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.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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.
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