With the elections so close, people are beginning to look more closely at the promises and proposals the candidates make. One proposal we should pay attention to are their health care proposals, since it’s something that would intrinsically affect all of us. NEWSWEEK’s Mary Carmichael has written a comprehensive article, consulting with Katherine Swartz, a professor of health policy and economics at Harvard.
McCain’s plan: to take away the tax break workers get on health insurance at their jobs, and give people who buy their own insurance $2,500 ($5,000 for families) in tax credits.
Their prediction: Low-income people would have a hard time getting affordable insurance on their own. In the long run, employers would probably stop offering health insurance, and more people would end up uninsured than there are now.
Obama’s plan: An insurance exchange that looks like the Health Connector used in Massachussets. Every plan would have a minimum set of benefits, and you would get a subsidy if your income is below the threshold.
Their prediction: The total cost will be more than the estimate. His requiring insurers to cover pre-existing conditions would probably raise premiums. Although children and more people would be covered than there is now, some adults will continue to be uninsured
September 30 2008 | 2008 Proposals-Presidential Candidates and Election 2008 and General Info | Comments Off
Image Source: www.guaranteed-issue-health-insurance.com
A health savings account is a form of medical savings account that
allows you to save money to pay for existing and future medical
expenses on a tax-free basis. In order to be qualified for a health
savings account, you must be enclosed by a high-deductible plan,
not have any other health insurance, and not
be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
You can use this account to pay for your competent health expenses,
including expenses that the plan generally doesn’t cover, such as
spectacles and hearing aids. Expenses paid out of the HSA that are
eligible expenses under your high-deductible health plan will add up
towards the plan’s deductible.
During the year, you can make charitable contributions to your
health savings account using before-tax dollars. In some cases,
employers may set of connections and help fund health savings accounts for their employees.
August 19 2008 | General Info and Tips | Comments Off
The U.S. over the next 10 years could reduce health care costs by $1.5 trillion, expand health insurance to more residents and improve quality of care through widespread reforms to eliminate inefficiencies and increased taxes, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Commonwealth Fund, the Los Angeles Times reports. According to the Times, the report, which seeks to “provide a menu of options” for the next president, includes 15 reforms taken from the major presidential candidates and others, many of which “are likely to stir controversy.” continue reading »
July 02 2008 | Election 2008 | Comments Off
There are a number of health insurance companies today that offer a wide range of coverage to choose from. For many of us, sometimes we don’t tend to look at what’s in store for us but the price that we have to pay for our monthly premium, right?
It is essential that we don’t stop to shop around for health care providers and try to compare the rates and coverage that they offer. Furthermore, quality plays an important role in searching for the perfect fit.
June 02 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
Judge against benefits and coverage of key items, such as: preventive care, immunizations, co-payments, monthly premiums, physical exams, seeing for out-of-network providers, co-insurance rates, deductibles, etc. Further services that might want your family’s attention are as follows: fertility services, nursing care, mental health coverage and long-term care.
When in doubt or not sure about certain things, it doesn’t hurt to ask a lot of questions: Are there procedures for having emergency room treatment permitted? Is it possible to change doctors? Are referrals needed to visit a specialist? What hospitals and facilities can you use as part of the plan? Is your current provider part of this plan?
May 16 2008 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
by Andrea
In some situations it may be hard to attain homeowners insurance. If you are having a difficult time insuring your property, websites below may offer some help:
1. Coastline Properties: If you are a New York homeowner residing by the Atlantic coast, and are having complexity in protecting insurance, you have the choice of impending New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association (NYPIUA). The NYPIUA consists of numerous companies that give property insurance in the state of New York. They share together to share the risk. They do not offer ‘all Risk’ coverage. They present coverage on a named peril basis (as discussed above).Although you may breathe a moan of aid to have coverage; it does come at a premium. You can look to give at least 20% more for your coverage than you would through an ordinary insurance market and coverage is more restrictive. 2. Flood Insurance: For New York homeowners sited in a flood area, your homeowner’s policy will not answer the flood loss. This coverage can be getting from NFIP. Â
April 26 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
by Andrea
In Netherlands, a new system of health insurance was given emphasis. All insurance companies should give at least one policy that meets the government health standards. The new system avoids the drawbacks  of unpleasant selection and moral danger associated with traditional forms of health insurance. Meanwhile, the Dutch system are paying insurance companies for taking on high risk individuals because of the extra funding they received. This funding comes from an insurance equalization pool or organization so as to collect salary based contributions from employers and financial support  from the government for people whose having a hard time coping up
April 24 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
by AndreaÂ
Know your assessment: There are two types of assessment, Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value. Replacement cost is the cost to restore or repair your home with equipment of similar alike type and/or quality. Actual Cash Value appraisal takes the replacement cost and applies reduction. Replacement cost valuation is more encouraging. Know your threats: You should be familiar with which perils are covered under your policy. There are two basic types of policies; named perils and all risk. Named perils, as the title signifies, represent the only perils covered are those named on the rules. All danger, alternatively, conceals all perils not including for those rejected from the policy. All dangers, being the broader and more sympathetic of the two cost more, but signifies the additional cost.
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April 10 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
by AndreaÂ
Whether you reside in upstate New York or in downstate, here are a few basic tips for New York homeowners when looking insurance for your home:Stay up with your coinsurance: Coinsurance, usually written for 80%, means that your policy restrictions must equal at least 80% of the property’s significance at the time of loss. If you do not meet this requisite, you will undergo a coinsurance fine. Observe, it says ‘at the time of loss’. If you’ve been with the same insurance company for 10 years and have never rationalized the worth of your property, probability is your policy limit will not please the coinsurance requirement. If you were to keep up a loss in year number 10, there’s a good chance you will be penalized at the time of deficit.
April 05 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
In 2007, American physician survey results demonstrate a significant change in the level of support for national health insurance. This is a significant development. An increase in levels of support for national health insurance with the exception of radiologists, anesthesiologists and surgical subspecialists, a majority of every medical specialty now support national health insurance was showed every medical specialty showed.         An opinion on health-care financing has found that 59 percent of doctors support government legislation to establish national health insurance while only 32 percent oppose it, according to the largest survey ever of American physicians. It was found at the similar survey conducted by the IU researchers in 2002 that 49 percent of physicians supporting national health insurance and 40 percent opposing it.       Â
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April 01 2008 | General Info | Comments Off
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