Wednesday, March 9, 2011

After all the garbage Health insurance companies have put patients through?

why care if they would not be able to compete? And why is free enterprise more important than patients not going bankrupt and getting the care they need? Would ending competition among health insurances affect development of medicine or would it remain the same?
--------------------
My Health Insurance is great. I have Kaiser and pay $75 bucks a month plus $20 dollar co-pay and I'm set. I had life saving surgery last year and I was treated like a king in the hospital. My bill was $380,000 for open heart surgery and I paid $2,400 for all the co-pays and prescriptions. No company can compete against the government, the government does not have to make a profit or pay taxes and can print their own money, private companies cannot. 90% of all patents, innovation, and development comes from the private sector not government.
Source

How small does a company have to be to NOT offer health/medical insurance?

I always thought that if a company has 20 or more employees at a SINGLE location, they have to offer health/medical insurance to ALL the eployees. I work in a store that employs 25 people, and only the managers are offered insurance.
--------------------
There is no federal law mandating that small employers have to offer health insurance, or even pay for a portion of it. It is an employer's choice whether or not it is offered. State law will dictate eligibility rules, however. Typically, an employer can set up eligibilty to exclude employees that are part time, are part of a CBA or Union or those that have not met some time worked criteria. (Must work 90 days before eligible, for example.) Your employer should have given you an employee benefits handbook that explains the eligibility rules for your particular situation.
Source

What are options when health insurance coverage is cancelled?

My daughter recently lost her job and a few days later needed to be hospitalized. The hospital checked her insurance coverage and told us it was okay. We have since been called by the hospital and apparently the company my daughter worked for cancels insurance the same day you are terminated, so her hospitalization was not covered. She is 21 and unemployed. We live in Texas. What options does she have to get these bills paid? Or who can we call for assistance? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
--------------------
First I would check and see if your daughter had paid premiums through her employer that would have kept the policy in force for a week or two after she left employment. Then contact the employer and take the COBRA option. Don let time slip by on this one. You daughter may have already declined COBRA some employers get you to sign the paperwork as you leave. Check out this for more COBRA info http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consume…
Source

Affordable health insurance? My husband's work does not pay for mine nor our son's insurace so we pay out of?

pocket. We have Aetna right now but they just keep jacking our prices up. My husband has not been to the doctor at all this year and they have raised his prices too. Does anyone know of a good health insurance plan that is affordable please?? Thank you!
--------------------
Well, EVERYONE keeps getting their prices jacked up, because, well, claims keep going up! There isn't any 'surcharge' for claims - when ALL the 40 year old men in your state, on average, put in more claims, then EVERYONE in that age range, will see an increase. Affordable is in the eye of the beholder. A GOOD low/no deductible family plan, is GOING to cost $1200 to $1500 a month. That's what it costs. To lower the cost, you need to lower your coverage, or raise your deductiblel, or both. But that means more out of pocket, for you, for claims. You probably should sit down with a local agent, to have them help you balance coverages and costs to find something you can afford.
Source

Can my health insurance company bill me for claims they already paid?

My insurance company is telling me they may be terminating my coverage retroactively past 12/31/09. I've had claims from months ago that the system says they already processed and paid by my insurance company. Does this mean the insurance company will come after me for that money or would they only try to get me to pay for unpaid claims?
--------------------
They will pay claims occurred up to the date of the termination. They will require that the providers refund any payments made for claims after that date. The providers will then bill you, not the insurance company.
Source

Have you ever heard of the father of your child not having to pay for health insurance?

The father of my child does not have health insurance for hisself so child support says that he doesn't have to provide it for his son.... Have you ever heard of this before? and what can I do to get health insurance for him.... besides medicaid b/c me and my husband aren't eligible for it.
--------------------
ok, do you or your husband work? it is just as much your responsibility as it would be his is there a reason you or your husband cant get ins? do you all have it? it is very important that children have health ins. if you dont qualify for state assistance, there has to be something in your state. i know here in Ky they offer low cost health ins for families who make too much to qualify for free, but their jobs dont offer it or whatever the situation is. yes it is ridiculous that men get away w/ alot more crap then us women but get over it there is nothing you or anyone can do about it and as this childs mother you are obligated to provide the best for him.
Source

What is the best health insurance to have if you are United States Federal Government employee and why?

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance. Should I keep this insurance? I checked with AARP through Hartford and they want between $299 to $428 per month for non drug related $5000 to $1000 deductible 80% coverage to $2500 co pay to 100% coverage. I pay about $250 per month now.
--------------------
Only you can answer that question. Do your research. Insurance business for 20 years.
Source

How do deductibles in health insurance work?

I have considered purchasing private insurance. My school insurance doesn't cover the stuff I need it to. I was looking at humana's plans. I came across one that was $87 a month but it had a $2500 deductible. If I were to get injured and have a hospital bill of like $4000, would it pay anything if I hadn't met that deductible yet? Thanks.
--------------------
Dustin - All of the answers thus far are essentially correct: your health insurance deductible works the same way as your car insurance deductible - you have to pay that amount before the insurance starts paying. So, in your example, you have an annual deductible of $2,500 after which Humana will start paying 80% of what's left and you'll "co-insure" the other 20% (you'll stop paying the 20% when you've paid an extra $2,000). Therefore, you have an out of pocket maximum exposure (at least in theory) of $4,500/year. Now, if you have "only" $5,000 or $10,000 in medical care charges, that's not a particularly good deal, is it? On the other hand, remember the primary reason to have any insurance: NOT for routine, ordinary, or even "low-level" expenses but, instead, for big-time, costly, catastrophes, like that $87,000 hospital/surgical claim, etc. Consider these things before buying: 1. How "much" health care do you generally use? For most folks, especially guys, the answer usually is "not much." Therefore, why pay more to have a lower deductible plan? Even if you buy a plan with a $5,000 deductible (look at the Humana "Autograph" plan), you'll still get the benefits you're most likely to use included ($40 MD copay/visit and $15 copay for generic drugs). 2. If you've not done so, find a broker to help. Go to NAHU.org to find one near you (NAHU is the professional association for brokers like me who specialize in health insurance). 3. Go online to run some more plans & prices to be sure you have the most cost-effective plan for your needs. Visit my site (see below) or use an online quoting site like Norvax (see below). 4. Finally, stick with the "brand name" companies, like Humana, Blue Cross, Aetna, etc. There are a lot of other companies around who will "look good" but who will be really hard to deal with in the even you do have a really large claim. This is too important to mess around with; stick with the "big boys." Hope this helps a bit!
Source

How do I obtain health & dental insurance while living & working in the UK?

I'm a US citizen. It's always been my dream to live and work abroad. I just found out that my military health benefits & dental insurance won't extend beyond the common wealth's/territories of the US. I can comfortably afford to pay for health & dental insurance out of my pocket. Does anyone in the UK deal with international health & dental insurance? I really could use some help in finding the right company. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
--------------------
you cold just buy health insurance when you get over to the UK, plenty of companies offer this. If your living and working here, and paying taxes you may be eleigible for treatment on the NHS. This is free, and dental NHS is subsidised, an NHS dentist check up costs around £16....i think that is around $30. I checked on line and found this; It focuses more on marraige but if you read it it does actually say Americans Living in the UK... Free NHS medical care is not routinely offered to tourists who need emergency treatment while they are away from home. That is what their private medical insurance is there for, which will cover them in an emergency situation. Without private medical insurance, tourists must pay upfront costs to be seen by British doctors. However, American expatriates who are living in the UK are eligible for NHS medical care, as long as they can prove that they are eligible. American expatriates who are married to UK citizens can prove eligibility very quickly and be registered in next to no time. How to Register Once you have a permanent address, take along proof of your address, such as a recent utility bill, to your local doctor's surgery. It is also a good idea to take a copy of your marriage certificate in case the doctor or nurse wishes to learn more of your eligibility for free NHS medical care. If you have access to your American medical records, take these along with you, so that they can be filed away for future reference. At the time you register with a GP (usually the same GP as your spouse's unless you make a special request otherwise) you will be able to apply for an NHS medical card, that all NHS patients are issued to prove NHS eligibility. This card does not need to be hand carried to each doctor's appointment; nor do patients need to remember their NHS medical card number. New patients must fill in personal information and complete a medical questionnaire that will ask about a family history of heart disease, cancer and other diseases and hereditary conditions. Be prepared to undergo a brief, non-invasive medical to include a blood pressure check, weight check and other simple procedures. Otherwise Bupa and AXA PPP offer healthcare cover. AXA is the best one though!
Source

How can Mass. require residents to have health insurance?

I can't believe they passed that law. Think about it: there is nothing we are FORCED to pay money for to live here. That is why we are called a free nation. (I know these are necessary for a normal life but think a minute) - cars are choice, u could actually walk if u had to - u could grow ur own food or go to food banks - u don't have to pay taxes if u don't work or buy anything - u dont pay car ins if u dont own a car - u dont have to pay property tax if u dont own any property I know that stuff is extreme but open your mind a minute and think. I mean at least you DO HAVE A CHOICE... bad one but A CHOICE. How can Mass. get away with requiring its residence to pay health insurance? What will they do.. force them to move out of the state? Take their property if they don't get it?
--------------------
This is another small step we Americans loose to socialism by letting the lobbyist (insurance companies ,etc.) legalize there scams in paying off politicians. Mass. people wake up, get involved write the libs in office complain let them know you care and you won't pay! This is another bad law that if left unchallenged will spread to the other 49 states.
Source

Should I stop paying my health insurance?

I pay my own health insurance under Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC. I pay $200 a month (down from $300) and I just found out that i won't be able to go to my psychiatric doctor and be covered under this insurance at the same time. I have decided to do away with my medicines simply because i just don't want to take them any more. I have no other major or urgent reasons to keep paying the monthy bill so I can't think of any reason that i need to do so.
--------------------
It's always a good idea to keep your insurance if at all possible. Life throws us curve balls and better we have insurance and not use it, than need it and not have it.
Source

Is surfing without health insurance a bad idea?

I'm moving to southern California for a job soon and want to try surfing, but my health insurance won't kick in for 2 months. Aside from drowning to death, which health insurance doesn't cover anyway, are there a lot of injuries that require doctors and hospitals? Man I just get on a board and go...
--------------------
Surf related injuries are pretty rare, especially serious ones. You're much more likely to get injured on your way to the beach. With that said doing any risky activity without insurance should be thought through. Depending upon where you are surfing in SoCal there may be a very real possibility of getting sick from surfing which can be more costly and keep you out from work longer.
Source

What agency or person can I get help with my health insurance in Florida?

I have recently moved to FL and I need to get some new health insurance, since I am now self-employed. I see a ton of agencies, and websites but I'm not sure where to go. I have heard some horror stories from acquaintances so I am a bit apprehensive. Or should I just go to a company directly?
--------------------
You can go to a company directly if you feel comfortable that you know enough about health insurance. However i would not recommend that. I went to an independent agent and i liked it very much, because they provided me with quotes from most of the companies that i was already looking at. I got lucky and found an agent who treated me great. They did'nt charge me for the quotes or the advice, apparently most independent agents don't. You can check out the one i went to at http://www.floridashealthinsurance.com If you decide to go to them, i hope you get the same service i did.
Source

Are there any health insurance companies that don't use BMI as a factor?

My BMI is terrible I'm at 38.7, but the health insurance companies don't take into account that my body fat % is normal. I work out a lot and unfortunately the more you work out the heavier you'll be cause you'll be packin on muscle if you do it right.
--------------------
You should speak with an independent broker and arrange a medical exam. That way, you will have proof that your weight is due to muscle, not fat. An online quote system can't take things like that into account.
Source

What percentage of Americans currently lack health insurance?

So this bill has no public option, no cheaper drugs, a mandate to buy private insurance and according to the Congressional Budget Office will help cover 94% of Americans. So how many people are currently uninsured?? Do you think covering an extra few percentage of people is worth spending $850 billion?? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_car…
--------------------
No one knows for sure. Originally the President said it was 47 million and then last week changed it to 30 million. Some say the 17million is illegal ones, others say it's kids, but that is not right as the kids up to 18 are covered by Chips. Also CHips covers illegal immigrants kids, so not that either. So not sure how they get the number. Others state that it is 11 million. One thing for sure in 2003 the medicare prescription drug deal was to cost $500 billion* over ten years, but whoops it was revised by the CBO right after it wa signed up to over a trillion and now it's like $2.3 trillion. So this deal will be more like $4 trillion. Also the health care lobby has thrown HALF A BILLION* in 2008 at the House and Senate members and they will be taken care of. the drug program has cost people up to 50% more and now they flood the country with dubious 3rd world drugs. Talk about quality control. So it's a joke and now it may not start till 2015 which means if 75,000 perish each year without it, then that means 450,000 will perish. Too bad they got to hid so much and pay off the corporations, as they could have done an actual head count at health departments and come up with a deal to help them now and real cheap. Oh well. So look for medicare to be overloaded gain and the health people to get paid insurance to make a mint and the drug companies to sell the high price drugs all over. ONe thing they don't understand is this will drive the economy over the edge. Some know as Gold is heading to $1,200 and the market will crash and that's that. The answer above me is a great one, he has the documentation. take care.
Source

Is there any reasonable rates for individual health insurance>?

Since we are Katrina victims and have lost jobs along with insurance we are on our own to search for health insurance. This, I am finding out is so very expensive. Any one know of health insurance that is resonable?
--------------------
If you are in Colorado or Arizona, I can help you find what you're looking for. bluelinehealth.org
Source

Dental, life, health insurance separate bills- can i pay with one check?

I get dental, health, and life insurance through the same company, but they send me a separate bill for each one... my policy number is the same on each bill so can I just send them one check instead of three?
--------------------
my health and dental is thu the same company and i get billed for one total. i have auto deduct from checking account so dont have to worry about monthly billing or paying late and get cancelled. why not call the company and ask if they can bill in 1 bill vs 3?
Source

Good, low cost Health and dental insurance for me and my son?

Please Help I was wondering does anyone know about any Please Help I was wondering does anyone know about any good health insurance. I need some good health and dental insurance for me and my son (4 years old) I' am currently paying $425 a month for me and him with just health insurance through blue cross and blue shield PPO with a $25 copay and $10 prescription fee. If u you can please help me find something cheaper and or better with more benefits.
--------------------
Hi there, I might help you. Have you looked on a dental plan before? They are way more cheaper than a dental insurance. They come in individual and family packages. You pay around $100 - $200 per year for a dental plan. If you want more info about them you can visit this site. http://individual-dental-plans.weebly.co… Now, the site they recommend have dental plans both for families like you and your son and for individuals. I hope you get some more alternatives. Take care!
Source

Why Will Companies Keep Offering Health Insurance?

Why Will Companies Keep Offering Health Insurance? Who here believes that if Universal Health Benefits are offered through the US government to all US citizens that companies and employers will continue to offer health insurance benefits to their employees as a payroll/benefits expense. Do you really believe companies will continue to pay such a large amount of overhead when they can simply stop offering those benefits and let the government program take over? What employer in their right mind would keep dishing out $500 a month per employee when the government is begging to take that system over? If you think "Yes", please tell me why.
--------------------
Well, some particularly prosperous employers, in businesses that demand certain high-demand skills, would certainly still offer superior health benefits (as well as stock options and multimillion dollar bonuses) to those sorts of employees. Asside from that, though, you could expect most employers to cut costs by eliminating health benefits on the theory that the government will pick it up. Currently, health insurance is a highly desireable benefit, so much so that many people take a specific job /just/ to get health insurance, even if the pay is substantially lower than another job without insurance. There are several reasons. 1) Many people who have 'pre existing conditions' can't get affordable health insurance outside a 'group' plan like that offered by an employer, 2) Many people have lived thier whole lives insured, and virtually panic without insurance, since they simply don't understand how to make health care decisions and manage thier own health care expenses, 3) (and this is a biggie), employer-provided health insurance is automatically deducted, pre-tax. It's not just a 'deduction' (you can deduct a lot of your medical expenses, but it's complicated, and you don't get to deduct all of them), but an off-the-top exclusion. It's income you never have to report, at all.
Source

Can everyone on your health insurance plan see what drugs you are getting?

I'm not too familiar with the health insurance system
--------------------
http://healthinsuranceconnection.info/ has a short form you fill out and they will give you rates from all kinds of different providers.
Source

I want to buy an individual health insurance plan for 6 months. ?

I would like to undergo Gastrointestinal procedures like endoscopy and colonoscopy in during that 6 month period. Please suggest me a good health insurance plan which would cover those procedures? I can pay a monthly premium of about 200$?
--------------------
health-quotes.talk4fun.net - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.
Source

Why Are Still Some People Against Health Insurance Reform?

Even though there are 47 million of our citizens who go uninsured because they either cannot afford the outrageous premiums or they are denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition...plus many more millions who are underinsured or risk losing their coverage because of job loss or job change, there are still people who are against our president's effort to reform the broken health insurance system; some obviously against their own interests. Why?
--------------------
Those who do have it (private, medicare, VA) realize how lucky they are and are afraid that any change will mean they lose or have reduced care.....It is hard for some to see beyond their on backyard. Theya re suceptible to all the fear tactics being used.....
Source

Is there a way to still get health insurance?

I missed out on enrolling for my benefits at my current job and I can't enroll until november. So I was wondering if there is a way to enroll into other health insurances out there. If that's possible... is it a good idea to do that? I really want insurance because I need to go see my eye doctor and the dentist. So if you can help me out, please do. Links? Anything? Thanks.
--------------------
You can buy a temporary health plan to cover you 'til November which would be a wise thing to do. BUT, it'll do nothing for the dentist and eye doctor. What you should do is find out how much it costs at your job, because if you can do better on your own then you wouldn't need to wait 'til November to get something that would help. Biggest mistake people make is assuming that their employer has the best deal going (for employers that pay more than 50% of the cost it can be true, but if they're not then it rarely is). Find an insurance broker to go through the work plan and show you alternatives.
Source

Policy Question: Why is employer-provided health insurance not deemed income to the employee?

It seems to me that much of the problem with health insurance is that people don't have much of an impression of its cost, so that they have no incentive to "shop around" for a better plan. Also, people who are self-employed have to pay for insurance in after-tax dollars - why are they treated less advantageously? I am interested in President Bush's plan to make the insurance plan taxable as income and give everyone a tax credit to purchase insurance. I think forcing every employer to buy insurance for its employees or pay a tax is going in the wrong direction, encouraging people to think someone else has to "take care of them." Why should health insurance be part of an employment package anyway? Food, clothing, and shelter - which are every bit as necessary as health insurance, if not much more so - are not provided by employers. We receive income from working, and buy it ourselves. What do you think?
--------------------
Health insurance first became a benefit to employees back during World War II. There was a shortage of trained manpower and in order to attract skilled workers, employers started offering health insurance. My guess, it was during a war and government was willing to let employers do just about anything as long as they reached production schedules so they just never made a big deal out of it. After the war people just came to expect it--------and we all know how government doesn't want to upset the people.
Source