by Admin. | Mar 29, 2012 | Health Care Reform, individual health insurance, Obamacare
The same analogy would hold true with auto insurance where only the risky drivers would only participate making it impossible to afford coverage. Just imagine buying a health plan on the way to the hospital? Coining this as "ambulance-care" would be more fitting than "ObamaCare".
After 3 days of Health Care Reform Supreme Court Hearings, a central components debated is the constitutionality of forcing an individual to purchase health insurance. Certainly it would be costly if one could just opt out at any time and then come back in you would be left with a high risk pool.
The same analogy would hold true with auto insurance where only the risky drivers would only participate making it impossible to afford coverage. Just imagine buying a health plan on the way to the hospital? Coining this alternative as “ambulance-care” would be more fitting than “ObamaCare”.
Of course there are Individual Mandate penalties. So how does the penalty work?
In 2014, the penalty for being without health insurance is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child (up to $285 for a family) or 1.0% of family income, whichever is greater.
In 2015, the penalty for being without health insurance is $325 per adult and $162.50 per child (up to $975 for a family) or 2.0% of family income, whichever is greater.
In 2016, the penalty for being without health insurance is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child (up to $2,085 for a family) or 2.5% of family income, whichever is greater.
As of now, there are no known method to enforcing the penalty if you don’t buy insurance and you don’t pay the penalty. In fact, the law specifically states that no criminal action or liens can be imposed on you but I am certain that will change. I would also think that if a large numbers of people continue to choose not to enroll and the cost of premiums increase, the chance to revise the low penalties and increased enforcement are inevitable.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruling set for June is worth watching but only for legal wonks. With average health insurance single rates costing $600/month wouldnt you pay the penalty and just opt out?
by Admin. | Aug 7, 2009 | COBRA, Dependent Coverage, family health insurance, group health insurance, individual health insurance, latest health insurance news, NY News
As expected, Governor David Paterson has signed 3 of his healthcare reform proposals into law, to wit:
S.5471 (Breslin) / A.8400 (Peoples) – extends state mini-COBRA from 18 to 36 months. Effective date is July 1, 2009 and shall apply to all policies and contracts of insurance issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such date.
S.6030 (Breslin) / A.9038 (Morelle) – allows for dependent care coverage of children up to 29 years of age. Effective date is September 1, 2009 and shall apply to all policies and contracts of insurance issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such date.
S.5472-A (Breslin) / A.8402-A (Morelle) – HMO reform act. Various effective dates depending upon the specific provision of the bill.
Here’s a link to the Governor’s Press Release announcing the same:
Article in Newsday – “New state law eases medical coverage for 20-somethings”
by Admin. | Sep 2, 2008 | family health insurance, group health insurance, individual health insurance, latest health insurance news
JD Power and Associates Ranks U.S. Health Insurance Companies
. Tags: Arizona, Benefits, BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, Coverage, Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, Health Insurance Companies, Health Insurance Study, Health Plans, Humana of Ohio, Humana of Texas, Insurance Study, JD Power and Associates, Kaiser Health Plan of California, Kaiser Health Plan of Colorado, National Health Insurance Plans, Utah, Wellmark BlueCross BlueShield of Iowa.
Always an advocate for business and consumers alike, JD Power and Associates has administered an insurance study for the last two years. The study measures member satisfaction among 107 health plans in 17 regions across the United States. They focus on seven key areas: coverage and benefits; choice of doctors; hospitals and pharmacies; information and communication; approval processes; claims processing; insurance statements; and customer service.
The 2008 National Health Insurance Plan Study included responses from over 37,000 members of large commercial health plans. To be included in the study, plans had to contain at least 250,000 members across all commercial products, excluding Medicare and Medicaid. They were ranked on 1,000-point scale.
And the winners are…
* Arizona and Utah region: BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, 763 points
* California Region: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of California, 755 points
* Colorado Region: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado, 748 points
* East South Central Region: BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, 759 points
* Florida Region: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, 751 points
* Heartland Region: Wellmark BlueCross BlueShield of Iowa, 742 points
* Illinois and Indiana Region: BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, 729 points
* Michigan Region: Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, 772 points
* Minnesota and Wisconsin Region: HealthPartners, 768 points
* New England Region: Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of Connecticut, 772 points
* New York and New Jersey Region: United Healthcare (New Jersey/New York), 749 points
* Northwest Region: Group Health Cooperative, 778 points
* Ohio Region: Humana of Ohio, 748 points
* Pennsylvania and Delaware Region: Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, 784 points (** Highest score across all regions**)
* South Atlantic Region: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, 746 points
* Texas Region: Humana of Texas, 753 points
* Virginia and Maryland Region: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, 740 points
For more information on the JD Power and Associates Health Insurance Study, view their Press Release.
