Posts tagged ‘healthcare reform’

When seeking emergency care, time is of the essence. The earlier you reach a hospital, the more likely you are to survive–and the better outcome you will receive.

Unfortunately for many, this important form of health care often interferes with the details of their health insurance plan. Most insured Americans have coverage that entails a list of provider networks. If they choose to visit doctors, hospitals, or laboratories within that network, their insurer will pay most of a discounted rate.

If they choose to go outside of the network, policyholders will not receive a discount. From that full price, the person will have to pay most or all of the amount. That is because many health insurers have higher co-insurance percentages or co-payments for out-of-network care. Continue reading ‘The End of Out-of-Network Health Insurance Hospital Bills?’ »

330xp50.jpgThose individuals who are working for themselves have a keen interest in healthcare reform. That is because the self-employed are one of the groups who have experienced significant struggles in the individual health insurance market. Without the backing of a large employer or group, health care is typically more expensive. As a result, healthcare expenses can eat up a significant portion of their income. Some end up going without, with catastrophic results.

Part of the health insurance reform law is intended to ease their plight. Tightly regulated exchange markets will allow people to have access to lower rates than they would otherwise. Despite that clear benefit, there has been some confusion over whether the self-employed will be able to take part.

Continue reading ‘Affordable Health Insurance Exchanges For The Self-Employed’ »

55jwc2.jpgThe new healthcare reform law requires health insurers to cover adult dependent children until the age of 27. According to the new regulations, they should make that option available to young adults out of college and their families for the first plan year on or after September 23rd.

That is all well and good, but what about this spring’s graduating class? The Class of 2010 would experience a gap in coverage, which can be very problematic. Fortunately, many major health insurance plans are already taking steps to prevent that. They have agreed to extend their coverage in advance. Blue Cross Blue Shield (in several states), Humana, and WellPoint are among those taking part. Continue reading ‘Many College Graduates Can Now Stay On Parent’s Health Insurance Plan’ »

The Obama administration is finished celebrating its historic victory on healthcare reform. Now it’s time to get down to business. Implementing the new law will certainly be a challenge.

Officials both new and old are will be in charge of the undertaking. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will be involved. Several heretofore unknown individuals will also be handling the byzantine process, involving both private and public entities.

Despite the changes affordable health insurance reform will result in, most Americans will still receive coverage from their employers. That is where the Labor Department comes in. Phyllis C. Borzi is the agency’s point person to make sure that companies meet the newly written guidelines. Borzi has years of public- and private-sector experience consulting with employers on their benefit packages.
Continue reading ‘Affordable Health Insurance Reform: Here Comes The Implementation’ »