Feb 11
18
The Health Care Bill: it’s impact
There has been a lot of discussion about the health care bill and its impact. The complexity of the documentation makes it difficult for the average person to determine how this plan will affect them over the next decade. This article discusses a few key elements from the health care bill. Keeping it simple, it offers a brief summary of health care bill: how it will effect insurance premiums, it’s effect on individuals and employers, and the impact on Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
What is the Health Care Bill – Premiums made more Affordable
The Health Care Bill – Impact on Individuals and Employers
Increased Responsibility for Employers
Under the final version of the health care bill, small businesses will receive $40 billion in tax credits to support coverage for their employees. It does not make it mandatory for employers to provide health insurance to its employees but it does require companies to help pay the health costs of their workers.
The Health Care Bill – Medicare Part D
In summary, insurance premiums will be made more affordable enabling more Americans coverage. There will be increased responsibility for individuals to get insured and penalties imposed if individuals remain uninsured. There will be increased responsibility for employers to offer insurance options to their employees. There will be improvements in Medicare prescription drug coverage enabling seniors more affordability. The health care bill made simple.
Posted in Health Reform by .
Finding the best health insurance can be challenging these days. The past year has been full of changes in the healthcare industry with the Healthcare Reform being signed into law in March of 2010. Thanks to the recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable care Act (PPACA), millions of uninsured will have access to affordable health insurance. Thanks to the recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable care Act (PPACA), millions of uninsured will have access to affordable health insurance. Their biggest challenge? Knowing their options so they can choose the best health insurance to meet their needs. What’s the inside scoop for 2011?
Researching online is an excellent way to do comparison shopping.
One way to find the best health insurance is to use free, no-obligation health insurance quotes to compare health insurance companies in your area. Health insurance plans vary by state.
Find a good insurance agent to help
By getting some help from a trusted agent and becoming familiar with health insurance terms you will be able to choose the best health insurance for your family.
Posted in Health Insurance by .
Are more Americans choosing whole life insurance or term insurance?
Whole life insurance or term insurance- is that the question? Actually, the question at hand is why do so many choose not to insure their lives?
We insure our homes, cars, and even our toys. However, according to LIMRA reports, ownership of life insurance has fell to a 50-year low.
- Four in 10 US households with children would have immediate trouble financially following loss of primary breadwinner
- Only 44% of US households have individual life insurance
- About 30% of US citizens have no life insurance (about 3 million people)
according to statistics at www.limra.com
There are several viewpoints on why this is happening. The biggest-the troubled economy. People feel they cannot fit neither whole life insurance or term into their budget. Statistics show that 40% of Americans say they have other financial priorities, even when they realize they would have financial trouble following the loss of a household income earner.
Let’s keep it simple. Life insurance is about protection and keeping promises; insuring that your survivors have the means that contribute to keeping those promises.
In the most basic forms, the two types of life insurance are permanent and term.
What is whole life insurance?
Under the whole life insurance policy you get permanent life insurance coverage throughout your life generally to the age of 100 and requires (in most cases) premiums to be paid every year into the policy. This is the most established sort of permanent policy in the market. This policy does not lapse, provided sufficient premiums are paid each year for keeping it in force. Whole life insurance can be used as a savings tool allowing an accumulatation of cash reserves on a tax-deferred basis. The funds may be used as premiums, saved or reinvested as well as stable insurance protection for a lifetime.
Term life insurance is the other form of coverage. It is purchased for a period of time and when that period of time expires, the life insurance ends. It is common to buy a term policy for 10 to 30 years, though different periods are available. If you live past the length of the policy, you do not get your money back. Term policies are usually the least expensive life insurance to buy and a popular choice of younger families.
Whole life insurance versus term insurance?
Whole life insurance versus term insurance? There is not one type that is better than the other; your individual situation will determine what protection will best suit your needs. It is best to speak with a professional to determine what is best for you. First, consider which type of life insurance policy best suits your needs. Term life insurance is best for short-term needs. If you want a long-term contract that builds a cash value over a period of time choose whole life insurance.
Posted in Life Insurance by .
How can you detect the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Could your snoring be sleep apnea? Most of us don’t think of snoring as something to be too concerned about—unless our bed partner is disrupting our sleep! Frequent, loud snoring may be one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. This is a common and potentially dangerous disorder in which the breathing becomes shallow or repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times per night. It is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime fatigue. When breathing is paused, you are jostled out of your natural sleep pattern. Consequently, you spend less time in the deep sleep you need to be energetic and productive the following day.
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized. It can be tough to identify on your own, since most symptoms of sleep apnea only occur while you’re asleep. A good way to detect it is to get your bed partner to observe your sleeping habits or you can even be brave and record yourself sleeping. Keep in mind that even though snoring is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea; this alone is not an indicator of this disorder. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores.
Untreated sleep apnea can be detrimental to your health, so it’s important to see a doctor if you suspect that you or a loved one might have it. Read on to learn the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Some common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud or chronic snoring
- Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
- Long pauses in breathing
- Daytime fatigue, no matter how much time you spend in bed
- Insomnia or nighttime awakenings
- Going to the bathroom frequently during the night (nocturia)
- Waking up feeling out of breath
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Moodiness, irritability, or depression
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty performing work tasks
- Morning headaches
- Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night
- Swelling of the legs
What are the complications if the symptoms of sleep apnea go untreated?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxes during sleep, causing a blockage of the airway. Sleep apnea can be associated with long-term complications if left undiagnosed and not treated properly.
Some of these complications include:
- Increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes!
- Increased risk for or worsen heart failure
- pulmonary hypertension (elevation of blood pressure in blood vessels of the lungs)
- Irregular heartrate
- Increased chance of having work-related or driving accidents
Finally get a good night sleep and receive proper treatment by recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Posted in Sleep Disorders by .
What is Medicare supplemental insurance and who qualifies for it?
Medicare supplemental insurance is private health insurance designed to supplement Original Medicare. Also referred to as a Medigap policy. As the name suggests, it is a plan that bridges the gap by paying some or all of the health care costs that original Medicare does not cover. For example, doctor bills not covered by Medicare, coinsurance costs for doctor bills already covered by Medicare, the cost of skilled nursing care, the cost of an additional 365 days in hospital (after the initial 60 covered by Medicare) and emergency overseas healthcare. Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amounts for covered costs then the Medicare supplemental insurance pays its share.
Medicare supplemental insurance is directed at those age 65 or over (who generally need healthcare more than other age groups).
To qualify for this plan you must already be a beneficiary of Original Medicare (both Part A and Part B). Medicare supplemental insurance cannot be used in conjunction with another form of private Medicare Coverage, for example a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Where do you find Medicare supplemental insurance and what are the benefits?
Medicare supplemental insurance is offered through private insurance companies. Although premiums and polices differ from insurance company to insurance company, every policy must follow Federal and state laws designed to protect medicare beneficiaries. Each plan issued offers the same standard, basic benefits it is intended to cover.
The policy must be clearly identified as Medicare Supplemental insurance. Insurance companies can only sell a “standardized” policy identified by letters A through N. Each standardized plan must offer the same benefits no matter which company sells it. Cost is generally the only difference between supplement policies with the same letter sold by different insurance companies. New laws have brought many changes to Medigap policies with effective dates on or after June 1, 2010.
When can you enroll in Medicare supplemental insurance?
A good time to enroll in a Medicare supplemental insurance is the month you turn 65. During this initial election period, the plan itself is offered on a guaranteed issue basis (there are no medical screenings). Applying just one month after 65 means insurance companies can’t deny you the policy because of a pre-existing condition and the premium will remain the same.
Choosing the right Medicare supplemental insurance can be challenging. The right plan must include the right benefits at the right premiums. In this day and age those 65 and older may find it extremely difficult to cope without a healthcare plan altogether; with the gaps within the Medicare plan some over 65s will still pay out a fortune for additional medical costs. You can avoid unexpected medical bills by having Medicare supplemental insurance.
Posted in Supplement Plans by .