Showing posts with label health insurance resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health insurance resources. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Health Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions
[Updated Feb. 19, 2013]
If you're healthy, health insurance is an expensive annoyance. You know you should have it, but it seems like a waste of money. And millions of Americans go without health insurance, because they don't want to be expensively annoyed. But if they get sick or are injured while uninsured, they learn the hard way that, even more than a loan, health insurance is hard to get when you really need it. That's why you should always have health insurance, especially if you're in good health (when it's much easier to get).
Once you become sick or are injured, you have a pre-existing condition. From the perspective of a health insurer, that very possibly makes you a losing proposition. No one likes losing propositions, and certainly not insurance companies, whose business is, in essence, to bet on the health of their customers. Very few people today contract leprosy, but a lot of people who have a pre-existing condition and are uninsured learn what it feels like to be a leper.
So how can you protect yourself?
Get health insurance while you're healthy. The best way to cover pre-existing conditions is to be insured at the time they first occur. It's now illegal for insurance companies to drop coverage for customers who get sick or are injured. Axing customers who might actually make claims is prohibited by the federal health insurance reform enacted last year (derisively called Obamacare, but it really does help those who are sick or injured).
Keep your current health insurance. If you are covered by health insurance, keep it. That would mean exercising your COBRA rights if your employment is terminated. As your COBRA coverage expires (usually after 18 months), buy an individual policy to continue coverage. Avoid time gaps in coverage--continuous coverage one way or another makes it essentially impossible for insurers to stiff you on pre-existing conditions.
Be young. Last year's health insurance reform law now makes it illegal for insurers to decline coverage for children under the age of 19 due to pre-existing conditions. In addition, young adults up to age 26 may be covered under their parents' health insurance (if their parents have family coverage).
Be old. If you're 65 or older, make sure you're enrolled in Medicare (at least Parts A and B, and also Part D if you don't otherwise have prescription medication insurance). Pre-existing conditions are covered by Medicare.
State pools. Many states have insurance pools that offer coverage for their residents with pre-existing conditions. These pools can be expensive. But being uninsured with a pre-existing condition can be more expensive.
Federal High Risk Pool. A federal program created by last year's health insurance reform provides coverage to those who are uninsured with pre-existing conditions. This program isn't cheap, but is less expensive than many state pools. (A problem for those in state pools who want to switch to the lower cost federal program is that you have to be uninsured for something like six months before you can get into the federal program; that's because the federal program is meant to help the uninsured, not the expensively insured.) The federal high risk pool expires in 2014, when a permanent program for comprehensive nationwide health insurance coverage is supposed to begin. The website for the federal high risk program is at www.pcip.gov. Feb. 19, 2013 update: the federal high risk pool is closing on Feb. 22, 2013 because of funding problems. If you want to participate, get your application in by Feb. 22, 2013. If you miss this deadline, look for any available state insurance pool, find out if you're eligible for Medicaid (see below), try a community health center, and wait until 2014, when comprehensive insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act will become available.
2014. If you live until 2014, a comprehensive nationwide program for health insurance coverage will begin, which will prohibit health insurers from excluding pre-existing conditions. Insurance for those who otherwise aren't covered can be purchased through so-called health insurance exchanges. Your home state may offer an exchange (possibly in conjunction with other states), and a federal exchange will be available if your state does not offer one.
And if you're broke? If your financial condition is sufficient modest, you may qualify for Medicaid (it's primarily for people with dependent children or a disability). You might also be able to get care at a community health center (which generally serve the low income). And there's always the hospital emergency room, which provides care to the indigent (although it may not be as comprehensive as the care provided to the insured).
For more information, see http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2010/04/benefits-of-federal-health-insurance.html, and http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2007/06/how-to-find-health-insurance.html. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a website where you can research health insurance options: http://www.healthcare.gov/.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Will the Federal Courts Pave the Way for Single-Payer National Health Insurance?
The score over the constitutionality of last year's federal health insurance reform is 2 - 2. Two federal courts have ruled it's constitutional and two more have decided that at least part of it isn't. The feature on which disapproving judges focused is the requirement beginning in 2014 that the uninsured buy individual coverage. The government contends that this requirement is permitted by the Constitution's Commerce Clause (which allows Congress to regulate matters affecting interstate commerce). Opponents assert that the law purports to regulate inaction--being uninsured--and that inaction isn't commerce.
Proponents respond that life is more complicated than that. As a society, we don't toss the uninsured in the gutter, to die slow, painful, lingering deaths. Instead, they are treated, and if they can't pay cash (which is very often the case), the cost of their care is borne by the rest of us in the forms of higher hospital charges, larger co-pays and deductibles, and steeper health insurance premiums. This imposition of costs on paying patients has interstate impact, and consequently allows federal health insurance reform under the Commerce Clause, proponents contend.
The final word on constitutionality rests with the U.S. Supreme Court. Given the split among lower courts, the Supremes will almost surely take the issue. Predicting the weather is easier than figuring out how the Supremes will rule.
It's interesting to consider that, if the Big Court gives the new law a thumbs down, it may well pave the way for a single-payer national health insurance system. Even if a federal requirement for an individual to buy health insurance goes beyond Congress' constitutional authority, a taxpayer funded single-payer, comprehensive national health insurance program would surely be constitutional. We already have such a system for Americans 65 and older (it's called Medicare), and another such system for many with low incomes (called Medicaid).
Today's Republican controlled House would strenuously resist a single-payer system. But the naysayers have no serious alternative. The baseline problem for Republicans (and those Democrats who voted against last year's health insurance reform) is that no one, not conservatives, moderates or liberals, want the system we had before last year's reform. That "system," with its hodge-podge, hit-or-miss, luck of the draw "coverage," left tens of millions uninsured, tens of millions more underinsured, and numerous Americans going without treatment until their problems became severe enough for an emergency room visit, where others (i.e., the insured) would pick up the high costs of the uninsureds' care. If last year's reform is tossed out by the courts, there will be enormous political pressure for an alternative. The Republicans, who have been singularly feckless in improving the health insurance system, will find themselves losing favor with an electorate struggling for coverage. This is one issue where the party of No will have to rethink its message. Reality is that we'll have health insurance reform one way or another, if not now, then pretty soon.
Last year's health insurance reform was a rather complex political compromise designed to make Americans face a simple fact of health insurance: it's fairest and most sensible when everyone contributes to the cost. (That's why state laws require all motor vehicles to be insured.) If last year's reform doesn't survive judicial review, a single-payer national health insurance system may be the one alternative sure to withstand constitutional challenge. Other alternatives would be much more complex, and therefore exposed to legal challenge (when it comes to the law, complexity begats litigation and simplicity tends to avoid it).
Many taxpayers may not like a comprehensive, single-payer system because of fears of rising costs. But those rising costs are already smacking those of us who are insured, through our premiums, co-pays and deductibles. The rising costs are less a function of the insurance system we have than of expensive advances in medical technology and the extensive care sometimes given the very elderly. Dealing with these issues involves difficult ethical questions, but leaving people uninsured won't solve these problems.
A ruling against last year's reform will likely limit Congress' options for the structure of a replacement program. It won't persuade voters to accept a return to the Dickensian grimness of the status quo ante. If last year's reform is struck down, the single-payer national program may well rise up from last year's ashes. This probably wouldn't be what the federal judges ruling against the reform intend, but we often get what we don't intend.
Proponents respond that life is more complicated than that. As a society, we don't toss the uninsured in the gutter, to die slow, painful, lingering deaths. Instead, they are treated, and if they can't pay cash (which is very often the case), the cost of their care is borne by the rest of us in the forms of higher hospital charges, larger co-pays and deductibles, and steeper health insurance premiums. This imposition of costs on paying patients has interstate impact, and consequently allows federal health insurance reform under the Commerce Clause, proponents contend.
The final word on constitutionality rests with the U.S. Supreme Court. Given the split among lower courts, the Supremes will almost surely take the issue. Predicting the weather is easier than figuring out how the Supremes will rule.
It's interesting to consider that, if the Big Court gives the new law a thumbs down, it may well pave the way for a single-payer national health insurance system. Even if a federal requirement for an individual to buy health insurance goes beyond Congress' constitutional authority, a taxpayer funded single-payer, comprehensive national health insurance program would surely be constitutional. We already have such a system for Americans 65 and older (it's called Medicare), and another such system for many with low incomes (called Medicaid).
Today's Republican controlled House would strenuously resist a single-payer system. But the naysayers have no serious alternative. The baseline problem for Republicans (and those Democrats who voted against last year's health insurance reform) is that no one, not conservatives, moderates or liberals, want the system we had before last year's reform. That "system," with its hodge-podge, hit-or-miss, luck of the draw "coverage," left tens of millions uninsured, tens of millions more underinsured, and numerous Americans going without treatment until their problems became severe enough for an emergency room visit, where others (i.e., the insured) would pick up the high costs of the uninsureds' care. If last year's reform is tossed out by the courts, there will be enormous political pressure for an alternative. The Republicans, who have been singularly feckless in improving the health insurance system, will find themselves losing favor with an electorate struggling for coverage. This is one issue where the party of No will have to rethink its message. Reality is that we'll have health insurance reform one way or another, if not now, then pretty soon.
Last year's health insurance reform was a rather complex political compromise designed to make Americans face a simple fact of health insurance: it's fairest and most sensible when everyone contributes to the cost. (That's why state laws require all motor vehicles to be insured.) If last year's reform doesn't survive judicial review, a single-payer national health insurance system may be the one alternative sure to withstand constitutional challenge. Other alternatives would be much more complex, and therefore exposed to legal challenge (when it comes to the law, complexity begats litigation and simplicity tends to avoid it).
Many taxpayers may not like a comprehensive, single-payer system because of fears of rising costs. But those rising costs are already smacking those of us who are insured, through our premiums, co-pays and deductibles. The rising costs are less a function of the insurance system we have than of expensive advances in medical technology and the extensive care sometimes given the very elderly. Dealing with these issues involves difficult ethical questions, but leaving people uninsured won't solve these problems.
A ruling against last year's reform will likely limit Congress' options for the structure of a replacement program. It won't persuade voters to accept a return to the Dickensian grimness of the status quo ante. If last year's reform is struck down, the single-payer national program may well rise up from last year's ashes. This probably wouldn't be what the federal judges ruling against the reform intend, but we often get what we don't intend.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Benefits of Federal Health Insurance Reform
2010's federal health insurance reform includes a wide-ranging panoply of programs, credits and other measures. Folks currently covered by employer sponsored health insurance plans won't experience much immediate change. But over the next year and later, they'll see improvements.
Those having trouble getting coverage will find the new law a big improvement. The recent legislation isn't Internet-friendly--it can't be summarized to two paragraphs or less. But there are a number of provisions that could soon change things for millions of Americans. Here they are, with those taking effect sooner listed first.
Small Business Tax Credit. Small businesses may get a tax credit of as much as 35% of their employee health insurance premiums, depending on how large they are, starting immediately and running through 2013. Small, in this case, means small (as in no more than the equivalent of 25 full-time employees). These companies, which may number as many as 4 million, are perhaps the most likely not to offer health insurance to employees, so the credit could bring more people under the umbrella of employer-sponsored coverage. The credit will increase to 50% of premiums beginning in 2014 and is available for any two consecutive years at the 50% level.
Closing the Medicare D Doughnut Hole. Those covered by Medicare D policies who in 2010 hit the gap in coverage called the "doughnut hole" will be eligible for a $250 rebate. Beginning in 2011, a 50% discount (instead of the rebate) will be available for prescriptions filled in the doughnut hole. The doughnut hole will be closed in 2020.
Federal High Risk Pool. By the end of June, 2010, a federal high risk insurance pool will become available for persons with pre-existing conditions who are having trouble getting coverage otherwise. This pool is temporary, and will operate until federally established health insurance exchanges provide a permanent source of coverage beginning in 2014. At that point, persons with pre-existing conditions can purchase health insurance through the exchanges or some other way, such as individually acquiring coverage. You can more information and application options at https://www.pcip.gov/.
Federal Assistance for Employers Covering Early Retirees. By the end of June 2010, a temporary federal program will begin offering reinsurance to employers providing early retirees (i.e., those between the ages of 55 and 64) with health insurance during retirement. Reinsurance is an indirect way of subsidizing retiree health insurance coverage, and should make it easier for employers to maintain coverage for early retirees. (Retirees 65 and older are eligible for Medicare coverage, so the reinsurance program doesn't extend to them.) The reinsurance program will be superseded in 2014 by the health insurance exchanges.
No More Punishing the Sick. Just as banks are notorious for denying credit to those who need it the most, sometimes insurance companies drop customers because they fall ill. Beginning at the end of September 2010, insurance companies will be prohibited from engaging in this practice. Some Tiny Tims will enjoy Christmas early this year when their Scrooge-like health insurers can no longer ax them.
Children Under 19 Cannot Be Turned Down for Pre-existing Conditions. By the end of September 2010, insurers won't be able to turn down children under 19 because of pre-existing conditions. (By 2014, insurers won't be allowed to turn anyone down for pre-existing conditions.) The high risk pool mentioned above could cover children who aren't protected by this provision.
Young Adult Dependents Up to Age 26 Can Be Covered by Parents. By the end of September 2010, young adults up to age 26 who are dependents of their parents will be eligible for coverage under their parents' policies (unless they live in a state that mandates coverage to an older age, such as 28 or 29).
No Lifetime Caps on Coverage. By the end of September 2010, insurers won't be allowed to impose lifetime limits on coverage.
Phaseout of Annual Limits on Coverage. By the end of September 2010, insurers will face greater restrictions on their ability to place annual limits on coverage. By 2014, annual limits will be eliminated.
Free Preventive Care. By the end of September 201o, new private insurance plans will have to cover preventive care without co-pays or deductibles. Beginning in 2011, Medicare will provide the same free preventive care coverage.
Increased Funding for Community Health Centers. Beginning in October 2010, community health centers--clinics that provide primary care to mostly low income patients--will receive increased federal funding in order to almost double over the next five years the number of patients they treat. This should help alleviate the shortage of primary care throughout much of America.
Independent Appeals Process. By the end of September 2010, new health plans will be required to have independent appeals processes for customers denied claims or coverage. This could be very important if you or a family member have a major health issue.
This year's health insurance reform affects many other aspects of the health care system, and will be implemented over the next decade or so. A more permanent system with health insurance exchanges should be in place by 2014. The number of primary care practitioners should increase. The patchwork health insurance system of the past will gradually be phased down, and near universal coverage should result from the federal programs. In the meantime, if you want information about current health insurance resources, take a look at http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2007/06/how-to-find-health-insurance.html. Illegal immigrants cannot participate in the federally sponsored system, and may have to fall back on the remnants of the old health care system. This limitation is understandable from a political standpoint. However, if an illegal immigrant has, for example, tuberculosis, meningitis or some other transmissible illness, we all benefit if that person gets good health care.
Those having trouble getting coverage will find the new law a big improvement. The recent legislation isn't Internet-friendly--it can't be summarized to two paragraphs or less. But there are a number of provisions that could soon change things for millions of Americans. Here they are, with those taking effect sooner listed first.
Small Business Tax Credit. Small businesses may get a tax credit of as much as 35% of their employee health insurance premiums, depending on how large they are, starting immediately and running through 2013. Small, in this case, means small (as in no more than the equivalent of 25 full-time employees). These companies, which may number as many as 4 million, are perhaps the most likely not to offer health insurance to employees, so the credit could bring more people under the umbrella of employer-sponsored coverage. The credit will increase to 50% of premiums beginning in 2014 and is available for any two consecutive years at the 50% level.
Closing the Medicare D Doughnut Hole. Those covered by Medicare D policies who in 2010 hit the gap in coverage called the "doughnut hole" will be eligible for a $250 rebate. Beginning in 2011, a 50% discount (instead of the rebate) will be available for prescriptions filled in the doughnut hole. The doughnut hole will be closed in 2020.
Federal High Risk Pool. By the end of June, 2010, a federal high risk insurance pool will become available for persons with pre-existing conditions who are having trouble getting coverage otherwise. This pool is temporary, and will operate until federally established health insurance exchanges provide a permanent source of coverage beginning in 2014. At that point, persons with pre-existing conditions can purchase health insurance through the exchanges or some other way, such as individually acquiring coverage. You can more information and application options at https://www.pcip.gov/.
Federal Assistance for Employers Covering Early Retirees. By the end of June 2010, a temporary federal program will begin offering reinsurance to employers providing early retirees (i.e., those between the ages of 55 and 64) with health insurance during retirement. Reinsurance is an indirect way of subsidizing retiree health insurance coverage, and should make it easier for employers to maintain coverage for early retirees. (Retirees 65 and older are eligible for Medicare coverage, so the reinsurance program doesn't extend to them.) The reinsurance program will be superseded in 2014 by the health insurance exchanges.
No More Punishing the Sick. Just as banks are notorious for denying credit to those who need it the most, sometimes insurance companies drop customers because they fall ill. Beginning at the end of September 2010, insurance companies will be prohibited from engaging in this practice. Some Tiny Tims will enjoy Christmas early this year when their Scrooge-like health insurers can no longer ax them.
Children Under 19 Cannot Be Turned Down for Pre-existing Conditions. By the end of September 2010, insurers won't be able to turn down children under 19 because of pre-existing conditions. (By 2014, insurers won't be allowed to turn anyone down for pre-existing conditions.) The high risk pool mentioned above could cover children who aren't protected by this provision.
Young Adult Dependents Up to Age 26 Can Be Covered by Parents. By the end of September 2010, young adults up to age 26 who are dependents of their parents will be eligible for coverage under their parents' policies (unless they live in a state that mandates coverage to an older age, such as 28 or 29).
No Lifetime Caps on Coverage. By the end of September 2010, insurers won't be allowed to impose lifetime limits on coverage.
Phaseout of Annual Limits on Coverage. By the end of September 2010, insurers will face greater restrictions on their ability to place annual limits on coverage. By 2014, annual limits will be eliminated.
Free Preventive Care. By the end of September 201o, new private insurance plans will have to cover preventive care without co-pays or deductibles. Beginning in 2011, Medicare will provide the same free preventive care coverage.
Increased Funding for Community Health Centers. Beginning in October 2010, community health centers--clinics that provide primary care to mostly low income patients--will receive increased federal funding in order to almost double over the next five years the number of patients they treat. This should help alleviate the shortage of primary care throughout much of America.
Independent Appeals Process. By the end of September 2010, new health plans will be required to have independent appeals processes for customers denied claims or coverage. This could be very important if you or a family member have a major health issue.
This year's health insurance reform affects many other aspects of the health care system, and will be implemented over the next decade or so. A more permanent system with health insurance exchanges should be in place by 2014. The number of primary care practitioners should increase. The patchwork health insurance system of the past will gradually be phased down, and near universal coverage should result from the federal programs. In the meantime, if you want information about current health insurance resources, take a look at http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2007/06/how-to-find-health-insurance.html. Illegal immigrants cannot participate in the federally sponsored system, and may have to fall back on the remnants of the old health care system. This limitation is understandable from a political standpoint. However, if an illegal immigrant has, for example, tuberculosis, meningitis or some other transmissible illness, we all benefit if that person gets good health care.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Resources for the Down and Out
If you're running out of money, and think you're out of options, remember that, as harsh as economic conditions may get, there still is a compassionate side to America. Taking help from others isn't easy. But hard times sometimes require hard choices. Many who might go hungry themselves for the sake of maintaining appearances have a different outlook when their families are hungry. In this most nasty of recessions, many middle class people who were living paycheck to paycheck experience hunger if they're laid off. It's no longer unusual for visitors to food pantries to drive good cars and live in middle class neighborhoods; they've simply lost their jobs and have no cash for food.
If you think you're just about out of options, here are some resources to keep in mind.
Unemployment Compensation. If you think you qualify for unemployment comp, apply. It's a public benefit for those that have been laid off. Go to your state's website for information.
Food Stamps. This is a federal program that in the past you paid for with your tax dollars. It's there for you if you're in need. The states administer the food stamp program, so go to your state's website for information.
Food Banks. Many communities have food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens. Remember that donations to food banks are wasted if hungry people don't accept the donated food. Your acceptance completes the circle of virtue that comprises charity. When you get back on your feet, you can repay with dividends.
Welfare. The controversial federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children program ended in 1997, but welfare still exists as a federally funded program administered by the states. Go to your state's website for information. Many people who go on welfare stay there for a while and then get their middle class lives back together. Welfare can serve as a temporary safety net until the storm clouds roll away.
SCHIP. If you have children who are 19 or younger and don't have health insurance, there is a program called State Childrens Health Insurance Program that provides subsidized coverage for children in families with moderate or low incomes. It's a federal program administered by the states, so go to your state's website for information.
Medicaid. This is the federal health insurance program for those with low incomes. If you've gotten to the point where your income is low and you have pretty much burned up your net worth, you may qualify for Medicaid. It's a lot better than nothing. Of course, if you're old enough (65), there's also Medicare.
If you need more information about how to survive a layoff or unemployment, see our Survival Kit for the Laidoff and Unemployed: http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2009/07/survival-kit-for-layoffs-and.html.
If you think you're just about out of options, here are some resources to keep in mind.
Unemployment Compensation. If you think you qualify for unemployment comp, apply. It's a public benefit for those that have been laid off. Go to your state's website for information.
Food Stamps. This is a federal program that in the past you paid for with your tax dollars. It's there for you if you're in need. The states administer the food stamp program, so go to your state's website for information.
Food Banks. Many communities have food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens. Remember that donations to food banks are wasted if hungry people don't accept the donated food. Your acceptance completes the circle of virtue that comprises charity. When you get back on your feet, you can repay with dividends.
Welfare. The controversial federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children program ended in 1997, but welfare still exists as a federally funded program administered by the states. Go to your state's website for information. Many people who go on welfare stay there for a while and then get their middle class lives back together. Welfare can serve as a temporary safety net until the storm clouds roll away.
SCHIP. If you have children who are 19 or younger and don't have health insurance, there is a program called State Childrens Health Insurance Program that provides subsidized coverage for children in families with moderate or low incomes. It's a federal program administered by the states, so go to your state's website for information.
Medicaid. This is the federal health insurance program for those with low incomes. If you've gotten to the point where your income is low and you have pretty much burned up your net worth, you may qualify for Medicaid. It's a lot better than nothing. Of course, if you're old enough (65), there's also Medicare.
If you need more information about how to survive a layoff or unemployment, see our Survival Kit for the Laidoff and Unemployed: http://blogger.uncleleosden.com/2009/07/survival-kit-for-layoffs-and.html.
Friday, June 8, 2007
How to Find Health Insurance
If you've been paying attention to the presidential campaign (i.e., if you're masochistic and have a really big antacid budget), you know that the candidates are rolling out proposals for reforming the U.S. health insurance system. It's good that they're trying to tackle the problem. But all of their proposals are just talk for now. The new president won't be sworn in until 2009, and actual reform will occur, if at all, months or years later.
So, we'll be stuck for a while with our current patchwork, crazy quilt, easy-to-slip-through-the cracks system. A major health problem can really mess up your life. A major uninsured health problem can force you into bankruptcy as well--more than any other reason, medical expenses are the cause of personal bankruptcies. So, how do you find health insurance coverage?
1. Hold onto what you have. If you're covered under a group health insurance plan, and are going lose coverage (e.g., because of a layoff), use your COBRA rights to stay insured. Under COBRA (a federal program), you have to pay the full cost of your continued coverage, but you remain insured for up to 18 months. COBRA lets you stay covered while you look for another job. Also, if you have a spouse, find out if you can be brought under your spouse's plan or policy.
2. Get information from your state government. At the federal level, health insurance has been mostly the subject of endless windbaggery. At the state level, there's been quite of bit of action, and your state government could be a valuable resource. Many states have programs to insure those that can't find coverage anywhere else. All states at least provide information to their residents. An easy way to tap into your state's resources is to go to www.healthinsuranceinfo.net. This is a website maintained by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, and provides a brochure for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The brochure will give you information about your options, including any state program to help people who otherwise can't find coverage. Also, this website has a list of the states that have "high risk pools" (i.e., programs to help people who may otherwise be uninsurable).
If you think you're eligible for Medicare, you may be able to find assistance with Medicare questions through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (www.shiptalk.org). To find a counselor, you connect through this website to the office for your state.
3. Contact a health insurance assistance program. There are a variety of programs at the state and regional level that might be able to help you. You can find the ones in your state by going to the program locator provided by an organization called FamiliesUSA (www.familiesusa.org/resources/program-locator/.
4. Contact a professional association or union. If you belong to a professional association or union, you may be able to buy health insurance through the organization. This is often the case with professional associations (such as bar associations for lawyers). Unions generally try to negotiate insurance coverage through the employer. But that isn't universally the case. Some unions may offer health insurance for members meeting certain conditions (e.g., Actors Equity, the union for actors).
5. Contact the big health plans. Large, well-established health plans often sell individual policies. Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente are well-known plans where you could start. A quick read of the Yellow Pages or a search on the Internet will give you the names of other plans you could contact. Individual policies will be more expensive than group policies, and there may be exclusions or limitations that you wouldn't find in group policies. But they are better than nothing.
6. Talk to a health insurance agent. You can consult a health insurance agent. Plenty of them are listed in the Internet. But it may best to find one the old fashioned way, through a personal referral. When it comes to a service-oriented business like insurance, a personal referral is likely to be far more informative than an Internet ad.
For many more hints and ideas about personal finance, please go to the Summer Heat edition of the Festival of Under 30 Finances: http://www.financeispersonal.com/2007/06/festival-of-under-30-finances-summer.html.
For more shopping hints, please go to the 17th Carnival of Shopping at www.become.com/pocketchange/2007/06/carnival_of_shopping_17.html.
Animal News: Parrots invade New Jersey. http://www.nbc4.com/slideshow/news/13460504/detail.html.
So, we'll be stuck for a while with our current patchwork, crazy quilt, easy-to-slip-through-the cracks system. A major health problem can really mess up your life. A major uninsured health problem can force you into bankruptcy as well--more than any other reason, medical expenses are the cause of personal bankruptcies. So, how do you find health insurance coverage?
1. Hold onto what you have. If you're covered under a group health insurance plan, and are going lose coverage (e.g., because of a layoff), use your COBRA rights to stay insured. Under COBRA (a federal program), you have to pay the full cost of your continued coverage, but you remain insured for up to 18 months. COBRA lets you stay covered while you look for another job. Also, if you have a spouse, find out if you can be brought under your spouse's plan or policy.
2. Get information from your state government. At the federal level, health insurance has been mostly the subject of endless windbaggery. At the state level, there's been quite of bit of action, and your state government could be a valuable resource. Many states have programs to insure those that can't find coverage anywhere else. All states at least provide information to their residents. An easy way to tap into your state's resources is to go to www.healthinsuranceinfo.net. This is a website maintained by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, and provides a brochure for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The brochure will give you information about your options, including any state program to help people who otherwise can't find coverage. Also, this website has a list of the states that have "high risk pools" (i.e., programs to help people who may otherwise be uninsurable).
If you think you're eligible for Medicare, you may be able to find assistance with Medicare questions through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (www.shiptalk.org). To find a counselor, you connect through this website to the office for your state.
3. Contact a health insurance assistance program. There are a variety of programs at the state and regional level that might be able to help you. You can find the ones in your state by going to the program locator provided by an organization called FamiliesUSA (www.familiesusa.org/resources/program-locator/.
4. Contact a professional association or union. If you belong to a professional association or union, you may be able to buy health insurance through the organization. This is often the case with professional associations (such as bar associations for lawyers). Unions generally try to negotiate insurance coverage through the employer. But that isn't universally the case. Some unions may offer health insurance for members meeting certain conditions (e.g., Actors Equity, the union for actors).
5. Contact the big health plans. Large, well-established health plans often sell individual policies. Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente are well-known plans where you could start. A quick read of the Yellow Pages or a search on the Internet will give you the names of other plans you could contact. Individual policies will be more expensive than group policies, and there may be exclusions or limitations that you wouldn't find in group policies. But they are better than nothing.
6. Talk to a health insurance agent. You can consult a health insurance agent. Plenty of them are listed in the Internet. But it may best to find one the old fashioned way, through a personal referral. When it comes to a service-oriented business like insurance, a personal referral is likely to be far more informative than an Internet ad.
For many more hints and ideas about personal finance, please go to the Summer Heat edition of the Festival of Under 30 Finances: http://www.financeispersonal.com/2007/06/festival-of-under-30-finances-summer.html.
For more shopping hints, please go to the 17th Carnival of Shopping at www.become.com/pocketchange/2007/06/carnival_of_shopping_17.html.
Animal News: Parrots invade New Jersey. http://www.nbc4.com/slideshow/news/13460504/detail.html.
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