Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has unveiled a new insurance plan tailored for young adults, which will cost them less than $100 monthly. Called the Young Adult Blue Max plan, the goal is to provide coverage for those between the ages of 19 and 30. The plan offers medical, dental and vision coverage. Preventative care and services are included in the plan. The insurer is claiming that their new coverage plan will prove especially beneficial for young adults striking out on their own. Whether they are starting a career…
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California health insurer holds off on rate increase
WellPoint Inc., one of the nation’s top health insurers based in California, announced earlier this year that it would be raising premiums on individual policies by 16.4%. After increased pressure from state legislators and insurance commissioner Dave Jones, however, the insurer has proposed a new increase of no more than 9.8%. Furthermore, the company has heeded Jones’ call for delays on rate hikes and has announced that the increases will not take effect until July. According to Jones, the rate increases will affect more than 600,000 policyholders in the state.…
Read MoreNew health insurance survey reveals an alarming rate of uninsured Americans
A new health insurance survey shows that more than 9 million adults lost their health insurance coverage due to job loss in 2010. The Commonwealth Fund 2010 Biennial Health Insurance Survey, which was released Wednesday, estimates that 57% of people in the country become uninsured because of the recession. It paints a grim picture for millions of families reporting who have been stricken by job loss. The ailing economy had made it difficult to find work, particularly employment that offers benefits. Despite a recovering economic climate, families are still at…
Read MoreSteps towards health care reform insurance exchange programs
The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $241 million to seven states to help fund their design and implementation of insurance exchanges. Awarded to “Early Innovator” states, the money will help establish the infrastructure needed to operate the exchanges. The HHS is encouraging that others follow the example set by these states when they begin building their own exchanges. The seven states, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin, will share the funds – larger states will receive more than smaller states. They were selected based…
Read MoreCalifornia insurers are not required to include maternity coverage in health plans
Residents that purchase individual health insurance are left with little options if they wish to have something as basic as maternity coverage. Due to California law, insurers can make this coverage optional, narrowing the market to only a few high priced plans within major insurer’s portfolios. In fact, you could be paying on average 30 to 40% higher rates than plans that exclude maternity. The majority of consumers affected by these higher costs are usually self employed and are left with no other choice but to pick high deductible plans.…
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