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After initially asking for an 11% increase in its small group and individual health insurance rates, Neighborhood Health Plan has reached a settlement that allows them to raise those premiums by about 7%.
Neighborhood was one of six major Massachusetts health insurance companies that appealed and sued the state’s insurance commissioner when their proposals were denied in April. Now, they have bowed out of those efforts.
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As strange as it may sound, rural areas in the United States are taking cues from the Iranian health care system. Its outcomes (including infant mortality) have improved over the last several decades, as a result of the advent of health houses.
Health houses are run by citizens, and provide preventative care in an informal yet effective manner. They can provide care faster and cheaper than far-away emergency rooms, possibly serving to promote the advent of more affordable health insurance. If more extensive care is needed, the houses have contracts with local hospitals and clinics.
The poor and mostly uninsured population of the Mississippi Delta are looking towards any solution to improve their health outcomes. This particular method can be especially helpful in preventing hospital readmissions, a key goal of healthcare reform. Unfortunately, a health care system that originated in Iran is a hard sell, and supporters have struggled to receive funding.
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Florida Republican-turned-Independent Governor and Senate Candidate Charlie Crist just vetoed a bill that budgeted almost $10 billion for hospitals to care for the uninsured and under-insured. Recent figures show 27% of non-senior citizen residents lacking Florida health insurance.
He may believe that healthcare reform will reduce the need for uncompensated charity care, since more people will have insurance. In addition, his state has been hard hit by the real estate slump. Still, people are confused, because Crist appeared to have given up on the conservative Tea Party vote once he dropped out of the Republican primary.
This particular line item has been in the state’s budget for over 30 years, far before affordable health insurance reform was a gleam in Barack Obama’s eye, and has been relatively noncontroversial during that time. However, the political climate is very heated, especially in an area where the Attorney General (Bill McCollum) has famously launched a lawsuit against the Obama administration on constitutional grounds.
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An increasing number of companies are offering wellness incentives to their employees, in order to inspire them to maintain a healthy weight or quit smoking. Many of these benefits include the opportunity to have a higher portion of their health insurance premiums paid by the employer.
Tobacco use and obesity among the American workforce costs companies billions of dollars in increased health care costs, so it is a worthy goal. However, there are some doubts that the incentives are actually effective.
According to a study from Cornell University, the average weight loss in several of those employer programs was just one pound; too little to make a significant difference in health outcomes or group health insurance rates.
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In the Boston Globe, an opinion editorial by Douglas S. Brown has an interesting viewpoint regarding the problems that have faced the American health insurance system for decades. His view is that ego and hubris from all sources (hospitals, doctors, insurers, medical school professors, and even patients) has stood in the way of improvements.
He acknowledges that our nation is deservedly proud of technological innovations that increase the length and quality of life. However, we are behind several other developed nations in efficiency, quality, and access–although many refuse to acknowledge it. For example, there are too many preventable medical errors each year. Many hospital boards, meanwhile, are more concerned about flashy cosmetic improvements and additional facilities.
Physicians are trained as independent craftspersons, and have historically had little interest in teamwork. However, current compensation from health insurance plans–as well as the best outcomes–depend on cooperation. Brown feels that we can learn from our errors in order to truly become the best health care system in the world.
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Public sector unions in New Jersey, including the police and firefighters, have grudgingly agreed to pay for part of their health insurance premiums.
Starting June 1st, the state employees will have to contribute at least 1.5% of the cost of their New Jersey health insurance policies. Compared to private sector employees, that’s nothing. Many of the latter have to cover most or all of their own premiums!
For an employee with an annual salary of $50,000, they will have to pay just $750 per year in premiums: a very affordable health insurance option. Despite some previous concessions, these plans are typically comprehensive.
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When it comes to low-wage service jobs, the restaurant industry is at the forefront. Many employees earn minimum wage or less, due to expected tips. Many employers do not offer health insurance. Other times, the insurance is just too expensive for employees with variable hours. That is why up to 10% of the currently uninsured are those working in the food service industry.
A breakthrough agreement looks to change the status quo. United HealthCare (one of America’s largest health insurers) and the National Restaurant Association (a leading trade group) are working together to increase health insurance plan access to employees.
Four to six million people will be affected. So far, the program will only be available in several states, but they are looking towards expansion nationwide.
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The healthcare reform legislation creates a list of mandatory minimum coverage level, which require all health insurance options to cover certain treatments and tests.
However, 27 states and Washington, D.C. have their own coverage mandates, which extend from colon cancer and preventative care to autism therapy. In the case where they conflict, which one holds sway?
Not to worry: the broader standard will apply to health insurance companies in each state, regardless of whether it is state or federal.
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Strange but true: many people do. A recent study from the University of Kansas found that patients are significantly more satisfied with the quantity and quality of health care they receive when their doctor sits by their bedside, as opposed to standing.
Cost and timing pressures–due to health insurance and other issues that encourage quicker turnaround times–have unfortunately resulted in shorter doctor’s appointments. The act of sitting doesn’t cost any more money or take any more time, but makes patients feel that physicians are paying attention to them more. Maybe that’s actually true.
When patients feel more comfortable and less rushed with their doctors, they’re more likely to speak freely about their symptoms and compliance. This will allow doctors to better diagnose and treat them, while requiring fewer expensive tests. The result: cheaper health insurance plans!
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Millions of Americans are now planning their summer vacations. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to travel outside of the United States: contrary to popular belief, your current health insurance plan may not cover medical care internationally. For example, they may not have providers within your network there.
That’s why travel health insurance is so important. Medical evacuation coverage, especially, will help in the case that you become seriously ill or injured abroad and must be transported back to the United States. Specialized jets can be very expensive, while the actual coverage can be very affordable health insurance: a small percentage of the cost of your trip!
