In Texas, getting group coverage at work is perhaps the easiest and the cheapest way to access health insurance. But that does not mean that there are cheaper options available. Just going in blindly with a group plan in Texas is not a good idea. The resident should explore more choices before deciding on which plan to go for.
1. Group coverage is often ‘one-size-fits-all’ plans. They usually offer those medical facilities that a regular person would need. Hence if you are someone who needs regular medical attention, then group insurance is not an option for you. You should go in for a plan that takes care of your specific health needs.
2. If you are healthy person, with no smoking or alcohol habits, then your individual health insurance Texas would turn out to be much cheaper. Similarly, if you have a small family, the rates will get in the individual market will be less expensive than group coverage.
3. Group coverage often is restricted to the employee and not to his family. Going in for two separate plans – one for yourself and one for the rest of the family could turn out to be expensive. It might be better idea to drop out from group insurance and get coverage for the entire family.
4. If you have spouse who also has access to insurance at work, check out what works out to be the cheapest- separate group plans for the both of you, staying in each other’s coverage or dropping out and buying a family insurance instead.
Group coverage often is the cheapest options, but that is more of a generalization than a rule. Blindly going in for group insurance would be a foolish idea. It would be wise if the residents would explore more options and then decide on the plan they intend to purchase.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Texas Gov. supports Medicaid withdrawal campaign
In its health reforms, the federal government wants to expand Medicaid to include more families from the low-income bracket but the Texas government seems to have other plans. Republican lawmaker Warren Chisum, backed by Gov. Rick Perry, is proposing the state drop out of the Medicaid program and to avoid upcoming mandates to expand state Medicaid programs under the healthcare reform law.
Encouraged by the Heritage Foundation report that estimates Texas could save $60 billion from 2013-2019 by dropping acute-care coverage for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Chisum said, “With Obamacare mandates coming down, we have a situation where we cannot reduce benefits or change eligibility. We need to get out of it. And with the budget shortfall we’re anticipating, we may have to act this year.” '
The Republican is campaigning to be the Speaker of the Texas house.
The HHS has however not yet ruled in favor of a Medicaid waiver yet that Gov. Perry had proposed several years ago. Reacting to that on CNN he said, “I haven't gotten an answer yet. Let the states be the laboratories of innovation and the good ideas will come out of that." The state HHS will release its own study before January on the effect of opting out of the government sponsored medical plans.
Encouraged by the Heritage Foundation report that estimates Texas could save $60 billion from 2013-2019 by dropping acute-care coverage for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Chisum said, “With Obamacare mandates coming down, we have a situation where we cannot reduce benefits or change eligibility. We need to get out of it. And with the budget shortfall we’re anticipating, we may have to act this year.” '
The Republican is campaigning to be the Speaker of the Texas house.
The HHS has however not yet ruled in favor of a Medicaid waiver yet that Gov. Perry had proposed several years ago. Reacting to that on CNN he said, “I haven't gotten an answer yet. Let the states be the laboratories of innovation and the good ideas will come out of that." The state HHS will release its own study before January on the effect of opting out of the government sponsored medical plans.
Texas Gov. supports Medicaid withdrawal campaign
In its health reforms, the federal government wants to expand Medicaid to include more families from the low-income bracket but the Texas government seems to have other plans. Republican lawmaker Warren Chisum, backed by Gov. Rick Perry, is proposing the state drop out of the Medicaid program and to avoid upcoming mandates to expand state Medicaid programs under the healthcare reform law.
Encouraged by the Heritage Foundation report that estimates Texas could save $60 billion from 2013-2019 by dropping acute-care coverage for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Chisum said, “With Obamacare mandates coming down, we have a situation where we cannot reduce benefits or change eligibility. We need to get out of it. And with the budget shortfall we’re anticipating, we may have to act this year.” '
The Republican is campaigning to be the Speaker of the Texas house.
The HHS has however not yet ruled in favor of a Medicaid waiver yet that Gov. Perry had proposed several years ago. Reacting to that on CNN he said, “I haven't gotten an answer yet. Let the states be the laboratories of innovation and the good ideas will come out of that." The state HHS will release its own study before January on the effect of opting out of the government sponsored medical plans.
Encouraged by the Heritage Foundation report that estimates Texas could save $60 billion from 2013-2019 by dropping acute-care coverage for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Chisum said, “With Obamacare mandates coming down, we have a situation where we cannot reduce benefits or change eligibility. We need to get out of it. And with the budget shortfall we’re anticipating, we may have to act this year.” '
The Republican is campaigning to be the Speaker of the Texas house.
The HHS has however not yet ruled in favor of a Medicaid waiver yet that Gov. Perry had proposed several years ago. Reacting to that on CNN he said, “I haven't gotten an answer yet. Let the states be the laboratories of innovation and the good ideas will come out of that." The state HHS will release its own study before January on the effect of opting out of the government sponsored medical plans.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Affordable health insurance in Texas
Below are some points that could help consumers to get affordable health insurance in Texas:
• Texans with group health insurance can’t be denied or limited in terms of coverage. Such consumers cannot be asked to pay more because of their health status. Further, such consumers can’t be offered exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
• Texans cannot be dropped from coverage when they get sick.
• Consumers with preexisting conditions can get help for Texas Health Insurance Pool coverage if they are not HIPAA eligible.
• Texas Medicaid program helps Texans having low or modest household income with free or subsidized health coverage. Pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals can get free health coverage through this program.
• Medicaid offers medical care to women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
• Uninsured children in Texas may qualify for the Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to get subsidized health coverage.
• Qualified residents of Texas could get free cancer screening through the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. Women, who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, can get medical care through Medicaid.
• A federal income tax credit can help Texans, who lost their health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
• Consumers, aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), may qualify for the HCTC.
• Texans with group health insurance can’t be denied or limited in terms of coverage. Such consumers cannot be asked to pay more because of their health status. Further, such consumers can’t be offered exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
• Texans cannot be dropped from coverage when they get sick.
• Consumers with preexisting conditions can get help for Texas Health Insurance Pool coverage if they are not HIPAA eligible.
• Texas Medicaid program helps Texans having low or modest household income with free or subsidized health coverage. Pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals can get free health coverage through this program.
• Medicaid offers medical care to women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
• Uninsured children in Texas may qualify for the Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to get subsidized health coverage.
• Qualified residents of Texas could get free cancer screening through the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. Women, who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, can get medical care through Medicaid.
• A federal income tax credit can help Texans, who lost their health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
• Consumers, aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), may qualify for the HCTC.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tips to buy low cost health insurance in Texas
Buying low cost health insurance is not an easy task to achieve. However, with the implementation of healthcare reforms, consumers can think that it is not all impossible either. The idea is to make sure that the consumers are not overspending on insurance plans while they are getting the required level of coverage to give them security in an event of injury or illness.
Below are some of the tips that would be helpful for Texans to buy low cost health insurance plans.
• Consumers should try to buy health insurance plans at an early age. Remember that the premium costs of a health insurance plan increase with age. It is better to get health insurance at the time when consumers are healthy and in good fitness shape.
• As always, it is advisable to lead a healthy life-style free of alcohol consumption and smoking habits. Drugs and narcotics are no-no by all means.
• Consumers can reduce the premiums by increasing the deductibles. If there is not much need of regular check-ups or big medical care services, raising the deductibles is a good option.
• A few insurers in Texas would offer discounts if Texans agree to pay the premium in one installment for the whole year. This consumers needs to check with individual insurers whether they offer it or not.
Below are some of the tips that would be helpful for Texans to buy low cost health insurance plans.
• Consumers should try to buy health insurance plans at an early age. Remember that the premium costs of a health insurance plan increase with age. It is better to get health insurance at the time when consumers are healthy and in good fitness shape.
• As always, it is advisable to lead a healthy life-style free of alcohol consumption and smoking habits. Drugs and narcotics are no-no by all means.
• Consumers can reduce the premiums by increasing the deductibles. If there is not much need of regular check-ups or big medical care services, raising the deductibles is a good option.
• A few insurers in Texas would offer discounts if Texans agree to pay the premium in one installment for the whole year. This consumers needs to check with individual insurers whether they offer it or not.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Health reforms brings Texas insurance agents in a coalition
The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act has prompted has prompted the insurance agents in Texas to come together. 3 insurance producers groups, Texas Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU), Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) have joined hands to form the Coalition of Health Insurance Agents.
The Coalition will monitor, respond to and communicate the implementation of the Act. It will also ensure that the freedom of the agents and consumers is maintained. Representatives from the coalition will also participate in the state insurance department hearings and proposals for implementing the federal health reforms.
Des Taylor, the CEO of NAIFA –Texas believes that the coalition will give more power to the members. “We want to be sure our members have a voice and this consolidated effort will ensure that we are heard,” said he.
Citing the need and importance of the coalition, Lee Manross of TAHU said, “The legislative and the regulatory changes as a result of the Act will be coming at us quickly. We need to be able to respond on behalf of all health agents to ensure the agents’ role in the system is preserved.
The Coalition will monitor, respond to and communicate the implementation of the Act. It will also ensure that the freedom of the agents and consumers is maintained. Representatives from the coalition will also participate in the state insurance department hearings and proposals for implementing the federal health reforms.
Des Taylor, the CEO of NAIFA –Texas believes that the coalition will give more power to the members. “We want to be sure our members have a voice and this consolidated effort will ensure that we are heard,” said he.
Citing the need and importance of the coalition, Lee Manross of TAHU said, “The legislative and the regulatory changes as a result of the Act will be coming at us quickly. We need to be able to respond on behalf of all health agents to ensure the agents’ role in the system is preserved.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Getting health insurance the public-private way
The Texas department of Insurance has announced a new public-private partnership to entice small employers so that they offer health insurance at work. It is expected that those employers will buy insurance for the employees, and their dependents will be able to save up to a third of the premiums through this program.
The enrollment for the Healthy Texas Program, as the partnership between TDI and private health carriers is named, will begin from September. To enroll, interested employers will make application directly to participating health plans Celtic Insurance Company or United Healthcare, or apply through an insurance agent. Employers may also apply through 3-Share Programs that participate in Healthy Texas.
Only 32% of the small businesses in Texas offer health insurance to their workers at present. Healthy Texas program enables small businesses to purchase affordable benefit plans that are in compliance with the federal healthcare laws. They would also be eligible for tax credits as promised in the Affordability Act.
There are no subsidies on premium in this program. Instead it uses both private as well public funds to meet healthcare claims costs. Healthy Texas program will pay for 80% of an individual’s total claim of $5000-$75,000 in a calendar year.
The program builds on existing employer based health insurance model that will minimize additional administrative costs. The infrastructure will be compatible with an insurance exchange model.
Out of the present six million uninsured Texans, a majority of them are employed. This public-private health insurance partnership will hope to minimize that population.
The enrollment for the Healthy Texas Program, as the partnership between TDI and private health carriers is named, will begin from September. To enroll, interested employers will make application directly to participating health plans Celtic Insurance Company or United Healthcare, or apply through an insurance agent. Employers may also apply through 3-Share Programs that participate in Healthy Texas.
Only 32% of the small businesses in Texas offer health insurance to their workers at present. Healthy Texas program enables small businesses to purchase affordable benefit plans that are in compliance with the federal healthcare laws. They would also be eligible for tax credits as promised in the Affordability Act.
There are no subsidies on premium in this program. Instead it uses both private as well public funds to meet healthcare claims costs. Healthy Texas program will pay for 80% of an individual’s total claim of $5000-$75,000 in a calendar year.
The program builds on existing employer based health insurance model that will minimize additional administrative costs. The infrastructure will be compatible with an insurance exchange model.
Out of the present six million uninsured Texans, a majority of them are employed. This public-private health insurance partnership will hope to minimize that population.
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