Sunday, May 22, 2011
Single Payer Healthcare
In the state of California, may politicians support a "single payer" healthcare system run by the state government. However, no one seems to want to address how the state will pay for this type of system. At the federal level, Medicare is on the verge of bankruptcy with the baby boomer generation primed to enter the Medicare marketplace. Social Security is headed down a path to oblivion, and the Postal Service is bleeding money left and right. We have over a trillion dollar deficit, and yet government officials talk about implementing a single payer healthcare system run by the very same government that cannot turn a profit in most of its endeavors. If one puts the state of California under the microscope, its finances are in even more dire straits than those of the feds. It is very discouraging to this blogger, that no one seems to be attacking the two most important issues, controlling spiralling healthcare costs and out of control health insurance premiums.
Friday, May 20, 2011
ObamaCare's Effect on Medicare
Check out this information from the National Center for Policy Analysis:
America's seniors will be the big losers under ObamaCare Medicare reform. They will lose and lose big, according to new information from NCPA President John Goodman and former Medicare Trustee Tom Saving. To get an idea of just how much seniors will lose:
• For someone turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare this year, the lifetime loss in current dollars of projected Medicare spending was reduced by $35,588.
•For 55-year-olds, the projected reduction in Medicare spending is $62,315 per
person.
•For 45-year-olds, the loss totals $105,004.
But it gets even worse: hospitals will not be able to provide the same kind of services they provide to younger patients. Physicians will stop accepting Medicare patients. Not only will seniors likely have to start paying much more out of their own pocket get the same kind of services other patients are getting, we will be looking at a two-tier health care system, and seniors will be on the bottom rung.
Richard Walker
Chief Operating Officer
National Center for Policy Analysis
America's seniors will be the big losers under ObamaCare Medicare reform. They will lose and lose big, according to new information from NCPA President John Goodman and former Medicare Trustee Tom Saving. To get an idea of just how much seniors will lose:
• For someone turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare this year, the lifetime loss in current dollars of projected Medicare spending was reduced by $35,588.
•For 55-year-olds, the projected reduction in Medicare spending is $62,315 per
person.
•For 45-year-olds, the loss totals $105,004.
But it gets even worse: hospitals will not be able to provide the same kind of services they provide to younger patients. Physicians will stop accepting Medicare patients. Not only will seniors likely have to start paying much more out of their own pocket get the same kind of services other patients are getting, we will be looking at a two-tier health care system, and seniors will be on the bottom rung.
Richard Walker
Chief Operating Officer
National Center for Policy Analysis
Monday, May 16, 2011
July 1, 2011 Rate Changes
Several major health insurance companies have announced individual and small group rate increases effective 7/1/2011. These carriers include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net and others. In addition many older individual plans have become non-marketed plans meaning that the insurance companies will no longer be accepting new members into these plans.
If you are in an individual or group rate guarantee period, your new rate will become effective at the end of your rate guarantee. With the advent of healthcare reform, you owe it to yourselves to evaluate your current health plan to assure that you are receiving the best value for your money. We will be happy to consult with you and review options and ways that you can save money on premium costs. Anthem Blue Cross has actually developed a website for current members that allows you to compare your current plan with various automatic transfer options. This site can be accessed at this link: www.changemycoverage.com. Once you find a plan that meets budgetary objectives, it is still important to discuss options with a knowledgeable broker who can guide you through the benefits and exclusions of the plans. Those of you on group plans need to contact us 60 days prior to your group renewal, as we should have your renewal rates to compare with other available options.
It is more important than ever before to stay on top of the ever changing health insurance market. Quoting tools and our FREE ebook "Mastering the Health Insurance Maze" are available at our website
www.low-cost-health-insurance-programs.com.
As an independent brokerage, we have no allegiance to any particular insurance company. We can also help you sort through the news media's interpretation of the state of the health insurance industry. The key factor to remember is that everything is relative; we are working with an imperfect and complicated system. Our mission, as always, is to assist consumers in making the best choice for themselves and their families. Additional services we offer are as follows:
• Group benefit consultation with start-up business owners
• Individual and group life insurance
• Dental and vision plans
We appreciate the loyalty and support of our great client base and look forward to assisting each of you in maneuvering through this health insurance maze. Best wishes and good health to all.
If you are in an individual or group rate guarantee period, your new rate will become effective at the end of your rate guarantee. With the advent of healthcare reform, you owe it to yourselves to evaluate your current health plan to assure that you are receiving the best value for your money. We will be happy to consult with you and review options and ways that you can save money on premium costs. Anthem Blue Cross has actually developed a website for current members that allows you to compare your current plan with various automatic transfer options. This site can be accessed at this link: www.changemycoverage.com. Once you find a plan that meets budgetary objectives, it is still important to discuss options with a knowledgeable broker who can guide you through the benefits and exclusions of the plans. Those of you on group plans need to contact us 60 days prior to your group renewal, as we should have your renewal rates to compare with other available options.
It is more important than ever before to stay on top of the ever changing health insurance market. Quoting tools and our FREE ebook "Mastering the Health Insurance Maze" are available at our website
www.low-cost-health-insurance-programs.com.
As an independent brokerage, we have no allegiance to any particular insurance company. We can also help you sort through the news media's interpretation of the state of the health insurance industry. The key factor to remember is that everything is relative; we are working with an imperfect and complicated system. Our mission, as always, is to assist consumers in making the best choice for themselves and their families. Additional services we offer are as follows:
• Group benefit consultation with start-up business owners
• Individual and group life insurance
• Dental and vision plans
We appreciate the loyalty and support of our great client base and look forward to assisting each of you in maneuvering through this health insurance maze. Best wishes and good health to all.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
July 1st, 2011 Rate Increases
July 1 rate increases were just announced for several major health insurance companies including Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross. Anthem has set up a website www.changemycoverage.com to assist members in transitioning to lower cost plans or checking out their options. Of course, we are always available to help. Just email me at calrep at cox.net or visit our website www.low-cost-health-insurance-programs.com.
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