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.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Even with Medicaid, 700000 children without insurance in Texas
Texas has about 700,000 children who do not have insurance in spite of being eligible for Medicaid. The state along with California, accounts for nearly 30% of the nation’s total of 5 million children who have not been enrolled for the government aided coverage even though they are entitled for it. This report was brought out by the Urban Institute.
Medicaid is the joint state-federal health plan for the poor, disabled and elderly. CHIP provides low-cost coverage for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance coverage.
The study has attributed the staggering numbers to two possible reasons:
- Slumping economy
- People are unaware that they and their kids are eligible for such government aided insurance coverage
Reacting to the reports, the Obama administration has said that it will use tools created in the 2009 CHIP reauthorization law to boost enrollment in Texas. This would include outreach and enrollment grants and bonus payments Texas when it adopts enrollment and retention strategies.
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius has asked the state and local officials to find and enroll these five millions kids who do not have any form of health insurance coverage.
“Nothing is more important to our future than the health of our children. No child should have to skip a doctor's appointment or go without the medicine they need because their family can't pay."
Medicaid is the joint state-federal health plan for the poor, disabled and elderly. CHIP provides low-cost coverage for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance coverage.
The study has attributed the staggering numbers to two possible reasons:
- Slumping economy
- People are unaware that they and their kids are eligible for such government aided insurance coverage
Reacting to the reports, the Obama administration has said that it will use tools created in the 2009 CHIP reauthorization law to boost enrollment in Texas. This would include outreach and enrollment grants and bonus payments Texas when it adopts enrollment and retention strategies.
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius has asked the state and local officials to find and enroll these five millions kids who do not have any form of health insurance coverage.
“Nothing is more important to our future than the health of our children. No child should have to skip a doctor's appointment or go without the medicine they need because their family can't pay."
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