Health Insurance and You!

A recently published government report estimates that 45 million Americans are without dental insurance, a problem which healthcare reform is unlikely to mitigate (Reuters). Following the healthcare reforms passed in March, adults face a fine if they do not buy health insurance beginning in 2014. Notably, the law does not require adults to buy additional types of coverage such as dental care. Dental benefits are something we all need, as recognized by advocates who lobbied for a more significant dental component in the healthcare bill.

The importance of dental care is highlighted by scientific research, which suggests a potentially causal relationship between oral hygiene and cardiovascular health. Although there are certainly a variety of facets that contribute to a healthy heart, Moise Desvarieux, MD, PhD, infectious disease epidemiologist in the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman school of Public health analyzed bacterial samples associated with periodontal disease from subjects’ oral cavities, and found that patients with one or any combination of these three bacteria also had atherosclerosis. Although this relationship has yet to be fully understood, Desvarieux concedes, “if a causal relationship is found, you’ll already be ahead of the game in regards to your heart health. If there is no relationship, you’ll have a healthy mouth that will benefit your overall well-being.”

The benefits of maintaining good dental hygiene are supported by science and accordingly, finding a plan that offers the best prevention is the key to ensuring your teeth live as long and healthy a life as you do. The good news is, dental plans are generally guaranteed issue; that is to say, everyone qualifies. These plans are relatively inexpensive and start at approximately $30/month to cover your basic needs. An example is this great plan from Humana – Preventive Plus.

A nice article on health care reform and what it means for individuals and families that need to buy health insurance.

It is originally written in the context of the consumers in the state of Texas, but most of the article is applicable anywhere across the country.

To your health,
Chini

The attached article is a good primer on how to avoid fraud with health insurance.

The problem? Its not completely accurate.

1. It is correct to say that many unscrupulous brokers often position discount cards ad health insurance. This is a scam of the first order.

2. However, there are plans available in the market with simplified issue capabilities – notably Assurant’s Health Access product. There are also guaranteed issue health insurance products from specialty players such as Fairmont. These products are not meant for everyone. But they do allow consumer’s with pre-existing conditions to have some coverage as opposed to none at all and for a good price. A second type of plans — short-term plans also have simplified issue capabilities.

For the most part, consumers ought to be extremely careful about such plans — we only recommend them as a last resort and when a customer fully understands why they are buying a plan with lesser benefits than a major medical plan.

Talk to your licensed health insurance expert.

To your health,
Chini

It seems like all individual health insurance plans in Colorado will soon be required to carry maternity health insurance.

Our own viewpoint — regulation of this sort is sometimes necessary to ensure access to necessary services. But all regulation comes at a cost. Our hope is that addition of this mandate will not raise premiums by so much that affordability becomes an issue. Health Plans in Colorado right now for a 38 year old woman begin in Denver begin at about $66/month for a high deductible plan.

To your health,
Chini

Another NPR article discusses how it is difficult for new graduates to find health insurance, although reform is now passed.

If you are a new graduate, below are some quick thoughts on how to be smart about your health insurance:

1. If you have a condition like Asthma, as one of the new graduates in this article does, you are clearly best off being in a group plan offered by a parent even if you have to wait for a few months. Individual plans that you can buy on the market are under-written, which means that there are a range of health conditions which will cause you to be declined. If you have a pre-existing condition, please check out the feature title “Will you qualify?” next to each plan at getinsured.com health insurance plan selector.

2. If you are healthy and would qualify for individual health insurance easily, usually you can save money by shopping — again it will take you less than 5 minutes to find if a health insurance quote will save you $$. Some times, it can be several hundred dollars a month.

3. If your parent’s employer offers you health insurance regardless as a free benefit — you should absolutely consider it when it is offered. Free trumps paying money

To your health,
Chini