Is it time to move to a High Deductible Medical Plans
Many individuals and companies searching for health insurance in North Carolina are making the move to High Deductible Healthcare Plans (HDHP) - also known as HSA plans. According to BenefitsBuzz.net, companies that started with a traditional PPO plan have generally kept those plans in place, bringing in the high-deductible/consumer-driven plans as an option, then attempted to draw employees into those plans with premium cuts and funding of Health Savings Accounts.
As with most companies, this has been a hard year at General Electric. Its 75,000 employees and 8,000 retirees under age 65 are having to move from the traditional plans to a HDHP. They will no longer have a choice.
“GE says the plan is being rolled out to make employees better health-care consumers. While GE says its future cost savings are unclear, people with knowledge of the situation estimate it could save $1 billion over the next decade or so. With three tiers of premiums and deductibles, GE spokesperson Sue Bishop notes, employees still have options. “It’s not that different from their car insurance,” she says. “You get to choose the amount of your premium, and that determines the amount of your deductible.”
This is truly a bold move.
Medicare Part D 2010
It is that time of the year - Time to take a close look at your Medicare Part D Prescription plan. Open enrollment began November 15 and ends December 31. Enrollees are urged to review coming changes in out-of-pocket expenses and compare their current North Carolina Health Insurance plan with other plans. Many plans are dropping some of the drugs covered. Many plans do not cover anything during the “Dounut Hole” period. Each plan pays different on the same drug.
Use Medicare’s online Drug Plan Finder - it automatically does the math to find your best deal based on the specific drugs you take. Remember to do the homework. It could save you some money.
Healthy Active Communities
Currently, one in four children in North Carolina are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. The aim of Healthy Active Communities is to lead North Carolinians, young and old, to healthier, more active lifestyles. We believe one of the best ways to improve the health of our state is to encourage physical activity and healthy eating on the individual, family and community levels.
As our state prospers in many ways, some segments are invariably left behind. Some have chronic illness. Some are migrant workers. Others live in rural communities with limited access to health care. Most are hardworking and aren’t looking for a handout. But they could use a hand. Through our Health of Vulnerable Populations focus area, we are committed to improving the well-being of North Carolinians that need it the most.
Our plans encourage this through Member Health Partnerships.
CMS Announces Changes to Medicare Drug Premiums
The Wall Street Journal reported that CMS said that many Medicare beneficiaries may see their drug-plan premiums rise slightly in 2010. On average, the agency expects seniors to pay $2 more per month for stand-alone drug plans.
CQ HealthBeat explained “that 800,000 low-income Medicare beneficiaries will have to switch prescription drug plans next year if they want to continue in coverage that doesn’t entail having to pay monthly premiums. The switch means a number of those beneficiaries may find that their current drugs are not covered and that they will have to switch to similar drugs.” Peter Ashkenaz, CMS spokesman, said “that if beneficiaries facing reassignment ‘need to take specific drugs, they should look for a plan that covers as many of their current drugs as possible.’”
Senate Finance Committee drops end-of-life provisions from draft reform bill.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Senate Finance Committee has decided to scrap the part of its healthcare bill that in recent days has given rise to fears of government ‘death panels,’ with one lawmaker suggesting the proposal was just too confusing.
CQ HealthBeat reports that on Thursday, Finance Committee member Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) said that the committee dropped consideration of end-of-life provisions similar to those that have prompted claims by opponents that the House health overhaul bill authorizes so-called ‘death panels. The panel, according to Sen. Grassley has been trying to avoid ‘unintended consequences’ by working methodically through the consequences of policy options. The end-of-life provisions were dropped entirely because of the way they could be misinterpreted and implemented incorrectly, Grassley said, adding, “Maybe others can defend a bill like the Pelosi bill that leaves major issues open to interpretation but I can’t.”
The Boston Globe adds that the language is still in the House legislation, which would permit Medicare to pay doctors for voluntary counseling sessions on end-of-life issues, including living wills, making a close relative or friend a healthcare proxy, hospice care, and information about medications for chronic pain. According to the Globe, the issue illustrates the intense passions in the healthcare debate. The phrase ‘death panels” proved to be a volatile buzzword, and it quickly caught on in talk radio, cable television, and at town hall meetings conducted by members of Congress on summer recess.
Town Hall Protests Seen as Not Derailing Health Reform
CQ Today reports that town hall protests, while loud and angry, have not had their desired effect: to derail President Obama’s health insurance overhaul effort. In DC, staff meetings on the bills continue and Democratic leaders are mounting an effort to help their rank-and-file members counter criticism of the legislation, especially any erroneous claims. However, if the protests are sustained and proponents of the overhaul do not respond with more robust demonstrations of support, some are concerned Democrats eventually will scale back their legislation. In what CQ calls a worst-case scenario for liberals, Democrats could be forced to drop plans to create a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private plans, the so-called ‘public option.’
White House Escalates Campaign Against Healthcare Reform “Myths”
ABC World News (8/13, lead story, 3:00, Gibson) reporting, “After days of raucous, in your face town hall meetings about healthcare reform, the White House [Thursday] said enough, and launched its own email chain letter campaign to counter the critics and try to get the upper hand in the intense national debate. Supporters of reform say opponents are using malicious misinformation, trying to kill reform for political purposes.” ABC’s Tapper added, “The last few weeks have been dominated by opponents of President Obama’s healthcare reform push. White House officials insist it’s not too late for the President to make his case to the American people.”
Healthcare Debate Shifts to Television Screens
The CBS Evening News reported, “As tempers flare in the healthcare debate, both sides are employing everything in their arsenals to win over Americans.” USA Today reports the “healthcare battle…is shifting to television screens as groups on each side of the issue launch multimillion-dollar ad blitzes to influence the debate. Advocacy groups such as the US Chamber of Commerce and the AARP are spending a combined $500,000 on healthcare ads every day.” Groups on all sides have invested a combined $57 million in healthcare ads this year…and supporters have outspent those who oppose the legislation by roughly 2-to-1.
Speaker Pelosi Indicates She has the Votes for Health Care Reform
In eHealthInsuranceNews.com, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday there is “no question” that she has the votes to pass healthcare reform legislation even as key Democrats retreated from their predictions of progress. Republicans mocked Pelosi’s assertion, sending out a list documenting 42 House Democrats who have said they oppose or have concerns about the bill. But the list includes some members who will almost certainly vote for the measure, such as House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Offers Many Great Health Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers many outstanding individual North Carolina health insurance plans for people who buy their own health insurance. With traditional managed-care plans as well as high deductible health savings account plans to choose from, Blue Cross Blue Shield has a plan that will fit just about every health insurance need and budget. To find out more about these plans, go to www.getnchealthinsurance.com today!
