Politics and Your Health Insurance Premiums

With California facing a budget deficit of more than $15 billion dollars, the Governor is calling for tougher Medi-Cal eligibility requirements and reduced rates paid to your healthcare providers. You might ask, "how does this affect me"?

Any changes that leave more California residents without health insurance coverage, will require providers to make up this financial short fall by charging individuals with health insurance coverage more for rendered services. In turn, the insurance companies will pass these increases to you - the consumer.

California already has over 6 million uninsured people, not including the millions that are under insured. Published reports suggest that the Governor's cut-backs will result in an additional 1 million uninsured, resulting in an estimated annual premium increase of $290 per family to cover the new uninsured.

We recommend periodically shopping for new health insurance several times a year. New affordable health insurance plans are constantly being introduced into the marketplace and there seenms to always be a "flavor of the month". In today's marketplace Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and Blue Shield offer some of the best health plans for the money. Next year it might be someone else. Shop online and keep current of new rates being introduced.

Uninsureable? California Health Insurance Options

There is still hope for individuals that can not qualify for Health Insurance. The Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) offers limited health insurance benefits to California residents who are unable to purchase health insurance due to a pre-existing medical condition. If you have a pre-existing condition and are not eligible for COBRA, Cal-COBRA, or HIPAA, then you can apply to MRMIP as a last resort to obtain health coverage.

MRMIP provides health care coverage through contracted health insurance companies and health plans. MRMIP is partially subsidized; however, qualifying participants must pay a portion of the premium, which is costly.

As a result of California legislation there is a 36-month limit for participation in MRMIP. At the end of this period, MRMIP enrollees are given a one-time opportunity to purchase guaranteed issue health coverage through any indemnity policy, PPO, or HMO currently offering individual health coverage in California. Eligible MRMIP participants who are “disenrolling” after the 36-month period have 63 days to apply for individual health coverage. Ninety days prior to the disenrollment, MRMIP participants receive a notice of disenrollment and 45 days prior to disenrollment, participants are mailed a Certificate of Program Completion that enables them to obtain individual health coverage.

All participating indemnity insurance companies, PPOs, and HMOs who offer comprehensive individual medical coverage in California are required to offer a Standard Benefit Plan that is substantially the same as the health coverage offered while on MRMIP. These Standard Benefit Plans are the only health coverage required to be offered on a guaranteed issue basis and are separate from other individual health coverage that is available in the marketplace.

Before considering applying for MRMIP, consider other options; including joining your employer sponsored plan (if available) or applying for individual coverage. Many individual and family plans accept many pre-existing conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and other common medical conditions. In some cases the insurance carrier will charge an "up-charge" or rating.

Always shop for the most competitive and affordable health insurance coverages. Health insurance quoting websites such as QuoteBroker provide you with free instant quotes and comparisons from the largest insurance companies offering coverage in your state.

Healthy Families Program for Kids

The California Healthy Families program provides comprehensive, low cost health insurance, dental and vision coverage to children under age 19.

To qualify for the program, the child(ren) must:
** Live in California
** Are US citizens or qualified immigrants
** Are not enrolled in nor eligible for no-cost Medi-Cal
** Were not covered in the past 3 months in employer-sponsored insurance
** Meet certain family income guidelines (very liberal) Medi-cal is for the poor

Monthly premiums depend on the familiy size and health plan selected. Monthly premiums will range from $4 to $15 per child, but will not exceed $45 per family. There are No Deductibles.

Co-payments are low: $5 for office visits, ER and prescription drugs. Well visits and all well baby care under 24 months of age, have no copays. Family out-of-pocket copayment maximums for a benefit year are a low $250.

Program Benefits include:
* Office Visits
* Prescription Drugs
* Laboratory work and x-ray services
* Health exams and check-up's
* Hospital and ER services
* Immunizations
* Well-baby care
* Mental and Substance abuse services
* Vision and Dental coverages

These plans are offered by California's most popular carriers, which may vary by county.

For a free brochure or application, simply contact QuoteBroker at (661) 702-1755

Affordable Healthcare for Texas

Santa Clarita, CA (PRWEB) July 22, 2008 -- Quotebroker Insurance Services is expanding their Southwest Region territory by making their affordable health insurance products available to citizens in the State of Texas. Quotebroker specializes in providing free health insurance quotes and high risk medical plans for those who have difficulty obtaining affordable health insurance.

They provide insurance at competitive rates for individuals, families, groups, and associations, and are pleased to make their coverage available to the citizens, businesses, and other organizations in Texas for the first time.

Since Quotebroker is an independent online insurance brokerage firm and not owned by any insurance company, they are able to provide their clients with objective information about different insurance products, such as personal insurance plans, long-term care insurance, retirement planning, life, health, disability income protection, and a wide range of other insurance plans for individuals, groups, associations and their members in Texas, Arizona, California, and Nevada.

By providing free online insurance quotes, Quotebroker's prospective clients are able to choose from a variety of different affordable health insurance plans, weigh their benefits and coverage options, and select the health insurance that best serves the particular needs of their situation. This system saves their clients time, money, and greatly simplifies the process of choosing affordable health insurance.

With insurance costs rising for families, organizations, businesses, and individuals across the Southwest, there's never been a better time to reevaluate insurance coverage and conduct some comparison shopping to get the best coverage for the best rates. Quotebroker's free health insurance quotes provided on their website allow people to weigh their options at a glance from the comfort of their homes and make informed decisions on the type and amount of coverage they need.

Any persons, businesses, or organizations in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and now Texas who want to get the most competitive rates on several different kinds of insurance are encouraged to call Quotebroker toll-free at 800-783-0802 or visit their website at www.QuoteBroker.com, for a free health insurance quote.

Anthem California introduces 12 month rate guarantee

If you own private health insurance, there is a good possibility that you could see three rate increases in 12 months. The first increase can be at 6 month's, another on your birthday and a third on the 12 month anniversary.

Anthem Blue Cross of California has recently modified their renewal process that could effectively save you money annually. Members now enjoy 12-month Anniversary Date rate guarantees. Anthem Blue Cross is pleased to announce that we're introducing Anniversary Rating for California Individual clients in the following products: SmartSense, Tonik and Lumenos®. With the Anniversary Rating methodology/model, premium and age adjustments happen at the same time - in the member's "Anniversary Month."

To compare your present insurance rates with Anthem of California, visit Quotebroker.com and receive a free instant health insurance quote for yourself, family or business. This website allows you to shop the insurance marketplace, using the same technology industry quoting system that was previously only available to insurance companies and industry insiders. Shop, compare insurance benefits, premiums and apply for an affordable health insurance plan online.