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Job-based insurance costs rise again, report shows

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The average cost of job-based health insurance continues to rise, though not as rapidly as about 10 years ago. Reported by Miami Herald 2 hours ago.

Key Group Doesn't Know About Obamacare

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Young adults, especially those with low incomes who will qualify for financial assistance, have poor awareness of health insurance options that will be available under President Barack Obama's health care reform law, according to survey findings published Wednesday that underscore the challenges facing Obamacare.

Just 27 percent of people ages 19 to 29 had heard of the health insurance exchange marketplaces, where people who don't get coverage at work will be able to shop for insurance plans and learn whether they qualify for subsidized benefits, the Commonwealth Fund poll of almost 1,900 people between November 2011 and March 2013 reveals. Awareness was even lower among people who were uninsured during part of the prior year and whose incomes will make them eligible for help, at 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Understanding of the health insurance exchanges and the rest of the law may have improved in the months since the survey as the focus on young adults and health care reform has intensified, said Sara Collins, vice president of affordable health insurance at the Commonwealth Fund and author of the report.

"If you were to ask the question now, you might get a higher share of young adults saying that they're aware of the marketplaces," Collins said. Not only has Obama and his administration emphasized the importance of young adults to the law's success, but states such as Oregon have launched outreach and advertising campaigns targeted toward younger people, she said.

The White House, allied outside groups, states implementing the law and health insurance companies are beginning an aggressive push to target younger people. The Obama administration aims to enroll 7 million people into health insurance via the exchanges for 2014 and calculates 2.7 million of them should be young and healthy to ensure a stable pool of people covered in these plans so that medical costs for sicker people don't overwhelm the system.

The Obama administration needs a substantial number of young adults to sign up for health insurance plans through the state-based exchanges that will begin a six-month enrollment period on Oct. 1 for coverage that takes effect as soon as Jan. 1, according to the Commonwealth Fund report.

"Young adults' participation in the nation’s new insurance marketplaces is essential: as a healthier-than-average population, it allows for comprehensive health plans to be offered at affordable prices to all enrollees over time. However, concern is widespread that young adults will continue to go uninsured, despite the new options available to them under the law," the Commonwealth Fund report says.

The premiums collected from people with lower health care costs will serve to offset the higher medical expenses of older, sicker people. Further complicating the task of persuading young adults to participate is that some will face higher prices than are available on today's health insurance market, which doesn't guarantee benefits on par with Obamacare's and permits insurers to exclude older, sicker people and charge younger healthier people less.

Although some portion of the population of young adults who buy health insurance on their own -- rather than obtain it at work or via a government program like Medicaid -- may face "sticker shock" when they review their options on the health insurance exchanges, many will receive helping paying for their coverage.

Under the law, people who aren't offered affordable health insurance by their employers may choose plans via the exchanges in their states. Anyone earning between the federal poverty level, which is $11,490 for a single person this year, and four times that amount is eligible for tax credits to defray the cost of coverage. In addition, people with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty, or $15,282 for an individual this year, can enroll in Medicaid if they live in the District of Columbia or one of the 23 states expanding the program under Obamacare. The law's individual mandate also requires most people to obtain some form of health coverage.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth Fund reports that 82 percent of the estimated 15.7 million uninsured young adults earn less than four times the poverty level, qualifying them for subsidized coverage.

"With aggressive state and federal efforts to educate young adults about their new insurance options, experience suggests that awareness of, and enrollment in, these new options will climb over time. Affordability will also be critical," the report says. Similar to other recent findings, the survey shows that young adults turn down job-based health benefits more often because of cost than because they believe health insurance isn't necessary.

As evidence that Obamacare can attract enough young people, the Commonwealth Fund cites high levels of enrollment among young adults when Massachusetts implemented a similar program in 2007 and rising numbers of young adults covered by their parents' health plans after 2010, when the health care reform law began requiring insurers to accept adult children until they turn 26. Reported by Huffington Post 1 hour ago.

City health insurance overhaul delayed

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The Bloomberg Administration's plan to overhaul the health insurance program for more than 500,000 city employees and retirees was put on hold for a month yesterday by a Manhattan judge. Supreme Court Justice Melvin Schweitzer extended a temporary restraining order on any actions by City Hall until Sept. 16 when he will conduct a hearing on the issues. Reported by NY Daily News 1 day ago.

Health insurance outpaces earnings

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Workers saw a modest rise in the average cost of employer-sponsored health insurance this year, but they're probably not overwhelmed with relief. Reported by Journal Gazette 1 day ago.

Key Group Doesn't Know About Obamacare

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Young adults, especially those with low incomes who will qualify for financial assistance, have poor awareness of health insurance options that will be available under President Barack Obama's health care reform law, according to survey findings published Wednesday that underscore the challenges facing Obamacare.

Just 27 percent of people ages 19 to 29 had heard of the health insurance exchange marketplaces, where people who don't get coverage at work will be able to shop for insurance plans and learn whether they qualify for subsidized benefits, the Commonwealth Fund poll of almost 1,900 people between November 2011 and March 2013 reveals. Awareness was even lower among people who were uninsured during part of the prior year and whose incomes will make them eligible for help, at 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Understanding of the health insurance exchanges and the rest of the law may have improved in the months since the survey as the focus on young adults and health care reform has intensified, said Sara Collins, vice president of affordable health insurance at the Commonwealth Fund and author of the report.

"If you were to ask the question now, you might get a higher share of young adults saying that they're aware of the marketplaces," Collins said. Not only has Obama and his administration emphasized the importance of young adults to the law's success, but states such as Oregon have launched outreach and advertising campaigns targeted toward younger people, she said.

The White House, allied outside groups, states implementing the law and health insurance companies are beginning an aggressive push to target younger people. The Obama administration aims to enroll 7 million people into health insurance via the exchanges for 2014 and calculates 2.7 million of them should be young and healthy to ensure a stable pool of people covered in these plans so that medical costs for sicker people don't overwhelm the system.

The Obama administration needs a substantial number of young adults to sign up for health insurance plans through the state-based exchanges that will begin a six-month enrollment period on Oct. 1 for coverage that takes effect as soon as Jan. 1, according to the Commonwealth Fund report.

"Young adults' participation in the nation’s new insurance marketplaces is essential: as a healthier-than-average population, it allows for comprehensive health plans to be offered at affordable prices to all enrollees over time. However, concern is widespread that young adults will continue to go uninsured, despite the new options available to them under the law," the Commonwealth Fund report says.

The premiums collected from people with lower health care costs will serve to offset the higher medical expenses of older, sicker people. Further complicating the task of persuading young adults to participate is that some will face higher prices than are available on today's health insurance market, which doesn't guarantee benefits on par with Obamacare's and permits insurers to exclude older, sicker people and charge younger healthier people less.

Although some portion of the population of young adults who buy health insurance on their own -- rather than obtain it at work or via a government program like Medicaid -- may face "sticker shock" when they review their options on the health insurance exchanges, many will receive helping paying for their coverage.

Under the law, people who aren't offered affordable health insurance by their employers may choose plans via the exchanges in their states. Anyone earning between the federal poverty level, which is $11,490 for a single person this year, and four times that amount is eligible for tax credits to defray the cost of coverage. In addition, people with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty, or $15,282 for an individual this year, can enroll in Medicaid if they live in the District of Columbia or one of the 23 states expanding the program under Obamacare. The law's individual mandate also requires most people to obtain some form of health coverage.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth Fund reports that 82 percent of the estimated 15.7 million uninsured young adults earn less than four times the poverty level, qualifying them for subsidized coverage.

"With aggressive state and federal efforts to educate young adults about their new insurance options, experience suggests that awareness of, and enrollment in, these new options will climb over time. Affordability will also be critical," the report says. Similar to other recent findings, the survey shows that young adults turn down job-based health benefits more often because of cost than because they believe health insurance isn't necessary.

As evidence that Obamacare can attract enough young people, the Commonwealth Fund cites high levels of enrollment among young adults when Massachusetts implemented a similar program in 2007 and rising numbers of young adults covered by their parents' health plans after 2010, when the health care reform law began requiring insurers to accept adult children until they turn 26. Reported by Huffington Post 23 hours ago.

Job-based health insurance costs rise in 2013

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For the 14th straight year, the average cost of job-based family health insurance grew faster than overall inflation and employee wages, according to a nationwide survey of more than 2,000 businesses released on Tuesday. Reported by Miami Herald 21 hours ago.

State’s ad blitz promotes health-insurance exchange

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Washington state is beginning a big effort to get the word out about its new online health-insurance exchange that is at the core of Obamacare. It’s targeting ads at the state’s uninsured, with hopes of signing up 130,000 people by year’s end. Reported by Seattle Times 20 hours ago.

Provider-Owned Geisinger Health Plan Selects hCentive's Health Insurance Exchange Integration and Private Exchange Solutions

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RESTON, Va., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- hCentive, the leader in ACA health insurance exchange technology, announced today that it formed a new relationship with Geisinger Health Plan (GHP), a leading health insurance provider, for WebInsure Exchange Manager and WebInsure Private... Reported by PR Newswire 19 hours ago.

Ark. teachers health insurance rate to rise

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Most Arkansas public school teachers are looking at a 50 percent increase in what they pay for health insurance but the governor says some of the price hike could be offset. Reported by Miami Herald 19 hours ago.

UnitedHealthcare sues Paragon Systems for unpaid health insurance premiums

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UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. sued Sterling-based technology company Paragon Systems LLC, claiming that the company owes more than $200,000 in unpaid premiums on group health care and life insurance policies — claims the company denies. Paragon held two UnitedHealthcare policies in 2012 that provided health insurance, life insurance, accidental death, and dismemberment and disability coverage for Paragon employees. According to the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in Alexandria Aug.… Reported by bizjournals 17 hours ago.

UPS cuts health insurance for 15,000 spouses

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UPS is planning to drop nearly half of the 33,000 workers' spouses currently on its health insurance plan. Blame Obamacare, it tells employees. Reported by CNNMoney 12 hours ago.

Vt. to save $10m in new health insurance contract

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Gov. Peter Shumlin says the state of Vermont is going to save $10 million a year by switching the company that manages the health insurance plan for state employees. Reported by Miami Herald 10 hours ago.

UPS to drop health insurance for 15,000 spouses of employees

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Of 33,000 spouses on UPS's health plan, about 15,000 are eligible for coverage through their own employers and won't be covered by UPS starting next year, the company said Reported by NJ.com 4 hours ago.

Getting ready for ObamaCare

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A MARKETPLACE like no other is opening soon. Beginning Oct. 1, people without health insurance can shop for what is promised to be affordable health-care coverage. Reported by philly.com 11 minutes ago.

Health Fair Helps Get Kids Ready for Back to School

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Gulfside Dental is hosting a Back-To-School Health Fair. The free fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 12p.m. to 4p.m. at Parkdale Mall in the sunken court, 6155 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont, Texas.

Beaumont, TX (PRWEB) August 22, 2013

Health Fair Helps Get Kids Ready for Back to School

There can be a lot to do to get ready for a new school year, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Gulfside Dental is hosting a Back-To-School Health Fair. The free fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 12p.m. to 4p.m. at Parkdale Mall in the sunken court, 6155 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont, Texas.

Some of the services offered include:·     Limited Dental Screenings
·     BMI Screening
·     Exercise and Nutritional Counseling
·     Blood Pressure
·     Health Insurance Information
·     School Supply Giveaways

The back to school health fair is designed to help prepare students and their families for a healthy start to the school year. “The goal of our health fair is to provide an opportunity for Golden Triangle to learn how to improve their health while also learning about health services that are available locally,” says Dr. Ashley DeMarco of Gulfside Dental. The health fair will give parents an opportunity to get information on keeping themselves healthy, as well as their children. Attendees can expect to enjoy entertainment, workshops, and games. Lifeshare Blood Center will be set-up to receive blood donations.

Gulfside Dental offers a comprehensive oral health program, including preventative, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry for all ages as young as six months old. Gulfside Dental also specializes in: bridges and implants, extractions, dentures and partials, braces, emergency dental care, Snap-On Smile, LUMINEERS, and ZOOM whitening. Gulfside Dental accepts all major PPO insurances, most HMO Insurances, Medicaid, CHIPS, Texan Plus, HealthSpring, Care Credit, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Gulfside Dental is located at 4179 Dowlen Road in Beaumont, in the Barnes and Noble shopping center, across from Parkdale Mall. For appointments, please call 409-899-4867. Reported by PRWeb 17 minutes ago.

Obama meets with health insurance providers

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President Obama spoke with directors of state-based health insurance marketplaces. Reported by USATODAY.com 20 hours ago.

Kaiser Study: Health Insurance Costs Still Eclipsing Wage, Inflation Growth

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Annual premiums for the average American family's employer-sponsored health insurance now exceed $16,000 for the first time, and workers pay an average of $4,565 toward meeting that cost, not counting co-payments and deductibles, a new survey reveals. Reported by Newsmax 19 hours ago.

Health Partners America Publishes New Whitepaper About the Role of Agents, Brokers, and Web-Brokers in Health Insurance Marketplaces.

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Health Partners America announces the release of its new white paper about the Role of Agents, Brokers, and Web-Brokers in Health Insurance Marketplaces. This nine-page document outlines the three ways brokers will be able to enroll consumers in Marketplace plans, which allow individuals to apply for a premium tax credit: issuer-based pathway, marketplace pathway, and web-brokers.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (PRWEB) August 22, 2013

August 21, 2013 – Health Partners America (http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com), an innovative technology and solution provider that focuses on equipping brokers with the technology, tools, and training to address America’s health care crisis, announces the release of its new white paper about the Role of Agents, Brokers, and Web-Brokers in Health Insurance Marketplaces. This nine-page document outlines the three ways brokers will be able to enroll consumers in Marketplace plans, which allow individuals to apply for a premium tax credit: issuer-based pathway, marketplace pathway, and web-brokers. The white paper also reiterates that each of these options permits brokers to assist their clients throughout the year with adds, deletes, and other service issues.

There is much confusion and misinformation in the market place; however, Health Partners America is dedicated to helping the agent community understand that there is definitely a role for agents in the government exchanges. In Federally-facilitated marketplaces, including State-Partnership Marketplaces, brokers will be paid by the carrier, just as they are today, and the commission will be the same for plans sold through the exchange and similar plans sold in the outside market.

“At Health Partners America we feel the trusted and appropriate relationship between the employee with the employer, and the employer with their broker is the right value chain to address the sweeping changes and mandates of the ACA," says Mel Blackwell, CEO of Health Partners America. “The broker is vital. The same valued and trusted relationship chain exists for association members, their association, and their broker as well. Therefore, Health Partners America is loyal to and passionate about the broker community, and we pour our technology, tools and training into supporting brokers who will appropriately and optimally support employers and other trusted entities to address the unique needs of their respective employees and members. We feel this is a unique approach, and one that has already proven to be very sound.”

To download your free copy of The Role of Agents, Brokers, and Web-brokers in Health Insurance Marketplaces please click here.

To learn more about America’s most broker- focused and broker- friendly private exchange, please join HPA for a free webinar.

About Health Partners America
Founded in 2007, Health Partners America provides insurance brokers with the tools, training and technology to help businesses deliver quality health coverage using affordable solutions. The company offers the industry’s first broker-friendly private health insurance exchange, defined contribution plan training, insurance training and workshops. Company representatives share their thought leadership at various business industry events.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or schedule an interview with Josh Hilgers, please call Lewis Fein at 310-746-7771 or visit http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.

Young adults want health insurance, poll says

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Only about one-fourth of young adults are aware of the health insurance "marketplaces" that are due to open this fall under Obamacare, and millions are likely to remain uninsured, even though a new survey finds that they would like to be covered. Reported by KansasCity.com 17 hours ago.

ObamaCare Will Make My Health Insurance Illegal

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ObamaCare Will Make My Health Insurance Illegal The greatest lie told during the ObamaCare debate was President Obama's often repeated "if you like your health plan, you can keep it." It was meant to reassure the tens of millions of Americans who already have health insurance that the new federal mandate wouldn't negatively impact their lives. Again, it was a lie. My own health insurance coverage will become illegal next year. 

I buy health insurance in the individual market. I currently have a plan with a $10,000 annual deductible, meaning I'm generally liable for that amount of medical costs in a year, after which insurance kicks in to cover the tab. The plan provides for routine check-ups and doctor visits with a modest co-pay. I pay around $200 a month for the plan. 

Next year, I won't have that option. New ObamaCare regulations mandate that my deductible can't be more than $2,000 and that my out-of-pocket medical costs can't exceed $6,350. (Enforcement of the cap on out-of-pocket costs is being delayed for one year, but plans will still be adjusting for it.) This will no doubt cause a dramatic increase in my monthly premiums. 

What I have now is insurance. I pay a modest amount each month to protect myself financially in case I have a serious medical emergency. ObamaCare, by contrast, is designed to be a payment plan for health care. It seeks to control the amount people pay, as well as which procedures cost the patient money and which are "free." Birth control, for example, must be provided at no cost to the patient. Just...because. 

I have no need for birth control. Yet, my premiums will be based on the presumption that not only do I want brith control, but also that I'm unwilling to pay for it.

So, although I'm currently happy with my health insurance, next year I will have to pay more for a plan I don't want. I can adjust to the higher premium payments. Many Americans, however, will face more radical changes to their coverage. 

UPS recently announced that it is dropping coverage for spouses of employees, if those spouses can obtain coverage elsewhere. The consulting group Towers Watson estimates that more than half of employers in America will take steps to reduce or eliminate spousal coverage. Even labor unions are starting to worry that their health coverage is going to change for the worse under ObamaCare.  

Minority Leader Pelosi was right. We had to pass ObamaCare to find out what was in it. It has unfortunately turned out to be pretty much the opposite of what supporters promised. 

 

 
 
 
  Reported by Breitbart 16 hours ago.
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