[…] I think scrapping medical underwriting would drive health insurance premiums out of reach for the average American. That would mean even more people without health insurance. Here in Colorado, making health insurance mandatory gained a lot of ground last year with the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care, but we haven’t seen any changes yet.
The Failings Of The Free Market In Health Care
At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we’ve often written about the “free market” in health care. In our corner of the industry, there’s really only a free market for the healthiest of applicants. Those with pre-existing conditions can’t get some polices no matter how much they’re […]
Big Pharma Likes The Free Market
[…] What it really boils down to is that it doesn’t matter how great the drugs are if people can’t afford them. Here in Colorado we’ve seen more and more health insurance carriers increase copays for drugs, add prescription deductibles, or cover only generic drugs in an effort to keep prescription costs under control. […]
The Affordability Of Individual Health Insurance
[…] Colorado has average premiums below the national rate, at $141/month for an individual. If you’re healthy there are plenty of affordable options available, and in the event of a serious health problem, an individual health insurance policy will protect your assets. Which is why we have health insurance in the first place.
Colorado Earns D On Prematurity Report Card
The March of Dimes has released a report card on the nation’s premature birth rates. Colorado got a D. Not good, but we’ve got a lot of company: the whole country got a D overall. Only nine states earned grades higher than a D, and not one state got an A. It turns out that a lack of health insurance is a big part of the problem. […]
Health Wonk Review – The Election Is Over Edition
If you’re wondering what to do with yourself now that the election is over and you can’t listen to pundits debate the finer points of political campaigning, the Health Wonk Review is here to entertain and educate. So how exactly will health care reform fare under our new […]
The Future Of Our Health Care System
[…] Here in Colorado, Cigna has just started offering individual health insurance policies, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has rolled out their new Smart Sense plan for individuals. I doubt that reputable carriers like Cigna and Anthem would be putting time and money into new plans if they sensed single payer health care just around the corner.
The Cover Colorado Option
[…] going uninsured means that if (when) they do run into an expensive medical problem in the future, they will be out of luck, as Cover Colorado (and other high risk pools) will enforce a waiting period on pre-existing conditions. So we still find ourselves in a situation where people are uninsured and lacking realistic access to health care.
Combining Public And Private Health Insurance
For the seventh straight year the percentage of Americans under 65 with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage has declined. In Colorado, the number of people getting health insurance through an employer dropped 6.5% over the last seven years, resulting in […]
Improving Public Opinion Of Health Insurance Companies
[…] A renewed focus on customer service, simplicity, speedy payment of claims and lowered overhead expenses would go a long way towards improving public opinion of health insurance companies. Health insurance carriers hold lives and livlihoods in their hands. This responsibility cannot be taken lightly.
Colorado Businesses To Pay More For Health Insurance
[…] Because nearly two thirds of small businesses in Colorado currently receive a discount on their health insurance based on health and claims history, and because any such discounts will be disappearing in January because of HB1355, I think this could be playing a significant role in the premium increases that Colorado employers will be facing next year.
Health Insurance Premiums For Men And Women
The issue of women paying more than men for health insurance has been in the news quite a bit in recent days. In Colorado – as in most states – women pay more than men for health insurance until age 50-55. I believe it would be more logical to average the costs of health insurance for men and women, and charge the same rates to both groups. […]
Overdoing Technology
[…]We keep striving for newer and better, and “we often use the technology on a broad swathe of patients when only a few, who fit a very specific profile, actually benefit from it.” Technology has a price. We love to blame health insurance companies for rising costs, but we should also look at our own demand for the latest and greatest in medical technology.
Who Americans Blame For Rising Health Care Costs
[…] I think this survey is interesting in that it shows the perceptions people hold with regards to the health care industry. But I think it’s also indicative of the lack of transparency in health care pricing, and a lack of exposure to the actual costs of health care that occurs when most medical bills are funneled through the health insurance system.
Expanding Universal Health Coverage In America
[…] There’s a huge group of people with other serious illnesses who are having to struggle with not only their health condition but also with the status of their health insurance coverage. An expansion of Medicare to cover anyone with a chronic illness makes sense, and would eliminate some of the economic burden currently endured by those individuals.
Why Our Health Care Costs Are Running Wild
[…] For those without health insurance, the cost is putting health care further outside the realm of possibility. As our country enters a recession and the government starts shelling out hundreds of billions of dollars to shore up our tattered financial industry, we must trim the fat in our health care industry. Maggie’s article has a lot of good ideas to get us started.
Leaving a Four Year Old Kid With No Options
[…] I realize that anecdotes are not statistical data. And the story of one family’s struggles with health insurance, regardless of how compelling that story may be, is indeed an anecdote. But I challenge anyone who believes that our health care and health insurance systems are not broken, to come up with a workable solution for the Wilkes family.
Debate Ideas For Health Insurance Reform
[…]the “whole premise of insurance” is a little different when it comes to health insurance. We can’t put price tags on lives the way we can on cars. And we can’t easily ascertain fault when it comes to medical history the way we can with driving history […]
Cavalcade of Risk
The Cavalcade of Risk is up at Regulating Health Insurance. John Cogan has done a great job of weeding through the random submissions he received (astrology tips and make-up advice? Seriously?) and including those that actually relate to the intended spirit of the Cavalcade, as defined by founder Hank Stern (of InsureBlog fame). From health… Read more about Cavalcade of Risk
Know the Numbers Behind Health Insurance Reform
[…] At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, I’ve written about how employer-sponsored health insurance might not be the best set up. But while I see flaws in the group health insurance system, I’ve don’t believe a switch to individual health insurance would be prudent without making major changes to how individual health insurance is set up.
Autism And Health Insurance
[…] In Colorado, health insurance carriers are not required to pay for behavior therapy to treat autism. But what if the government stepped in with a program like Medicare for autism? The government could negotiate lower reimbursement rates, but because all children with autism would be receiving care there would be an increased volume for providers.
Anthem Blue Cross Introducing SmartSense In Colorado
[…] I’m a big fan of no-frills health insurance policies. I like high deductible policies with solid coverage after the deductible is met. We’re excited to see more details about SmartSense, but at first glance it’s looking like it will be a good option for clients in Colorado who are looking for a policy from a reputable insurer at an affordable price.
More Regulation Needed To Mandate Employer Coverage
[…] If our overall goal is increasing the insured population among employees of small businesses here in Colorado and across the country, I think the answer lies with the government covering some portion of the premiums or the claims, in addition to asking employers to take more responsibility for their employees’ health insurance.
Business 101 For Joe The Plumber
[…] So Obama would increase taxes on the plumbing business by $900/year (if the business is making an annual profit of $280,000). McCain would let the business keep that $900/year, but he would take away more than $9,000 in tax savings that the business gets by deducting health insurance premiums.
Preventive Medicine And Primary Care Docs
[…] When we remove those factors, health insurance companies should compensate physicians based on experience, hours worked, and outcomes, rather than the number of specialized procedures performed. Maybe then preventive medicine wouldn’t have to be such a budget-buster for the health care system.