Who Else Knows About Your Medical Conditions?

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Many Ohio health insurance consumers are not aware that there are many insurance-related businesses that collect and provide medical information to health insurance companies about an individual’s health conditions and usage of prescription drugs.

Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) Director Mary Jo Hudson is recommending Ohio consumers should verify the accuracy of any health information collected by these companies.

Ohio life and health insurers routinely request medical information on applicants while underwriting a policy. Often, medical information from prior applications on the same person is used to possibly verify or confirm information.

For example, when an insurer takes an application for health insurance, the insurer may submit certain personal identifying information to one of these insurance support organizations to find out if any other insurer has had the same applicant. If the insurance support organization does have a “match,” the information is sent to the insurer, using certain codes. The insurer receiving the coded information can then question the applicant further about any undisclosed health information.

Under Ohio law, you are entitled to view and correct your personal information. You may view and copy the information in person, or have it mailed directly to you.

The complete article from the ODI can be found here.

For additional information regarding Ohio health insurance, please visit Ohioquotes.com, the premier authority in Ohio for Ohio health insurance. Instantly, you can view, compare and apply for high quality Ohio health insurance plans.

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Ohio Health Insurance Rates…Some Helpful Hints

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Ohio health insurance rates are quite affordable…especially if your employer is paying the premiums. However, if you’re self-employed or are paying your health care premiums yourself, they may not seem so affordable.

Consumers can reduce their Ohio health insurance rates by following some simple guidelines. Ohioquotes.com, the premier resource for Ohio health insurance plans, provides these rate-saving tips:

·        If you’re relatively healthy, always consider raising your catastrophic deductibles. The savings could easily be thousands of dollars per year.

·        Never buy an Ohio health insurance policy from an out-of state broker. They may recommend the wrong plan, and are quite likely to be unfamiliar with all of the available Ohio health care plans.

·        If any broker attempts to charge you an “application fee” or processing fee,” run away fast! The lone exception is some Ohio short-term policies.

·        If your rates have increased each of the last three years, it might be a good time to compare plans. Current Ohio health insurance rates may be less than the premium your older policy is costing you.

·        Consider an Ohio Health Savings Account (HSA). In addition to tax deductions, the savings in premiums can be deposited into a side account that pays current expenses. Potentially, you could save thousands of dollars.

·        Eliminate unneeded coverages. If you rarely visit a physician and there are no children on the policy, consider eliminating the coverage if the savings is substantial.

·        Let us review your current coverages. It’s possible there are some available discounts you’re not aware of. Also…simple “fine-tuning” instead of changing an existing plan might provide some premium savings.

Ohio health insurance rates don’t have to be high. For a free policy review, please call or email us. For an instant Ohio quote, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

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Hazardous Health Insurance Plans

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Many consumers assume they have quality health care. But they don’t realize that their policy has substantial gaps in coverage, with limits and loopholes that were not adequately disclosed.

 Consumer Reports published their “Seven Signs A Health Plan Might Be Junk.” They recommend avoiding plans with these features:

·        Limited benefits

·        Low overall coverage limits

·        Bargain premiums

·        Little or no coverage for the important items

·        Ceilings on categories of care

·        Random “gotchas”

The entire article can be found here.

Here’s some good news: Ohioquotes.com NEVER uses any type of “discount” plan. As Ohio’s premier resource for Ohio health insurance plans, we are extremely particular when researching and recommending coverage. Only the highest quality policies are considered.

For an instant Ohio health insurance quote, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

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What Do You Do If You Lose Your Job?

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

If you live in Ohio and have recently lost your job…you’re not alone. The state has lost more than 260,000 jobs since 2000, about 5 percent of all jobs. The hardest hit areas have been Trumbull County, losing 20.5 percent of its jobs, and Montgomery County, losing 14.1% of its jobs.

President Barack Obama’s health care ideas are now facing delay, when Tom Daschle, who was chosen to head the initiative, suddenly withdrew his nomination for the health secretary position. Health care reform has taken a back seat to more important matters…such as the failing economy and helping auto manufacturers and some financial institutions.

If you find yourself out of a job, between jobs, or your employer is reducing your hours, your health insurance may be affected.  In many cases, your current coverage extends for a few months (or less), and then the search for an affordable Ohio health insurance plan begins. But there are many affordable options, including those persons with serious health conditions.

Cobra is one option. Under this program, Ohio workers laid off from companies with 20 or more employees can extend their employee-provided health insurance for 18 months. Of course…premiums are often extremely expensive. And with the current recession and no end in sight, Cobra’s premiums are not a viable health insurance option for many Ohioians.

However, if you have no significant medical issues, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease, you may qualify for an individual Ohio health insurance policy. The application process is simple and physicals are rarely required. The most popular Ohio companies are Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthCare, Medical Mutual, Humana and Aetna.

For example, in Franklin County, a nonsmoking family of four (Parents-Age 40 & Children-Ages 8 & 10), with no medical issues, can buy a “catastrophic health” plan for about $140 per month. A “comprehensive” plan, which offers many more coverages, would cost between $250 and $330 per month, depending on the major medical deductible.

 Naturally, rates will be substantially less if only one person is insured. Also, existing medical conditions can raise the rate. With your own policy, your coverage is portable, so you may keep the policy as long as you want. Also…with individual coverage, unlike group coverage, your rate is not affected by a large amount of unhealthy persons in the group.

Ohioquotes.com offers free quote comparisons and you never pay any fees for using our website. Feel free to contact us or use the quote engine which gives you instant rates.

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Online Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Did you really go online and request an Ohio health insurance quote? Well…let me guess what happened. You received 26 phone calls the first day, and about 15 calls every day for two weeks. If you went on multiple websites, you may still be getting calls!

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Ohio Health Insurance Plans…UnitedHealthCare”s “Copay Select”

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

UnitedHealthcare’s  most comprehensive Ohio copay policy is the “Copay Select” contract. It features a  $35 copay on covered office visits with an optional $25 copay. There is no maximum limit on the number of allowable visits. UnitedHealthcare Ohio health insurance rates are generally extremely competitive when compared to the other large insurance carriers.

Prescriptions are included, and like most companies, feature a “Tier” system. For example, “Tier 1″ drugs have a $15 copay while other drugs will have a higher out-of-pocket expense.

Child and adult preventative care benefits are provided at 100% coverage with no deductible or waiting period. Some of the covered benefits include annual physicals, wellness checks, mammograms and Pap tests.

Overall, UnitedHealthCare’s  “Copay Select”  Plan  is one of the most popular plans in the state. Rates are extremely competitive, especially in the Dayton and Columbus areas. A wide range of major medical deductibles is available, ranging from $500 to $10,000. The $7,500 and $5,000 deductibles are commonly used to lower premiums.

Aetna”s PPO 2500 plan is similar, but is typically more expensive in most parts of the state. Medical Mutual”s  SuperMedOne policy is also very competitively priced in the Ohio Health Insurance market. Coverages are comparable and like UnitedHealthcare, Medical Mutual has a large network of providers.

To easily view, compare and apply for an Ohio medical insurance plan, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page. We will not share your personal information.

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Ohio Health Insurance Premiums…Going Up

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Escalating health insurance premiums for Ohio workers have outstripped pay increases since 2000, growing at a rate nearly nine times as fast as wages.

 

 

The average cost to workers for a family insurance plan grew more than 80 percent from 2000 to 2007. Wages during the same time rose just 8.9 percent, according to a study by Families USA.

The nonprofit national health advocacy organization analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the study.

 

Good News

 

The good news, is that Ohio individual health insurance rates, when compared to other states, are still low.

Of course, there are still many Ohio residents without medical coverage. A solid majority of Ohioans feel so strongly that all Americans should have health care that they are willing to experience some pain themselves — in the wallet.

Fifty-six percent in a Columbus Dispatch Poll say expanded health care accompanied by higher taxes is preferable to lower taxes with fewer people covered.

 

Health Care Spending

 

At an estimated $2.4 trillion this year, costs of the U.S. health-care industry have doubled in the last decade, increasing scrutiny and demands for efficiency in both the private and public sectors. Total spending on health care could increase from 16 percent of the gross domestic product last year to a quarter in 2025 — and nearly a half by 2082, predicts the Congressional Budget Office.

Affordable Ohio health insurance plans are still available. The premier source for Ohio health insurance quotes is still http://www.ohioquotes.com

 

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Ohio Health Insurance Plans (Health Savings Accounts)

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

What is a Health Savings Account (“HSA”)?

A Health Savings Account is an alternative to traditional health insurance; it is a savings product that offers a alternative way for consumers to pay for their health care. HSAs enable you to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.

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You must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to be able to take advantage of HSAs. An HDHP generally costs less than what traditional health care coverage costs, so the money that you save on insurance can therefore be put into the Health Savings Account.

Many Ohio insurance companies offer HSAs.  Anthem and UnitedHealthCare may be the best options while Medical Mutual and Aetna are also companies to consider.

What Is a “High Deductible Health Plan” (HDHP)?
You must have an HDHP if you want to open an HSA. Sometimes referred to as a “catastrophic” health insurance plan, an HDHP is an inexpensive health insurance plan that generally doesn’t pay for the first several thousand dollars of health care expenses  (i.e., your “deductible”) but will generally cover you after that .  Of course, your HSA is available to help  pay for the expenses your plan does not cover. A wide range of deductibles is available…generally between $1500 and $10,000.

How can I get a Health Savings Account?

Ohio residents can visit http://www.ohioquotes.com for an instant free quote. Out-of-state residents can visit http://www.majormedicalhealth.com. These are two of the most comprehensive health insurance websites available to the public. And yes…I am a bit biased!

How much does an HSA cost?
An HSA is not something you purchase; it’s a savings account into which you can deposit money on a tax-preferred basis.  The only product you purchase with an HSA is a High Deductible Health Plan, an inexpensive plan that will cover you should your medical expenses exceed the funds you have in your HSA. The two websites listed in the prior paragraph will provide you with immediate rates.

November 2011 Update- HSAs are still popular. Medical Mutual, Anthem and UnitedHealthCare are still the best options here in Ohio.

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Affordable Ohio Health Insurance Policies

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

In my 29 years as a health insurance broker, I have viewed, and subsequently recommended many health insurance plans. Each situation is different and, obviously, affordability issues play a big part in the decision-making process.

However, there are many available health insurance plans that are quite affordable, compared to other options. For this example, I am basing the rates on a healthy nonsmoking 35-year old male living in the Columbus area. Premiums provided are monthly…

$42  Aetna Preventive and Hospital Care 3000 ($3000 Ded.)

$47  Anthem Blue Access Value ($5000 Ded.)

$52  Anthem Lumenos HSA ($5000 Ded.)

$55  Anthem Blue Access Value ($3000 Ded.)

$63  Anthem Blue Access Value ($2000 Ded.)

$65  Aetna PPO 5000 ($5000 Ded.)

$77 Medical Mutual Standard 2500 ($2500 Ded.)

All of these policies offer some level of office visit coverage without having to meet a deducible. Naturally, pre-existing conditions may increase the rate.

To instantly view your current Ohio health insurance rates, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.

UPDATE October 2011. I deleted an Aetna and Anthem plan since they are no longer offered. Also…under national health care reform, preventive benefits are now covered at 100% on most plans. And of course, the rates that you see in this blog post are a few years old so rates have increased. Not too much, though. You can still click on the “Get Instant Quote” button and you”ll view current rates and plans.

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A Very Unusual Top-10 List

Original post from: Ohio Health Insurance Quotes

Of course…you”re familiar with the major health insurance companies. Anthem, UnitedHealthCare, Aetna, Humana, Medical Mutual etc… And of course, all are reputable companies. However, there are some companies that you should never consider for your health coverage.

Here”s my silly Top-10 list of companies to run away from…fast!

10.  United Asbestos Removers Insurance Company

9.   Blue Cross Red Ink Insurance Company

8.   Smokers Only Insurance Company

7.   Nigerian Lottery Winner Insurance Company

6.   Farm Animal and Reptile Insurance Company

5.   Claim Denial Experts Insurance Company

4.   Chapter 7, 11 and 13 Insurance Company

3.   Power Eaters Anonymous Insurance Company

2.   Ohio River Sludge Fund Insurance Company

And…the Number one Company to run away from fast…

1.   The Great Rate/No Claim Allowed Insurance Company

UPDATE- 9-17-10. Allow me to add another company!  How about “Madoff Insurance & Investment Company.”

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