Articles about affordable health insurance texas (0-50 of 417)
Affordable Health Insurance Texas - How To Get It By: Charles Peeler | - Finding affordable health insurance in Texas requires an individual to diligently research the plans available and the costs charged by providers. The cost of healthcare is steadily on the rise and insurance companies struggle to offer affordable policies while still providing the benefits that their customers demand. An unfortunate result of this ever-changing environment is that insurance companies often make changes to their plans without customers realizing it. The vast majority of consumers ... Tags:affordable health insurance texas
Minority Children In Texas More Likely To Die Of Asthma By: Pat Carpenter | - Minority children in Texas are at higher risk for asthma, according to recent reports. One million children in Texas are considered asthmatic -- more than ten percent of all children in the country diagnosed with the disease -- and African-American and Puerto Rican kids are six times as likely to die from it as their counterparts, says a report from the National Center for Health Statistics. In the Southeastern region of the state alone, which includes the Houston-Galveston area, 76,450 children ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas, health
If you're living in Texas, the state with the largest percentage of residents (25%) without health insurance coverage, it's probably the same. For those living in Dallas, Houston or Austin, which traditionally have some of the highest numbers, the confusion may have at least something to do with the complexity of health insurance.If that's the case, perhaps a review of the basics will help.
Texas Residents Finding Options For Health Insurance By: Pat Carpenter | - Companies looking for ways to cut costs in a competitive marketplace are increasingly looking to health insurance as a source of savings. While that's not good news for employees, it does represent something of a trend -- employees purchasing their own health insurance or filling in the gaps left by workplace budget cuts.
Texas Job Hunters Can Do Better Without Health Insurance Worries By: Pat Carpenter | - Residents of Texas -- particularly in the big cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin -- and especially those with skills in demand, may be among the most marketable employees in the country. Yet, for some, moving to another job gives cause for pause, for reasons that may be unrelated to the job they're eyeing.
Breathe, Child, Breathe: Texas Learns To Relax After New Studies Link Hostility And Disease By: Pat Carpenter | - We should listen to our grandparents more. Really. As a young adult, I am often criticized for my arrogant and wanton ways, for my blatant disregard of my elders' advice -- wisdom gained only through the tumultuous experience of aging. In the health insurance industry, I am called one of the "young invincibles" for my underlying, if denied, belief that, "Hey, I'm young. Nothing will happen to me. I don't need health insurance."
How To Apply For Health Insurance For Your Business In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - If you own a small business in Dallas, Houston or anywhere else in Texas and are looking for a health insurance provider for your employees, here's a standard list of business data you'll need to provide:
- Employer name. The legal name of your company.
- Address of your business. Insurers need the street address, not a P.O. Box, to determine your region or service area.
- A list of employees you plan to cover. Not all employees will be eligible.
Keeping The Best In Texas By Offering Health Insurance Benefits By: Pat Carpenter | - Every small business in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas wants to attract high quality individual employees who will contribute to the growth and success of the company. In order to recruit and retain these people, many larger business owners offer health insurance coverage, specifically group health, as an employee benefit.
Texas Agricultural Workers May Be At A Higher Risk For Brain Cancer By: Pat Carpenter | - Brain cancer risks increase with heavy exposure to pesticides, recent reports say. That's troubling news for states with large agricultural industries, like Texas, which not only employs millions of legal and illegal workers every year, but also has over 25% of its population going without health insurance.
Texas Workers Find Getting Health Insurance A Problem By: Pat Carpenter | - Many employees throughout Texas, but especially in the larger cities of Austin, Dallas and Houston, are finding it a challenge nearing on the impossible to find the affordable health insurance they and their families need.
As an entire state, Texas already has the highest percentage of its population without health insurance, just over 25% (compared with a national average of 15.3%, according to the 2005 U.S. Census). Indeed, every major city in Texas, including Dallas, Houston an ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas, health
Young People In Texas Struggle With Money Issues By: Pat Carpenter | - In some respects, every generation has its own unique challenges. But young people reaching adulthood in Texas, especially in larger cities like Austin, Dallas and Houston, are waking up to the financial realities that come as part of life.
One part of that reality comes for those who have finished a college education and face thousands of dollars in student loan debt.
Medications In Texas May Soon Be Given With Money-back Guarantees By: Pat Carpenter | - Pharmaceutical companies are starting to act like a lot of other for-profit organizations by offering money-back guarantees on their drugs. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson and United Healthcare are presenting "risk-sharing" programs to governments with single-payer, universal health care systems, as well as to private health insurance companies in the United States.
In Texas, Lack Of Healthcare Coverage Affects Parents And Families By: Pat Carpenter | - Health coverage for the family helps to assist those families in obtaining more affordable healthcare services, says a report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The Foundation, which based the report on its 2005 Low-Income Coverage and Access Survey, makes the argument that not having health insurance affects not just a parent's health, but also the well-being of the entire family.
Drafted over the last six months by senior members of the Senate Finance Committee, the bill is intended to cover the millions of children who will go uninsured if no action is taken when the program expires on September 30th. Eight million children in the U.S. currently lack healthcare coverage, including more th ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas, health
Texas Patients, Families May Be Unwitting Victims Of Federal Privacy Laws By: Pat Carpenter | - While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law enacted in 1996, is primarily designed to allow Americans, including those in Texas cities of Dallas, Austin and Houston, the right to take health insurance coverage with them, some provisions of the law that protect the confidentiality of information are causing confusion.
Considering Health Savings Accounts By: Pat Carpenter | - Since Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created by the Medicare bill signed into law in 2003 they are being considered by more and more Texans as a health insurance option. Here is a quick overview on a complicated subject.
Getting Engaged? How Should You Handle Health Insurance? By: Pat Carpenter | - When preparing for marriage, many happy Texan couples spend months planning for their special day to make sure it takes place without a hitch. But how many engaged couples put that kind of preparation into sharing a life together, especially when it comes to making sure their existing health insurance policies will adequately cover them both? So before you head off on your honeymoon, here are some things to consider:
Health Insurance In An Unmarried Relationship By: Pat Carpenter | - Thanks to the gay rights movement and the increase of both unmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples living together throughout Texas and the United States, the workplace trend toward domestic-partner benefits is improving the lives of many committed couples, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.
Coverage That Keeps Your Business Healthy In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - As with many other things, when it comes to buying group health insurance, there is strength in numbers. And big numbers have traditionally gotten the best deals. Currently, a large number of individuals in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas obtain coverage through their employers. Many of those employers are large companies with strong-arm power at the insurance bargaining table. If you're a small-business owner, however, there is no reason to feel left out.
Limited Benefit Health Insurance - Is It A Good Deal? By: Pat Carpenter | - These days, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Some have found that buying cheap health insurance is one way to go. And while this has its upside, you should be careful, because you may end up with a health crisis.
For many folks in Dallas, Houston or throughout Texas with no health insurance, a policy known as "Limited Benefit" sounds like an appealing choice. Premiums are as low as $10 a week. But there's a big catch: these policies pay as little as $1,000 a year or $10 ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas, health
Texas Health Insurance Basics By: Pat Carpenter | - Health insurance. Everyone needs it, but not everyone has it. And with medical expenses on a seemingly endless rise, paying out-of-pocket for them could land you in the poor house. So when choosing a health insurance plan, it's good to know the basics to help you make better, more financially sound choices when selecting a plan.
Tax Considerations Of Texas Health Savings Accounts By: Pat Carpenter | - Since Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created by the Medicare bill signed into law in 2003 they are being considered by more and more Texans as a health insurance option. Anyone under age 65 who buys a qualified high-deductible health insurance policy can open an HSA. Here is a quick overview on the important tax considerations of HSAs.
Pre-existing Conditions And How They Can Affect Your Individual Texas Health Insurance By: Pat Carpenter | - There are nearly four million Texans with some type of "pre-existing medical condition." Besides having difficulty obtaining health insurance, these Texans may experience other insurance-related problems, including claim denials, higher premiums, cancellations, or refusals to renew their policies.
You Are What You Eat And How It Affects Your Health Insurance By: Pat Carpenter | - Growing waistlines equal growing health care costs. At least that's how it seems regarding health and health insurance. A famous documentary has already shown the short-term impact of too many super-sized meals. But did you know that there's another price you're paying now - in health insurance dollars - for our nation's weight problem?
Texas Ranks In The Bottom Quarter Of The Nation For Healthcare By: Pat Carpenter | - Texas ranks in the bottom quarter of the nation for health care, according to recent reports. As a state with one of the highest rates of uninsured -- just over 25% -- this comes as no surprise to many.
Just over 15% of all Americans go without health insurance, totaling nearly 48 million. This unfortunate statistic comes at a time when Medicare is experiencing historical funding cuts under the Bush administration. The concern is not so much how many lack insurance, but what kind ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas, health
Now We've Done It: Texas Fights The Overuse Of Antibiotics By: Pat Carpenter | - Most of us have done it: at some point, we caught a bad cold or flu and, feeling miserable, dragged (or, if you prefer, drug) our shaking bodies into the doctor's office to beg for a prescription, believing a few pills will somehow make it all better. "Come on, Doc," we said, "Give me something. I'm under a deadline, here. My health insurance will cover it."
Texas May Be Getting Smart About Health Insurance Cards By: Pat Carpenter | - Every individual who has health insurance in Dallas, Houston and elsewhere in Texas probably has an insurance card that he/she carries in his/her wallet. Politicians in Texas are considering taking this concept one step further by requiring health insurance companies to electronically embed coverage information into health insurance "smart" cards.
Health Insurance Options For College Students By: Pat Carpenter | - By the time graduation caps are tossed into the air, high school students will probably have been accepted to a college, picked a dorm and signed up for their courses. But is their health insurance securely in place?
Most parents' employee-sponsored group health insurance plans will cover their children up until they're between 20 to 24 years of age, whether they live at home or away at school. The employer, however, may charge a substantial extra premium to cover the college age ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas
Uninsured Are Charged More In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - If you've ever felt aghast looking over a hospital bill -- somehow sure the numbers couldn't possibly be right -- you're not the only one. According to a 2004 study, published by the journal Health Affairs, those lacking health insurance are charged an average of 2.57 times more by U.S. hospitals than those with insurance, a discrepancy that has been steadily increasing since 1984.
Keeping An Eye Out For Health Insurance Fraud In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - Insurance fraud. It happens daily. There are a number of bogus health insurance companies and agents in Dallas, Houston or anywhere else in Texas who will take your money and run. So, before you purchase health insurance for your employees or your business, make sure the insurance company you're dealing with is legitimate. Start by checking your insurance agent's credentials to be sure he or she is licensed to sell insurance in Texas.
On Your Own - Self-employment And Health Insurance In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - There are more than a million individual or family-owned businesses in Texas, and more people are contemplating opening their own business every day. For the small business owner, the same subject always comes up - self-employed health insurance. Take a look at what you are up against. As a self-employed individual in Dallas, Houston or anywhere else in Texas and you are not afforded any of the 'breaks'' the big companies receive.
Why Health Insurance Is Important To Young Individuals In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - Young individuals in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas are a pretty healthy group in general, but going without health insurance interferes with their access to the health care system, introduces barriers to care when it's needed, and leaves young individuals and their families at risk for high out-of-pocket costs in the face of severe illness or injury.
Out On The Edge - The Lack Of Health Insurance Benefits For Nonstandard Workers In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - A 2005 Commonwealth Fund white paper reported on two important trends in the U.S. workforce - the increasing prevalence of workers in part-time, temporary, contract or non-standard positions, and the decline in access to employer-provided health insurance.
Mom-and-pop Shops In Texas Encounter Hurdles When Buying Health Insurance By: Pat Carpenter | - The results of an April 2004 Commonwealth Fund white paper* show that the economics of small business group insurance makes offering health benefits to employees is risky. The current lack of health insurance for individuals in Texas, as well as the rest of the country, is closely associated with the inadequacies of the small employer market. Of the approximately 44 million individual Americans without health insurance, over 80 percent come from working families. Nearly 50 percent of uninsured w ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas
And The Survey Says - New Numbers Regarding Small Biz And Health Insurance In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - A 2006 survey, released by the health insurance trade group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), offers a snapshot look at small group health insurance plans throughout Texas and nationwide. The survey has once again stirred up debates over whether health insurance is affordable enough to allow small businesses to cover their workers, or if sweeping changes are needed.
Short-term Health Insurance - What Are The Benefits? By: Pat Carpenter | - So you've just graduated from college, don't yet have a job and have just found out that you're no longer covered under your parents' health insurance plan. Maybe you've decided to leave your current job and look for a new one. Or perhaps you've found that perfect new job, but your new employer's group health insurance plan is making you wait for three months before you're eligible to use it. These are all certainly sound reasons to look into short-term individual health insurance in the state o ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas
Personal Health Information - Keeping Tabs On Your Health In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - Your personal health information - do you know who has it or where to find it in Dallas, Houston or in the other Texas cities where you have lived? Do you have it? In most cases, a complete record of all of your personal health information can't be found at any single location or in any consistent format. Each one of your healthcare providers (family practitioner, allergist, OB-GYN, etc.) compiles a separate medical record on you. And often times, these multiple medical records can lead to an in ... Tags:precedent, health insurance texas, affordable health insurance texas, health insurance dallas
Getting The Most From Your Individual Health Plan In Texas By: Pat Carpenter | - How can you effectively utilize your individual health insurance plan? It starts by becoming an active participant in your own health and healthcare. Remember - the best offense is a great defense. In other words, learn the importance of preventive care while you're young and healthy.
How Does A Ppo Work In Texas? By: Pat Carpenter | - Many Texans shopping for individual health insurance do not understand what a Preferred Provider Organization (or PPO) is all about. A PPO negotiates discount arrangements with doctors, hospitals and other providers who accept lower fees from the insurer for their services. As a result, your cost sharing is lower when compared to going outside your network of providers. The bottom line - PPO providers offer health care at a reduced cost.
The Hidden Sting Of Cobra In Texas Health Insurance By: Pat Carpenter | - If you lose your job anywhere in the US, including Texas, one of the many questions you'll have is: "Will I lose my health coverage, too?" If you're an employee at a company that has 20 or more employees, and you leave your group plan for reasons other than gross negligence, you'll be offered COBRA continuation coverage. The question is, should you take COBRA or look for another plan?
What Is Catastrophic Health Insurance? By: Pat Carpenter | - So your employer in Dallas, Houston or any place in Texas doesn't offer health insurance. Perhaps you can't afford to pay for a health plan. Or maybe you just don't want pay for health coverage because you're healthy enough that you feel "you don't need it." If you fall into any of these categories, you may be a candidate for a "catastrophic" health insurance plan, or what is sometimes called a "high deductible" health plan (HDHP).
Keeping The Best In Texas By Offering Health Insurance Benefits By: Melih Oztalay | - Every small business in Dallas, Houston and throughout Texas wants to attract high quality individual employees who will contribute to the growth and success of the company. In order to recruit and retain these people, many larger business owners offer health insurance coverage, specifically group health, as an employee benefit.
Limited Benefit Health Insurance - Is It A Good Deal For Your Employees In Texas? By: Melih Oztalay | - As a small business owner, you're always looking for ways to save money. Some employers have found that buying cheap group health insurance is one way to go. And while this has its upside, you should be careful, because it could also throw your employees into a health crisis scenario.
How To Apply For Health Insurance For Your Business In Texas By: Melih Oztalay | - If you own a small business in Dallas, Houston or anywhere else in Texas and are looking for a health insurance provider for your employees, here's a standard list of business data you'll need to provide:
Employer name. The legal name of your company.
Address of your business. Insurers need the street address, not a P.O. Box, to determine your region or service area.
Pre-existing Conditions And How They Can Affect Your Individual Health Insurance By: Melih Oztalay | - There are nearly four million Texans with some type of "pre-existing medical condition." Besides having difficulty obtaining health insurance, these Texans may experience other insurance-related problems, including claim denials, higher premiums, cancellations, or refusals to renew their policies.
Limited Benefit Health Insurance In Texas - Is It A Good Deal? By: Melih Oztalay | - These days, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Some have found that buying cheap health insurance is one way to go. And while this has its upside, you should be careful, because you may end up with a health crisis.
Health Insurance Basics In Texas By: Melih Oztalay | - Health insurance. Everyone needs it, but not everyone has it. And with medical expenses on a seemingly endless rise, paying out-of-pocket for them could land you in the poor house. So when choosing a health insurance plan, it's good to know the basics to help you make better, more financially sound choices when selecting a plan.
You Are What You Eat And How It Affects Your Health Insurance By: Melih Oztalay | - Growing waistlines equal growing healthcare costs. At least that's how it seems regarding health and health insurance. A famous documentary has already shown the short-term impact of too many super-sized meals. But did you know that there's another price you're paying now - in health insurance dollars - for our nation's weight problem?