Buying Health Insurance after loosing your job

Loosing a job can be devastating, especially when you are married or have a family. The last thing you want to do is deal with insurance agents or the thought of deductibles, co-payments and qualifying for coverage, so if you are like many American's you "suck it up" and pay the exorbitant COBRA premiums offered by your former employer.

COBRA allows you to continue your benefits for a period of time, however you will pay the entire premiums that was once subsidized by your employer. These new premiums in California can be in excess of $1000 to $1500 for a family. An alternative is to use a convenient online health insurance shopping service such as quotebroker.com where you can shop for, compare prices and features in minutes without the assistance of an insurance agent. All major health insurance companies are represented and once you select a plan you can easily apply online with the insurance company of your choice. Of course if you need assistance in selecting a plan Quotebroker has insurance specialists to help you navigate through the various insurance providers to locate an affordable quality health insurance plan for you, your family or new small business.

Quotebroker's line of California Health Insurance companies include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Health Net, Kaiser and United Healthcare.

If you expect to find a job in the near future or if you have located a job and you have a waiting period before being eligible for new health insurance coverage, quotebroker also offers short term medical insurance. These short term health insurance plans are ideal to fill the gap of 1 week to 6 month's of insurance coverage. These plans are also available online at www.quotebroker.com

For more information call (800) 783-0802 or (661) 702-1755.

California Health Insurance Report Card

How does your health insurance plan compare? The State of California Department of Insurance released it's annual report card on many of the state’s HMOs and other health insurance plans.  The  report, released Wednesday from the state Office of the Patient Advocate, rated California’s nine largest health maintenance organizations, six largest preferred provider organizations and 212 medical groups representing 16 million consumers with private health plans.

These comparisons of health plans and physician practices are increasingly valuable for patients as they face higher out-of-pocket medical costs and the federal healthcare overhaul expands coverage to millions of more consumers. The report card can be found at http://www.opa.ca.gov/.

Are you happy with your California Health Insurance plan? If not - you should compare plans, benefit features and rates online. At Quotebroker Insurance Services you can receive a free instant quote and a proposal that will compare plans in an easy to read format. If you prefer to have a health insurance specialist help you select a plan call (800) 783-0802.

California Health Insurance Buyers Guide

Whether you are buying health insurance coverage through your employer’s group health insurance plan or you need to buy your own individual health insurance or family health insurance policy, it is important that you first health insurance choices and pick the best health insurance program that is best for you and your family. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when choosing a health insurance or major medical insurance plan: 

Affordable Health Insurance starts with examining the cost of care.

• What is the monthly health insurance premium I will have to pay?
• Should I try to self insure most of my medical expenses or just the large ones?
• What deductibles will I have to pay before the insurance plan starts to reimburse me?
• After I have met my deductible, what percentage of my medical expenses are reimbursed?
• What is the cost if I choose to use doctors outside the insurance company’s network?

Does the health insurance plan cover the services I am likely to use?

• Are the doctors, hospitals, laboratories and other medical providers that I use in the health insurance company’s network?
• If I want to use a doctor outside my PPO network, will the plan permit it?
• How easily can I change primary-care physicians?
• Do I need to get permission before I see a medical specialist?
• What are my insurance benefits for a health emergency, at home or out of town?
• If I have a pre-existing medical condition, will the plan cover it or is there a waiting period?
• Are the Rx prescription medicines that I use covered by the plan? Is there a separate deductible
• Does the health plan offer alternative therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment?
• Does the plan cover maternity or well baby benefits?

The best way to buy affordable health insurance is online using comparison software offered by Quotebroker.com. Within minutes you can shop all available insurance plans in your State, compare features and apply for coverage online directly with the insurance company of your choice. For more information call (800) 783-0802

Are Health Exchanges 'Built to Fail?'

The Affordable Care Act, often called simply 'Obamacare', has called for the establishment of health care exchanges in order to allow for the education and enrollment in new health care programs.  The idea is that individuals can go to these exchanges to compare plans purchase plans on a wider scale and less expensive basis than currently offered.  While this idea sounds great in principle, is it doomed to fail from the start?  This is exactly the question posed by Director of the Manhattan Institute's Center for Medical Progress Paul Howard and University of Minnesota Insurance Industry Chair of Health Finance Stephen T. Parent e in a guest opinion piece for Kaiser Health News.

While the merits of the exchanges have been debated often before, Howard and Parent e bring up a unique criticism of the logistics of such a massive collaboration:

"Logistically, these requirements present a massive challenge. For the first time, secure data feeds from the Departments of Homeland Security (establishing legal immigrant or US citizen status), Justice (for felon history), Treasury (for tax return information to impute income) and the Social Security Administration (establishing that the recipient is not deceased) would have to be combined. These data feeds would then have to be securely coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services. There is no history of these agencies ever bringing their data together at this scale. It would qualify as the largest IT integration project in U.S. history. "

 Given this perspective, it is difficult to imagine that implementing health care exchanges will actually cause administration costs to decrease, as widely proclaimed by proponents of an exchange system.  Add this new found skepticism of the exchanges administration abilities to the existing merit-based criticism of exchanges in the first place and it is clear Howard and Parent e have posed an apt question: Are these health exchanges built to fail?

Health Insurance 101

Health insurance can be very confusing when you are researching on your own, whether via the internet or calling carriers direct.  When shopping for California health insurance, you may find it difficult to understand the various moving parts of a particular policy.  This is why we like to repost this Health Insurance Glossary every so often, as it seems like every day we speak to someone who may be just like you, looking for clarification on one topic or another.  While we make no claim that this guide is comprehensive, get to know the following terms and you'll be able to have an intelligent conversation with a broker, if not make an informed decision all by yourself.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Premium - Everyone's least favorite moving part of an insurance policy, the premium is the amount you must pay to the insurance carrier to secure coverage.  As benefits go up, so do premiums.  Generally, as premiums go down, deductibles go up, and vice versa.

Copay - a Copay is the portion of the service that you are responsible for paying.  This is usually a small, flat dollar amount under $100 or so. Most of the time, copays do not apply to the deductible, but often do not require for the deductible to be met in order to use them.  There are of course some exceptions.

Deductible- The amount you must pay before your insurance kicks in.  Many plans have ways around the deductible, usually in the form of a copay.  Services with a copay often do not require you to meet the deductible first.  This is usually for services like doctor’s office visits and generic prescription drugs.

Out Of Pocket Maximum- This term has many names, including Annual Maximum Copay, Annual OOP, stop-loss, OOP MAX, but they all mean the same thing: you pay up to this amount, and the insurance carrier covers 100% after it, for all covered services in-network.  This number is greater than or equal to your deductible.

Negotiated Rate- This figure represents the rate for which the doctor has agreed to work for in order to be a member of the insurance carrier’s network.  These figures vary widely, but are often 30-60 percent less than what you would pay if you had no insurance at all.

Generic Prescription Drugs - these drugs are the less expensive type and are often available immediately without having to pay a deductible, for a small copay.

Brand Name Prescription Drugs - These drugs are more expensive and thus have a higher copay than generic drugs.  Sometimes these drugs are not available until you reach a separate brand name drug deductible, and even then often there is a copay after the deductible.  

Coinsurance - this is the amount you will pay after you reach your deductible, but before you reach your maximum OOP.  In today’s California health insurance plans, this figure varies from 25-50%.  Remember, this figure is taken from the already-lowered negotiated rate.  Alternatively, this can be a flat dollar amount instead of a percentage, usually between $50 and $500 depending upon the services rendered.

PPO- Preferred Provider Organization. This is a network of doctors who have agreed to perform services at a specific rate for an insurance carrier’s members.  With a PPO, you can choose among any of the carrier’s doctors at any time. You can self-refer to specialists.

HMO - Health Maintenance Organization- This is also a network of doctors that has an agreement with the insurance carrier, however with an HMO you choose one doctor who manages all of your care.  You must see this doctor for all issues and be referred out should you need a specialist.

Out-of-Network - Out of Network (OON) charges can be incurred when you use a doctor that is not on the carrier’s pre-approved list.  Even on a PPO, you can go outside of your network which can lead to the insurance carrier covering much less than they would had you used a doctor that is in-network.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that you know these basic terms, you can use your new-found knowledge to quote and compare California health insurance plans.  If you're uncomfortable going it alone, visit www.quotebroker.com or give us a call at 800-783-0802 and one of our licensed professionals would be happy to assist you.

.

California Health Insurance Legislature Update

The California legislature failed to advance a bill that would have required insurers to obtain state approval before increasing premiums. Stalled by a 17-17 Senate vote, the bill failed to receive the four additional votes needed for the bill to pass. It would have required health insurers to get approval from the Department of Insurance or the Department of Managed Health Care before raising health plan rates or making changes to co-payments, co-insurance or deductibles.

Instead, the legislature passed a bill that would require health insurers to provide consumers with 60 days notice before increasing premiums and submit additional actuarial justification and information for the rate increases. Insurers' also would be required to post on their websites a statement that explains the reasons for the increase. The governor is expected to sign the bill.

 

As health insurance companies begin to remodel their product portfolio to comply with new Health Care Reform regulations, consumers are urged to compare their health insurance premiums against all available plans offered. Search engines such as QuoteBroker.com provide instant online health insurance proposals comparing all major insurance company plans throughout the state.

Insurance Companies close the door to new Children Only plans

Every mother and father want to provide valuable health care for their children, especially if they have a serious pre-existing medical condition.

Health Care Reform was designed to insure that this option would be available, offering no pre-existing exclusion period for people under age 19 — Anyone under 19 with a pre-existing condition cannot be denied coverage for that condition at any time starting with the first plan year beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, four years before all carriers must accept everyone, regardless of health status. In addition, insurers are not allowed to impose waiting periods for coverage of pre-existing conditions for people under 19 years old.

Sounds great, however several insurance companies, including Aetna and Cigna have announced that they will not be offering "child(ren)" only policies after September of this year. This must certainly be a shock to the politicians who wrote this bills and raced it through the house and senate. Watch more companies to follow these giants lead and exit the child marketplace, meanwhile every families health insurance premiums will likely increase to spread the risk of this specific market.

To locate the most affordable health insurance plan options online, visit QuoteBroker.com for a free market comparison and analysis.

California - Anthem Blue Cross files for 9/1/10 rate increase

This past week Anthem Blue Cross of California has refiled with the Department of Insurance to raise rates for tens of thousands of California policyholders.  Anthem and its corporate parent, Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc., now are seeking a maximum increase of 20%, with an average hike of 14%. Their original proposal called for an average increase of 25%. The new rates would take effect September 1, 2010.

WellPoint defended the rising premiums as necessary and unavoidable, saying Anthem would still lose more than $100 million this year on individual health insurance policies sold in California even though 600,000 of its customers would be paying more.

Policyholders and consumer advocates "cry foul" that Anthem's initial rate  increases as excessive, and fear that Anthem will try to recoup any losses with subsequent rate increases. Company officials said Wednesday they expect a new round of rate hikes in the first half of 2011.

WellPoint has posted a 51% increase in profits in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year, earning $877 million. Watch dog groups and some lawmakers said the Anthem controversy pointed to the need for legislation that would give regulators more authority over rates. California is one of a handful of states where health insurers can raise rates without state approval.

Don't count on Health Care Reform to solve this problem as the new law  will provide access to health coverage for an estimated 32 million uninsured people but will do little to control rate hikes, simply giving federal officials the ability to review "excessive" increases.

Remember - Consumers have choices. With a dozen or so carriers and over 250 plans to choose from, you can always shop for insurance online and compare rates, benefit features and monthly premiums. To receive a free instant quote online visit QuoteBroker.

Health Insurance Buyers Guide

Consumer Tips-Purchasing Health Insurance

Whether you choose a fee-for-service plan or a form of managed care, you must examine benefits summary or an outline of your desired coverage, and check the description of policy benefits, exclusions, and provisions that makes it easier to understand a particular policy and compare it with others.

Compare Plan Benefits

Think about your health insurance needs and current situation and future outlook. For example: Do you need maternity coverage? Do you want coverage for your whole family or just yourself? Are you concerned with preventive care and checkups? Or are you better off with managing a plan that might restrict your choice somewhat but give you wider coverage and more convenience?

Here are some of the things to look at when choosing and comparing health insurance plans.

Your Insurance Checklist

Make an insurance checklist to compare and check for the following key health insurance items: general insurance plan features and benefits, agency services, and health coverage options of the health-care plans that you are thinking about buying.

• Covered medical service
• Inpatient hospital services 
• Outpatient surgery  
• Physician visits (in the hospital) 
• Office visits
• Skilled nursing care
• Medical tests and X-rays
• Prescription drugs 
• Mental health care 
• Drug and alcohol abuse treatment
• Home health care visits 
• Rehabilitation facility care 
• Physical therapy 
• Speech therapy 
• Hospice care 
• Maternity care 
• Chiropractic treatment 
• Preventative care and checkups 
• Well-baby care 
• Dental care 
• Other covered services 
• Are there any medical limits, or preexisting conditions that will affect 
• What types of utilization review or pre authorization procedures are included? 
• Costs of the plan, premium, deductible and maximum out of pocket

Selecting a plan can be confusing, especially considering all of the moving parts above. When you are ready to compare your insurance options, you can use an online Health Insurance brokerage firm www.quotebroker.com This is the simplest way to locate affordable health insurance in your state without any sales jibber. Shop, compare plan and apply online in minutes. (800) 783-0802

How much did your Health Insurance policy increase this year?

Today, individuals who bought their own health insurance recently have been hit with rate hikes averaging 20 percent, according to a national study released Monday.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, which conducted the research, found that about three-fourths of the country's 14 million people who don't get group coverage, many of them self employed, faced premium increases to keep their coverage.

Most paid the increase, perhaps trapped by the inability to find other coverage because of pre-existing conditions, researchers said. About 16 percent "bought down" into plans that were less expensive but provided fewer benefits. The average premium for an individual policy was about $3,606 annually – less than the $4,824 average for group coverage.

But those on the individual market typically have fewer benefits. And they pay more in out-of-pocket expenses, including huge deductibles.

While the individual health insurance market is relatively small compared to the group insurance market of about 157 million Americans, recent premium increases among people who have to buy their own insurance have received public attention.

With inflation and wages remaining relatively flat, it's understandable for consumers to view the increases as unreasonable, said the foundation's president, Drew Altman. "If you're being hit by a 20 percent increase … that's on its face a completely unreasonable increase."

The insurance industry blames rate hikes on the rising costs for hospital care, doctors and prescriptions.Health insurance premiums are increasing because medical costs continue to soar and young and healthy people are dropping their insurance during the recession," said Robert Zirkelbach, spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans.

It could still be years before individual policyholders see any relief from the federal health care overhaul, which will start offering subsidies in 2014 to consumers who qualify. Advocates in California, who held a telephone news conference on Monday, insisted that the new law would eventually bring down costs.

But Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, said state regulators in the meantime must also put "additional scrutiny on rates." Wright expressed optimism that so-called insurance exchanges, which must be established by 2014 under the health care law, will give individuals the purchasing power that allows large businesses to negotiate better deals and coverage with insurers. Those who qualify, based on income, will be able to buy subsidized insurance through the exchange.

The California Legislature is currently considering a bill to create a state-run exchange from which the self-employed, small businesses, the currently uninsured and others who buy health insurance on their own can buy coverage. Currently consumers are encouraged to shop and compare individual and group coverage options. QuoteBroker offers free instant health insurance quotes from all major insurance providers. Shop, compare prices and enroll online.

QuoteBroker Launches New Website for Associations

QuoteBroker Insurance Services announces the launch of a new website dedicated to Association Benefits. Employer Groups, Associations and Members will find useful employee benefit options that are usually reserved for large employers/employees.

Association Benefit Marketing provides insurance and non insurance related benefits, including a Free Rx discount card, Consult A Doctor tele-medicine program, California health insurance, disability income, accident, cancer, long term care and medicare supplement insurance plans. California individual health insurance, group health insurance and term life insurance quotes will be provided by QuoteBroker's search engine.

Instantly shop the California health insurance marketplace to find the lowest priced medical plans by all major insurance companies. In less than five minutes you can lower your health insurance costs by as much as 30-50%. Visit www.quotebroker.com for your free instant health insurance quote.

Understanding Medicare (Part II)

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a Federal health insurance program that pays for hospital and medical care for elderly and certain disabled Americans.

The program consists of two main parts for hospital and medical insurance (Part A and Part B) and two additional parts that provide flexibility and prescription drugs (Part C and Part D).

Medicare Part A, or Hospital Insurance (HI), helps pay for hospital stays, which includes meals, supplies, testing, and a semi-private room. This part also pays for home health care such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy that is provided on a part-time basis and deemed medically necessary. Care in a skilled nursing facility as well as certain medical equipment for the aged and disabled such as walkers and wheelchairs are also covered by Part A. Part A is generally available without having to pay a monthly premium since payroll taxes are used to cover these costs.

Medicare Part B is also called Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI). It helps pay for medically necessary physician visits, outpatient hospital visits, home health care costs, and other services for the aged and disabled. For example, Part B covers:

• Durable medical equipment (canes, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs, etc.)
• Physician and nursing services
• X-rays, laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Certain vaccinations
• Blood transfusions
• Recommended dialysis
• In patient hospital procedures
• Some ambulance transportation
• Immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplants
• Chemotherapy
• Certain hormonal treatments
• Prosthetic devices and eyeglasses.

Part B requires a monthly premium ($96.40 per month in 2010, the same as 2009, except for those in a higher income level, which will require a payment of $110.50 ), and patients must meet an annual deductible ($135.00 in 2009) before coverage actually begins. Enrollment in Part B is voluntary.

Medicare Advantage Plans (sometimes known as Medicare Part C, or Medicare + Choice) allow users to design a custom plan that can be more closely aligned with their medical needs. These plans enlist private insurance companies to provide some of the coverage, but details vary based on the program and eligibility of the patient. Some Advantage Plans team up with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to provide preventive health care or specialist services. Others focus on patients with special needs such as diabetes.

In 2006, Medicare expanded to include a prescription drug plan known as Medicare Part D. Part D is administered by one of several private insurance companies, each offering a plan with different costs and lists of drugs that are covered. Participation in Part D requires payment of a premium and a deductible. Pricing is designed so that 75% of prescription drug costs are covered by Medicare if you spend between $250 and $2,250 in a year. The next $2,850 spent on drugs is not covered, but then Medicare covers 95% of what is spent past $3,600.

What about services that are not provided through Medicare?

Supplemental coverage for medical expenses and services that are not covered by Medicare are offered through MediGap plans. MediGap consists of 12 plans that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have authorized private companies to sell and administer. Since the availability of Medicare Part D, MediGap plans are no longer able to include drug coverage.

Who is eligible for Medicare?

To be eligible for Medicare, an individual must either be at least 65 years old, under 65 and disabled, or any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a transplant.)

In  addition, eligibility for Medicare requires that an individual is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for 5 continuous years and is eligible for Social Security benefits with at least ten years of payments contributed into the system.

Who pays for services provided by Medicare?

Payroll taxes collected through FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and the Self-Employment Contributions Act are a primary component of Medicare funding. The tax is 2.9% of wages, usually half paid by the employee and half paid by the employer. Moneys are set aside in a trust fund that the government uses to reimburse doctors, hospitals, and private insurance companies. Additional funding for Medicare services comes from premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pays.

Medicare Supplement plans are offered through private insurance companies to fill the "medi-gap" of expenses not covered by medicare. (Explained in Part III). For a free Medicare Supplement quote, visit the Quotebroker Health Insurance website

California Insurance Commissioner Blasts Anthem Blue Cross

CROSS HEALTH INSURANCE RATE HIKES ALARMING

Reminds Californians to Shop Around, Compare Health Insurance Options

 

QuoteBroker received the following press release from the California Department of Insurance today.

The State of California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today issued the following statement regarding Anthem rate increases:

“I’m alarmed by the Anthem Blue Cross health insurance rate hikes, especially in a time when the recession has forced so many people into the individual health insurance market,” said Commissioner Poizner. “State law requires that insurers spend at least 70 cents of every dollar of premium on medical care. I have instructed my department to hire an outside actuary to examine their rates line by line to ensure they are complying with this state law. If we find that their rates are excessive, I will use the full power of my office to bring these rates down. 

Commissioner Poizner also reminded Californians who have to purchase individual health insurance that there are dozens of insurance companies to choose from.

Just like auto and homeowners insurance, consumers can choose from nearly 70 different companies who offer health insurance in the individual health insurance market,” Commissioner Poizner said. “As a consumer you need to shop around.  A different provider may prove to be a better value for a particular individual or family’s needs, and all of them are looking for new customers.  I encourage consumers who are not happy with their rates, co-pays, benefits or service to look at other options.”

To review all major California Health Insurance plans, benefits and premiums, visit QuoteBroker. In less than 4 minutes you can compare all plans and even apply for coverage online.

California Health Insurance 200 Billion Dollar Mistake

February 5, 2008 - California Health Insurance News

Senate Passes Single Payer Bill

The California Senate has passed S.B. 810 which would create a single payer health care system in the state referred to as the “California Healthcare System (CHS).” The bill would eliminate private health insurance in California and require the state to negotiate reimbursement with health care providers. The bill is estimated to cost $200 billion and would be funded by pooling all state and federal money currently spent on health care in the state (pending federal approval) and a payroll tax. Due to the estimated $20 billion state budget deficit, this bill was not considered in 2009. The bill is now under consideration by the state Assembly. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation in 2006 and 2008 and has said he would do the same if the Assembly passes this bill.

Any mandatory health insurance requirements at the expense of new higher employer payroll taxes will likely drive more businesses out of state to more business friendly states and communities. For the time being, shop all California health insurance options. Free instant health insurance quotes.

California Health Insurance Report Card

The quality of your health care is one of the most important, and least understood aspects of health insurance. In the last two decades, though insurers, doctors and others have found ways to monitor and assess key indicators of a number of best practices that can help all of us -- including patients -- compare the performance of medical care providers and insurers.

California is pleased to present the nation's first interactive, consumer-friendly PPO Report Card. While California's HMOs have been graded and compared for eight years, the more open structure of PPOs has made PPO quality comparisons more complicated. However, insurers, providers, businesses and regulators have been working with groups like the California Cooperative Health Reporting Initiative and the National Committee for Quality Assurance to solve those problems.

This PPO Health Insurance Report Card will allow consumers to compare PPOs in a number of key areas such as Diabetes Care, Treating Children, Heart Care and others. Each reporting insurer has been given an overall grade, and consumers can find the components of those grades, down to the individual scores for dozens of particular best practices. It also provides results of important consumer satisfaction surveys. For a free instant Individual Health Insurance quote, visit QuoteBroker.com. All major companies available online.

Cigna now offers Individual Health Insurance

Cigna begins offering Individual Health insurance in California November 1st, 2009.

Cigna is well known for their group and business insurance throughout the United States, however in response to the nations push for Healthcare Reform, Cigna enters a competitive California insurance marketplace. Cigna's new products are straight forward and easy to understand, focusing on preventive care with low doctor co-pays, as well as minimal out of pocket expenses for a more serious medical/accident condition.

Cigna individual health insurance quotes are available online. Compare plan features and rates today.

California Health Insurance and Domestic Partners

A common question that I receive each week is "Will my domestic partner and I qualify as a two party applicant" In California, the answer is "yes". For several years now, California Health Insurance carriers have been required to recognize domestic partners, straight or gay. Unmarried couples that live together can purchase health insurance at a two party rate.

To apply for Health Insurance as "Domestic Partners", simply complete a single application, using the younger individual as the primary applicant and the older second party as the co-applicant. In some cases the insured may ask for you to sign a supplemental application page stating that you are "Domestic Partners".

That's it…. To receive an affordable health insurance quote on-line, visit QuoteBroker