Your Individual Health Insurance Blog

Health Net of Arizona Offering Value PPO Plans: It's a Good Thing

2010-02-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

Value PPO plans are being offered by many health insurance carriers. The goal is to help individuals and families save in premium dollars by having a higher deductible while still offering a rich benefit structure.

Health Net of Arizona offers a $0.00 Out of Pocket Maximum after the deductible amount has been met. The value plan offers a first dollar benefit to doctor office visits, prescription drugs, emergency room, urgent care, and in-store health clinics. Health Net also offers a good mix of copay and deductible cost sharing, which allows for the monthly premium to remain at an affordable rate.

Many folks I talk with like the affordability of a health savings account qualified plan, but they don't like not having copays to visit a doctor's office. Health Net has provided an affordable and benefit rich plan that provides a a peace of mind when it comes to health insurance coverage.

www.ronstadtinsurance.com

www.healthnet.com/portal/consumer/az/getYourQuote.sdo?region=az&broker=327618

It's a Good Thing!

Cigna: Creditable Coverage

2009-11-04T02:36:00.000-08:00

Cigna offers a unique benefit to it's members and if you are looking to move from one health insurance carrier to another or if you are moving from a group plan to an individual plan take this into consideration.

Creditable Coverage is being offered to Cigna members who have "qualifying" pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is one which for medical advise, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within 6 to 12 months before your effective date with a carrier.

Cigna allows time spent on your previous carriers plan to apply towards the 12 month pre-existing period. As long as you have had 18 months of continuous coverage without a lapse in coverage for no more than 63 days Cigna offers you a first day benefit for pre-existing conditions.

This is a wonderful benefit to those with pre-existing conditions as the waiting period can be a deterrent for some folks needing to make changes. Keep Cigna in mind when and if you need to make changes to your health insurance policy.

You & Universal Health Care

2009-07-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Every day I am asked for my opinion on the subject of universal health care. My opinion is if it sounds too good to be true then be aware. It is interesting to hear of the different reasons folks latch themselves onto while defending their stance on the subject.

I know folks who don’t qualify for private health insurance because they are unhealthy and haven’t changed their daily habits for years and don’t plan to anytime soon. Will the universal health care plan take them?…Yes. Will they cost Americans millions of dollars?…Yes. Are they going to be encouraged to change their self destructive ways and make better choices?…Probably not. This is usually a multi-generational health issue. Not only have family recipes for disaster been past down, but so have bad habits and the ability to make bad decisions that affect their health status. I’m not saying they should be without health insurance, but whose back should it come off? Yours, Mine, Small Businesses, Large Corporations. Who wants to sign up? Let me know and I will gladly start a list.

I understand there are many folks who want and need health insurance who don’t qualify. I wish I had a magic wand to waive and find you an insurance carrier who would be happy to spend more money on your claims then you give them in premium, right at the beginning. I am simply just trying to make a point at the cost of many unhealthy Americans. Fair…maybe not. However, it is one topic to consider due to America’s superb medical institution with our advancements and doctors being top notch compared to the rest of the world. Yes…the world, and yet we have so many unhealthy citizens.

Tax…tax…tax are you up for it?

What cost are you willing to pay? Are you willing to see small businesses vanish at an even more rapid rate then they already are? Are you willing to give up choice? Are you willing to put your child’s health into the hands of the government? What about your aging parents and loved ones? What is giving birth going to look like?

President Obama skirted around the question asking if treatments will be provided when needed and signed off by a physician…good question because if not, I see the perfect opportunity for a black market. Then where will we be? This is what the Soviet Union experienced with their attempt at universal health care under communism. It created a larger divide between rich and poor. The rich got the treatment, and guess what? The poor did not. How much are you willing to come up with to save your life and pay the doctor or hospital under the table? Just a thought…

The government is already regulating so much in the name of “for the common good”, including high fructose corn syrup that the FDA loves so much. If it’s so wonderful why can’t I purchase a can, a jar or a packet at my local grocery store? The FDA claims it’s fine and the stuff is in everything! Let’s see how healthy and wealthy we are as a nation in the near future with our government looking out for our overall health. Who will be blamed then and why are other countries abstaining from the high fructose trend if it so darn good? Is there not a correlation between many of this nation’s health issues and the introduction/allowance of this highly processed sweetener? What about all the other chemicals that the FDA has deemed to be “safe” that are added to our food supply to make people eat more. This is the same government that is telling us that we are going to be a healthier America with Universal Health Care.

My dear doctors out there how does it make you feel when the president of United States suggests you base your medical treatments on how much money you are going to make off the deal?

And for the rest of you: How do you see the universal health care plan benefiting you?

2009-06-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

2009 Annual Increase for Health Net of Arizona Members

July 1, 2009 is the date Health Net of Arizona members can find their annual increase on their premium statements. There is good news for some and not so good news for others. Remember this occurs annually for each carrier so do not feel like you are being singled out.

The good news is that those of you with a Health Savings Account or HSA qualified plan and those of you with the PPO 5000 will not see a rate increase on your statement. Feel good about that, and this confirms my belief that a HSA qualified plan is a great option to consider.

The not so good news is that all other plans including the, PPO 2500, PPO 1000, PPO 500 and HMO plans are all going to have a rate increase. I understand many folks are cutting expenses and wanting the most affordable options available. There may be some options available to you, but you will want to discuss them with your agent or myself before making any changes. Remember agents are here to assist you and make sure you make informed decisions.

Consider the following before asking your agent to shop another carrier for you.

Accumulators:

-As a Health Net of Arizona member any money you have paid towards your current deductible and co-insurance this year (2009) will carry over if you decide to change to a higher deductible plan
-If you switch carriers you will start fresh with the new carrier as no money will transfer over

Medical Underwriting:

-As a Health Net of Arizona member you may request to move to higher deductible health plan without going through medical underwriting and this is a huge benefit for those of you who had claims and on-going illnesses
-If you switch carriers you will have to go through medical underwriting and you may have waivers or rate ups attached to your plan

Health Net of Arizona stands by their members and they believe in, “Decision Power: Your health, your time. Your choice.” More information on this topic can be found be found at; http://www.healthnet.com/ or you even have the option to contact Health Coach by telephone. Whatever works for you Health Net is there to help keep you healthy by providing tools that benefit you and your family.

The Battle Of The Bra: To Wear or Not To Wear?

2009-05-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

I was reading from the American Cancer Society website when I stumbled upon, “Bras and Breast Cancer”. Of course this caught my attention along with other various related subject matter that can be found at: www.cancer.org and I will let you check those out for yourself. Very interesting ideas to say the least and they can found under hoaxes and chain mail.

Let me get back to that email that has been circulating that rumors a bras and breast cancer connection. The American Cancer Society reports the email as stating, “Wearing a bra for the whole day compresses the lymphatic system of the breast, resulting in accumulation of toxins that cause breast cancer”. It also states, "Bra-burning is no longer a feminist issue...it is now a battle between life and death."

The truth of the matter is that there has been no valid scientific study conducted to support the idea that bras cause breast cancer. The American Cancer Society reports the emails were based on writings prepared by medical anthropologists. It is further reported that, “their study was not conducted according to standard principles of epidemiological research and did not take into consideration other variables, including known risk factors for breast cancer.”

Are you asking yourself what exactly is epidemiological research? Well, so did I and I did what most folks do…I “Googled” it. I found many related websites describing epidemiological research. I prefer to keep it simple and I chose to provide you with the following description found at: http://www.aea.asn.au/home_whatisepidemiology.htm

According to Last et al (2000), an epidemiologist is:

"An investigator who studies the occurrence of disease or other health-related conditions or events in defined populations. The control of disease in populations is often also considered to be a task for the epidemiologist"

Last J, Spasoff R, Harris S. A dictionary of epidemiology.

Oxford University Press, New York, 2000.

If this type of research interests you, the website also provides what becoming an epidemiologist entails. I think I will stick to being a health and life insurance agent. Thank you to those of you conducting such research.

Anyway, the American Cancer Society does report knowing of one scientifically conducted epidemiologist study that did an investigation trying to link the two. However, there is no known epidemiologic study that has been published in scientific journals suggesting bras contribute to breast cancer. The idea of lymphatic compression by bras causing breast cancer has not been reported as being published in scientific journals either. The mentioned study was conducted on non-bra wearers and bra wearers. The non-bra wearers were favored as breast cancer being less common among them. The study also is reported as not showing a “significant” difference between the two groups of women. The researchers themselves are also reported as expressing uncertainty regarding the correlation. They took the women’s weight and breast size into consideration but no conclusive connection was determined.

The conclusion is, whether you are a bra wearer or not, you do not need to worry yourself with the idea of lymphatic compression increasing your risk of breast cancer, at this point in time. We should be grateful that researchers are taking the time, money and resources in trying to find what are the contributing factors of breast cancer among women.

I also want to show my support with the American Cancer Society’s new campaign of being the official sponsor of Birthdays. Eleven Million cancer survivors will celebrate another birthday this year! That is amazing and yes it is definitely progress!

Facebook Members can check the following link: http://www.morebirthdays.com/morebirthdays/facebook.asp

2009-04-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

What Can You Do To Help Contain Health Care Costs?

A Lot!!!

An individual can play a vital role in controlling their own and effectively others’ health care costs across the board. Following a few essential "common sense" steps can have a significant impact on what is paid out of pocket for health care.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona suggests taking the following steps:

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle
Add exercise to your daily routine: following through with little steps to add exercise to your day will have a big impact in the long run
Discover the benefits of good nutrition
Get enough sleep
If you need to – quit smoking & lose weight: There are many supportive resources available for you to utilize
Use Generic Medications: Ask your doctor if a generic medication is available and is appropriate for you
Use mail order when available to help you save on maintenance medications
Use an Urgent Care Center (when appropriate): For minor illness and injuries instead of going to the emergency room, this will save you time and money
Take an Active Role in Your Personal Health Care: Be your own advocate!
Get regular check-ups & utilize health screenings
Establish a primary care physician
Understand your plan benefits before you use them
Learn how to manage your asthma or diabetes
Optimize your health plans available benefits
Take advantage of community resources
Make informed decisions

Also, be sure take advantage of available preventative care benefits. These include annual flu shot and pneumonia shots, health screenings, including mammograms, and immunizations for children. With all of us doing our part to promote health, we can make a difference, and extra years of happiness will be sure to follow.

Do's and Dont's: Saving in Medical Expenses

2009-03-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

The following link is to an article found at www.tucsoncitzen.com titled, "Some skipping much-needed health care to save money: Economy forcing many to make decisions on health". The article discusses what some Phoenix doctors are noticing their patients deciding to do to save money. This article offers some "do's & dont's" to save medical costs in a stressed economic time.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/daily/breakingnews/112650.php
I would like to thank my faithful blog follower for forwarding me this article.

2009-03-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Trap!

Currently 47 million Americans are uninsured

9 million of those are children!

Are you at risk to being caught in “The Trap”? I was reading the March 2009 issue of Parents magazine when I came across an article under the “Solutions: Family Values” section titled, “The Trap: Not Being Prepared for A Medical Crisis”. Of course, this grabbed my full attention. I have read similar articles elsewhere in the recent past and felt obligated to share the general topic with you, especially if you have not already read something about it.

The Parents magazine article indicates that most young families are healthy and most visits to a doctor’s office are for routine services or minor illnesses. But what happens when a family member develops a serious illness or gets injured? Well…that is when medical treatment can get costly and can put a family into a financial crisis if they are not adequately insured. I have read that financial experts, university medical/law schools, and advocacy groups have stated that illness and/or medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy.

It is important to never skimp on a health insurance policy. You must be sure to purchase the most benefit rich plan that provides the most coverage you can afford. It is my personal practice to start at the top of the plan options and move backwards with clients. This allows my clients to make an educated decision based on plan benefits, potential out of pocket costs, and monthly premiums. After we review medical history, discuss potential financial loss, and the available options; we are then ready to apply with the appropriate insurance carrier.

Many of my clients are purchasing a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that is qualified for the Health Savings Account (HSA). This type of plan is excellent for predicting a potential financial loss, offers an affordable premium and has the savings account component as an added benefit. I think Parents magazine offers good advice: “Since you’ll have to pay that deductible yourself, you should at least have a plan in mind where the money will come from”. I suggest setting up the HSA at the time your policy takes effect and fully funding it this year with the $3000 maximum for an individual or $5950 maximum for a family. You have the option to fund a HSA with pre-tax dollars and many employers are offering contributions as well. A HDHP is worth the time to see if it is a good fit for you and your family as it offers a couple of avenues to save money.

Annually the majority of health insurance carriers make adjustments to their benefit structure. This can occur at the time of renewal for an individual plan or an employer plan, or at a designated time to the insurance carriers choosing. It is beneficial to investigate what new benefits may be available to you and if medical underwriting guidelines have changed to your advantage.

The bottom line is you are your own advocate. It is important to have full knowledge of what your health insurance plan covers, how much financial risk is involved, and how you are going to pay for potential medical expenses. Parents magazine suggests being proactive: “Don’t skip well-baby and adult wellness visits. It’s much cheaper – and wiser – to prevent health problems or to find them early than it is to treat them later.” I could not agree more.

Stimulus Package: Health Care Breakdown

2009-02-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

One of my clients shared the following links with me regarding the stimulus package President Obama signed into law. There are COBRA changes that are effective March 1, 2009 that may be of help to you or someone you know.

2/17/09
The Boston Globe: What will the $787b stimulus do for you?
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/02/17/what_will_the_787b_stimulus_do_for_you/

2/17/09
Los Angels Times: Unemployed? Stimulus Plan has You (Partly) Covered
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/02/unemployed-stim.html

I hope you find these links helpful!

Thank you Mr. Plotkin for sharing!

What I have a Pre Existing Condition!

2009-02-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

Everyday I am faced with the having a conversation with someone who has a pre-existing condition. And...everyday I'm faced with the possibility of someone keeping their condition from me. I can not stress enough the importance of communicating any health condition, treatment or testing that has been completed with your health insurance agent. Having said that it is also very important to work with an agent who asks these types of questions. This is called "field underwriting". An agent knows the insurance carriers rules and the products that are available to their clients. No insurance carrier is the best fit for all individuals. Agents who know their clients pre-existing conditions can lead them down the most appropriate path towards being accepted for medical coverage.

Here are some facts to know if you have a pre-existing condition:

Be honest with yourself and your agent

Be prepared for the following:

To answer follow up questions
To obtain your medical records
To receive an exclusion or waiver of coverage - this could be for a specified period of time or for a lifetime - this can also be challenged by you formally
To get a counter offer or "rate up" from the insurance carrier

Most importantly be prepared to be in a holding pattern while the medical underwriters evaluate your conditions and application. This could take a few weeks, so don't hesitate to begin the process.

Individual health insurance coverage is not a guaranteed issue.

Your health status will be evaluated for approval.

The good news is that each year the health insurance carriers re-evaluate their guidelines and make changes to benefit everyone involved. Please be honest and forthcoming with your agent and they will work to find the best option for you.

Unemployed or Underemployed & Needing Affordable Health Insurance

2009-01-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

I have a Health Insurance Option for those of you who are in this situation. Call me and I will go over what option is in your best interest!

Ray Martin, Financial Adviser as seen at, (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/09/earlyshow/contributors/raymartin/main4710159.shtml), states; "do NOT go without insurance, assuming it's going to be prohibitively expensive. The No. 1 reason individuals file for bankruptcy is medical bills that can't be paid thanks to a lack of insurance. But, he stresses, you do have some choices."

Let me go over one particular choice with you.

Short Term Medical (STM) plans are an affordable option to consider. You will want to be sure to conduct a complete medical history with me before you decide to waive your right to the COBRA benefit. STM is not for everyone, but it is the best affordable option for most unemployed or underemployed individuals and families.

STM is available a month at a time up to six months, or for a specific number of days up to 180 days. When you purchase a policy for specific number of days you will see a cost savings. One thing to consider when you purchase in this manner is that any unused days will not be refunded to you. If you elect to pay per month then you can cancel usually at the start of the next unused month.

I prefer to use AZ Temp Med which is a CSA General Insurance Agency. You may find more information and apply for a STM policy by using the following link.

https://www.hpainsurance.com/(S(lhmmjxrwp4xzwf45rwyfc1qc))/qt/AZTempMed/default.aspx?agent=CSA82348

Here are some benefits to the AZ Temp Med STM:

Next Day Effective Dates
Simplified Underwriting
Unlimited Re-Applies
$2,000,000
No Copay - everything goes toward to deductible and coinsurance
Choice of Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts
Optional Supplemental Accident Benefit
Monthly or Single Payment Options
Child-Only Coverage Available
You Can Use Any Hospital or Doctor
10-Day Right to Return the PolicyPost Options
No Waiting Periods!

Please don't tackle your health insurance needs alone after losing a job. STM is an affordable option and I am here to assist you. I will help you find the plan that best suits your individual and family needs.

2009 Health Savings Account

2008-12-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday's Everyone!

The turn of the new year is approaching us fast and with this event comes new years resolutions. I know many of us resolute to spend more time with family, lead a healthier lifestyle, and obtain more financial freedom. For those of you who don't know about Health Savings Accounts (HSA) now is the time to educate yourself and reap it's benefits.

A HSA is tax advantaged medical savings account available to those who pay United States taxes. You do need to have a HSA qualified health insurance plan in order to have the account and that is where I come into play.

But first let me tell you about some of the HSA financial benefits:

You own the HSA and it is your to keep

The money you contribute to the account is not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit and monies deposited that are not utilized will accumulate and roll over every year - there is a minimum and limit on how much you can contribute to a HSA (please see below for more information)

The money you save in the account can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses without any federal tax liability and will draw interest

There is a penalty for withdrawals used for non-medical or non-qualified expenses, these penalties are similar to those of an IRA and there are benefits to you waiting to use the accumulated monies until after retirement age as financial penalties will apply if money is taken out early for non-qualified expenses - The key is to save, allowing for a better financial future!

I come into play in assisting you with obtaining the high deductible health insurance policy (HDHP). I will talk with you about your health history and explain how the plan works with all of it's benefits. There are many options out there and all carriers offer a HSA product, but I know the right carrier for you based off of our conversation.

The HSA qualified plans are a consumer driven health care policy. Meaning it allows members to use the health savings account to pay for routine medical expenses directly and provides members with catastrophic coverage at the same time. This concept saves all parties involved money!

A high deductible policy premium is more affordable due to the member being out of pocket the full deductible amount before the plan pays. Remember the deductible will be paid from your HSA, again saving you money.

The following information is from the US Department of Treasury website: http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp975.htm

New Annual Contribution Levels for HSAs:

For 2009, the maximum annual HSA contribution for an eligible individual with self-only coverage is $3,000.
For family coverage, the maximum annual HSA contribution is $5,950.
Catch up contribution for individual who are 55 or older is increased by statute to $1,000 for 2009 and all years going forward.
Individuals who are eligible individuals on the first day of the last month of the taxable year (December for most taxpayers) are allowed the full annual contribution (plus catch up contribution, if 55 or older by year end), regardless of the number of months the individual was an eligible individual in the year. For individuals who are no longer eligible individuals on that date, both the HSA contribution and catch up contribution apply pro rata based on the number of months of the year a taxpayer is an eligible individual.

New Amounts for Out-of-Pocket Spending on HSA-Compatible HDHPs:

For 2009, the maximum annual out-of-pocket amounts for HDHP self-coverage increase to $5,800 and the maximum annual out-of-pocket amount for HDHP family coverage is twice that, $11,600.

Minimum Deductible Amounts for HSA-Compatible HDHPs:

For 2009, the minimum deductible for HDHPs increases to $1,150 for self-only coverage and $2,300 for family coverage.

In addition, a fiscal year plan that satisfies the requirements for an HDHP on the first day of the first month of its fiscal year may apply that deductible for the entire fiscal year.

HSAs are great products and they allow for a healthier and better financial future for yourself and your family. I have a HSA qualified plan along with the account and I love the benefits I have for my family! I am here to answer questions you have and to help you find the appropriate carrier that best meets your needs!

Make 2009 the year to start saving for your future!

2008-12-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

The Epiphany

Hello! My name is Jill Baumann and I am the Individual Health Insurance Sales Manager at Ronstadt Insurance. I begin this blog with the hope of creating awareness and educating the public on Individual Health Insurance misconceptions. I want people to know that health insurance is affordable AND attainable. I have helped many individuals find great coverage that meets their individual needs.
As a matter of fact, just today I had the privilege of helping a young woman who has a very serious preexisting medical condition since birth get coverage! She had been without medical insurance for some time and had been seeking coverage for a while. She had even worked with other agents to no avail to her disappointment. Then her boss asked her to give me a call to see what I could do for her. I spoke with her and immediately understood her skepticism after learning of her condition. I assured her that I would look into all options available to her and that I would be in frequent contact. I began by calling my insurance carriers medical underwriters and describing this young woman's condition and how she presented currently. After touching base with all my contacts we were ready to complete an application on-line and two days later she had health insurance coverage!
Yes, this all happened that quickly! We met today to go over some details of her new policy and that's when I discovered how much what I do can impact someone. She is very happy and relieved, to have this hurdle in her life finally taken of. I have a feeling she is going to be able to rest easy tonight knowing she is insured! AND, I am going to rest easy tonight knowing she is satisfied.
I will update this blog with future success stories and continue to encourage people to apply for coverage.