June 18, 2006

Instant Miami Health Insurance Quotes

Instant Miami Health Insurance Quotes

I have been getting a lot of emails specifically about health insurance in Miami, so I put a Miami Health Insurance page on the main website. Here you’ll find health plan descriptions, types, and company recommendations for health care coverage in Miami-Dade county.

Click here to read the article: Instant Miami Health Insurance Quotes

June 8, 2006

GAO: High-deductible insurance on rise

Health Savings Accounts are becoming more popular as people try to lower their medical insurance premiums.

According to the government accountability office the number of people opting for high deductible health plans increased from 3 million in January 2005 to more than 6 million in January 2006.

High deductible medical insurance plans offer significantly lower healthcare premiums and when coupled with a Health Savings Account offer the consumer additional tax deductions. The increased popularity of Health Savings Accounts can be attributed the rising cost of healthcare coverage.

The trick to finding the best health insurance policy is to find the balance between your risk exposure and your monthly premium. Don’t be afraid of a high deductible medical insurance plan. If you want cheap health insurance, health savings accounts are the way to go.

This is especially true if you are looking for medical insurance in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, where medical insurance premiums tend to higher than the rest of Florida.

You can read the full BusinessWeek article here: GAO: High-deductible insurance on rise

April 25, 2006

What does the Health Insurance Company Consider an Emergency?

For Florida Residents: Legislation Effective 7/1/2004

Direction on appropriate utilization of emergency services and alternative urgent care services. Choosing the Right Health Care Setting:
Emergency Room, Urgent Care and Clinical Care

Emergency Rooms

When you or a loved one is hurt, you want the best care. Deciding where to go isn’t always easy. You may be tempted to go to the emergency room (ER). But, this may not be the best choice. At the ER, true emergencies are treated first. Other cases must wait–sometimes for hours. And, it may cost you more.

Go to the ER for:

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Large open wounds
  • Chest pain
  • Sudden weakness or trouble talking
  • Major burns
  • Spinal injuries
  • Severe head injury
  • Difficulty breathing

Of course, each case is unique. If a situation seems life-threatening, take action. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Urgent Care

Sometimes, you may need care fast. But, a trip to the ER may be unnecessary. You may want to try an urgent care center. They can treat many minor ailments. Chances are, you won’t have to wait as long as at the ER. You may pay less, too.
An urgent care center can help with:

  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Minor broken bones
  • Mild asthma attacks
  • Minor infections
  • Small cuts
  • Sore throats
  • Rashes
  • Clinical Care

If it’s not urgent, it’s usually best to go to your own doctor’s office. Your doctor knows you and your health history. He or she can access your medical records. And, he or she can provide follow-up care or refer you to specialists.
For more information, visit
www.floridahealthstat.com.

March 19, 2006

A 401(k) for Health Care Costs

A 401(k) for Health Care Costs

Brief:

More employers are starting to offer their employees Health Savings Accounts as an option for their health care coverage. Since the HSA’s can only be obtained with High Deductible Heatlh Plans premiums are much lower. Employers can then take a portion of the premium savings and add it to the employee’s Health Savings Account.

If the Employee incurs any qualified medical they can pay for them out of the Health Savings Account. If the money is not used it is rolled over and accrues interest on a tax deferred basis.

Consumer driven health insurance plans like HSA’s aim to transfer cost-managing responsibility to the health care consumers themselves.

Many of Florida’s (and the rest of the the U.S.) best health insurance companies offer HSA’s - Health Savings Accounts to both groups and individuals. Humana, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Golden Rule, Time, Assurant Health, United Healthcare, just to name a few.

You can read the full article here.

March 13, 2006

A Health Insurance Dilemma

A Health Insurance Dilemma

Brief:

This is another example of how Health Savings Acounts - HSA’s can drastically lower the cost of health care coverage.

The article also offers helpful tips on how to encourage employees to participate.

You can read the full article here.

March 11, 2006

Women Business Owners Legislative Concerns Outlined

Women Business Owners Legislative Concerns Outlined

Brief:

Small business organizations representing women owned businesses cite affordable health care as primary concern.

Affordable health insurance, was among the top legislative issues that women owned busiinesses and small business organizations would like to see addressed in Congress.

These groups are caling for the expansion of Association Health Plans. Other issues are Health Savings Accounts - HSA’s and additional tax credits for small businesses offering health insurance to their employees.

You can read the full article here.

March 10, 2006

Number of Health Savings Accounts Increases

Number of Health Savings Accounts Increases

Brief:

Recent studies show that more employers, employees are taking advantage of the HSA healthcare option.

More than a million Americans now trust their healthcare to low health insurance premium, high deductible health plans. These are known as Health Savings Accounts - HSA’s.

Both the National Federation of Independant Business (NFIB) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) stand behind them as a way to pull back the reins on soaring healthcare costs.

You can read the full article here.

March 8, 2006

Cut Your Health Care Costs Now

Cut Your Health Care Costs Now

Brief:

This is one of those articles that you need to read!

Nine ways to lower health insurance premiums.

  1. Shop Around for Health Insurance- even in good years
  2. Consider Health Savings Accounts
  3. Find a broker (like me) who works FOR YOU
  4. Tweak the finer points of your health insurance plan - consider higher deductibles
  5. Careful who you are covering
  6. Be your own insurer - get a high deductible plan
  7. Jump in the pool
  8. Outsource it
  9. GET HEALTHY

You can read the full article here.

March 7, 2006

Effect of State Regulations on Health Insurance Premiums

The Heritage Foundation

Brief:

This is a rather lengthy (and kind of boring) article on the effects state regulations have on health insurance premiums.

Fact is that increased legislation results in increased health insurance premiums.

States that require health insurance to be guaranteed issue have health insurance premiums that are twice as much as those states that don’t. This means that healthy people are subsidizing the unhealthy people.

See for yourself this link will take you to the New York Department of Insurance website.

Get Healthy and Stay Healthy if you want lower health insurance premiums.

You can read the full article here.

March 5, 2006

Record Share Of Economy Is Spent on Health Care

Record Share Of Economy Is Spent on Health Care

Brief:

Health care costs have risen to the point that they now consume 16% of the nations economic output. Doctor and hospital spending has increased considerably, and drug costs are increasing at their slowest rate in 10 years.

Overall health care costs have doubled from 1993 to 2004. The nation spent almost $140 billion MORE for health care in 2004 than 2003.

You can read the full article here.