Homemakers Earn $100,000 Plus Health Insurance

Investopedia's Porcshe Moran did some research to find out, "How Much Is A Homemaker Worth?" By examining the basic tasks that most every homemaker does on a daily and weekly basis and taking the lowest value for each task, this article determined that a homemaker would earn around $100,000 if they worked outside of the home.

Between doing the grocery shopping and acting as a private chef for three meals a day, you could earn around $52,000 a year. House cleaning services vary depending on the size of the house, but a low average estimates just over $6,000 per year for basic housecleaning, more for things like cleaning out appliances and dusting mini-blinds. The full-time, live-in child care offered by homemakers is worth quite a lot both monetarily and in perks. A nanny would earn around $31,000 a year and would usually receive health insurance, vacation, sick days, bonuses, and even dental and vision insurance.

A personal driver for your own vehicle would cost you over $4,000 per year. Your Memphis auto insurance, or whatever city in which you live, might also cover the driver's car insurance as an added perk. Laundry services would cost nearly $1,000 per year assuming about five loads per week. Many homemakers also do landscaping services like mowing the lawn, for which they could earn more than $1,500 each year. With a salary near $100,000 per year, some homemakers may look to take some of their services outside the home!

Individual Health Insurance Rarely Covers IVF In US, More Embryos Transferred

Although many people think that the more embryos implanted during IVF, the greater chance you will have a successful pregnancy, the UK's University of Glasgow has found the opposite to be true. Europe has strict guidelines regarding the number of embryos that can be implanted during IVF, unlike the US. This is probably because IVF is paid for in many European countries. Individual health insurance, or group for that matter, in America rarely covers fertility treatments like IVF. Since the cost can start at $10,000 per treatment, Americans tend to implant more embryos in the hopes that it will give them a greater chance of having a baby.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine issues recommendations for embryo transfers, but they are rarely followed and not regulated. For women under 35, they recommend 1 embryo be transferred, 2-3 embryos for women 35-37, and 3-4 embryos for women 38-40. In contrast, the Western European guidelines are often laws and have lower recommendations. For women under 37, they recommend 1 embryo transferred, for ages 37-40 there is a maximum of 2 embryos, and over 40 there is usually a maximum of 3 embryos.

One reason given for the stricter guidelines is that there could be a greater risk of miscarriage and surely a riskier pregnancy with more embryos implanted. But this most recent study also found that there is not a higher likelihood of a successful pregnancy when three or more embryos are transferred. The women under 40 who were studied had a successful pregnancy 33% of the time with 2 embryos transferred, but only 25% of the time with 3 embryos transferred. In women over 40, the success rate was the same whether 2 or 3 embryos were transferred. We'll see if this study does anything to change American regulations.

This information came from the Associated Press article, "Study finds no better odds using 3 embryos in IVF," by Maria Cheng.

Medicare, Health Insurance Cuts Hurt Doctors with Small Practices

There is a sad reality facing many doctors in America who run their own businesses. Due to smaller reimbursements from health insurance companies, increasing business expenses and drug costs, and frequently changing regulations; doctors are running out of money to run their small practices. This information comes from "Small Business: Doctors going broke," by Parija Kavilanz of CNN Money. This is not only affecting family practice doctors, but also oncologists, cardiologists and just about every other specialty.

Believe it or not, half of all U.S. doctors operate in a private practice, so the loss of this industry would really hurt Americans' health care choices. Medicare cuts have hurt doctors with small businesses. Cardiovascular services saw 35-40% cuts in Medicare recently and there is a 24.7% cut in Medicare doctors' pay pending. Sadly, these cuts could force some doctors to close their small practices. Doctors have been going with less or no pay and taking out loans just to cover the payroll costs at their practices.

Medicare cuts are based on the state of the economy and health insurance companies base their reimbursements on what is happening with Medicare. Since doctors have been trained in medicine, they have to do added research to properly run a small business. Let's hope for some regulation and some better luck for doctors running small practices. While hiring another person is low on the priority list, it is wise to have someone with a business background to run a medical practice and not all doctors have that.

Auto Insurance Rates are High in Montana

Montana residents pay the 4th highest auto insurance rates in the United States, according to KTVQ out of Billings. Des Toups' article, "Montana ranked 4th-highest for car insurance cost," says that the information was collected from Quadrant Information Services. The average yearly cost to insure a 2011 vehicle in Montana is $2,190. You should be able to get used car insurance for cheaper than that, but it will be difficult to find new car insurance for much less.

The three states with higher car insurance than Montana are Michigan at $2,541; Louisiana at $2,453; and Oklahoma at $2,197. One reason for steep car insurance costs in Montana is the vast size of the state. People have to drive more miles and that means that they incur a greater risk. With a fatality rate of 2.12 per 100 million miles driven, Montana has double the deaths of the national average.

Partially due to the high auto insurance rates, 11% of Montana's drivers are driving without car insurance coverage. The $2,190 rate is for what many consider average coverage in the United States. It includes $100,000 liability coverage per person and $300,000 per accident, as well as $50,000 property damage coverage. The survey assumed a $500 deductible and included uninsured motorist coverage. Shop around to get the best possible auto insurance rates in Montana and any other state.

Ohio Health Insurance Exchanges Ban Abortion Coverage

Ohio's health insurance exchanges are banned from providing any type of abortion coverage, according to the Reuters article, "Ohio bans abortion funding in insurance exchanges," by Mary Wisniewski. Under President Obama's healthcare reform, states must create health insurance exchanges for easy health care shopping by 2014. Governor John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican, signed the ban of any abortion coverage in their health insurance exchange. This ban will be in place regardless of whether the citizen plans to pay for their abortion with their own money; health insurance will not cover any of the procedure.

There is definitely outrage from pro-choice and other groups like the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU said that it would sue the state if this became a law, so that may be coming soon. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio's executive director argues that this law violates Ohio's Constitution. On the other side of the argument, Ohio Right to Life's executive director says that abortion is not actually healthcare. So while these groups agree that everyone should have access to healthcare, the groups don't agree as to whether or not abortion is actually healthcare. Abortion has been a hot debate for decades, so regardless of the law the topic will continue to be debated and fought over in the legal system.

Auto Breakdowns More Likely Than Americans Think

Even though most Americans have experienced some type of car trouble while out on the road, 84% of drivers don't foresee themselves running into car trouble this holiday season. This information comes from Allstate's "American drivers unprepared for holiday travel mayhem." Close to half of drivers plan to travel at least 2 hours in the car this season, which means that many more people will likely be stranded and running into car problems. One of the best ways to avoid car trouble is to keep up with the routine maintenance on your car. Sometimes bad luck or circumstances out of your control result in car problems, but taking care of your car can ensure your gas tank is full, your tires have air, and your engine oil is full.

Since 22% of drivers indicated that a slow economy had caused them to skip some routine maintenance, car insurance companies are trying to convince their drivers to keep up with their cars to avoid unnecessary breakdowns. Indianapolis auto insurance companies have to worry about snow and ice in addition to other car troubles like flat tires, dead batteries, and blown fuses. A majority of Americans are confident that they would be able to fix a car problem, should it happen to them. Only half of them, however, say that they could survive three days in their car with the supplies they have inside. Less than half of drivers have a warm blanket, water and food, flares, or a first aid kit. Having some kind of roadside assistance from Allstate, AAA or another company could really save you in the event of a breakdown or accident.

Nebraska's Individual Health Insurance Exchange Controversy

Nebraska's Hospital Association is hoping that the state does not wait until next summer before planning their health insurance exchange. This information comes from Insurance Journal's "Nebraska's Health Providers Urge State-based Insurance Exchange," by Grant Schulte. Currently, the Nebraska government plans to wait until a U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding President Obama's health insurance changes, which is expected around June. The deadline for states to have their individual health insurance exchanges planned is June 29, so Nebraska could be in a bad place if the current plans pass through the Supreme Court and they have not made their own budgeting and oversight plans.

The state run health insurance exchanges are for Americans to purchase individual health insurance with all of their options in an easy to shop location. It is estimated that a family of four, making around $55,000 per year, would be able to get an insurance plan for about $370 per month. These online supermarkets must be in place by 2014 and funded by individual states by 2015, but the deadline for federal approval of the plans is January of 2013.

Nebraska's governor doesn't want to put the work into making an exchange plan before the federal government ruling is made. He says that exchange minimum requirements haven't even been set yet and many government officials in Nebraska are worried about the costs the state will incur. If a quality health insurance exchange is not put into place by Nebraska's government, the federal government will run one for them. Twelve percent of Nebraska's population is currently uninsured, but many more are likely under-insured. Nebraska is weighing four different options for health insurance exchanges, but is likely to go with a state run plan.

Check Auto Insurance Before Car-Sharing

Car-sharing is becoming more and more popular to help save money and the environment. Old school car pooling has paved the way for today's car-sharing. Along with this increase in car-sharing comes questions about what your auto insurance company is going to cover. Laws in California and Oregon have updated to include car-sharing practices, so you will know what is covered by your San Diego auto insurance policy. Other states haven't followed suit yet though, so check with your individual auto insurance company to find out what is covered.

In "Auto insurance risks of car sharing," Jay MacDonald of Bankrate says that peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing is a gray area of coverage for many auto insurance companies. P2P car-sharing can be either for-profit or not-for-profit and that can make a big difference in coverage. Car rental companies and even some manufacturers are also getting into the car-sharing business where you pay a monthly membership fee and then rent a car for an hourly or daily cost when you need it.

Auto insurance risks vary by the type of car-sharing, but here are some of the most common things to look into. If you are renting your own car, it is not likely that your auto insurance company will cover that so make sure the P2P company offers auto insurance coverage. Depending on who is driving the car, their auto insurance may cover them in your vehicle. There is an increased risk when using your car for car-sharing so you may see increased premiums or even have your policy canceled by your auto insurer. There will also be more questions related to liability, depreciation, and transition if you are sharing your car. Bottom line, make sure to cover all of your auto insurance bases before beginning a car-share program.

Health Insurance Paying for Record Psychiatric Meds

Twenty percent of American adults are now taking some kind of psychiatric medication, according to The Wall Street Journal article "One In Five American Adults Takes Psychiatric Drugs," published on the Fox News website. This is big business for pharmaceutical companies and something that health insurance companies must pay close attention to. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and anti-psychotics are the most commonly prescribed to adults.

Between 2001 and 2010, the number of adult Americans using psychiatric medications increased by 22%. A steep increase in the number of adults using medication for ADHD, more commonly associated with children, helped the overall increase. Very powerful anti-psychotic drugs are also being prescribed in much higher numbers in the past decade. There were a few declines in use of the drugs; children are being prescribed fewer antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication is being used less for the elderly.

Just last year, Americans spent almost $35 billion on anti-psychotic drugs, antidepressants, and ADHD medications. Insurers fork over a ton of money for these drugs, so plans have very specific details on coverage and requirements. People who are lacking quality health insurance have to worry about paying for these medications on their own or finding some government assistance. That may change, depending on what happens with President Obama's health care reform act set to take effect in 2014.

Individual Health Insurance Can Be Gender Biased

Would you believe that 95% of individual health insurance companies deny people for health insurance based on their gender? This affects women most of all because they are denied coverage at an alarming rate. According to CBS News story "37 states allow health coverage gender bias," there are only 13 states where it is illegal to practice this 'gender rating'.

Gender rating is simple, men pay less for health insurance coverage than women do. One of the biggest problems with this, other than the fact that it is unfair, is that women are denied because they go to the doctor more. Interviews with many experts point out though that this actually lowers the overall burden of health care costs nationally. By going to see doctors more regularly, women are treated earlier for diseases and avoid some problems altogether.

Health insurance companies don't seem to appreciate this though. Prevention magazine is publishing an article about this gender rating in their December issue. They found that women tend to pay 84% more for health insurance than men. For those who are unemployed or cannot obtain employer health insurance for some reason, Charter Oak Health Plan is an option for affordable health insurance coverage. If you are a woman who questions your health insurance quote based on gender, see if you are in one of the 13 states where gender rating is illegal.

Should You Buy A New Or Used Car?

Deciding whether to buy a car new or used can be a very daunting task and making sure you get the best price for either can seem impossible. Time Magazine offers 5 resources to help you make the best use of your money when buying a car in their article "Car-Buying Help: 5 Smart Resources to Get the Right Car at the Right Price," by Brad Tuttle.

Used car insurance is going to be less expensive than new car insurance for a few reasons, but it may or may not be your deciding factor in purchasing new vs. used. In the Popular Mechanics article "How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Burned," they offer a 101-point checklist to go over for any potential used car purchase. They don't tell you that your car should pass all 101 checks, but recommend finding out all of this information before purchasing.

The other resources recommended by Time include using the Edmunds First-Time New-Car Buyer Guide for step by step tips and reading Kelley Blue Book's 10 Tips for First-Time Car Buyers. There is also an interesting thread on Reddit where a car salesman goes undercover to give tips on what to do and what not to do when buying a car. Finally, Time suggests looking into the Wall Street Journal's car matchmaking service that takes into account your budget and many other things to match you with your best car.

In addition to doing your research from these companies, it is also wise to speak with car insurance companies and your current agent to see what the cost to insure your new or used vehicle will be. That is another figure you'll have to work into your budget.

Open Enrollment for Medicare Starts Early

All Medicare eligible individuals need to be aware of the early open enrollment period this year. Starting Saturday, October 15th, recipients can choose their new plan if they choose to do so. What's more important is the end date of December 7th. This is the last day recipients can switch their plans. If they miss this deadline, individuals could end up losing the coverage they want, or they could lose all coverage. With so many choices in Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans, preparation is crucial.

With open enrollment earlier than normal, there are concerns that some seniors may miss the deadline and end up missing out. The government is working hard to get the information out to as many recipients as possible, but it will be hard to tell how many people will be left out. This time is critical in choosing plans that are best suited for the individual. There are so many choices to sort through and seniors are encouraged to meet with an expert to help sort through the variety of plans. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information, but with the right preparation seniors can make the best choices for them and their families.

More People Going Without Auto Insurance

In today's economic environment, more and more people are choosing to go without auto insurance while they still take to the roads. Industry experts estimate that about 13.8% of all American drivers are uninsured and this causes a whole host of problems for all drivers and insurance companies. Auto insurance companies lose a significant amount of money every year due to uninsured drivers and these costs are passed on to insurance premiums that insured drivers will feel. Whether you have new or used car insurance, you will likely see rate increases over time partly due to uninsured drivers.

Larry Copeland wrote the article "One in Seven Drivers Have No Insurance" on USA Today and points out that uninsured drivers end up costing insured drivers billions of dollars per year. This astonishing figure is creeping up as inflation rises and health care costs continue to increase. Data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that in 2007 the cost of people going without insurance was about $10.8 billion.

Requiring auto insurance hasn't been enough motivation to get all drivers insured. The consequences aren't quite severe enough in most cases and there are not systematic checks in place to ensure a driver is insured at all times. Generally, someone would get caught after being in an accident or getting pulled over, but if they aren't caught in this situation no one may ever find out they are uninsured. Some states have in place random auditing, but this is expensive and still isn't deterring people from getting insured in a timely manner.

Uninsured With A Pre-Existing Condition?

If you have a pre-existing condition, or know someone who has a pre-existing condition and have ever struggled to find quality health insurance it's important you read this article on the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). The Affordable Care Act included this unique program to bridge the gap until 2014 when health insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny an individual health insurance due to a pre-existing condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

Anyone who has had trouble getting insured understands how frustrating it can be to be turned down again and again because of a pre-existing condition. The PCIP ensures these individuals are treated fairly and have access to quality health insurance just like everyone else. It only makes sense that the people who need our health care system the most should have quality coverage to ensure their needs are met.

Health Insurance For Those With Pre-Existing Conditions

For years, millions of Americans have struggled to obtain quality health insurance because of a pre-existing condition such as cancer, heart disease, and even asthma. Congress recognized this as an issue and has incorporated law into the Affordable Care Act that says health insurers cannot deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition. While this is a great policy, it does not take effect until 2014. The Government wanted these affected individuals to feel relief immediately so they implemented the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) to bridge the gap until 2014.

The PCIP is targeting the specific group of people who cannot find health insurance and are continuously denied a policy due to their pre-existing condition. It even helps those who may have found coverage, but at very high rates, causing financial strain. The Federal Department of Health and Human Services says that a recent survey shows that around 36% of Americans with pre-existing conditions struggle to find the health insurance policy that suits their circumstances and meets their needs. The PCIP aims to help these individuals get a fair price on a quality health insurance policy and strives to make their lives a little easier through the complicated world of health care.

Colorado Auto Theft Spikes

Colorado is experience an increase in the amount of cars stolen throughout the state. This can cause Denver auto insurance and other state's rates to increase over time and residents do not want to see this happen. According to the article "Thieves Target Jeeps as Colorado Auto Thefts Spike" by Colorado 9News, insurance industry experts noticed a spike in auto thefts throughout the summer with Jeeps specifically on the top of the list.

The 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most stolen SUV in Colorado and the 1996 Honda Accord is the most stolen car according to the Coloradans Against Auto Theft. The 2001 Dodge Ram happens to be the most stolen truck. The Co-Chair of the Coloradans Against Auto Theft states that criminals target older model vehicles because they are easier to break into, which makes sense. The anti-theft technology has come a long way in the last decade. Walker points out that it only take a thief 47 seconds to get into and drive away with someone's car.

It's important to make sure car theft is part of your auto insurance policy. The article referenced above gives a story of a couple who changed their insurance policy just weeks before their car was stolen and it ended up not being covered. This can be a financial devastation for any family, so double check your policy to make sure you have coverage for this type of situation.

Charter Oak Health Plan Premiums Increasing

Health care reform is having effects across the nation including Connecticut where the Charter Oak Health Plan is in trouble. Over 9500 people enrolled in the state run plan will see their premiums increase by around 45% according to the article "Subsidy Cuts Boost Charter Oak Health Plan Premiums" by Arielle Levin Becker on CTMirror.org. Rates could increase by upwards of 67% starting September 1st for some members since the state is cutting some subsidies that go towards this important program.

Rate increases are being caused by a few factors. Health care claims are up causing problems and in addition to this, state officials are trying to be more strict with the state budget. David Dearborn, a spokesperson for the state Department of Social Services, says that since 2008 when the plan was started, it attracted mostly older members with more chronic health care problems which ultimately leads to higher costs and increased premiums. Currently, Charter Oak Health Plan has over 9700 members and around $5000 of them will see their rates increase from $307 to $446 this September.

Individual Health Insurance Mandate: Is It the Right Thing?

Health care reform continues to be debated throughout the nation. One of the more controversial topics is the individual health insurance mandate that is leaving many Americans feeling pressured and strapped. There are arguments on both sides of the fence, but the bottom line is that the mandate is most likely happening within the next year or so. There will be exceptions made for certain groups and individuals, but overall everyone will be required to have health insurance protection or they may face a fine.

Some experts are worried people will not be able to afford the rising premiums of health insurance, but others say the Affordable Care Act will actually help bring down the cost of health insurance. If more people carry coverage, then the market may become more competitive and we may see prices go down. Not only could health insurance be more affordable, but there may be more variety and consumers may have an easier time finding a policy that fits their needs.

Another perk that is expected through health care reform, is that more people will carry health insurance, therefore more people will seek preventative care through their doctor. This could greatly reduce the amount of preventable diseases out there and improve the doctor-patient relationship significantly. Research also shows that people who visit the doctor regularly have longer life expectancies than those who do not. This is a tough topic and the debate is not likely to go away anytime soon, if ever. We'll just need to sit back and see what actually happens as Americans are forced to find health insurance coverage for them and their families.

Medicare Safe From First Round Cuts

Many Americans are concerned about how the major cuts Congress plans on implementing are going to affect their health insurance. Cuts are going to be made in many areas throughout the nation, but the article "Students, Seniors May Feel Impact of Debt Deal" by Sandra Block from USA Today says that Medicare health insurance and social security are safe from the first round of cuts being made.

This doesn't automatically mean cuts will never be made, just probably not right now. Seniors will still feel some of the effects from major cuts throughout the industry. Some effects may be felt for those using care-giving services, nutrition counseling, and those relying on the government to help them find employment.

Seniors will still be receiving their social security checks though and this is huge. Relief has been felt across the board as Congress made a decision on the nation's debt problem. The debt is still there and cuts will continue so time will tell how this will ultimately affect health insurance for seniors and their overall finances.

Employer-Based Health Insurance Threatened

Employer-based health insurance has been a very common way for American's to carry quality health insurance benefits. Not only is it cheaper, but benefits and co-payments are often negotiated so ensure employees are getting a great deal. Health care reform has pros and cons as many would agree, but one concern experts have is what is going to happen to employer-based health insurance over time?

The Obama administration estimates that over 14 million Americans could lose their health insurance coverage through their employers over the next eight years according to US Representative John Barrasso's article on JuneauEmpire.com. The article "Watch for Dramatic Declines in Employer-Provided Health Insurance" says a McKinsey & Company study found that approximately 30% of employers will stop offering health insurance to their employees by 2014. This could devastate millions of families as they struggle to find affordable individual health insurance.

Ideally, the cost of individual health insurance will be managed through other aspects of health care reform, but it's hard to tell at this point what effect will be made by all of these changes. The Obama administration has already handed out waivers to 3 million Americans allowing them to opt out of the health insurance mandate. Most people will still be required to carry coverage or they will face a fine. Hopefully the estimates of how many employers will drop coverage are off and more companies will choose to keep protection for their workers.