Healthcareinfo.com provides an easy to navigate state-by-state guide that provides answers to many questions regarding insurance in clean, outline format. Check it out - healthinsuranceinfo.net
Take care. Be well.
Dave
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Getting and keeping insurance by state
Not sure what to expect when it comes to getting and keeping insurance in your state? Preventive care begins with knowing your options. Maybe this link can help.
Healthcareinfo.com provides an easy to navigate state-by-state guide that provides answers to many questions regarding insurance in clean, outline format. Check it out - healthinsuranceinfo.net
Take care. Be well.
Dave
Healthcareinfo.com provides an easy to navigate state-by-state guide that provides answers to many questions regarding insurance in clean, outline format. Check it out - healthinsuranceinfo.net
Take care. Be well.
Dave
Friday, December 11, 2009
Reform Updates - Some big wins may be in store for women.
Since the November 30 debut of the "“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590) bill some headway seems to be made.
Among the 60 amendments made in the first week of debate is a major "win" for women's healthcare. Included in the amendments are the elimination of co-pay for some preventive women's health services - such as breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings.
Marking a turn in the much heated debate of the so called "public option" covering abortion, an amendment prohibiting federal funds covering abortion services is being drafted.
Compromise between extreme left and moderate liberals still needs to be reached in the Senate, and the House is still hammering the financial regulation package - with hopes of completion before breaking for the Holidays.
While and end may be in sight (though still miles away), it is important to maintain your regularly scheduled preventive healthcare measures. Its this writer's opinion that your health can't wait for the government. And for those still waiting for affordable coverage, know your current options.
Its my hope and prayer that affordable options will soon be made available to all Americans. But until then have a safe and healthy holiday season.
Take care. Be well.
Dave
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Among the 60 amendments made in the first week of debate is a major "win" for women's healthcare. Included in the amendments are the elimination of co-pay for some preventive women's health services - such as breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings.
Marking a turn in the much heated debate of the so called "public option" covering abortion, an amendment prohibiting federal funds covering abortion services is being drafted.
Compromise between extreme left and moderate liberals still needs to be reached in the Senate, and the House is still hammering the financial regulation package - with hopes of completion before breaking for the Holidays.
While and end may be in sight (though still miles away), it is important to maintain your regularly scheduled preventive healthcare measures. Its this writer's opinion that your health can't wait for the government. And for those still waiting for affordable coverage, know your current options.
Its my hope and prayer that affordable options will soon be made available to all Americans. But until then have a safe and healthy holiday season.
Take care. Be well.
Dave
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Comparison shopping - part II
A few weeks ago I blogged about comparison shopping for medical procedures. This time around, I want to bring to light information that is available for my neighbors in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued an Illinois Hospital Report Card. By law citizens of Illinois have the right to access information about hospitals' care and costs, among other statistics.
This website allows for access to that information as well as conduct quick comparisons between area hospitals.
http://www.healthcarereportcard.illinois.gov/
Politics aside, a smart consumer rarely buys an important purchase without first researching the facts. However, so often when it comes to our healthcare we assume that we have no control over the bill. Why is that?
With the exception of emergencies, everyone has the time to seek out the right healthcare facility for them. Maintaining reasonable costs for standard procedures is a crucial component to your healthcare bill, your insurance premiums and ultimately the healthcare crisis in America. I urge everyone to become more familiar with the costs - as well as the cost disparity- among hospitals near you.
Share
The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued an Illinois Hospital Report Card. By law citizens of Illinois have the right to access information about hospitals' care and costs, among other statistics.
This website allows for access to that information as well as conduct quick comparisons between area hospitals.
http://www.healthcarereportcard.illinois.gov/
Politics aside, a smart consumer rarely buys an important purchase without first researching the facts. However, so often when it comes to our healthcare we assume that we have no control over the bill. Why is that?
With the exception of emergencies, everyone has the time to seek out the right healthcare facility for them. Maintaining reasonable costs for standard procedures is a crucial component to your healthcare bill, your insurance premiums and ultimately the healthcare crisis in America. I urge everyone to become more familiar with the costs - as well as the cost disparity- among hospitals near you.
Share
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
MIB - What you need to know
What does MIB stand for? When I asked a couple of people this, the most common response was, "Men in Black?". And, while the Medical Information Bureau is just about as mysterious, they unfortunately are not protecting the earth from the worst scum of the universe. Instead, they are treating your medical history like a credit report.
The Medical Information Bureau is also a reality we all must live with. Insurance companies are paying big bucks to the MIB to gather information on applicants. MIB's website says their actuarial services exist to prevent omission and misleading fraud on insurance applications. However, in some cases if a person no longer suffers from an illness such as depression or has reduced their bad cholesterol, the documented diagnosis stays on record with the MIB.
As the article below explains, the MIB isn't supposed to be used to deny anyone coverage. In fact, members (usually insurance companies) who use MIB's services forbidden to use MIB's services for anything other than a basis for further investigation.
However, up until the 1980s people were unable to view their files to ensure their accuracy. Now, reportedly 15,000 people a year request to view their MIB files. According to the bureau, 97% of the requested reports were found accurate. However, there are several cases in which a person rehabilitated health was not reflected in their report, and they were subsequently charged a higher rate.
Your best bet? Access your information, and talk to your doctor.
More info on the mysterious MIB:
http://www.annualmedicalreport.com/08/15/nobody-knows-the-medical-information-bureau-mib/
Check them out for yourself:
http://www.mib.com/
Share
The Medical Information Bureau is also a reality we all must live with. Insurance companies are paying big bucks to the MIB to gather information on applicants. MIB's website says their actuarial services exist to prevent omission and misleading fraud on insurance applications. However, in some cases if a person no longer suffers from an illness such as depression or has reduced their bad cholesterol, the documented diagnosis stays on record with the MIB.
As the article below explains, the MIB isn't supposed to be used to deny anyone coverage. In fact, members (usually insurance companies) who use MIB's services forbidden to use MIB's services for anything other than a basis for further investigation.
However, up until the 1980s people were unable to view their files to ensure their accuracy. Now, reportedly 15,000 people a year request to view their MIB files. According to the bureau, 97% of the requested reports were found accurate. However, there are several cases in which a person rehabilitated health was not reflected in their report, and they were subsequently charged a higher rate.
Your best bet? Access your information, and talk to your doctor.
More info on the mysterious MIB:
http://www.annualmedicalreport.com/08/15/nobody-knows-the-medical-information-bureau-mib/
Check them out for yourself:
http://www.mib.com/
Share
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Break the ice with your Dr.
I think its common for people to experience anxiety when going to the doctor - especially a new doctor. What are they going to ask? What are they going to find?
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The FNX Corporation of Trustees of Dartmouth College have created a survey that I think can help break the ice. At www.howsyourhealth.org guests can take a simple survey and receive a printable health profile.
Of course this profile is not to be substituted for professional opinion, or used for diagnosis. But, it does give you an easy to reference summary of issues that you may wish to explore. And, the best part is that you can take the survey in privacy - ensuring that you feel 100% comfortable answering honestly.
News concerning healthcare reform is repetitive and inconclusive. Many people are waiting for changes and putting off getting insurance. Or worse, put off getting the care they need. And while we wait change, I hope health surveys like this will remind people that prevention is always the best medicine - despite issues in D.C.
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Monday, October 26, 2009
How to spend your healthcare dollars the way you want to.
An HSA (Healthcare Savings Account) is a proactive approach for future planning and a great way to retain decision-making power when it comes to your health.
An HSA is an alternative method of savings from traditional healthcare plans. With an HSA, an individual or employer must take part in a high deductible, low premium plan, but the money saved can be deposited (PRETAXES) from your income and used for retirement, prescriptions, several types of alternative treatments or health expenses later down the road.
This article spells out the basics and benefits of HSAs (please note, this article was written with employers in mind).
The benefits of an HSA are that the deposited funds are ours to keep, they allow premium savings on high deductible plans and will modify our behavior and slow the spiraling cost of care. Money in a health care savings account can also be used for many things that some group or individual policies wouldn’t pay for such as alternative treatments, lasik, chiropractic and more.
How does an HSA modify our behavior? Consider this example. I give you my credit card and tell you to buy yourself a big screen. What do you do? You would buy the most expensive TV in the shop, because its not your credit card. What if I give you 3K and tell you to buy a big screen? You will probably shop around and buy just what you need. Then you can pocket the savings because it is your $3,000 to keep - no matter your purchase.
This article goes a bit more in depth about HSAs and why they make sense: http://www.hrconsultinggroup.com/articles/Why%20HSAs%20Make%20Sense.php
Taking out an HSA does require more leg work upfront to make sure that your plan is making the most fiscal sense for you. But knowledge is power. Talk to a broker and explore this option. Or shoot me an email and we can chat more about HSAs and other creative insurance solutions.
Take care. Be well.
Dave
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