Medical Insurance Blog

Number of People Without Medical Insurance Grows In California

According to the University of California at Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, the number of people without medical insurance in California jumped in all counties due to the recession. 

The state of California's uninsured rate averages about 24.3%.  However, 37 counties ranging from Shasta to Kern to Imperial had higher uninsured rates than the average.

The majority of people who lost their medical insurance was in Southern California counties, such as San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial.  All counties within the San Joaquin Valley, and most counties within the Northern/Sierra areas (except Humbolt and Sutter) had uninsured rates higher than 24.3%

The loss of medical insurance within these areas was mostly due to drastic increases in unemployment, employer sponsored coverage being dropped, and household incomes dropping as a result.

A medical insurance Plan For The Uninsurable in California

Finally, it looks like a medical insurance plan may be put into place in California in September for people who have pre-existing medical conditions that have prohibited them from obtaining medical insurance. This plan is meant to be a bridge until 2014, when people with medical conditions will no longer be declined coverage or be rated up for it.  Applications for this medical plan will be taken starting in late August.

This new government insurance plan is part of the health care reform legislation, and will help people with pre-existing conditions.  California's Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board will run the program, and it is funded by the government, costing $761 million over a 3 year period. 

Analysts have estimated that about 25,000 residents of California will be covered by this insurance plan at any one time...which is a lot higher than the 7,100 person maximum that California's current high risk pool covers. 

To give you an example of the rates, in Ventura County for example, children up to the age of 14 will have a monthly premium of  $127.  People between the ages of 60 and 64 will have a premium of  $720 per month.  The plan is considered a comprehensive medical insurance plan, with a $1500 annual deductible, and an out-of-pocket limit of $2500.

Compared to the current high risk pool plan in California, a 42 year old person living in Ventura county would spend quite a bit less on the new government run plan, paying $304 per month compared to $657.50 on the current high risk pool plan.

To be eligible, you must not have had any insurance for at least 6 months, and have a pre-existing condition that prohibits you from obtaining private medical insurance.  While it's still expensive and probably only beneficial to the middle class, it's a great first step for getting many uninsured the coverage that they need. 

Please contact us at (877) 812-5111 if you need additional options for guaranteed issue medical insurance.

Massachusetts Medical Insurance Rate Hikes

Again, two of the largest medical insurance companies in Massachusetts are looking for rate increases that are in the double digit for individual and small business medical insurance plans.  These new rate increases, if approved, would go into effect on July 1st.

Just this past March, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance declined 235 proposals for rate increases that would have gone into effect on April 1st.  The medical insurance companies were then forced to charge customers 2009 premiums. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeking rate increases that average 12%; while Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is seeking rate increases of 8.8% to 11.9%.  Both insurers state that their new rate increases will be sufficient to insure the costs of the medical benefits that their customers will receive.

The rate increases could not come at a worse time, when officials of the state have been trying to control medical care costs, and medical insurance companies have had not choice but to sell plans at a loss. 

If the state commissioner discovers that the rates are unreasonable or too much and not actuarially sound, then those proposed rate increases will be disapproved.

The rates proposed reflect medical insurance companies' claims history, and what they're contractually obligated to pay providers.  If the medical insurance companies cannot obtain the higher premiums that is necessary, then they will continue to have a loss that keeps getting larger.  In May, the top 4 medical insurance companies in Massachusetts had an operating loss of more than $150 million.

Hearings have been conducted within the Insurance Division, because medical insurance companies have opposed the rate increase denial a few months ago. 

For now, medical insurance companies have been quoting 2009 rates for their new customers, and will continue to do so since they expect the latest round of proposed rate increases to be rejected.

Both medical providers and small businesses are getting very concerned about the riff between insurers and state officials, because they feel that it will have an impact on their operating costs, plus their capability to retain workers and hire new employees.

With about 1/3 of hospital and medical insurance companies contract being renegotiated in 2010, there is a worry that medical insurance companies will attempt to scale back their payments to hospitals that are financially sound, and hospitals that are financially in trouble.  Right now, hospitals' margins are running so thin that they can do little to negotiate on their rates.  If there were lower rates, then they would be forced to lay off employees.  Employees account for about 2/3 of hospitals' expenses.

Could Economy Slip Back into Recession because of Budget Cuts?

Congress has recently been taking steps backwards away from sending more financial aid to economically battered states, which puts billions of dollars that California and other states were depending on to balance their budgets.

California was looking forward to receiving nearly $2 billion in federal aid, which was allocated to help bring California out of the red.

All together, the federal government was to set aside $24 billion to go towards helping states balance their budgets.  Most of that money would have been applied to cover medical care.  Now, Democratic leads in the House of Representatives have taken that money out of legislation because of election-season jitters.

It appears that Washington is now being driven by the deficit.  A bigger problem lies in the fact that the economy could slip back into a recession because of financial cuts to states and local economies.

In California, the welfare program is being considered to be eliminated, and state-subsidized day care would be cut for hundreds of thousands of low-income children.  School spending would be froze, and numerous other cuts would follow, to help close the $19.1 billion budget gap.  If California does not get the federal assistance, these cuts plus more drastic proposals would be on table.

Nearly every single governor in the country is trying to persuade the Senate to provide the assistance.  However, the Democrats, who have the majority in Congress, are facing resistance to more spending from their own more conservative members of their party because of upcoming challenging re-elections.  Meanwhile, in this year's mid-term election campaigns, the Republicans are noting that the federal budget deficit could reach $1.5 trillion.

There are 30 states that are counting on additional Medicaid funding for their budgets.  This funding was originally provided in last year's economic stimulus bill, but only through the end of 2010.  While unemployment is still very high, governors from both the Democratic and Republican parties have been seeking to extend the funding through the middle of next year.

Tips for Finding Low Cost California Medical Insurance

There are lots of ways for you to find low cost California medical insurance. Unfortunately, some methods of lowering your medical insurance rates can also cause problems for you since they make your insurance less able to help you. The following tips will assist you in finding good rates for medical insurance without sacrificing quality.

 

1. Medical insurance premiums are usually tax-deductible for self-employed individuals. Your tax professional can also help you determine if having a flexible spending account makes you eligible for another kind of tax break.
   
2. You can save money by purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet. The same is often true of pharmacies that work over the phone. Since these companies have low overhead costs, they are able to offer you better prices. Still, check with BBB online before purchasing drugs from a company you are not familiar with; you don't want to get caught in a scam. Your health is a serious matter and should be treated that way.
   
3. You will find the best prices by doing comparison shopping. If you speak with friends and family about their insurance policies and rates, you will get a lot of ideas about what companies you are interested in. You don't want to make a decision on which insurance company to go with based off of commercials or company claims; the personal experiences of people you know are much more reliable.
   
4. Setting up an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) with your bank that automatically pays your insurance bill will save you money and is simple to do, too. Since your insurance company will not have to mail you a paper bill, they will save money on shipping and reduce that from your rate.
   
5. Large associations often make use of group health expense sharing plans. These offer lower rates as well. The terms of these medical plans are determined by the members of the group, as is the kind of coverage that will be offered. Joining such a group will usually mean paying lower medical insurance premiums. Before joining, make sure that the group's insurance plan fits your needs.

Getting Low Cost California Medical Insurance on the Internet

Even though two individuals have the same insurance coverage, their premiums are often different. Depending on which side of this you land on, you may be overpaying quite a bit to your insurance company. To get low cost California medical insurance, online shopping is the only way to go. Consider some reasons why this is the case.

The Internet allows you to compare several different quotes at once. Since you can compare a variety of companies quickly, you will be better able to make the smartest choice as to which policy to purchase.

Comparison-shopping for medical insurance was once a long and frustrating process. But using the Internet to compare prices is fast and easy! You can see quotes from five different insurance companies at once on many California medical insurance comparison sites.

You can also read informative articles online that will help you choose the best insurance policy for you. For individuals who would rather talk with someone than read an article, many websites allow you to chat live with an insurance expert who can answer your questions.

In order to get your online quote, all you have to do is answer some questions. Once you complete them, you will be presented with your quote. Insurance brokers' websites tend to present a variety of different options from various insurance companies. This will enable you to choose the most affordable medical insurance policy that fits your needs.

Saving 30% - 40% on California Medical Insurance

The high prices of medical insurance in California are becoming unbearable. The situation has gotten so critical that over 16% of California residents can no longer afford to pay for medical insurance. But, with one secret that medical insurance brokers won't tell you, you can save 30% - 40% on California medical insurance.

There are some other less dramatic yet still very helpful secrets that I'll let you in on first.

For starters, automatically paying your medical insurance premiums each month will save you money. If you are receiving a monthly bill through the mail, the shipping expenses are being taken out of your pocket, not the insurance companies. Setting up automatic payment with your bank will get you lower medical insurance rates.

For individuals who make regular doctors visits, the standard 25% co-payment is reasonable. If you do not make frequent trips to your doctor's office, however, setting your co-pay at 50% will save you quite a bit in medical insurance premiums.

Believe it or not, being overweight automatically makes your health insurance rates higher. That means that losing a few pounds will actually lighten your insurance bill. Cutting down on your fast food meals could actually have a direct effect on how much you pay for health insurance.

Insurance companies do not offer low medical insurance premiums to customers who smoke or chew tobacco. If you are truly serious about getting the lowest price health insurance possible, you should not use any tobacco products.

Raising your deductible is another way to make your premiums lower. This can sometimes have a greater effect than you would expect. You will need to be reasonable, though, since placing your deductible so high that you cannot afford it is not worth a low insurance premium.

Still, the absolute best way to save money on your California medical insurance, 30% - 40% in fact is shopping for and purchasing your insurance on the Internet.

All of these factors add up to lower priced insurance for you. In exchange for comfortably shopping for health insurance on your home computer, you will be surprised how much you could save.

Are you seriously interested in saving money on you California medical insurance? Then start shopping online and find the best rates possible!

Why California Family Health Insurance is So Important

 

Do you currently not have health insurance and are you a resident of California?  If you fall into these categories and also have a family, then it is critical that you and your family have health insurance. There are several reasons why your family should be covered, but one of the greatest is security for your family as a whole.

Generally, health insurance does not matter to families until one member of the family becomes ill and needs to see a medical professional. If you believe your family doesn't need health insurance, then we can assume that none of you ever get sick. Good health in a family is wonderful, but if one of you comes down with a severe illness, how will you pay for the medical costs involved? Also, if you work around a lot of people, such as in an office, then it is likely that you will catch whatever comes around. So, to be on the safe side, why not apply for a California family health insurance policy? You can have the option to receive the proper treatment for any illnesses you may have.

It is also important that you and your family have a California health insurance policy to protect you from medical costs involved when injuries occur. Even if all of you are very inactive, one of you may still have an accident and need medical attention. It is a fact that those without health insurance will generally avoid seeking medical attention, due to the high costs of care without health insurance. Whether you trip and break your ankle, or if you are injured in an automobile accident, when you have a California family health insurance policy you will know that you can obtain treatment for your injuries without having to pay outrageous medical bills.

Likewise, it is obvious that California health insurance is there to protect you and your family from the unexpected. If one of you is ever injured of suffering from an illness, your family is likely to seek medical attention because all of you are insured. As well as ensuring that you can afford medical attention, when you have a California family health insurance policy you are given a sense of comfort and security. To know that if a member of your family was ever injured and that you could pay for their care is enough reason to apply for a California family health insurance policy.

Finding the right California family health insurance policy does not have to be difficult. It is important to contact different insurance companies, like Blue Cross Blue Shield, and to speak with an insurance representative. These representatives can talk with you and give you a health insurance quote. After you speak with a few different companies, compare the quotes so you can determine which policy offers the most affordable coverage. After you decide on your policy, you and your family will be covered and you will have the peace of mind that all of you are protected.

Why Accurate Answers Are Important On California Health Insurance Applications

 

Are you looking for family medical insurance in the state of California? If you are uninsured and have a family, then you most likely are in search of the right family health insurance policy. One of the first steps in this process is to ask for a California family health insurance quote. This quote gives you an estimate of how much you will have to pay for you and your family's medical insurance coverage.

If you have ever searched for auto, home, or medical insurance, then you probably know that the search involves answering a lot of questions. If you request a California family health insurance quote, then you will discover that the questions pertain to you and your family. The insurance company must ask all of these questions if the coverage will encompass every member of your family.

The questions for the insurance quote will vary with each company, but you will notice that the questions will focus on the general health of your family. The health insurance company wants to ensure that you and your family are in relatively good health before they offer a California family health insurance policy.

As stated earlier, when you request your California family health insurance quote, you will be asked a few questions about the general health of you and your family. The purpose of these questions is to determine you are qualified to receive a California family medical insurance policy from that insurance company, and to determine the price of your health insurance coverage.

Although questions vary from company to company, you may have to give information about your age, past illnesses, weight, fitness levels, and if you smoke cigarettes or not. It is obvious that not exercising and smoking cigarettes can be detrimental to your health, so if you answer yes to these questions, you will most likely have to pay a higher premium. Remember, when you request a California family health insurance quote, you must be completely honest because insurance companies can penalize you for not being truthful when answering questions.

One explanation as to why many people seeking insurance do not totally tell the truth is because they do not believe that stretching the truth is a bad thing. Most of these people just want to make sure their family's health insurance is as affordable as possible. However, it is wrong to mislead the insurance company in order to lower your insurance premiums.

If the insurance company discovers that you lied on any of your insurance applications, then you may have to pay hefty fines and suffer prosecution. And above all, you and your family will inevitably lose any possible insurance coverage. Seeing all of these consequences, it is very important that you provide correct health information to the insurance company.

In order to get an accurate quote for California medical insurance, it is imperative that you answer all questions accurately. Health insurance is essential for you and your family, so why not keep them protected by providing truthful information. Keep them safe and secure!

Why California Family Medical Insurance Is So Important

 

Do you currently not have medical insurance and are you a resident of California?  If you fall into these categories and also have a family, then it is critical that you and your family have medical insurance. There are several reasons why your family should be covered, but one of the greatest is security for your family as a whole.

Generally, medical insurance does not matter to families until one member of the family becomes ill and needs to see a medical professional. If you believe your family doesn't need medical insurance, then we can assume that none of you ever get sick. Good health in a family is wonderful, but if one of you comes down with a severe illness, how will you pay for the medical costs involved? Also, if you work around a lot of people, such as in an office, then it is likely that you will catch whatever comes around. So, to be on the safe side, why not apply for a California family medical insurance policy? You can have the option to receive the proper treatment for any illnesses you may have.

It is also important that you and your family have a California medical insurance policy to protect you from medical costs involved when injuries occur. Even if all of you are very inactive, one of you may still have an accident and need medical attention. It is a fact that those without health insurance will generally avoid seeking medical attention, due to the high costs of care without health insurance. Whether you trip and break your ankle, or if you are injured in an automobile accident, when you have a California family health insurance policy you will know that you can obtain treatment for your injuries without having to pay outrageous medical bills.

Likewise, it is obvious that California health insurance is there to protect you and your family from the unexpected. If one of you is ever injured of suffering from an illness, your family is likely to seek medical attention because all of you are insured. As well as ensuring that you can afford medical attention, when you have a California family health insurance policy you are given a sense of comfort and security. To know that if a member of your family was ever injured and that you could pay for their care is enough reason to apply for a California family health insurance policy.

Finding the right California family health insurance policy does not have to be difficult. It is important to get quotes from different insurance companies, like Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna or Blue Shield of CA, and to speak with an insurance representative. At http://www.besthealthcarerates.com/ you can compare many plans from different insurers side-by-side, this makes the plan selection process much easier for consumers. After you decide on your policy, you and your family will be covered and you will have the peace of mind that all of you are protected.