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.