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…
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Uncertain future for health insurance brokers
A growing number of insurance brokers are concerned for their livelihoods in light of the new health care reform law passed last year. They are urging Congress and state legislators to establish protections that will guarantee agents a role in the emerging online marketplaces that will accompany state health insurance exchange programs. The exchanges are a mandatory provision of the Affordable Care Act and each state must establish their own exchange by 2014. “The brokers are nervous,” said Sabrina Corlette, a professor at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute who has…
Read MoreNebraska health insurance debate underway
Tuesday marked the beginning of debates in Nebraska regarding a bill that would ban private insurers from cover the cost of abortions unless customers purchased a separate policy. One of the provisions of the bill would limit insurance coverage of abortions that would have been covered from policies offered by insurance exchange programs. The bill was introduced by Senator Beau McCoy and lawmakers will be debating the proposal for some time. Though abortions would be permitted to preserve the life of the mother, no exceptions are made for instances of…
Read MoreCalifornia health insurance deadline quickly approaching for open enrollment
March 1st marks the deadline for open enrollment for health insurance that would cover children with pre-existing conditions in California. Parents are being urged to sign up for coverage before its too late or run the risk of higher health insurance rates. It is estimated that in California more than 1.1 million people under the age of 25 are diagnosed with pre-existing medical conditions which may seriously inhibit their ability to obtain adequate coverage. Parents who miss the deadline stand to face paying as much as 20% more for coverage.…
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…
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