Articles by Wiley Long on ArticleSnatch.com

Tennessee Health Insurance Tips For Employers

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:12:45 -0500

A 2011 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed an average increase of 103 percent over the past decade in the cost of health benefits for small firms. It was even higher, at 118 percent, for large firms. In Tennessee, only 51 percent of businesses offer health insurance to workers. The primary reason why fewer businesses are providing health coverage is the skyrocketing cost. However, there are two great tips that employers can utilize to reduce their health care costs and bring down Tennessee health insurance premiums. Health Savings Accounts And Health Reimbursement Arrangements For Employers The first tip that employers can use is to look into Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Health Savings Accounts were first introduced to the market in 2004. To set up an HSA, you need a qualified high-deductible health plan. Individuals must have a deductible of at least $1,200 while family coverage must have a minimum deductible of $2,400. As for the cost of HSA plans, premiums have risen at a rate of one third to one half that of traditional Tennessee health insurance plans. **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Tennessee's leading online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Tennessee Health Insurance . Offering personal advisors to help you with all your Tennessee Health Insurance needs. Get an online Tennessee Health Insurance quote and Save!

Medigap Insurance Cuts The Cost Of Health Care

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:47:07 -0500

Think you're done with shopping for Medigap plans to fill in the holes in Medicare? That kind of thinking can lead to a waste of money. What if a new plan offers more coverage or charges a lower premium? With all of the changes to Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Advantage Plans, your plan may be outdated. One of those opportunities arises every year. From October 15 to December 7, you can join one of the Medicare Advantage plans. That's the only time of year that most of these plans are open after the original sign-up period when you first become eligible for Medicare. Medigap Insurance, however, is available throughout the year. With Medicare alone, beneficiaries can incur out-of-pocket costs for both doctor and hospital bills. Few realize than Medicare Advantage plans are considered to be a part of Medicare - Part C actually - and Advantage plans get government subsidies. In some cases, they literally have $0 premiums, which means they cost no more than you're already paying for Part B premiums. Unfortunately, Medicare Advantage plans are not universally available. Some areas of the country, particularly urban centers, have dozens of choices. **End Summary** Topics: Medicare supplement insurance]]> Medicare supplement plans]]> Medigap insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medigap coverage. Our professional medigap advisors will help you choose the best Medigap plan for your needs.

Can California Health Insurance Beat Childhood Obesity?

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:46:41 -0500

UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy released a report revealing that childhood obesity rates in California are decreasing. This shows that we're on the path to a healthier lifestyle. There is still hope for children to beat obesity and the diseases that typically accompany it. This decrease can be attributed to the conscious effort of children cutting back on sweets and getting off the couch. The state even implemented laws to only sell milk, water or fruit and vegetable drinks in school. The laws also limit portion size and fat and sugar content of school lunches. Despite this one percent decrease, California's childhood obesity rates remain dangerously high (38 percent), threatening the long-term health of children throughout the state. Why Is Obesity Dangerous? Overweight and obese children are at great risk for a lifetime of serious health problems such as diabetes, coronary disease or hypertension. If early medical intervention is made, it can result in better quality of life and reduced health care problems for children. Aside from the string of health problems associated with obesity, did you know that it can increase your California health insurance premiums? **End Summary** Topics: California health insurance]]> California health insurance plans]]> health insurance for California]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eCAHealthinsurance.com - Health Insurance Advisors in California - Offering online information on health insurance plans in California , instant quotes on California Health Insurance plans, and personal assistance for all your California Health Insurance needs.

Health Savings Accounts Are Similar To Individual Retirement Accounts

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:38:14 -0500

If you're having trouble saving for retirement in this economy, you're not alone. Did you know that certain health insurance plans give you tax deductions for saving and help build your savings with tax-free interest? How Much Can You Reduce Your Income Taxes? The most immediate advantage of opening an Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) is that you get a tax deduction to lower your taxable income. You also get a tax deduction for contributing to a HSA. For traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, your age is a critical factor. If you were under 50 when 2011 ended, the most you could contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA was the smaller of $5,000 or your taxable compensation for 2011. That can be split between a traditional and a Roth IRA. Your maximum deductible contribution could have been reduced based on your modified adjusted gross income. If you were at least 50 before the end of 2011, your maximum contribution was the smaller of $6,000 or your taxable compensation for 2011. Again, you could split this between a traditional and a Roth IRA, and it may have been reduced by your modified adjusted gross income. **End Summary** Topics: Health savings accounts]]> health savings account]]> HSA]]> high-deductible health insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America - The nation's leading independent health insurance agency specializing in individual and family HSA insurance that works with an HSA .

Employees Trade Florida Health Insurance From Work For Individual Plans

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:38:34 -0500

Across the nation, 19 percent of U.S. employees declined on-the-job health insurance in 2011, according to Kaiser. As group coverage prices climb, employers pass the increase in cost on to employees. That's happening in Florida, too. The current trend is for young, healthy and physically fit employees to not to participate in employer-provided health care benefits because they view it as an unnecessary cost. In reality, the cost has been climbing exponentially in recent years. According to Carlos Castresana, South Florida unit leader at Wells Fargo Insurance Services, dropping coverage at work is a bad idea. Even if you're healthy, you don't know if you'll get sick. But, many workers are looking for a less expensive option and finding it with high-deductible plans they can buy in the individual market. Employer-provided Florida Health Insurance Is Expensive As employers pass along the increase in the cost of group coverage to employees, workers are expected to pay 5.9 percent more for health care in 2012. That kind of an increase is expected because companies paid eight to nine percent more in 2011 for employee medical care coverage. **End Summary** Topics: Florida health insurance]]> Florida health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Florida]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eFLhealthinsurance.com - Florida's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Florida Health Insurance . Get instant Florida Health Insurance quotes , compare plans, apply online, and save your hard earned money!

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Available Throughout The Year?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:46:56 -0500

Medicare Advantage plans are another way to receive Medicare benefits. Advantage plans replace your Original Medicare Part A and B benefits with coverage through a private insurance company. Most Advantage plans add on extra coverage to be competitive. For example, many help out with dental services, eyeglasses, hearing aids and prescription drugs, whereas Medicare doesn't with one exception. It does help if you develop cataracts. One of the big selling points behind the growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment is low premiums. In some areas, plans are available that cost nothing beyond Medicare Part B premiums. Another major attraction is that Medicare Advantage Plans accept all health problems except End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). There are some things that you need to understand about these plans before you enroll, though. Most plans only cover non-emergency care through their own list of doctors and hospitals. Since Medicare Advantage plans replace Medicare's coverage, you won't have any coverage through Medicare either should you need an out-of-network doctor. Each of the Medicare Advantage plans sets its own rules, but all must abide by the guidelines from Medicare. All Advantage plans must provide equal or better coverage than Medicare, too. **End Summary** Topics: Medicare supplement insurance]]> Medicare supplement plans]]> Medigap insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medigap Insurance . Contact our experienced MediGap advisors for help choosing the best Medigap plan for your needs.

California Health Insurance Can't Be Replaced

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:27:25 -0500

Cleveland Clinic researchers have found that more than 50 percent of patients have relied on the Internet for information about their health condition rather than consult a doctor. Unfortunately, not every website is 100 percent accurate because there's really no monitoring of online information for accuracy. In critical situations, bad information can be a serious threat to your health. Having California Health Insurance Gives You Peace Of Mind Even healthy people need health coverage. Having a health plan can help maintain and may even improve the health and wellness for you and your family. And, it may also protect you financially in the event of a major accident or serious illness. If you get a high-deductible health plan, premiums are generally on the low end. California health insurance plans purchased after Sept. 22, 2010, when health care reform became law, cover preventive health care with no out-of-pocket costs. This means you could get vaccinations, physical exams, and many tests to find cancer, like colonoscopies and mammograms, at no extra cost beyond your monthly premium. **End Summary** Topics: California health insurance]]> California health insurance plans]]> health insurance for California]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eCAHealthinsurance.com - California's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family California Health Insurance plans . Get an online California Health Insurance quote , compare plans, apply online, and Save!

Medigap Insurance Premiums Are Not Standardized

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:01:04 -0500

Every year, approximately 10 million seniors supplement their Medicare Parts A and B with a Medigap plan. The goal is to handle all of the health care expenses left out of traditional Medicare coverage. Many of these beneficiaries don't even realize that they are paying too much for their Medigap plan, though. One of the biggest problems faced by those who hope to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is the variability of premiums as set by insurance companies. Although the benefits of Medigap plans are standardized, insurance companies can sell a plan for whatever price they can get. It's let the buyer beware, and only educated buyers find the best value for their money. According to a report from the independent rating agency Weiss Ratings, millions of seniors are having trouble shifting through a barrage of plans coming at them from various insurance companies. Here's why. Even for beneficiaries of the same age and living in the same city, one specific plan, such as Medigap Plan C, can be selling for very different premiums with absolutely no difference in the benefits. **End Summary** Topics: Medicare supplement insurance]]> Medicare supplement plans]]> Medigap insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medigap Plans . Let our MediGap advisors show you how you can save money and get the best Medicare Supplement Insurance plan for your needs.

Health Insurance For Tennessee To Change In 2014

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:59:30 -0500

Tennessee health insurance is due for major changes in 2014 based on the Affordable Care Act. One of the biggest changes will be a state exchange to help individuals and small businesses buy their own health plans. These plans will be standardized to reduce the confusion that plagues many consumers when they try to compare plans riddled with industry terminology. According to the federal government, the Tennessee exchange will help approximately 700,000 uninsured Tennesseans will get health care coverage in 2014. What Is The Tennessee Health Insurance Exchange? By 2014, the federal government expects all states to have their own insurance exchanges up and running. If they fail to do so, the federal government will run it for them. Tennessee officials and lawmakers are still torn whether to create their own state-based exchange or to let the federal government run it for their state. These exchanges are basically marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can shop for various TN health insurance plans at affordable rates. The plans sold by insurance companies participating in the exchange will be standardized so all plans will offer the same benefits regardless of what company sells them. **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Tennessee's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Health Insurance plans in Tennessee . Get online health insurance quotes for Tennessee , compare Tennessee health insurance plans, apply online, and Save Money!

Avoid Texas Health Insurance Premium Rate Hikes

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:02:34 -0500

Annually, it's not a shocker anymore that we see an increase in our Texas health insurance plan premiums. Not everyone is as prepared for their premiums increasing as they get older, though. As we age, insurers expect us to need more health care so we're a higher medical risk for them, and that means they are going to charge us more. For example, women in their forties are more predisposed to breast cancer than those in lower age brackets because hormones may start to decrease and you've been around longer to be exposed to the risk factors in the environment and in food. There are a few tips you can use to fight back, though. Do Texas Health Insurance Companies Offer A "Lock-In" Period For Premium Rates? When you're living on a tight budget, getting rate increases is very frustrating. Health insurance companies tend to apply rate increases to the policies they've had the longest. That means you may not see a rate increase for a year. To stay ahead of those increases, shop whenever you get notice that your rates are going up, and you can probably count on that coming annually. January 1 is infamous for higher rates. **End Summary** Topics: Texas health insurance]]> Texas health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Texas]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTXHealthinsurance.com - Texas's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Texas Health Insurance . Get instant Texas Health Insurance quotes , compare plans, apply online, and save your hard earned money!

Florida Health Insurance Covers More People Under Age 26

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:08:11 -0500

Last year, about 10 million adults between the ages of 19 and 25 had no health insurance. This is the age group most in need of Florida health insurance. Still in college or new to the work force, few young adults have the chance to get health benefits on the job. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that's turning around as the number of uninsured young adults is decreasing. It fell to 9.1 million in the first three months of 2011. A Gallup-Healthways poll also showed that the rate of uninsured young adults fell from 28 percent last fall to 24.2 percent in the second quarter of this year. The expansion in coverage comes, in part, because teenagers, college students and even college graduates can stay covered under their parents' Florida health insurance plan now. That's not the only option, though. For students going to college out of state, staying on a parent's policy is rarely an option. Few states allow insurance companies from outside the state to sell coverage in their state. **End Summary** Topics: Florida health insurance]]> Florida health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Florida]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eFLhealthinsurance.com - Florida's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Health Insurance plans in Florida . Get online health insurance quotes for Florida , compare Florida health insurance plans, apply online, and Save Money!

Health Savings Accounts Meet Growing Demand In 2012

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:13:29 -0500

There's been a lot of speculation about whether Health Savings Accounts will retain the popularity they've enjoyed once health care reform reshapes how we get health care. Despite a couple of changes, these accounts have remained largely the same as they were pre-reform. The penalty for spending Health Savings Account (HSA) funds on something other than qualified health care before you turn 65 was doubled. In addition, over-the-counter medicines were removed from the list of qualified expenses unless a doctor prescribes them. Besides the regular annual change in contribution limits, everything else remains the same. What Are The 2012 HSA Plan Minimums and Maximums In 2011, HSA-qualified individual plans had to have a deductible of at least 1,200 and family plans had to have a deductible of at least $2,400. The most you could spend on health care that wasn't covered (known as maximum out-of-pocket) was $5,950 on individual plans and $11,900 on family plans. Next year, the minimum deductible stays the same, but the maximum out-of-pocket will be $6,050 on individual plans and $12,100 on family plans. **End Summary** Topics: Health savings accounts]]> health savings account]]> HSA]]> high-deductible health insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America - Professional advisors offering personal assistance on Health Savings Accounts . Run instant HSA quotes, compare HSA insurance , apply online and save!

Medicare Advantage Plans Have Falling Premiums In 2012

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:16:54 -0500

An estimated nearly 12 million people who have Medicare Advantage Plans from private insurers can look forward to a drop in premium prices in 2012. In contrast to predictions that Medicare Advantage Plans would soon either reduce coverage benefits or raise premiums, average costs are expected to fall by four percent with no reduction in benefits. The plans will continue to offer more coverage for things like dental care and hearing and vision services. About one quarter of all Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Advantage Plans according to the Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Jonathan Blum. He expects enrollment to increase by 10 percent next year because these plans are also cutting the out-of-pocket expense that beneficiaries have. The plans will lower both co-payments and deductibles. To give you an idea of what price range we're talking about, the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium is around $39 this year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The economic downturn, recession, or whatever you want to call it has actually driven the cost of coverage downward. **End Summary** Topics: Medicare supplement insurance]]> Medicare supplement plans]]> Medigap insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medigap Insurance . Contact our experienced MediGap advisors for help choosing the best Medigap plan for your needs.

What Is California Health Insurance Like Without COBRA?

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:52:49 -0500

COBRA is short for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. With a name like that, it has to be the work of Congress, right? Congress passed this benefit provision in 1986 to give employees the right to pay for their group health coverage for up to 18 months, so they could maintain coverage when it would no longer be available through an employer. Employers with at least 20 employees were typically required to notify employees of this right. All that changed when Congress deemed it too expensive to extend the COBRA subsidy, which was estimated to cost about $7.8 billion. Without the federal subsidy, premiums soared beyond the reach of many. For example, COBRA could cut an annual $13,500 cost of family coverage down to $4,725. And, remember that people getting coverage via COBRA may be surviving on nothing but unemployment benefits. That federal subsidy was picking up 65 percent of the cost. Those who can't afford COBRA without the federal subsidy now have four alternatives. Even if group coverage through your spouse's job is a possibility, getting an individual health plan may be less expensive. **End Summary** Topics: California health insurance]]> California health insurance plans]]> health insurance for California]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eCAHealthinsurance.com - California's leading online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family California Health Insurance . Offering personal advisors to help you with your California Health Insurance needs. Get an online California Health Insurance quote and Save!

More Group Health Insurance For Florida Is Needed At Work

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:01:14 -0500

According to the most recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau, a quarter of Florida\'s working adults didn't have health insurance in 2010. That was true even among those with full-time jobs. Out of all 50 states, Florida was ranked as 49th for the percentage of workers with employer-funded FL health insurance. By 2014, Florida health insurance plans should be available through the state exchange. Those plans are also expected to be less expensive than many of the options available today. Until then, Floridians have to do their own comparison-shopping to find low-cost coverage. Get The Scoop On Florida Health Insurance The first rule of health insurance shopping is to learn how different types of policies work. You can\'t find the least expensive option by comparing "apples to oranges." There are limited coverage plans, but these can expose you to major medical out-of-pocket costs. The next least expensive option is called catastrophic coverage. These plans typically have high deductibles. That means you have to spend the amount of the deductible on your own health care before coverage begins. **End Summary** Topics: Florida health insurance]]> Florida health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Florida]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eFLhealthinsurance.com - Florida's best online health insurance agency specializing in Florida Individual Health Insurance plans . We have personal advisors to help you with your Florida Health Insurance needs. Get online Florida Health Insurance quotes, compare plans and Save!

Tennessee Health Insurance Increases Clinic Coverage To Meet Increased Demand

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:57:47 -0500

According to BCBS of Tennessee, nearly 700,000 Tennesseans will finally gain access to health care. Most of these people will be young men who are eligible for Medicaid. Many will have the opportunity to buy Tennessee health insurance policies through the state exchange in 2014. What does this increase in demand mean? More providers have already opened their doors with an explosion in retail walk-in clinics. BCBS Tennessee says that health care access might become limited unless the number of primary care physicians increases. Patients could need to wait longer to get medical care services. According to Dr. Steven L. Coulter, president of the insurer's Tennessee Health Institute, "It will be a little longer line, but everybody will be in the line." Coulter is calling for a coordinated statewide strategy to increase the number of primary care doctors. Not everyone sees this as a problem. Tony Garr, the policy director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, says there would be market forces to push the system to provide a higher quality of care and more primary care. Not everyone agrees that more primary care doctors would be needed. **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Health Insurance Advisors in Tennessee - Offering online information on health insurance plans in Tennessee , instant quotes on Tennessee Health Insurance plans, and personal assistance for all your Tennessee Health Insurance needs.

Is Tennessee Health Insurance In Compliance With Health Care Reform?

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:02:45 -0500

In a study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, the possible effects of national health care reform were explained for Tennessee residents. While the state remains exempt from having to meet the new national standards, the BCBS of Tennessee study estimates that 683,000 Tennesseans will get new coverage under health care reform. Dr. Steven Coulter, president of the Tennessee Health Institute, conducted the study entitled "National Health Care Reform: The Impact On Tennessee." According to Coulter, the study explores how the expansion of Medicaid and the establishment of the TN health insurance exchange in 2014 will affect the residents of Tennessee. Coulter says that since the advent of Medicare in 1965, the Patient Protect and Affordable Care Act has been the largest expansion of entitlement programs. "With the expected increase in consumers eligible for Medicaid expansion coverage and an estimated 1.5 million qualifying for subsidies in 2014, there is a great deal that needs to be addressed to ensure a smooth transaction," he says. **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Tennessee Health Insurance Made Easy - Get professional Tennessee Health Insurance advisors to help you choose the best Tennessee Health Insurance plan for your needs. Instant online quotes on Tennessee Health Insurance plans . Compare Tennessee plans and Save!

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee Diversity Statement

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:52:30 -0500

The Family Action Council of Tennessee took aim at the state's largest health insurance carrier recently. According to that conservative group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee is "showing a cultural acceptance of homosexual conduct." In an interview, former state Senator David Fowler, who now heads the Family Action Council, said that he wanted people to be aware that BCBS of Tennessee had taken a stand on homosexuality. He was referring to Tennessee BCBS having sent a letter to its policyholders stating that it is fervently embraced the "spirit of diversity" that includes gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender owned business establishments. Fowler added that the Tennessee BCBS letter is directly associated with House Bill 600. Although controversial, that bill that was signed into a law during the last legislative session. It provided stricter policies prohibiting discrimination against people who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) because state law had not previously prohibited discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Since BCBS of Tennessee is falling in line with state law, does it really have anything to fear? **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Tennessee's best online health insurance agency specializing in Tennessee Individual Health Insurance plans . We have personal advisors to help you with your Tennessee Health Insurance needs. Get online Tennessee Health Insurance quotes, apply online, and Save!

Will Texas Health Insurance Provide Coverage On Both Sides Of The Border?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:11:40 -0500

With large numbers of immigrants and tourists regularly moving between Mexico and Texas, Governor Rick Perry began talking about a bi-national health insurance plan for Texas in August 2001. Perry said, "The effort to combat disease and illness requires greater cooperative efforts between our two nations.? Years later in cut-throat political campaigns, that has become an issue regardless of how it might improve health stats in a state that lags behind the rest of the country. The plan was never meant to merge the health systems of Texas and Mexico. It would allow private health insurance companies to provide coverage to both Mexican and U.S. citizens living within 62 miles of the borders. According to a report from the Texas State Senate, 26 percent of the state's population needs health coverage and the need is greatest along the border. Texas has the largest percentage of uninsured of all the states. A study was prepared to evaluate the feasibility of a bi-national system, but no legislative attempts were made to overcome numerous barriers. The idea may not go any farther this time. **End Summary** Topics: Texas health insurance]]> Texas health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Texas]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTXHealthinsurance.com - Texas's leading independent online health insurance agency specializing in individual and family Texas Health Insurance . Get instant Texas Health Insurance quotes , compare plans, apply online, and save your hard earned money!

Health Savings Account Contributions Increase in 2012

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:31:34 -0500

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sets the Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits. "Contribution" is the money you place in your HSA that may be deducted from your annual income tax. Last year, the limits remain unchanged because the increase in the cost of living was holding steady. That was attributed to the economic crisis then, but the IRS has announced that the 2012 HSA contribution limits will increasing slightly. What Are Health Savings Accounts? Basically, a Health Savings Account is a tax-advantaged account that is linked with a qualified high-deductible health plan. You can set up an HSA with private insurance companies and banks, too. Health Savings Accounts are primarily used to pay for qualified health care expenses tax-free and help build savings for the future. HSA annual contributions can be made by you or your employer. Even if you leave the job, you get to keep the contributions made by your employer. The earnings that you get from your HSA assets are not taxed either. The unused HSA money left at the end of the year is never lost. The balance rolls over each year. What Are The HSA Limits For Contributions In 2012? **End Summary** Topics: Health savings accounts]]> health savings account]]> HSA]]> high-deductible health insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America ( http://www.health--savings--accounts.com ) - The nation's leading independent health insurance firm specializing in individual and family coverage that work with Health Savings Accounts .

Lack of Texas Health Insurance Fuels Greater Problems

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:19:08 -0500

Texas Medical Center is renowned worldwide. It provides 14 hospitals and three medical schools. The hospitals offer the latest in high-tech facilities to provide state-of-the-art healthcare, but who really benefits? Approximately six million state residents don't even have health insurance for Texas. However, for more than six million Texans without Texas health insurance, these world-class health care institutions remain largely out of reach. Texas is still the state with the highest percentage of population without health coverage. During Governor Rick Perry's tenure, the 24.6 percent uninsured rate boomed to 35 percent this year. In human terms, that translates to one out of three people lacking health insurance for Texas in Harris County, which includes Houston. Dr. Leonard Zwelling, an oncologist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, expressed it this way: "Houston is such a rich city, with some of the best medical care in the world… And yet the people without insurance have a heck of a time getting into most of these facilities because they can't pay." For Dr. Zwelling, this is "ground zero" in the health care disaster. **End Summary** Topics: Texas health insurance]]> Texas health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Texas]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTXHealthinsurance.com - Texas Health Insurance Advisors - Offering instant quotes on Texas Health Insurance plans , online information on health insurance plans in Texas, and personal assistance for all your Texas Health Insurance needs.

Medicare Advantage Plans Have Open Enrollment Until December 7

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:20:43 -0500

Have you just realized that Medicare doesn’t cover too many of your health care expenses? If you are currently enrolled in Medicare, now is the final chance to enroll in one of the Medicare Advantage Plan for 2012. Open enrollment ends December 7. Until you look, you can't predict how many insurance companies will offer these plans where you live. Since there could be several options, you may want to start investigating your options as soon as possible. You only have until December 7 to decide whether you want one of the Medicare Advantage Plans to provide your Medicare benefits. This year the open enrollment period is earlier than last year. This way, they can make certain that those who sign up will have benefits in place by January 1. If you find that your new plan doesn't work as well as the Medicare coverage you left, you can switch back to traditional Medicare between January 1 and February 14 next year. You can add a stand-alone prescription drug plan at the same time to get your prescriptions covered. What's Good About Medicare Advantage Plans? There are two main reasons why people select Medicare Advantage Plans. **End Summary** Topics: Medicare supplement insurance]]> Medicare supplement plans]]> Medigap insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, MedigapAdvisors.com - The nation's leading independent agency specializing in Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans. Run an instant Medicare Supplement Quote to compare plans and save money.

Will Tennessee Health Insurance Rate Hikes Be Blocked?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:40:43 -0500

State regulators are getting money to fight unreasonable Tennessee health insurance premium hikes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an Affordable Care Act grant in the amount of $3,979,002 to help the state in this battle. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report called “Rate Review Works” to show how previous grants have already mitigated health insurance premium hikes. When rate hikes are publicizing, the bad publicity has had an effect. While Sebelius says, "States continue to have the primary responsibility for reviewing insurance rates and these grants give them more resources to hold insurance companies accountable, the grants are just the most recent federal action to increase access to health insurance for Tennessee. Almost $250 million in grant money have been distributed to different states to facilitate health insurance rate reviews. Tennessee Health Insurance Changes Follow Health Care Reform As of September 1, 2011, health care reform requires Tennessee health insurance companies that plan to increase individual and small group health insurance premiums by more that 10 percent to submit a request. If the rate increase is deemed to be unreasonable, the insurance company will need to publicly justify it. **End Summary** Topics: Tennessee health insurance]]> Tennessee health insurance plans]]> health insurance for Tennessee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eTNHealthinsurance.com - Tennessee's best online health insurance agency specializing in Tennessee Individual Health Insurance plans . We have personal advisors to help you with your Tennessee Health Insurance needs. Get online Tennessee Health Insurance quotes, apply online, and Save!

Health Savings Accounts Remain Popular Even After Health Care Reform

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:19:15 -0500

With co-pay plans becoming an expensive option to consumers, millions discovered that having a high-deductible plan coupled with a Health Savings Account can potentially save them thousands of dollars every year. This year, the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) have seen an increase in HSA enrollment up to 14 percent. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, HSA plans offer more health care. You can get preventive care services from in-network providers with no out-of-pocket costs. This added benefit may be fueling the increase in demand for HSA plans, or it could be the premiums. High-deductible plans, in general, cost less than co-pay plans. Those are the ones that charge you a specific amount, usually $25 or $35, every time you fill a prescription or see a doctor before picking up the remainder of the bill. Health care reform also changed a couple of HSA benefits that not everyone liked. You can no longer use HSA funds for over-the-counter medications unless your doctor prescribes them. In addition, the tax penalty for using HSA dollars for anything other than qualified health care was increased from 10 to 20 percent this year. What Are The HSA Plan Tax Advantages? **End Summary** Topics: Health savings accounts]]> health savings account]]> HSA]]> high-deductible health insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America - The nation's leading independent health insurance agency specializing in individual and family HSA plans that work with a Health Savings Account.

California Health Insurance Rate Reviews Give Hope To Stop Excessive Rate Hikes

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:10:13 -0500

For decades, insurance companies have charged millions of consumers with unreasonable and unjustified health insurance rate hikes. While some states have the authority to review and reject rate hikes, there are states that don't and California is one of them. Although California does not have the power to reject proposed rate increases, they have the authority to review rate hikes to provide transparency and public accountability and to ensure that consumers receive value for their premium dollars. However, despite the implementation of the rate reviews in California, little effect is seen by consumers. Health insurance premiums are still out of reach for millions of Californians and business owners. There are few strategies that you can do to battle rate hikes, though. How Can Consumers Afford California Health Insurance When Premiums Continue To Skyrocket? Over the past 10 years, health insurance premiums had doubled much faster than wages and inflation combined. The cost of CA health insurance premiums is too much to handle that having a job is no longer a guarantee to get health care coverage. **End Summary** Topics: California health insurance]]> California health insurance plans]]> health insurance for California]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> By Wiley Long - President, eCAHealthinsurance.com - Health Insurance Advisors in California - Offering online information on health insurance plans in California , instant quotes on California Health Insurance plans, and personal assistance for all your California Health Insurance needs.