Hit With The Anthem Blue Cross Increase?

February 12, 2010 in Health Headlines, Health Insurance Companies, Heath Industry News, health insurance | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

PhotobucketWe know the last thing you wanted to see in the mail was an increase from your health insurance company. Especially when times are so hard, why are they making them harder? We’re right there with ya! Call us to see if we can offer alternate, more affordable options so you can keep your coverage. Or visit us online at TheHealthQuote.com to see some other plans with other companies.

So in case you’re interested, here are some bits from the statement Anthem released, addressing their recent increase.

  • The increasing demand for medical services, the use of new prescription drugs, and demand for advanced technologies are driving up the cost of health care at an unprecedented rate. Anthem is investing in many initiatives to reduce the cost of care, promoting wellness and preventive care for our members and communities, as well as, working with providers to encourage high-quality, evidence-based care, which costs less over time.
  • It is important to note that premiums are expensive because the underlying health care costs are expensive. Anthem offers a variety of health benefit plans, and we are dedicated to working with our members to find health coverage plans that are the most appropriate, and affordable for their needs.
  • We are determined to support quality care for our members, we share their concerns about the upward rise in premiums and must adjust our rates as needed to cover the costs and risks associated with providing quality health care for all of our individual members.

  We know it doesn’t make it any easier on your pocketbook. But at least they feel for ya! Sort of…

The Power Of Positivity. THINK POSITIVE!

January 22, 2010 in Positive Thinking | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s a proven fact that postive thoughts and a positive mental attitude will bring positive things.

Photobucket

Everything around us is not very positive right now. So do what you can to filter out the bad and negative. Focus on the hopeful positive. The economy will turn eventually, but be ten steps ahead of it! Here are some positive quotes to keep you many steps above the rest!

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours.
-Swedish Proverb

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
-Winston Churchill

The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
-Unknown

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-Herm Albright

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
-Willie Nelson

Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
-Elbert Hubbard

Why Is Healthcare So Expensive?

January 8, 2010 in Healthcare Reform, Heath Industry News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s no secret that the cost of healthcare is on the rise. Your health insurance premiums are increasing each year and your benefits are probably getting worse! One of the most common questions we get is, “why is healthcare so expensive?”

Wellpoint, the parent company of insurance carriers like Anthem Blue Cross and many others, recently sent out a release to explain where all of your money is going. They do their best to make it clear that the increases you receive each year are not due to insurance company profits, rather the majority of costs are spent towards member services like physician payments, hospital costs, drugs, etc.

Here’s a breakdown that the AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) compiled:

Photobucket

As shown here, only 3% of your healthcare premium dollars are used to turn an insurance company profit. Hopefully that makes you feel a little better to know that while insurance companies are no question turning a profit, that’s not where the majority of their income goes.

The other constant variable that is seen repeatedly is lifestyle choices. For example, people who choose not to exercise and eat unhealthy, are more likely to have heart issues or even diabetes. The cost of their medical care is now increased, compared to the health conscience individual that exercised and watched their diet. Unfortunately, there are many Americans that fall in this category and they’re playing a large role in driving up health care costs.

Of course, there’s no one factor, so if you’d like to have more specific answers, you can check out this study by Wellpoint right here. It will help answer some of the frustrating questions as to why we must pay so much for healthcare.

It’s a topic that is never ending and always evolving. We all want healthcare reform in a way that everyone comes out ahead. While the Obama administration has put a priority on this issue, implementing changes will not happen soon enough. In the meantime, protect yourself, stay insured, find affordable health plans!

Discount Health Insurance Plans, Be Careful!

January 3, 2010 in Health Insurance Companies, health insurance | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Photobucket

Have you ever been sucked into a discount health plan? As insurance professionals, we’ll admit, even we think they sound fantastic…on the surface! A discount plan agent calls to tell you about their incredible coverage and benefits. They boast of 100% doctors coverage, 100% hospital coverage, zero deductibles. And all for $7 per month? It’s amazing!!

It’s amazing until you read the “fine print.”

Sadly, I can’t tell you how many people get sucked into such a great deal. I can’t tell you the countless people that call looking for answers as to why they received a hospital bill for $20,000, when their insurance covered everything.

There are many problems with discount plans. First, they’re sold as insurance policies, but are nothing like insurance coverage. Second, they offer 100% coverage on many benefits, up to a cap (refer to the “fine print”). Finally, they’re offer absurdly low premiums that no true insurance company can compare to.

Fortunately, state regulators are working to regulate these plans. According to a recent report in the Los Angeles Times, officials say these plans “frequently overstate benefits, offer little if any savings and promise access to doctors who aren’t part of the system.” So they’re taking action to stop these predators.

Until officials have some regulations nailed down on these plans, be cautious and ask the right questions, if a health plan seems too good to be true.  Here are some tips to help ensure you’re purchasing health insurance, not merely a discount plan.

  •  Find out about the company history.
  • Ask how they offer significantly lower premiums compared to your local insurance companies.
  • Perform a detailed review of the benefits, and especially hospitalizations maximums.
  • Consult your doctor’s office to confirm whether or not they accept the plan.
  • Steer clear of annual fees or applications fees (aside from your monthly premium). Most insurance companies don’t ask for money up front, other than your first month’s premium.

While we can’t make the decision for you as to which health plan is best, we can help you make a good decision! We’ll even compare our health plans to the one you’re considering. Reach out to us for assistance if you think you may be purchasing a discount plan, and want to compare your options. We’ll give you good, honest answers!

And of course, visit us online at TheHealthQuote.com to compare TRUE health insurance plans!

COBRA Subsidy, Coming To An End

December 1, 2009 in Healthcare Reform, Heath Industry News, health insurance | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This week marks the end. Some of the first enrolees that were able to take advantage of the COBRA subsidy, have worn out their welcome.

PhotobucketSince Feburary of 2009, the government has been paying 65% of the cost of healthcare for people who were laid off. This allowed employees who had unexpectantly lost their jobs, to be able to continue their employer health coverage through COBRA for an additional nine months.

This proved to be a key way to keep a struggling economy afloat. Well, it at least helped the number of uninsureds from dramatically increasing.

This subsidy is valid for nine months from the day you enroll. So for some of the first enrollees, their time is expiring. If this is your story, make the choice to NOT GO UNINSURED! Let us help you find a private health plan that you can afford. Even if it’s catostrophic health insurance, protect yourself and your family. Don’t risk wasting away what money you have left on unforseen medical bills.

Check out all of your options at our website, TheHealthQuote.com. We promise, there are affordable options out there. And remember, while you may not be able to enroll in your ideal health plan, this is only a temporary solution.

What Health Care Crisis?

September 3, 2009 in Health Headlines, Healthcare Reform, Heath Industry News, health insurance | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Healthcare Crisis,Health Care Reform,Health Insurance CrisisOur company helps people find health insurance (amongst many other types of insurances). So as you might imagine, the “health care crisis” is a hot topic for us on a daily basis. Many people want to know our opinion about what’s going on and with what the government is trying to do.

At TheHealthQuote.com, we genuinely want everyone to be insured. Not so we can make a profit, rather, so people’s lives and finances can be protected. However, as professionals in this industry for over 25 years, we stand firm that the government’s plan simply should not be an option.

The list of reasons why it is a nighmare could go on and on, and we don’t have the time to make this list. Fortunately, a highly regarded professional, Brian Tracy, nailed everything in a nutshell.

If you have a few minutes and want to know why the government run healthcare system WILL NOT work, please read THIS article. He touches on every myth and point that is relevant to this ongoing debate.

Some of his eye opening statistics…

“The “health insurance” crisis is largely manufactured. Fully, 85% of Americans already have health insurance. Of the 47 million Americans who supposedly do not have health insurance, many of them are between jobs. 12 million of them are illegal immigrants who cannot come out of the shadows to buy health insurance, so they simply go the local hospital or clinic and get their health care for free.

“30% of the uninsured are young people aged 20 to 34 who will not buy insurance at any price because it is too expensive, and because they are quite healthy. It is simply not a good investment for them.

“Another 30% of the “uninsured” earn more than $50,000 per year and simply choose not to buy health insurance so that they can spend it on lifestyle. Ten to 15 million people already qualify for Medicare or other government plans but have not applied for it.”

How true this is. Brian Tracy breaks it down to the tee about the truth of healthcare.

This is not to say that the healthcare industry is perfect and that insurance companies are the end all. It is to say that things are much less flawed then the government has blown it up to be.

Again, take a few minutes to read his article. We have no doubt it will enlighten you about the reality that is the US healthcare system.

Rankings for Best Health Insurance Plans in US

August 3, 2009 in Health Headlines, Heath Industry News, health insurance | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

The best health insurance plan rankings from US News & World Report are officially in. The health insurance plans were separated into three categories: commercial plans, Medicare plans and Medicaid plans. They were then ranked on a variety of factors including effective prevention and treatment of illnesses and affordability (see the methodology here).

The highest rated commercial health insurance plan was a tie between Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HMO/POS) and Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization (HMO/POS). Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is a non-profit health insurance plan that provides a number of health insurance options and self-funding arrangements to over 1 million members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

The top rated Medicare insurance plan was MVP Health Care (previously known as Preferred Care), an MMO available in New York. Fallon Health Care Plan (FHCP) of Massachusetts won the title of best Medicare plan. FHCP is the only plan that is both an insurer and a provider of care.

There are a number of services available online to help you find the right health insurance quote for you. Before settling on a health insurance plan, be sure to utilize resources like the US News & World Report to help you make your decisions. Customer reviews and experiences with an insurance company are extremely telling, as is the overall health and prevention success of plan subscribers. You can see exactly where you’re insurance company ranks. The Kaiser Health Plan of Georgia for example ranks 27th in the nation with a score of 86.7 out of 100.

This list of top insurers sets a good standard for what to look for in an insurance company. Every American has the right to health care and when you pay a company a monthly fee to provide you with insurance, remember that you’re paying them. Whatever health insurance plan you have, you should receive good customer service, have access to prevention care, get appropriate medical coverage, and more.

To view the report in its entirety, go to http://health.usnews.com/sections/health/health-plans/.

Help With Expensive Prescription Medications!

July 15, 2009 in Health Tips, Prescription Meds | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prescription Medication,Prescriptions,Prescription Drugs,MedicationsMany of us are sensible enough to have some sort of health insurance. Unfortunately, not all health plans make prescriptions available to their policy holders (which is one way to lower the cost of the policy for the insured).

For California residents, we wanted to provide a couple of tips to those of you needing help with expensive prescriptions. For the rest of you, a similar program may be available in your state!

First, if you have health insurance, but it does not cover prescripiton medications, or even the specific medication you’re needing, you should still have your pharmacy run your insurance card. Many policy holders are unaware that even though they may not have a co pay for prescriptions, they can take advantage of the negotiated rates that the insurance company has implemented.

Negoitiated rates are simply a discount off what you would pay without insurance. Let’s say you go to pick up a prescription and the cost without any insurance is $400. Well your insurance company has already worked with the pharmacy to prohibit them from charging more than an alloted amount. This means that instead of $400, you may only have to pay $200 for the prescription. While it’s still a costly medication, I’d rather pay $200 than $400, wouldn’t you?

So at least ask the pharmacist to give you your insurance company’s negoiated rates for your prescription if you have insurance. You may come out saving a few dollars, and in today’s economy, every cent counts!

The other tool we wanted to provide for you is the California Rx Card program. This is for anyone, with or without insurance. It simply offers a discount on prescriptions, and it’s free of charge. all you need to do is sign up.

Based on some of the rates we’ve seen, they are very comparable to the insurance company’s negotiated rates! So give it a try next time you’re needing a prescription, or at least compare the standard retail rates to the rates available with this program!

You can sign up at their website for the California Rx Card.

We hope these tips offer a little assistance for obtaining more affordable prescriptions! And of course, visit our website, TheHealthQuote.com, for help with obtaining affordable health insurance!

Don’t Forget Your Dental Exam

July 13, 2009 in Health Tips, Your Health, health insurance | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Yearly dental exams are an important part of dental hygiene. A little yearly teeth cleaning can potentially save you from gingivitis, root canals, or losing a tooth altogether. Prevention is one of the most important parts of dental medicine. Insurance providers recognize this and most insurance companies will include a yearly cleaning and checkup in your dental insurance plan.

Dental work can get very expensive very quickly and most dental insurance providers would rather include checkups and prevention care in the policy so that they can save money on more expensive dental procedures later.

Good dental hygiene has also been linked in multiple studies to having a healthy heart. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis, for example, are strongly encouraged to maintain very healthy teeth and to try and reduce the amount of bacteria present in their mouths. For this reason, there are a number of medical and dental insurance plans that work together to incorporate dental health and hygiene into overall healthcare.

The respect for dental care and its place in healthcare is a relatively recent development. Dental hygiene was not always considered to be necessary or important. It took several decades for dentists to gain the respect they deserve in the medical community. Dental care now is considered a necessary part of every person’s life, starting in early childhood. There are now numerous affordable dental insurance plans available where there used to be none.

California Health Insurance Debate Continues: Will There Be Government Health Insurance?

July 9, 2009 in Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The California economy has been struggling for some time now. With the state deficit at $24.3 billion dollars and growing, things are starting to look desperate. Compounding this issue is the declining state of health care in California. Fewer doctors are available in emergency rooms, clinics are understaffed and overwhelmed with patient loads, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable health insurance.

The lack of affordable health insurance plans providing adequate coverage has caused California legislators to open a discussion about a government-funded health insurance and health care plan. The belief is that creating a government health insurance policy to compete with private health insurance plans would help insure the 50 million California residents that are currently without health insurance coverage.

Naturally, the proposed government alternative health insurance plan is controversial for Californians. Some argue that the government-funded health insurance plans will put the private insurers out of business. Others are concerned about adding to the already enormous California budget deficit. The opposing argument is that competition of this nature will be healthy for the health insurance market, forcing the private health insurance companies to become more competitive with pricing. There are currently a number of private health insurance providers that offer affordable health insurance rates, but not all insurers have followed suit. Shopping around for health insurance quotes can tell you what the best price is for the type of insurance you need.

To read more on this topic, view coverage from the Sacramento Bee at http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1984973.html.