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Health Reform Insider (February 8-12, 2010)
President Barack Obama brought health care reform back into the spotlight this week, meeting with both Democrats and Republicans and calling for a bipartisan Health Care Summit later this month. The President challenged Republicans to bring their best ideas to the negotiating table. In response, two Republican thought-leaders – former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President and CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis John Goodman – laid out ten GOP health care reform ideas in an editorial in Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal . The ideas included more equitable taxation of health insurance plans, an increase in insurance plan portability and elimination of junk medical lawsuits.
In a CBS News interview on Sunday, the President said that the meeting would allow “Republicans and Democrats to go through, systematically, all the best ideas that are out there and move [health care reform] forward.” In reaction to criticisms that the negotiations have not been adequately transparent,
White House officials announced that the meeting will be televised live, presumably on C-SPAN. The call for a health care summit came a day after President Obama met with Democrats at their Democratic National Committee meeting, where he indicated that he would not walk away from health care reform. The President stated, however, that the effort needs to be bipartisan and that Republicans must be drawn into public debate. Following a meeting with both parties on Tuesday, the President signaled that he would be open to meeting his critics “part way,” even if the bill does not include everything pursued in earlier versions.
In a nod to Republican concerns, he specifically mentioned reconsidering medical malpractice reform. Legislators from both parties applauded the Summit; however, both seem to be sticking to their positions, signaling that compromise may still be far from reach. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Republican leader John Boehner (R-OH) both called for President Obama to scrap the current proposed bill and start over. In a letter sent late Monday to White House officials, House Republican leaders reiterated this point and asked if the President would forego a legislative process known as reconciliation that could bypass a Republican filibuster and allow Democrats to pass a bill with just 51 Senate votes. White House aides quickly corrected any misconceptions that the President would consider starting from scratch. New Approach Calls for New Timeline: As President Obama worked to reinvigorate a bipartisan health care reform effort, he indicated that the change of course may potentially extend debate into the spring . This new timeline directly conflicts with the most recent approach taken by Speaker of House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), which focuses more on swift, closed-door, partisan talks. Congressional Democrats Point Fingers: After the collapse of the 2009 health care reform effort, Congressional Democrats are looking to place blame. Some hold White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel accountable, pointing to his lack of Senate experience. Others, in particular Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), criticize White House senior advisor David Axelrod for the administration’s failure to provide clarity or direction on health care. Democratic Senators also express frustration that White House officials have not done more to win public support for the overhaul effort. Plus, they feel White House officials need to offer more guidance, particularly following Scott Brown’s win of the Massachusetts Senate seat. Additional Activities Virginia Moves Closer to Banning Individual Mandate: On Tuesday, Virginia state House Delegates gave preliminary approval of a measure that would exempt its citizens from a federal mandate to buy health insurance or pay a penalty – a central component of President Obama’s health care reform package currently being debated in Congress. The measure is expected to be signed into law soon by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell. Congress Looks Into Rate Increases: On Tuesday, members of Congress announced that they will look into Anthem Blue Cross’s proposed rate increases in California. The decision came after a letter was sent by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to Anthem Blue Cross on Monday that asked the company to publicly justify the rate increase, considering the profits made by its parent company, WellPoint, Inc. In a response letter to Secretary Sebelius, WellPoint indicated that the rise in premiums is necessary for several reasons. Among other considerations, the rise in premiums are to meet growing underlying medical costs, and to compensate for the many who have chosen to forgo health insurance or opted for lower-cost insurance coverage because of the recession.
Public Opinion Poll Shows Americans Want Some Health Reform, but It’s Not Their Top Priority: Recent public polling suggests that Americans support the concept of health care reform, but they remain skeptical of the measures being debated in Congress and currently put top priority on the economy.
A new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll released Thursday finds that: •Nearly half of Americans favor some kind of health care reform in the next two years; • Nearly 40 percent believe it would be good if the current Democratic reform package never passes; and • While health care reform is important, a strong majority (about 8 out of 10) cite job creation and reducing unemployment as the top priority.
Further, a national ABC News/Washington Post poll released Tuesday shows that about two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans want Congress to continue to work towards a comprehensive health care reform bill. Regarding the bipartisan nature of negotiations, 58 percent of Americans believe Republicans are not doing enough to compromise on key issues; whereas 44 percent believe that President Obama has not made enough of an effort to find common ground. Looking
Ahead As two large snow storms battered Washington D.C. this week and essentially brought the city to a halt, the House of Representatives postponed further legislative action until February 22 after a week-long recess for the President’s Day holiday. Members of the House had planned this week to vote on a measure that would repeal the antitrust exemption for health insurers, but that vote will now take place after the break.
[Source: Parts reproduced from This Week in Health Reform, Wellpoint,Inc]
MyHealthQuoter.com is an industry leader in providing online shopping and comparison services helping Ohioans find affordable Ohio individual health insurance. For free advise, call (866) 577-3620 or to obtain a no obligation quote please visit http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com.
To see if you qualify, please call (866) 577-3620 or visit http://tinyurl.com/mvv2ln
This is great news for those with pre-existing conditions or for those who have been denied coverage for Ohio individual health insurance. You can’t be turned down AND they have placed caps on how much the insurance company can charge you for your coverage! A good sign as to what we can expect from the federal health reform initiatives.
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STATE OF OHIO
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
New state reform measure estimated to cover 52,000 more Ohioans
COLUMBUS – Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson today announced the adoption of a rule that outlines the requirements insurance companies are to follow to inform Ohioans of the new rate-cap changes in the Open Enrollment Health Insurance Program. The next open enrollment period begins January 1, 2010 for the state-mandated program that allows all Ohioans who cannot otherwise obtain health insurance to get basic coverage through private insurers.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed an executive order implementing the Open Enrollment Program rule, which will allow Ohioans to retrieve the information needed to make timely, informed decisions about their health care coverage.
Following a phased-in approach, a cap on rates will eventually be 1 1/2 times the lowest rate charged to a person of similar age and gender. This change is eventually expected to reduce open enrollment premiums by at least 50 percent.
Insurers will be limited in how much they can charge people with diabetes, cancer and other pre-existing or chronic conditions who purchase individual health policies through open enrollment.
Open enrollment was one of several health coverage reform measures contained in the state’s recently enacted state budget bill. The new requirements could help 109,000 now uninsured adult Ohioans obtain coverage, including an estimated 52,000 Ohioans now likely able to purchase health insurance through open enrollment.
“The new open enrollment program will expand coverage options to Ohioans who are currently unable to obtain coverage because of pre-existing conditions,” Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson said.
The Ohio Revised Code authorizes the Governor, on request of an agency, to suspend the normal rule-making procedures with respect to a specific rule when an emergency exists necessitating the immediate adoption, amendment or rescission of the rule. When such a determination is made, the agency may immediately adopt, amend, or rescind a rule, but the rule is valid only for 90 days. The Open Enrollment Emergency Rule (3901-8-12) was filed on October 20, 2009.
More information about the state’s health reform efforts is available on the Department’s web site at www.insurance.ohio.gov . People with questions about insurance can call the Department’s consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526.
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In Ohio call call (866) 577-2621 for HELP & ASSISTANCE from MyHealthQuoter.com
Learn more; http://tinyurl.com/mvv2ln
A mandate that individuals buy health insurance is more likely to gain bipartisan support than a requirement that companies offer plans as lawmakers work for a consensus on health-care legislation, said Senator Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee.
Americans could be forced to have health insurance, in the same way states require automobile insurance, Grassley said on “Fox News Sunday.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aJGg_5IAU5_Q
 Health Insurance Reform How to Shop For Affordable Ohio Individual Health Insurance?
Do you find you don’t have time to shop for Ohio individual health insurance? Have you shopped online for Ohio individual health insurance and lost your mind trying to figure out the difference between 180 plans? Have you been confused by some of the industry terminology? Wondering if the health savings account is something you should consider?
Help is here. It is probably worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the Ohio individual health insurance plans available and give some thought to these questions:
1. How much are you willing to budget monthly for Ohio individual health insurance?
2. How much of a deductible are you willing to shoulder? Typically, like car insurance, the higher the deductible, the lower the monthly payment. Are you willing to shoulder $5000 of medical care? $1000?
3. Are you the type that visits the doctor annually even if you feel good or are you the type that waits until medical care is absolutely necessary?
With your answers in mind, you may be able to navigate through the hundreds of plans available and get a free quote online instantly and expert advise at MyHealthQuoter.com, http://tinyurl.com/mvv2ln
If you are wondering about the impact that the answers to the questions above might have on the cost of an Ohio individual health insurance, then call on of My Health Quoter’s professionals at (866) 577-3620.
Remember to look for the right plan for your circumstances, and don’t let any agent tell you they can get you a better price. They can’t — the Ohio Department of Insurance ensures that all sources provide the same price for the same plan. It about choosing the right plan to fit your budget andworking with a licensed expert such as those found at;
MyOwnBossHealthInsurance http://tinyurl.com/n4qvht
Between Jobs Health Insurance http://tinyurl.com/nyqew2
MyHealthQuoter.com http://tinyurl.com/mvv2ln
Temporary Employees Rely on Ohio Individual Health Insurance
Laid-off workers who take temporary jobs to make ends meet, but sacrifice health insurance to save money are taking an unnecessary risk. Affordable Ohio individual health insurance policies are available from most major carriers and often at a lower cost than most people expect. Ohio individual health insurance for part time and temporary workers and their families typically costs 30 to 50 % less than traditional group coverage offered by employers.
How is this possible?
The group health insurance market is far more expensive than Ohio individual health insurance plans because group plans tend to have a larger number of people with serious health issues. When the number and size of medical claims rise within a group plan, the insurance premiums rise for everyone in the group – the healthy and unhealthy alike. If you and your family members are relatively healthy, you would be wise to take advantage of the affordable Ohio individual health insurance plans available.
Limit your risk of a catastrophic accident or illness crippling your family finances for years to come. The $60-300 per month you save by forgoing insurance will seem insignificant against the cost of a hospital stay or worse. Further, once you have your own Ohio individual health insurance, you decouple your health insurance from your employment and remove one job search stress. When you buy Ohio individual health insurance, its affordable, portable and permanent!
Individuals and families can easily access hundreds of Ohio individual health insurance plans online to compare benefits and prices. Navigating through all the options available can be overwhelming, but fortunately agents are available by phone to help guide you through the maize of possibilities.
Here are two top Web sites for Ohio individual health insurance with agents available by phone to provide help and guidance:
http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com is a free shopping resource that allows visitors to shop the market and compare over 180 plans from 8 different health insurance companies.
http://www.betweenjobshealthinsurance.com is another free site that specializes in offering Ohio individual health insurance quotes from all the major carriers. This site caters to those who have been laid off, terminated, outsourced or downsized.
If you have recently lost your job, upon unemployment, some of you will qualify for a COBRA extension for your Ohio individual health insurance.
Instead of only paying the employee contribution of your health plan, you will have to pay your contribution, the business contribution, and an administration fee.
 Health Insurance Reform COBRA subsidies of up to 65% for 9 months are available for those who qualify; to find out if you and your family qualify for government support, call 866-577-3619.
For those who qualify for the subsidy, the temporary savings is not always the best choice. While you may save a few dollars in the short run, if you encounter an illness during that time you may become uninsurable and may not qualify for Ohio individual health insurance in the future. A better course of action would be to obtain affordable coverage now when you don’t have any major illnesses.
Why Ohio Individual Health Insurance?
1) Permanent – as long as you pay your monthly premium, no one can take it away from you.
2) Portable – Ohio individual health insurance is NOT contingent on your employment, you own it and you can take it with you from job to job.
3) Affordable. Individual & family insurance gives you full medical coverage, just like group health insurance, except at about 1/2 the cost.
When you shop online, make sure you deal with reputable agency not a lead generation company that will sell your information to up to 5 different brokers.
The following sites allow online quotes for Ohio individual health insurance that are fast and free with no obligation to buy.
Each site assigns you 1 and only 1benefit consultant to provide you the support you need;
http://www.betweenjobshealthinsurance.com
http://www.MyOwnBossHealthInsurance.com
http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com/
If you suddenly find yourself without health insurance and are unsure of the possibility or process of buying your own Ohio individual health insurance plan, here’s a brief, helpful guide.
- Commit to finding Ohio individual health insurance coverage to protect your assets and financial future.
- Determine the monthly amount you can budget for health insurance.
- Gather the list of current health care providers that you would like to continue using. You may want to target plans that include your providers or allow you to choice your provider.
- Think about what type of deductible you would feel comfortable carrying. Since higher deductibles shift a higher percentage of any future claims to you, the monthly payment is usually lower.
- Go online to a Web site that specializes in cost-effective Ohio Individual health insurance plans such as http://www.myhealthquoter.com.
- Review these common health insurance terms:
What is a premium?
A premium is the monthly cost of keeping your insurance policy in effect. Health insurance premiums are determined by a variety of factors, including your medical history, your lifestyle, and your current health status.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is an amount of medical expenses you are responsible for paying before your insurance starts covering you. A common deductible is $500, this means you would be responsible for paying the first $500 in medical bills before receiving coverage. Having a higher deductible usually means you enjoy lower monthly premiums.
What is a co-payment?
A co-payment is a fixed-dollar amount that you are responsible for paying for a particular medical service. For example, many plans have $20 co-payments for doctor’s visits. This means it only costs you $20 to see a doctor.
What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is an amount of the cost of a medical service that you are responsible for paying. Unlike a co-payment, which is a fixed-dollar amount, coinsurance is expressed as a percentage. For example, many insurance plans have 20% coinsurance for hospital costs, meaning you pay 20% of the total cost of a trip to the hospital.
Buying Ohio individual health insurance is not like buying a car where dealers are free to strike a deal and you may pay less at one dealer than another. Prices for Ohio individual health insurance plans are regulated by the Ohio Department of Insurance which means that the price you pay is exactly the same whether you buy it directly from the insurance company, or from a broker, agent, or online services.
Regardless of who you use, the process will be essentially the same. Even free online quoting services assign a licensed broker to your account who should be available, at no charge, to answer your questions. Since the price of each plan is always the same, the real challenge is to find the plan that best fits your situation. Working with a good agent makes sense as a licensed agent can help you sort through the myriad of Ohio individual health insurance plans and pick the right plan for you.
If you have research the hundreds of possibilities, you may have been left with more questions than answers. Common questions include: Who has the best carrier network? What deductible should you choose? Is a Health Savings Account (HSA) right for you? These questions can seem daunting when you try to sift through 100+ plans by yourself on the Internet. Using a broker who specializes in Ohio individual health insurance products can help you find the best coverage for your needs; guide you through the application process and shepard your application through the carrier’s underwriting process.
Here are two reputable online services that provide comparison tools as well as telephone support by agents located in Ohio who know Ohio individual health insurance:
http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com
Direct Health Insurance Quotes
If you have recently lost your job, upon unemployment, some of you will qualify for a COBRA extension for your Ohio individual health insurance.
However, not all companies are required to extend COBRA (only companies with over 20 employees).
Even if you do qualify for a COBRA extension of your Ohio health plan, you may notice that the cost of coverage is MUCH more expensive.
Instead of only paying the employee contribution of your health plan,
you will have to pay your contribution, the business contribution, and an administration fee.
So many unemployed Ohioans are shocked to see their former contribution of a few hundred
dollars significantly increase to a ohio health insurance premium of well over $1,000 per month
when they take a COBRA extension! That is why people search for COBRA alternatives such as an Ohio individual health insurance plan,
Have you considered a temporary plan (short term Ohio individual health insurance policy) while you get back on your feet?
A temporary health plan may be cheaper and wise alternative that will not require a long-term commitment
if you should find a new job with health benefits. Or, if you intend to start your own business as a
result of your job loss, you may apply for a Ohio small business or group plan.
When you shop online, make sure you deal with reputable agency not a lead generation company that will sell your information to up to 5 different brokers.
The following sites allow online quotes for Ohio individual health insurance that are fast and free with no obligation to buy. Each site assigns you 1 and only 1benefit consutlant to answer questions;
http://www.betweenjobshealthinsurance.com
http://www.MyOwnBossHealthInsurance.com
http://www.DirectHealthInsurancequotes.com
A recent layoff may not seem like a reason to celebrate, but we are proving that mixing it up a pink-slip party may be just what the doctor ordered.
This is a networking soiree built around the idea of helping displaced professionals find new jobs.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY http://www.pinkslipparty.org
It’s party time…
This unique party formula brings the unemployed as a whole together to cushion the blow of getting let go. Although the mood is informal and upbeat, the aim is not merely to have a good time. Pink-slip parties are intended to help displaced professionals find new gigs. People who have received or who expect to receive a pink slip meet with potential recruiters and in-house human resource professionals at companies that are still hiring and are there specifically, seeking candidates. The parties help foster a more mature approach to hiring and getting hired. Job hunting has become “the new job”.
Got Health Insurance on Your Mind?
You can also speak with a free benefit consultant to understand your Ohio individual health insurance options.
Venue sponsored by http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com
Affordable Health Insurance for Individuals, Families & Small Groups.
But I haven’t been pink-slipped…
If you’re happy in your current position and think you have no need to attend a pink-slip party, you may want to consider taking a “peek” at what’s out there in terms of employment or just to network with others in your field of expertise. You should have a contingency plan even if there are no warning signs. Always have your resume up to date, get your references in place, and always network, network, network, even though there may not seem to be a need for it.
How do I get an invitation?
An invitation to a pink-slip party is as easy to come by as the pink slips themselves. Everyone’s on the “A-list,” and all you have to do is pre-register on our on-line forum and show up. All kinds of pink-slipped people are participating, and this is the perfect place to make the connections that count.
By registering as a Pink Slipper, you will also get a newsletter with party announcements featuring future dates and times of these events.
Party do’s and don’ts…
Here’s some advice on how to get the most out of our pink-slip party:
• Do work the room. Be outgoing and chat with everyone.
• Do bring your resume.
• Do create some personal business cards with your key information on them. You can get a thousand of these for as little as $20 at Kinko’s.
• Do have a good time.
• Don’t feel bad about being let go. You’ll meet plenty of people at the party who are in the same boat.
• Don’t get drunk. Remember, your next potential employer could be watching.
At the end of the day, a pink-slip party, like any other opportunity, is what you make of it.
Tickets are $25 at the door, pre-registration get’s you into this event for $20. Pre-registration is preferred but not required. It only takes a few minutes and the networking begins immediately.
Venue sponsored by http://www.MyHealthQuoter.com
Affordable Health Insurance for Individuals, Families & Small Groups.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY http://www.pinkslipparty.org
 Insurance Resources on Facebook Pink Slip Party Read all about it at facebook;
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=51092703930
Watch this video from Channel 4;
http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/jobless_move_forward_with_pink_slip_parties/13235/
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The $787 billion economic stimulus package compromise was approved by the House and Senate on Friday and was signed by the president last week. The health information technology portion of the measure consists of $19 billion in investments, including $17 billion in incentives for Medicare and Medicaid and bonus payments for providers who adopt electronic medical records.
This measure won’t save you any money on your Ohio individual health insurance in the short term but over time more efficient recording keeping will lower cost of care and eventually premiums.
Health Insurance Reform Qualified electronic health records must have the capacity of providing clinical decisions (helping care givers provide better treatments with better outcomes) The measure requires the development of transparent standards for Ohio individual health insurance e-health records by the end of 2009.
Other major health items in the stimulus bill include: $86.6 billion to help the states with Medicaid; a temporary 9-month federal subsidy of 65 percent to help unemployed workers pay their COBRA premiums; $1 billion for wellness programs; $500 million for health care professional training programs; and $1.1 billion to support comparative effectiveness research to determine which medical interventions work best and which ones don’t.
Ohio individual health insurance plans are now as comprehensive as group plans. They can have drug cards, doctor office copays. The newer Health Savings Accounts even have free preventive care (its covered at 100%, not subject to the deductible).
Some employers have decided to drop their group coverage, and help employees to buy Ohio individual health insurance policies. These policies can be “list billed” to the employer (they set it up so that the employer writes one check for the employees policies). The employer then payroll deducts the premium. And this can be done on a pre tax basis if the employer has a Section 125 Cafeteria plan (very easy to set that up). Thus reducing the cost of the policy further by using pre tax money.
Ohio individual health insurance can be found by searching one of these free rating tool sites. Free Benefit Consultants are available to help you pick a plan, find the best rate and apply over the phone.
 Compare Plans on Ohio Individual Health Insurance MYHEALTHQUOTER.COM
DEPENDENTCARVEOUT.COM
EXPIREDCOBRA.COM
HEALTHINSURANCE4THESELFEMPLOYED.COM
LOWPREMIUMHIGHDEDUCTIBLE.COM
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