Affordable Health Care Coverage Now

Medicare: A Health Care Reform Solution

2010-03-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know anyone on Medicare?

If you know someone on Medicare, or you yourself are on Medicare, then you know that Medicare is not the golden ticket of health insurance that many people believe it is. Until you have to go on Medicare, you might think that Medicare covers prescriptions, nursing home stays, etc.

One reason we need health care reform is because of the high cost of Medicare to seniors who need coverage yet are living on a fixed income. Not every grandma and grandpa on Medicare is rich and can afford $600 month supplemental insurance. Not everyone on Medicare can even get supplemental health insurance once they are diagnosed with a disabling disease.

Take for example, Mr. A. He has End Stage Renal Disease (his kidneys don't work and he goes to dialysis 3 times a week). Mr. A. is on Medicare, part A and part B.

Mr. A was in the nursing home for 110 days.

Mr. A worked his whole life. He is very, very sick. His Medicare doesn't cover his prescriptions or rides to dialysis. He can't get supplemental health insurance because he has end stage renal disease.

Mr. A owes more than $10,000 to the nursing home for days 90-110 because Medicare only pays for days 1-89. If you are on Medicare, you are not allowed to be in a nursing home past 89 days or you will have to pay out of pocket. Hurry the hell up and get better or you will pay at the rate of $300 a day.

Mr. A also owes thousands in chair car charges to get to dialysis, thousands in co-payments to doctors and is behind on his mortgage because of all of his medical bills.

Why isn't Mr. A covered completely by Medicare? Why are our sickest people denied quality care because of money? He has health insurance yet he has thousands in medical bills.

I have a suggestion to health care reform.

Put all members of congress and their families on Medicare only. They can't buy supplemental coverage and they can only go to Medicare approved physicians. Give them no other options. Don't pay for their prescriptions, eyeglasses,or hearing aids.

We will have a solution to our health care crisis in less than a week, with both sides in agreement.

Private Disability Insurance and Social Security Disability Benefits

2010-02-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

Disability insurance is often overlooked by the young, healthy adult. It often doesn't make sense to invest in a disability policy when a budget is already stretched to the limit. Unfortunately, disability insurance can only be purchased if a person is in good health and not when they are fighting a potentially disabling disease.

Private disability insurance payments do not affect social security disability payments.

If a private disability policy is purchased and in effect when a person becomes disabled, private disability payments will be paid in addition to any social security disability benefits that the disabled person may be entitled to.

This is significant because social security disability payments will be pretty low and many people will find that a huge change in standard of living will occur. Some private disability policies will pay the insured double SSDI amounts, giving the disabled a total payment that they can comfortably live on.

Disability insurance is not often available to those with certain pre-existing conditions.

Insurance companies are a for profit business and it is smart business not to insure people who are at risk of getting sick in the near future. People with potential pre-existing conditions should consider applying for disability insurance before it is too late. Although it may stretch a budget, purchasing disability insurance when young and healthy is a wise investment for the future.

Government to Pay More Than Half of U.S. Health Costs

2010-02-04T04:39:00.000-08:00

Federal and state programs will pay slightly more than half the tab for health care purchased in the United States by 2012, says a report by Medicare number crunchers released Thursday.

WASHINGTON -- For all the hue and cry over a government takeover of health care, it's happening anyway.

Federal and state programs will pay slightly more than half the tab for health care purchased in the United States by 2012, says a report by Medicare number crunchers released Thursday. Read more from FOX NEWS HERE.

I am not a politically active person. I am learning about health care reform after being inspired by a family friend who has become critically ill and is struggling with health insurance issues. I do not understand why people are so against the government "taking over" and providing a government sponsored health insurance option.

Why are so many Americans upset that the government is trying to establish a public health insurance option? Can someone please explain it to me?

Health coverage right now is up to the individual unless they meet federal poverty guidelines or have certain disabilities. We are already paying a big portion of our incomes to health insurance and health related costs, why not have these costs regulated?

Maybe I'm in the minority and this is the reason health care reform is having such a hard time getting off the ground. Ask any wealthy but critically ill person and they will tell you that money means nothing if you don't have health. Why aren't we investing more into our national health care system?

Unemployed: Now What do I do?

2010-02-01T06:05:00.000-08:00

Unemployment is reaching historical highs. With an unemployment rate of close to 10% in many state, the lack of jobs in the United States continues to perpetuate the recession.

Unemployment Does Not Cover Health Insurance

If you are on unemployment, you do not automatically qualify for health insurance discounts. In fact, if you receive more unemployment than 133% of the federal poverty level, you don't qualify at all. Where does this leave you, the newly unemployed?

Unemployed and Uninsured

Unless you can afford monthly COBRA payments, you will find yourself quickly uninsured. If you live in Massachusetts, where health insurance is mandatory, you will have to find a way to make your COBRA payments or face a significant tax penalty.

Reduced COBRA Payments are Available

If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify for reduced COBRA payments. Under the ARRA, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009, individuals are eligible for a reduced COBRA payment if they are involuntarily terminated from their job. This would result in a payment of 35% of the COBRA premium instead of 100%. Only people fired between September 1, 2008 and February 28, 2010 qualify for this reduced COBRA payment. The reduction can last for a period up to 15 months, but may require extensive paperwork to be approved.

Humor: Health Coverage Now

2010-02-01T03:31:00.000-08:00

The high cost of health insurance

2010-01-31T07:55:00.000-08:00

Do you pay health insurance premiums that you really can't afford?

Have you decreased your plan coverage, taking the chance with high deductables if you become hospitalized?

Are you prepared if you lose your job and need to continue with COBRA payments?

President Obama had created a reduced COBRA plan that allowed families to pay for 35% of their COBRA while the former employer covered the other 65% for a period of nine months, but this reduced COBRA plan has now expired.

What would you do if you were faced with a $1,000 month bill to have health insurance for you and your family and you became unemployed?

What if your unemployment was enough so that your family earned just above 133% of the federal poverty level ($2,800) for a family of five and you didn't qualify for any state health insurance reduced/free program?

If you receive $2,801 or more from unemployment and you are a family of 5 (the amount is even less for smaller families), you must pay for health insurance premiums on your own.

Is really the best we can come up with in this country?

The Case for Change in Massachusetts

2010-01-29T08:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/massachusetts.html

The Hope for Health Care Reform

2010-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

The costs of health care in the United States will continue to rise if changes are not made. On both the state and federal levels, health care costs take up a significant percentage of budget allowances. It is estimated that the United States spends almost $8,000 per person a year on health care costs, or in total, 2.2 trillion dollars. This is only expected to rise if changes are not made.

Revamping and Creating a Modern Healthcare system.

Americans spend a good portion of their hard earned money on the high cost of health care each year. Many families are only an accident or health debilitating illness away from financial despair.

Consider this: the health insurance premiums employers pay directly reduces the amount of take-home pay for the employee.

The Obama Administration has been trying to make changes, but has been met with opposition for many reasons. Change is hard and it's not possible for any one person to have the answer. The Obama Administration instituted a temporary provision that allows Americans who have been terminated from employment to pay COBRA at a reduced rate of 35% of the traditional cost. While effective for those that were terminated between September 1, 2008 and February 28, 2010, this legislation is only temporary and will not be available to workers terminated after February 28, 2010 if it is not extended.

The Obama Administration is also pushing for the computerization of America's health records within a five year period. Paper records are more prone to error and more difficult to reproduce. With computerized record keeping, medical records will be available more readily and help streamline information sharing, reducing both waste and costs.

Investing in Wellness

Wellness is not given for many Americans. Poor diets, lack of exercise and smoking lead to many chronic, debilitating illnesses that could be prevented with quality wellness care. As Americans, we need to take responsibility for our actions and we lose the right to complain if we do not take action against the things that hurt us.

Although good health should be reward enough for healthy living, the Obama Administration has devoted one billion dollars in the Recovery Act in order to provide Americans with prevention and wellness support.

Forget About Politics, Give Us Real Health Care Reform

2010-01-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Author Don Potter

The subject of health care reform has been a big issue in Washington and the news media for the past year. Citizens jumped into the fray, for the most part uninvited, when it became apparent that our elected representatives were botching the process. Town hall meetings, rallies and protest marches sent a message to legislators that they were out of step, if not out of touch with mainstream Americans. Recent election results from Massachusetts indicates the will of the people is something politicians shouldn't ignore.

Democrats cannot write bills behind closed doors and try to jam legislation through based on their current power in Washington. By the same token, Republican have got to stop hiding in the weeds and taking shots at everything the opposing party does. Rather, it's time to go back to the peoples' business. This means agreeing that the health care system needs to undergo significant change over an extended period of time but in a common-sense, fiscally-responsible, bi-partisan manner. Otherwise, the finger pointing and bickering in Washington will spell the end of the careers for many politicians.

It's not rocket science. Health insurance costs continue to climb. Too many Americans are without coverage. Waste, fraud and abuse abounds within the system. The problems can't be addressed or fixed all at once. So, let's agree that health care is going to be studied immediately and adjusted over time with the goal being coverage we can afford and quality of care second to none. We can figure out how to make this work, but do the politicians, the insurance companies and the medical organizations must come together, forget their own agendas and start considering what's best for the citizens of this country?

As part of the pre-boomer generation (those born between 1930 and 1945), I remember how people from all walks of life came together and fought our enemies in World War II. Folks forgot about labels. We weren't Democrats or Republicans we were Americans pulling together in a common cause. If addressed honestly, health care can be something that unites rather than divides us.

Remember, health care accounts for about a sixth of our economy. This is a real concern when combined with a deficit beyond belief, out-of-control government spending and a double-digit unemployment rate that just won't go day. On top of this, there are more spending plans waiting to be introduced in Congress. The only thing to do is to stop Washington from doing what it's been doing or we're going to keep getting what we've been getting. Translated, this means no new spending. Prioritize the country's need. And re-evaluate where our money is going now and where it needs to go in the future.

At the same time, businesses around the country need to join in the fight to keep America afloat and bring it back to the land of opportunity. This requires the best minds we have focusing on what they know best to get the job done. By applying this same kind of discipline to health care reform, we will undoubtedly end up with something that meets the needs of each individual American. And, that's good for all of us.

Don Potter, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1936 and is a 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement, frequently writes on marketing issues, and has a blog dedicated to pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945).

Read more articles for and about pre-boomers with thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion, and stimulate debate by logging on to http://www.pre-boomermusings.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Potter

Health Care Humor Isn't Really Funny when It is True

2010-01-23T05:14:00.000-08:00

We need health care coverage options that we can afford

2010-01-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

Health care and health insurance reform have been in the national spotlight. Unfortunately, it seems, no one really knows the solution to our health care crisis.

Why is health insurance so expensive?

Photo by: Monique Discawicz

Why does a family of three have to pay $1,000 a month for coverage, just because they are self-employed?

In Massachusetts, it is mandatory to have health insurance yet if you are self-employed, you must pay out of pocket. A high deductable, high co-pay plan will cost a family of three in the neighborhood of $1,000 a month.

Who can really afford to be insured in Massachusetts?

What about if you get laid off from work?

If your unemployment is more than the federal poverty level guidelines, you must either purchase your own private insurance or enter the COBRA system. Rest assured that you will be paying much more for health insurance than you ever thought possible.

Would President Obama's plan work if it was ever passed through legislation?

I don't know.

Is there an answer to our health care need?

I don't know that either.

Does anyone out there have a solution?

A Case for Changes in the Healthcare System

2010-01-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

A family of five is facing financial ruin because their father is sick. In 2004, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After surgical removal of the tumor, radiation and chemotherapy, the father returned to work.

The father knew that this tumor might return someday, but he hoped for the best and hoped he'd be one of the 5% of people who never have their tumor return. After six years, he began to have hope that his brain tumor would remain in remission. He went back to work in 2004, taking periodic breaks when his health would decline, but always maintaining his employee status at work.

On January 12, 2010, he began experiencing odd sensations and he knew that something was wrong. He called his doctors and who recommended an emergency MRI. His health insurance was cancelled and the hospital would not perform an MRI without proof of coverage.

How did this happen?

The father learned on this day, after calling his employer repeatedly, that he had been terminated five days prior. In order to have health insurance he had to pay COBRA payments. He was quoted $1400 for his family of five. Most families on disability can't pay for COBRA at this rate.

Despite numerous phone calls, his wife is not clear who is covering their health insurance right now, but she is sure of one thing: her husband is getting a recurrent brain tumor removed, regardless of the cost.

The last thing any family needs to worry about is how their medical needs will be covered if a crisis hits. They had coverage as far as they knew and were not told about the layoff until after the father called about his lack of insurance for his MRI.

Maybe this family could have prepared better for the return of the father's brain tumor. They might have decreased their living expenses to a degree, but as anyone that has ever lived on disability payments will tell you, you can't exactly save money living on disability.

We need change in our healthcare system. There is no better proof than this family.

Republican Health Care Plan

2010-01-15T04:54:00.000-08:00

COBRA and other Affordable Health Insurance When You are Fired

2010-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Why can't an average, working person get Masshealth when they discover a brain tumor has returned?

I looked into the guidelines and did a pre-qualification test based on my own personal financial information.

In order for a family of five to qualify for Masshealth, they must not have income of more than $2,800 a month, or 133% the federal poverty level. Masshealth recognizes the disability, but you must meet income guidelines to qualify.

Medicare, the federally funded health insurance for people over 65 or those with certain disabilities is also very confusing. If you are disabled, you must meet certain criteria before you qualify for coverage.

First, if you have end stage renal disease, you qualify right away. If you have a different disability, you must be out of work and collecting SSDI for at least 24 months before you qualify.

This scenario leaves those with some ability and desire to work stuck in the middle. What if you work part time, collect from your private disability insurance and only periodically collect SSDI?

I would think there are special circumstances where the government would approve Medicare health coverage, despite not having collected SSDI for two years, but I wouldn't count on it.

COBRA does offer reduced payments if you are under financial hardship or disabled, but for a certain period of time. Although reduced payments are more than welcome, a person with a diagnosed malignant brain tumor should not have to pay for health care costs.

There is still a gap between COBRA coverage and Medicare, even when you get approved. COBRA lasts for 18 months (as far as I am aware) and Medicare coverage doesn't start until you have collected SSDI for 24 months.

When you are approved for Medicare, this is still not the end all be all we would think it is. Ask an older relative who is on Medicare and they will tell you that Medicare doesn't pay for medications unless, again, you meet federal poverty level guidelines and apply for certain programs.

Affordable Health Insurance: Does it Exist?

2009-12-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

With health care reform in the national spotlight, consider the following scenario:

A family of 5, with a father who is collecting disability because of a brain tumor and an inability to work, is not eligible for any health insurance assistance because of the pittance received from disability.

This family of 5 must come up with a COBRA payment every month so that the father can receive treatment. COBRA payments for a family of five are generally over a thousand dollars a month. Without insurance, treatment options rapidly decline to comfort care only.

Health insurance is a necessity for all of us and it seems impossible that a person receiving disability is not automatically granted free health care. Health insurance is a right, a basic human right, and health insurance premiums should not stop anyone from the best medical care possible.

Applying for Social Security Disability: The Denial

2009-12-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

Although Social Security Disability is set up as a way to help disabled Americans continue their standard of living, most people that apply for social security benefits will be denied the first time.

Social Security Denies at Least 70% of Applicants the First Time

Applicants looking for SSDI benefits are often denied as a way to weed out people who aren't serious about getting disability benefits. People often get fed up with the appeals process and will give up before they see a dime.

Seizure Disorders are Not Considered a Disability

Oh, really?

After applying for benefits because I was having trouble driving, reading, walking, thinking and otherwise functioning due to a seizure disorder, I was denied benefits myself. Despite the words "if you have a disability such as a seizure disorder, etc." on the SSDI website, I was told that a seizure disorder is not considered a disability.

I might understand if it was written that "we are not sure your seizure disorder is causing you to be disabled" but a blanket statement that a seizure disorder is not a disability was not only wrong, it was callous and stupid.

I am thankful that I was able to return to work once doctors figured out how to help my condition.

Fight for Your Right to Collect Disability

Social Security Disability is for Americans. We are supposed to feel secure that if we are disabled, we will be taken care of. Instead, we wait for benefits, we worry and we have to fight for what we deserve.

Isn't there a better way?

Will Democrats Pass Affordable Health Insurance Reform?

2009-12-02T03:42:00.000-08:00

Author Yamileth Medina

The fight over healthcare reform has reached the Senate, and may take longer than previously expected. Reform intended to promote the wider availability of affordable health insurance seems to have lost the momentum recently gained via its nail-biting passage in the House of Representatives. Republican senators have expressed unanimous disapproval of the bill and vow to filibuster in order to block it. Healthcare reform will require 60 votes to pass, which means that the entire Democratic caucus--the party's entire Senate delagation with a handful of independents--needs to support it. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is attempting to hold together two divergent wings of the Democratic caucus, with several factors coming into play.

As it currently stands, the health care reform bill isn't ideal for either liberal or conservative Democrats. While Democratic leaders have encouraged passage under the logic of imperfect reform being preferable to leaving the current system as it stands with soaring health insurance rates, many senators are understandably leery of voting for legislation that will take a monumental effort to amend later. Reid is doing his best to convince Democrats, as well as Democratic sympathizers, that this is a rare opportunity that shouldn't be passed up. Whether he will manage to bring them around to his viewpoint remains to be seen. President Obama has also pushed for a completed bill on his desk before January, although that possibility is becoming more and more remote. Obama has several major priorities on his plate (both domestic and foreign) besides healthcare reform, and is currently suffering from lower popularity ratings. Therefore, his influence is probably more decreased than many once thought.

One of the most controversial aspects of healthcare reform is the public option, which would create a federal government-run alternative to private health insurance plans. Proponents claim that it would drive down the cost of health care through using its buying power and regulatory muscle to buy health care services at lower rates, while at the same time forcing for-profit health insurers to lower their health insurance premiums to stay competitive. They predict more affordable health insurance as the result. On the other hand, opponents decry the increased level of governmental involvement and potentially deficit-busting cost of a public option. The former group consists of liberal progressives, such as independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean. Sanders, in particular, is threatening to vote against a bill that lacks a public option. Those in the latter group, including Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Connecticut's independent Joe Lieberman, have expressed their willingness to jump ship and vote against a healthcare reform bill that includes a public option.

The Democratic caucus appears to have reached an impasse in some respects. A compromise currently proposed in the Senate allows individual states to opt out of the public option. Liberals seem to begrudgingly accept the clause, but it isn't good enough for staunch fiscal conservatives like Lieberman and Nelson. Due to the Democrats' razor-thin majority in the Senate, Reid can't afford to lose a single vote. The chances of garnering Republican support for this healthcare reform bill are slim to none. The only hope of doing so is through writing a trigger function into the bill. Such a measure would only enact a public option if certain goals of expanding affordable health insurance to more Americans are not met. There may be a handful of Republican moderates like Maine Senator Olympia Snowe willing to vote for such a measure, allowing for a cushion in the event that Lieberman bolts; but that gamble has the possibility of angering progressives.

In the recent past, liberal Democrats tended to hold their nose and vote for legislation they had serious issues with because it was preferable to the alternative of getting even less of what they wanted; now, they are becoming more outspoken, threatening to withhold their votes if provisions regarding the public option or abortion are unacceptable to them--using the same tactics conservatives on both sides of the aisle have used to pressure party leaders in the past. It will be a significant struggle to keep all of the Senators in line. The bill is still being written, but Reid appears to be supporting a moderate approach that, by its definition as a comprehensive healthcare reform bill, leans more towards centrist and liberal Democrats but still has too many flaws for them to endorse wholeheartedly.

The chances of healthcare reform soon passing the Senate are mixed. Michigan Senator Carl Levin believes that the bill stands a "decent chance" of gaining the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster. Indiana's Evan Bayh seems to be similarly ambivialent, though he admits that a solution that satisfies everyone is virtually impossible. Meanwhile, Republicans are calling the bill fatally flawed and recommending that it be scrapped and healthcare reform put on the back burner. That idea is unacceptable to Democrats, who believe that increasing access to affordable health insurance is essential to their larger economic recovery effort. Moreover, they probably want to have some legislation to show their constituents before the 2010 midterm elections. If the Senate manages to pass the bill, its version will need to be combined with the House's version. In the event that the combined bill is approved by both chambers of Congress, it then goes to President Obama's desk. While it is doubtful that he would veto a bill regarding one of his highest domestic priorities, one that strays too far from its indended purpose has the small chance of not receiving a signature.

Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they can find affordable health insurance right now while waiting for a public option, if it ever gets passed. Yamileth lives in Miami, FL.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yamileth_Medina

Medicare Coverage When You are Over 65

2009-10-25T01:12:00.000-07:00

Medicare coverage is for adults in the United States 65 and older or younger adults that have been collecting social security disability benefits for a period of 24 months.

Photo by: Monique Discawicz

Medicare is free to those that qualify, but what many people don't know until they are covered under Medicare is that it is a very basic insurance that does not cover medications. As we age, we become more and more dependent on medications. Does it make sense that Medicare doesn't cover medications?

How does a person over 65 get their medications paid for by insurance?

It depends on the Medicare rider that is purchased by the insured. Medicare might be free, but it is such a basic insurance that few people have Medicare insurance only. Rider policies can range anywhere from $100 a month to $600 and beyond for a single person.

How does a senior on a fixed income afford a rider plan to cover the cost of medications?

A senior citizen on a fixed income will have to pay for a cheap (100$) a month rider to get any prescription medication coverage at all. Some plans offer $800 worth of medication a year, so if a Medicare recipient pays for their medications anyway, $800 a year of medication will cover eight months of a cheap Medicare rider.

There are programs available for those on a fixed income such as prescription advantage, that will offer medications at a reduced or free rate, but just try as a senior citizen to figure out how to qualify for such programs.

From personal experience, I give you the example of my grandmother, who earned about $900 a month from Social Security.

She paid $105 a month for Blue Care 65. This covered $800 a year in medications. She was on six medications and this $800 ran out every February.

It took my sister and I months to apply for prescription advantage programs and you have to reapply every six months. She continued to pay anywhere from $100-$250 every month for prescription medications.

So her monthly budget was 900-105=795. Subtract the minimum 100 for medications. $695. This is before food, rent, phone or cable. Thankfully she was on a subsidized rent program and only paid $300 a month. This left her with $395 a month for food, phone, cable and entertainment.

My grandmother worked her entire adult life. She pinched pennies everywhere she could. She never relied on any government assistance until the subsidized rental which didn't start until she was 85 years old. From 65-85 she paid for all her bills out of her social security, including her medical costs.

I believe that my grandmother was not out of the ordinary. She did not take an excessive amount of medications during her "senior" years. She worked hard in her lifetime and saved all she could. It was ridiculous that money was so tight because she had to pay for her medications and a Medicare rider plan. 20-30% of her income went every month for health related costs, and she was a healthy senior.

What are we doing?

Inexpensive Health Insurance: What are Your Options to Find the Right Insurance Plan?

2009-10-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

When buying medical insurance you will find that you have lots of different types of policy that you can choose from. Some systems let you select the doctor you want to care for you and your family and the hospital you want to use but others limit you to certain ones so that you do not have a choice of health care provider.

Preferred Provider Organization is a policy which lets you choose which doctor you want to you and you do not have to use a specialized allocated one. This costs much more than opting for a system of insurance where you join a medical health scheme organized by a big company.

There are a number of increasingly complex systems out there to choose from and a medical insurance provider will be able to tell you the costs for each different level of care and exactly what options you have when it comes to selecting a doctor, or hospital.

Make sure that you ask the right questions and find out exactly what care you are getting for your premium each month and which doctors and hospitals you are permitted to use. A mistake can be quite costly and you really do need to be prepared and know what your options are in case the worst happens on the spur of the moment.

the last person most people do not ask is the one that understands the most about what type of cover you need. Do you know who that is? It is your doctor, they may not be allowed to mention companies by name but they can tell you exactly what type of cover is right for you.

The best thing to do once you have decided what level of care you need for yourself and your family is to go onto an internet price comparison site, type in what you are looking for and your personal details and you will get a list of suitable insurance policies within a very short time. You will then be able to select which one you want at a price that you can afford.

Once you have decided what you want ask questions. Do not assume that all the information is there for you to see. You need all the details about restrictions and limitations on your health insurance firmly in your mind just in case they are needed quickly. The only way to get real peace of mind is to ensure that you know what you are buying and more importantly, what is not covered.

Here is the best resource for Inexpensive Health Insurance, for the cheapest health insurance just click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Ryan

In the Beginning

2009-09-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know where we are headed, but I know that we are in desperate need of changes in our health care system. Right now my family pays close to a thousand dollars a month for health insurance. Some months we can barely make the payments and I worry that if one of us gets sick, we won't be able to keep up with the premiums.

We pay a high amount because we are self employed and don't have an employer who picks up part of the insurance premium bill as part of our benefit package. What many people don't realize is just how much of a benefit health insurance is when they work for a company.

We joined a local group in order to get a "group" discount on health insurance. Our $1,000 a month is a discounted rate for a family of three. I don't know what we are supposed to do if we are no longer able to pay the premiums. Here in Massachusetts health insurance is mandatory.

We don't qualify for Masshealth, we make too much money. We don't qualify for Medicare, because we are not disabled. We are hard working citizens of the United States and we are looking at financial ruin if we can't keep up with our high insurance rates.

Add in the costs of monthly prescriptions, and we pay close to $1100 a month for health related care. I am starting this site in an effort to bring awareness to this very scary, very real situation.

How Does COBRA Work?

2009-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

What is COBRA?

COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, was initiated to provide emergency coverage for employees who receive health insurance through their employer, and for one reason or another, lose their job (for example, have been laid off) and find themselves without any health coverage. COBRA allows these employees to continue their group insurance coverage if they chose to even after they leave their position.

How Do You Apply For Cobra Coverage?
After you have been terminated, your employer should provide you with details as to how you can obtain COBRA coverage.

Any Specific COBRA Rules?
First, COBRA coverage also applies to the employee's family. In addition, an employee can either choose to continue with COBRA or choose not to from the moment he has lost his job - he cannot use this coverage intermittently (i.e. start COBRA three months after he lost his job - in this case he will pay retroactively for those three months).

How Long Can I Carry COBRA coverage After My Job Loss?
COBRA coverage can last only a limited amount of time, typically about 18 months. This should give enough time to obtain a different source of health insurance. Hopefully by then the recession will be over as well, and the number of employed people would be on the rise.

What are the Advantages of Cobra?
The advantage of COBRA is that it is prevents an ex-employee from the need of obtaining a new health insurance - at least for a while. There problem is that getting such insurance can prevent one from getting treatment for pre-existing conditions. For example, a pregnant woman who is laid off and loses her insurance will have a hard time obtaining a new insurance. Thanks to COBRA, however, this is no longer an issue, as she can simply continue her existing coverage.

And the Disadvantages?
Note that depending on the employer, although employees are eligible to continue their previous health, dental and vision coverage, the employer no longer needs to sponsor this. This effectively means that the ex-employee pays the full cost of his health coverage, which will be much greater than what it used to be.

Personally speaking, I was using the COBRA scheme for a while, and as far as I remember, I paid about four times as much as I paid before, and this is after limiting the coverage to myself only. This truly makes one realize how big of a benefit health insurance is, and how much companies pay for health coverage for their employees.

COBRA Health Insurance and the Stimulus Plan
Thanks to the economic stimulus package (which started in February 17, 2009), certain people who lost their jobs are eligible to receive partial payment for their COBRA premium. We will discuss the eligibility criteria in the next article in this series.

In this article we introduced described what the COBRA plan is, its rules, its advantages and disadvantages. To read more interesting articles that will help you better understand our health insurance system, please visit our web site, The Guide To Health : A Comprehensive Resource For Health and Dental Insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Harkenshire