Many people immediately balk at the mention of insurance plans with high deductibles of $5,000 or more.

Why do I need insurance if I have to pay $5,000 out of my own pocket before anything is covered?

Common misconception, and many people are simply uneducated about the higher deductible plans, and how they may actually benefit them.

• These plans are ideal for the healthy, self-employed, and active individuals who don’t frequent the doctor more than once a year.
• Most high deductible plans feature at least one annual doctor’s visit per year without dipping into the deductible, and also discount prescriptions if you do happen to need them.
• The higher deductible makes the monthly premiums much more affordable, and in many cases allows you to save more money using an HSA (Health Savings Account).
• They offer protection against major illnesses and accidents, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are protected.

I personally view high deductible plans as an opportunity for people to take their health more seriously, and to take ownership and responsibility for their lifestyles.

Stop smoking, lose that weight, check your skin for suspicious moles, do self-breast exams, run that race you have been putting off.

Do your part to insure that you do not need to dip into that high deductible, and take ownership of your health.

What are your thoughts on high deductible insurance plans?  Is it something that you have considered?

Originally posted 2011-02-10 15:04:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

An undetermined number of employees are expected to be laid off in the wake of the rehabilitation order by state of Michigan’s OFIR for the insurer American Community Medical.

Based out of Livonia, American Community is one of Michigan’s’ oldest insurance companies.

Due to ongoing financial problems, the company was placed on rehabilitation on April 8th, 2010.

Rehabilitation is corporate reorganization under Chapter 81 of the Michigan Insurance Code.

There are at least 280 people were employed there in 2009.

If you are an American Community policyholder you do have options.  If you would like to review your options please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Related Posts:

American Community Medical Rehabilitation Michigan

Originally posted 2010-04-25 18:03:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The future is looking a bit brighter for the first responders at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Those that are still alive, that is.  Many have passed away due to what they claim are various illnesses resulting from the dust and debris that they inhaled while trying to help victims in the horrendous attack.

The bill is named for James Zadroga, a 34 year old police detective who died supposedly from respiratory disease contacted from the debris.

Doctors and researchers say that inhaling large amounts of dust and pulverized materials can cause severe asthma and sinus issues.

The problem is, they admit that they cannot be sure.  This is basically an uncharted case, simply because the magnitude of those who fell ill has never been experienced in this arena before.

By trimming the bill about 1.2 billion dollars, the Republicans came closer to supporting the bill which needs just a few more votes in order to pass.

What are your thoughts?  Do support spending billions of dollars on a theory?  Or do you actually need to see proof when our self-less heroes are dying in such terrible ways?

Originally posted 2010-12-20 12:46:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The simplest answer to this question is NO.  According to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse you need to know the following:

Insurance companies. MediCal and Medicare are government health plans and can require a Social Security number. Most insurers providing individual health insurance policies cannot require your Social Security number. However, they might refuse to issue a policy if you don’t provide your Social Security number.

A new Mandatory Insurer Reporting Law (Section 111 of Public Law 110-173) requires group health plan insurers to report SSNs in order for Medicare to coordinate payments with other insurance benefits. The law was enacted in late 2007 but became effective on January 1, 2009. As a subscriber (or spouse or family member of a subscriber) to a group health plan arrangement, your SSN will likely be requested in order to meet the requirements of this law if this information is not already on file with your insurer. Similarly, individuals who receive ongoing reimbursement for medical care through no-fault insurance or workers’ compensation or who receive a settlement, judgment or award from liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, or workers’ compensation will be asked to furnish information concerning their SSN.

For more information about this law see:

• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MandatoryInsRep/

Originally posted 2010-03-31 05:48:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Frequently Asked Questions

A short-term extension of COBRA health insurance premium subsidies for involuntarily terminated employees has been approved.

Now, employees terminated from April 1 through May 31, 2010, will receive the 15-month, 65% federal premium subsidy. Prior to this extension, March 31, 2010 was the cut-off date.

President Obama is urging lawmakers to extend the COBRA premium subsidy through the end of the year. The Senate is currently working on this new extension.

The Focus Group will keep you posted of any upcoming changes to the COBRA subsidy as they become present.

UPDATE:
The latest extension applies to anyone who involuntarily lost a job between April 1 and May 31 of this year. The subsidy lasts for 15 months from when coverage begins. (COBRA coverage typically lasts 18 months; in some cases it can be extended to 36 months.) To qualify for the subsidy, you must apply for coverage within 60 days of losing benefits, not be eligible for Medicare and not be eligible for any other group health plan, such as one offered by a new job or by a spouse’s employer.

You can get additional information at http://www.dol.gov/COBRA or by calling a Department of Labor benefits advisor toll-free at (866) 444-3272.

NOTE: There is a possibility that the COBRA extension could be opened up to those who lose their jobs after June.  We’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE 5/27/2010

It looks as if House Democrat leaders have released a scaled-down version of the H.R. 4213 bill.  Under the revised bill health benefits and COBRA subsidies will now be extended through November 30, 2010 instead of December 31, 2010.

The reasons for the scale down is an effort by Democratic leaders to get the measure approved before Congress breaks for the Memorial Day weekend.

The estimates from the Congressional Budget Office puts the price tag at around $144 billion.  This includes cuts on unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies.  It was nearly $200 billion.

So, with opposition coming from fiscal conservatives, both Democrat and Republican, the measure will be difficult to pass by Memorial Day.

If you may lose your COBRA benefits on May 31, remember, in certain states insurance companies can impose a waiting period for pre-existing conditions if there is a lapse in coverage greater than one day.  Be sure to check with your local broker to confirm.

UPDATE 6/2/2010

It seems that the Dems were concerned about getting enough votes to get the Jobs bill passed.  In order to garner the votes, they had to drop the COBRA Subsidy or 65% discount over concerns about short term deficits and political considerations.

The same Democrats who claimed to take the moral high ground when it came to Health Care Reform are the same ones now leaving thousands of Americans without health insurance.  Was it not these Democrats who claimed the reason for reform was to insure all Americans had affordable Health Care Insurance?

What does this mean for me?

It means that if you lose your job starting now, you will no longer qualify for the 65% discount COBRA subsidy.  You would be required to pay the full price of your COBRA Health Insurance.

Is there a chance that the 65% discount will go longer than 15 months?

No.  That is a common misunderstanding.  The extension was only for those who recently lost their jobs.  Not those who were coming to the end of their 15 months.

What Next?

The most prudent thing to do is to find a new family health insurance plan immediately.  Depending on your state, you do not want a lapse in coverage.  Especially if you have pre-exisiting conditions.  Insurance carriers can exclude pre-exisiting conditions if there is a lapse in coverage.

If you have questions about your options, please don’t hesitate to comment below or contact The Focus Group at 888.320.5388.

RELATED INFO

• FAQs On The COBRA Premium Reduction Extension Provisions
• COBRA Fact Sheet
• COBRA Subsidy Extension Beyond 15 months
• Alternative to COBRA Insurance
• When should I take COBRA

Originally posted 2010-05-04 07:04:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The holiday season is always filled with stress, typically because our schedules are on overload.  It seems that every single day, especially the weekends, are filled to the brim with shopping, parties, food, lack of sleep.

Here are some random tips to help cut down on seasonal stress:

1)  If you are entertaining guests in your home, your freezer is your best friend.  Bake your cookies or dough ahead of time and freeze them for up to three months.  Make sure that they are completely cooled before storing them between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container.

2)  Do the same with meals such as lasanga and chili.  These will easily freeze well for about a month and can take the pressure off when hunger strikes.  Keep simple appetizers such as cheese and crackers on hand.

3) Maintain your regular sleep schedule as much as possible.

4)  Park as far as you can from the mall enterance and walk an extra loop around the interior after you finish your shopping.

5)  Just say no!  To that extra party, another cocktail, another relative wanting to crash your already bursting house for the week, another piece of cheesecake.

6)  Be in the moment.  Really look around you and enjoy every moment that you are with family, friends, or co-workers, whether you like them or not.  Be a bit kinder than necessary.  It will make them, and you feel better.

Originally posted 2010-12-09 07:27:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Anyone who’s read, watched or listened to the news lately knows that the United States health care system is in desperate need of an overhaul. The system as a whole is facing rising costs every year, while the public continues to see increased rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. There are several things that medical practitioners and the general public can do to improve our own health and the health of our fellow citizens.

1. Store patient records electronically and allow all medical professionals to have access to records when needed, through a central database. After getting through the privacy concerns, this method eliminates redundancies in information gathering and record keeping, freeing up medical professionals to diagnose and treat problems rather than repeating elements of care.  Many people have multiple doctors they visit regularly, from their primary care physician to a psychiatrist, dentist, ophthalmologist and any specialized doctors they need to see for specific conditions. Moving around from one provider to the next is often a confusing, disjointed task. By smoothing the transition across care settings, patients will be more aware of their responsibilities and requirements and their providers will be able to better coordinate their care.

2. Integrate IT into the management of hospitals and medical offices. Inefficient systems require vast employee hours and put a huge strain on the health care system as a whole. For example, one of the ways that health care can become more efficient is to change over to online payroll instead of maintaining old complicated filing systems. Filing insurance claims online can also help.

3. Improve health literacy among the general public. Millions of people every year use professional health care for ailments that are best treated at home. Educating people about what they can do to care for themselves at home and what signs to look for that indicate the need for a doctor can reduce unnecessary use of health care funds. This helps health care professionals focus their time, resources and attention on patients who need professional assistance.

4. Manage our diets as a form of preventative health care. Many of the health problems Americans suffer from are at least partially due to what we eat. For example, Type 2 diabetes often occurs after a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits, and changing these habits can prevent the need for future care. Heart disease is also at least partially linked to diets high in fat and cholesterol. Preventing these through healthy eating reduces the strain on the health care system.

5. Reform the ways that medical professionals bill for their services. A fee-based system encourages professionals to duplicate services so they can charge for them again, and it removes efficiencies that specialists and primary care physicians could get if they worked together more. Patients also often get confused with insurance claims, and streamlining that process would help them.

Though our health care system is flawed, there’s still time to save it and overcome our current problems. Whether the best method is through a top-down government overhaul or a bottom-up marketplace driven program is yet to be seen, and in fact, both methods may have their benefits. The health care system will look much different in 10 years, and chances are, these changes will be for the better.

Health insurance reform council to help reduce costs for citizens, businesses.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today established a Health Insurance Reform Coordinating Council within state government to identify steps that must be taken to ensure that Michigan citizens reap the full benefits outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act signed into law by President Obama.

The council will be chaired by Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) Director Janet Olszewski.

The governor’s executive order creates an Office of Health Insurance Consumer Assistance within the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) and an ombudsman to help provide consumers with information regarding health care insurance, assist with the filing of complaints, and to ensure compliance with laws and regulations relating to health care insurance.

READ MORE

Originally posted 2010-04-13 11:08:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Wondering what health insurance companies are going to offer individual insurance on a guaranteed basis once an individual exhausts their cobra coverage?

Until 2014 it looks as if Michigan residents have one choice for guaranteed issue.  BCBS of Michigan.  While other companies such as Aetna, Assurant, Humana, Golden Rule, and Cigna will eventually follow suit.  It is doubtful that they will do so prior to the deadline in which the law states you can no longer be denied for a pre-existing condition.

It remains to be seen if health insurance companies get creative.  By creative, let’s say you cannot be denied for pre-existing condition, but you can be denied due to credit history?  Or similar to auto insurance, your premium is determined by your credit history instead of you health history?

If one thing remains consistent, private companies will find a way to survive legislation…Wow, now that we are completely off track….

If you currently have COBRA health insurance, THAT DOES NOT mean you are guaranteed coverage as of 2010.  You must still pass underwriting guidelines in order to get coverage.  This is a common misconception.

According to recent news, the state of Michigan will be creating a Michigan High Risk Pool by the end of the year.  The benefit to Michigan residents will be that those who currently do not qualify for traditional coverage will have something to fall back on.  You will have more options with the high risk pool, instead of just choosing for BCBS of Michigan.

If you have questions about upcoming changes in the State of Michigan, contact one of our brokers at 888.320.5388.

Originally posted 2010-05-07 09:08:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Are you ready to move from K-Zoo to Marquette and become a Yooper instead of a troll? Before enthusiastically jumping into the day, protect yourself and your moving assistants. Prevent strains and injuries when you practice safety precautions while packing, moving and unloading.

• Moving day is a series of repetitive actions that involve lifting, carrying, walking and unloading boxes, furniture, appliances and other household items. Unless you perform these motions regularly, moving day will test a variety of unused muscles. To prevent injury or strain, warm up your muscles with a few stretches before starting any work. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and rest well the night before so you’re physically ready for the task at hand.
• Packing and moving is a big job you might be tempted to tackle all by yourself. Instead of straining your body, ask for help. Friends help finish the job quickly and everyone stays safer when more hands are available to help carry heavy furniture and numerous boxes, even if you’re only relocating from Ypsi to Ann Arbor.
• Follow proper lifting and carrying techniques. Even one wrong lift or a slip on the stairs could cause grave injury. Bend at the knees when you’re picking something up from the floor. Your legs are stronger than your back and proper posture lowers the risk of injury. Carry boxes below waist level. This safety precaution eliminates strain on your back, neck and arms.
• Stand as close to the box or furniture item as possible. When you hold a box at arm’s length, it strains your arms and wrists. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart to evenly distribute the weight of heavy objects. Consider wearing a back support belt for added stability.
• In addition to proper posture, use as many tools as possible. A furniture dolly with straps helps you move heavy boxes or appliances up and down stairs. A winch, rope or come-a-long provides a helping hand when you need to hoist or pull boxes into a moving van.
• Pace yourself. Rushing to finish the job can cause you and your helpers to forget proper lifting or carrying techniques. Instead of risking injury, take your time and finish safely, even if you have tickets to a Wildcats game.

After reviewing these safety tips, you might decide that moving is too risky for you. If so, consider paying professionals to do the heavy lifting for you. Trained movers can save you stress by packing your household possessions securely in sturdy boxes, efficiently moving them between your home and the moving van and taking care of the driving for you. Your items are handled with care, you avoid injury on moving day, won’t have to worry about returning a rental truck by sundown and are free to take care of your other moving-day necessities.

Make your move from one part of The Great Lakes State to another a pleasant experience, whether you invite friends over for a moving party or enlist professionals to help with your relocation.