Health Insurance Daily Blog

Image Source: news.com.au

Affordable health insurance has become a growing concern in the country. An escalating number of enterprises can no longer give inexpensive health insurance plans to their workers because of the skyrocketing expense and the absence of federal and state laws that will enable these small enterprises to buy wholesale affordable insurance plans . Various states throughout the USA are seeking ways to lessen the costs of the Medicare and Medicaid health insurance plans for the retirees and the poor.The good news is some private companies are testing new options of health insurance otherwise known as health discount plans. The existing health care system is beyond the reach of about 47 million citizens. In answer to the crisis in the health care system, health maintenance organizations or HMO was born. They were primarily created to remove unimportant tests from those that the patient actually needs when being treated to avoid ballooning expenses.

With all the candidate’s debates about their proposals for the health insurance industry, it’s the average American who will have the most to benefit (or lose) depending on which plan will be put into motion. Let’s examine the two differing plans in Mary Carmichael’s article in NEWSWEEK, in her discussion with Katherine Swartz, a professor of health policy and economics at Harvard.

McCain’s plan: to take away the tax break workers get on health insurance at their jobs, and give people who buy their own insurance $2,500 ($5,000 for families) in tax credits.
Their prediction: Low-income people would have a hard time getting affordable insurance on their own. In the long run, employers would probably stop offering health insurance, and more people would end up uninsured than there are now.

Obama’s plan: An insurance exchange that looks like the Health Connector used in Massachussets. Every plan would have a minimum set of benefits, and you would get a subsidy if your income is below the threshold.
Their prediction: The total cost will be more than the estimate. His requiring insurers to cover pre-existing conditions would probably raise premiums. Although children and more people would be covered than there is now, some adults will continue to be uninsured.

Did you know that health insurance is not exclusive to us humans? You can also avail of health insurance and wellness packages for animals, such as pets?

There are actually different packages and various kinds of services, and different health considerations. Whether it’s for a dog, cat, horse, or any other animal that we consider precious (or part of the family), many insurers offer animal-specific services.

Basically, the difference lies between the “wellness” plans and the “insurance” plans. The medical insurance plans are for testing and treatment for accidents, illnesses and other unfortunate events. Wellness plans, meanwhile, are for reimbursement of common preventive procedures, like vaccinations, annual examinations, spaying, neutering, and such.

These days, with costs of living rising, vet expenses could be one thing you might want to reduce. And health and wellness insurance plans might just help!

You are paying insurance premiums as a buffer for healthcare costs in case of emergencies. To keep costs down, you can consider the following:

The number one rule to keep the cost down is prevention. Lead a healthy lifestyle – eat healthy, exercise, take enough rest and sleep, be hygienic.

Review your employee benefits. Some employers provide healthcare coverage, although limited, might be enough for you not to purchase an individual coverage. Some offer discounted coverage, where employer and employee share premium payments. Check whether the policy also cover dependents.

You can also get a joint or group policy – volume dictates price – so you might be able to get a good coverage for a cheaper amount as compared to getting an individual policy.

Take a long, good look at the policy to make sure you are adequately covered, but are not paying too much for services that you will not use anyway.

(image source: consumercal.org)

If you are living within the Philippines and you desire to have your health covered, check out Ehealth Philippines’ website. In here, you could choose among the leading insurance companies in the country, such as GSIS Life Insurance, Philam Group of Companies, First Filipinas Insurance Brokers Corporation, Ayala Life Assurance, Inc., Prudential Plans, Inc., and Philhealth. Aside from these, you could also learn more about the latest updates on health in the News and Advisories section. If you are looking for a health service, click the Directories. If you want to know more about health in the Philippines, browse the other categories for quality information.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health plans to launch a compulsory health insurance program for workers. This includes medical treatment and repatriation of a deceased worker’s remains. This is being implemented in accordance to their policy to provide health care services to citizens and expatriates alike. According to Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, they have already appointed 986 government-owned medical clinics, hospitals, primary health care centers and pharmacies to treat patients insured under this scheme. Medical centers approved uneder the new insurance scheme will have qualified medics, paramedics and equipment. He also said that the ministry considers a premium of SR 1,200 for older workers.

by : Cielo P.

Health insurance is also available to our baby and kids alike. When our little bundle of joy comes into this world, the first wise thing that should come into our mind is to get health insurance coverage for our little ones. You will most likely want to add your child to your current health insurance policy so that the precious little one is covered as well. If you are considering in getting a health insurance for your baby, consider this:

1) Check for the inclusions - confirm that the delivery and new baby care are covered,
2) verify that well-baby visits, check ups and immunizations are covered,
3) If you have a preference for a physician / pediatrician for your child, make sure that this physician is part of your health plan’s network (if HMO, PPO or POS).
4) If in case there is a need for specialist, verify if this is also included.

(image source : coconino.az.gov)

by : Cielo P.

Having mentioned three of the different types of insurance, there still a lot of this that a person can choose according to his needs. Like the Long-term policy, wherein it covers the nursing, medical and some certain in-home care. It benefits people with extended illness or disability that are unable to care for themselves. Next is the Disability Income Insurance, wherein it provides you with an income if an injury or illness happens and that it prevents you from working. Third is the Dental Insurance, wherein it provides benefits for any dental needs that a person requires. It’s either a reimbursable type or goes to the accredited dentist specified in the insurance. And lastly, the Vision insurance, wherein it covers eye exams, percentage cost of eye glasses and laser corrective surgery. With the many types, we must always put in mind what we really need before choosing insurance.

(image source : allaccess-insurance.com)

by : Cielo P.

When the term health insurance is mentioned, we refer to the plans that usually cover hospital cost, doctor fee and sometimes surgery cost. Besides from the just the term, there are variety of insurance policy that covers the fees and specific needs of a person, example of this is dental coverage or long-term care. Payment of the insurance or better knows as premiums also vary from the policy chosen. This premiums are monthly or quarterly payments done which is not counted as deductibles. If one is employed Health Insurance are available or given by the company. But the coverage of this vary from the chosen plan by the company, sometimes not all are covered. SO it sometimes better to have a personal policy beside from the company.

(image source : tomkatsisinsurance.com)

BY : Cielo P.

Insurance of teacher’s before was fully paid by the government or state they are working. But due to the increasing cost of this and strained school budgets, lawmakers and government are asking for teachers to pay portion of the insurance or join the state employee health plan. While Union Leaders believed in full payment for health cares by employers, they recognize that the current state situation pressures the teachers to share portion of the cost. Some of this Union Leaders don’t oppose to the concept but only questions the particulars of the how it would work. Negotiations are still on process for the exact percentage contribution of teachers, but at some state teachers are already paying at least 15-20 percent for health care.