Those without insurance are at a heightened risk of being unable to pay for medical treatment that could save their lives. In years past, the issue has been well documented but few lawmakers have made moves to find a solution. The Affordable Care Act was meant to remedy the problem by expanding people’s access to insurance coverage. However, in Palm Beach County, Florida, the County Commission is calling for more aggressive action to be taken to ensure that state residents have access to the coverage they need. This week, the…
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The cost of health insurance for low income families
Although the Affordable Healthcare for America Act by the Obama administration was created in order to make certain that a larger number of Americans will have access to health insurance, many are finding that the premiums are still too costly to be able to afford them. The Act has already gone through some significant improvements since its first creation, especially in terms of Medicare, as it has assisted in lowering those costs. That said, many Americans are still struggling to afford their current health insurance rates or remain without any…
Read MoreMichigan Supreme Court rules in favor of insurance company denying coverage for stem cell surgery
Stem cell research is a controversial issue. While the issue is primarily comprised of its uses in medicine, the controversy extends well into the insurance industry. As new methods of treatment emerge, insurance companies must weigh the risks involved with such treatments and what implications could be made to their policies. Most insurers cringe away from covering medical procedures that have a limited history of use, arguing that the risks involved with such things as stem cell surgeries are immeasurable. The fears insurers harbor over the issue may have been…
Read MoreHealth insurance rates dropping in light of health care reform
In a strange twist of fate, more health insurance companies are making requests to reduce their premiums. This comes in stark contrast of the trend that has been dominant in previous months where major health insurers sought to increase rates exponentially. Several small companies have been lowering their rates, but big companies are following suit, some seeking permission from insurance regulators to reduce their premiums by as much as 20%. While this move may seem uncharacteristic for the industry, some experts are saying that it is not as altruistic as…
Read MoreOregon’s low cost health insurer takes a rate hike
Last week, Oregon-based Regence Blue Cross Blue shield was called upon to answer concerns from regulators regarding proposed rate increase of 22%. The state’s Insurance Division hosted the public meeting, the first of its kind in more than two decades. 200 Oregon residents attended the meeting to hear firsthand the rationalization behind the rate change proposal. They were also given the opportunity to make comment and question company officials regarding the issue. Regence provides insurance customers to 12% of the state’s population. The insurer often provides affordable coverage for those…
Read MoreExemption request from mandatory health insurance for health care workers
One of the more controversial provisions in the new health care reform law is that U.S. citizens will be required to have some form of health insurance coverage. While the federal government seeks to make this possible through the establishment of health insurance exchanges throughout the country, the fact remains that insurance is expensive. Currently, many citizens receive coverage through their employers, but not every company continues to offer such benefits. Those that do not have these benefits are left to come up with a solution on their own. It…
Read MoreInsurance statistics for 2011 look grim
According to a recent survey, a large percent of the 50 million people in the U.S. who are uninsured, have practically no savings. On the average, families with no insurance can only afford to pay off about 12 percent of their total hospital bill. The uncompensated cost of care (health care the uninsured can’t pay) is more than 70 billion dollars a year. Another survey shows that last year 75 million adults did not get health care they needed; they skipped doctor appointments, went without prescription medication, didn’t go to…
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