those still at the bargaining table - Police Ranking Officers, Patrolmen, Firefighters, Arlington Administrators Association and Arlington Education Association enrollees - would remain on the existing plan until contracts are settled.
Town Manager Brian Sullivan announced at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting that both parties were on the same page after a series of meetings he had with the Health Insurance Advisory Committee and outside consultants.
Selectmen unanimously supported the suggested health insurance rate increases that range from 3.5 percent to 14 percent. The rate setting, which applies to the next calendar year, is based on an estimate of what health insurance costs will be, with collective bargaining determining the share that employees contribute.
Included with the new employee program is a broader array of health plans going into open enrollment, which ends on Nov. 21.
For both HMO Blue, which has the largest enrollment of all the town's plans, and Blue Choice, two products will be offered: One with the existing benefit structure, and one with co-pay increases for drugs that would follow a three-tier model.
All non-union employees and retirees would move to the new healthcare plans, as would members of three union groups whose contracts have been negotiated. Those still at the bargaining table - Police Ranking Officers, Patrolmen, Firefighters, Arlington Administrators Association and Arlington Education Association enrollees - would remain on the existing plan until contracts are settled.
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