[…] In Colorado, there are 12 counties with at least 29.7% of their population with no health insurance. I think this micro-analysis of the uninsured population is long overdue, and I’m hopeful that it will help lawmakers and health insurance carriers target the hardest hit areas when new policy designs and future government health care subsidies are introduced.
What To Look For When You Choose A Health Insurance Policy
John Martie, President of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Colorado, has written an article with pointers consumers can use when choosing a health insurance policy. His article focuses on group coverage, but I think his advice is just as pertinent for people searching for their own health insurance in the individual market. […]
Health Insurance And The Free Market
For Colorado residents who are unable to afford a private policy, or unable to qualify at any price, we need a safety net funded with tax dollars. For essential commodities, I don’t believe that having a government back up system signifies the downfall of the free market – it just guarantees a service that isn’t adequately provided in a fully market-driven system. […]
Health Insurance Tax Credit Does Not Solve The Problem
[…] In order for health care reform to work, it has to work for everyone. We need a solution that spreads the cost of health care evenly across the entire population (adjusted for income, just as taxes are) and doesn’t leave large groups (like people with pre-existing conditions) to fend for themselves with no good health insurance options available.
How HB1355 Will Affect Our Colorado Clients
[…] HB1355 prohibits any type of rating based on health history of a group. So while I’m sure the businesses that had been paying an increased rate for their health insurance will be grateful to see the implementation of HB1355, there are four Colorado businesses that I know will not benefit at all, and will actually see significantly higher health insurance premiums next year.
No Health Insurance – Not A Matter Of Choice
At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we strongly believe that there are some fundamental problems with our health care system, not the least of which is the often-quoted statistic that 47 million Americans are without health insurance. Let’s take a look and see how many of these people are truly choosing to be uninsured […]
The Right To Health Care
At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we’ve made it clear that we believe access to health care is a basic right, not a privilege. A lot of people don’t agree, and see health care as just another enterprise in our free market system. But does the power wielded by doctors instill them with an inescapable obligation to humanity? […]
The Cost Of Individual Health Insurance In Colorado
[…] Of course Colorado – like most states – uses medical underwriting on individual health insurance policies. And if underwriting were no longer allowed on Colorado policies, we could very well see the average family premium exceed $700/month. But for now, $5000 goes a long way towards paying for a health insurance policy in Colorado. […]
A Health Care Bubble
[…] We’re continually grasping for the latest and greatest technology in health care (with prices increasing all the while) which essentially keeps putting basic health care out of reach for more people. We over-test, over-medicate, and over-treat patients who have health insurance, while those without health insurance struggle to get even the most basic of care.
Health Care Reform Overshadowed By Economic Crisis
The Senate Finance Committee met this week to discuss ideas for lowering the number of Americans without health insurance. Democratic Senator Ken Salazar from Colorado mentioned that regardless of what ideas congress comes up with to reform our broken health care system, the “ominous cloud” of the government bail out for the financial industry “may… Read more about Health Care Reform Overshadowed By Economic Crisis
Lower Rate Increases Often Come With Fewer Benefits
[…] Once HB1355 takes effect in Colorado in January, we’re likely to see even more small businesses switching to lower-cost, high deductible health insurance plans. HSAs will eventually lead to more transparency in health care and more savvy consumers. But it will be a bumpy road for families adjusting to the change
A Bail Out For The Health Care Industry
[…] A little government intervention could go a long way towards getting health insurance and access to health care for all Americans. It does appear that the government is willing to bail out a major free market system if things get bad enough. I just wonder how bad things will have to get in the health care industry before it’s considered bad enough.
Dangerous Bill To Be Aimed at the Individual Market
[…] if you currently have pre-existing health conditions and would like to double or triple your health insurance premiums, contact your legislators and tell them to remove underwriting from individual/family health insurance in Colorado so healthy people no longer have a reason to purchase coverage for the possibility of future health problems.
Individual Health Insurance Reform
[…] while group health insurance is great for employees who have access to it, the increasing premiums are causing headaches for the employers. And for those with no access to group health insurance, pre-existing conditions can be a major hurdle in the quest for individual health insurance in Colorado and 44 other states that use medical underwriting.
Health Care Reform Proposal From Business Roundtable
Business Roundtable, a group consisting of CEOs from some of America’s leading companies, has put together a health care reform proposal. This group represents companies that collectively provide health insurance for 35 million Americans through their employer-sponsored group health insurance policies in Colorado and across the US.
Obama And McCain On Mandatory Health Insurance
[…] No president is going to be able to reform health care on a whim – there are 100 senators and 435 representatives who have some input too. But Obama’s reform proposal is at least aiming towards health insurance for all children in America (in Colorado, 175,000 children are uninsured). It’s a small, but significant, step on the road to health insurance for everyone.
Drugs In Our Water
[…] The problem of drugs in our water supply in Colorado and throughout the US is scary and formidable. Drug companies should be required to implement safe systems for re-distribution of unused medications. Health insurance carriers should put pressure on pharmaceutical companies in this regard, since drugs that are getting flushed down the toilet aren’t free.
Domestic Medical Tourism
At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we’ve written before about medical tourism. I’m open to any options that help to drive down the cost of health care in the US. But while a trip to Thailand might sound wonderful when you’re healthy, it would likely be a bit more daunting if you’re sick, or in pain, or unable to walk because you need a new hip. […]
Looking At US Health Care From A Developing Country
[…] We live in a shockingly wealthy nation. While you might not be able to find a clinic in the US that doesn’t have gloves, you will find millions of Americans who are unable to afford health care or health insurance. For those people, does it really matter that American hospitals can afford all the best medical equipment that the world has to offer?
We Already Ration Health Care
[…] At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we believe that everyone should have equal access to quality health care. And if that means that I would no longer have hundreds of doctors on my health insurance network, or immediate access to care for non-emergency conditions, so be it. A little rationing for all of us, but health care for everyone.
If You Have No Ideas, Just Deny The Problem Exists
[…] I’m hopeful that our next president will make an effort to reduce the number of people in Colorado and across the nation who are without health insurance. If the next president is John McCain, I hope that when he’s searching for advisers, he at least picks people who do think that we have some problems in our health care system.
Health Care Reform Losing Ground
[…] while it would be nice to see sweeping reform that provides access to health care for the 47 million Americans (760,000 of them right here in Colorado) who don’t have health insurance at all, I’d be happy with anything that puts us on the path towards lowering that number and reducing the inequitable nature of our current health care system.
Watch Out For Medical Discount Plans in Colorado
Medical discount plans are being marketed heavily in northern Colorado at the moment. The Greeley Tribune is reporting that faxes are circulating with promises of $10 and $25 copays, and savings of “up to 60%” – keep in mind that a 1% savings still falls in the category of “up to 60%.” These plans are not health insurance […]
Fewer Uninsureds But Problems Remain
People without health insurance face a significant risk, both to their health and to their financial wellbeing. As the DNC has unfolded this week here in Colorado, we’ve heard health care mentioned frequently. I’m optimistic that solutions will remain as much of a priority after the election as talking about it has been over the last several months.
Personal Accountability And Health Insurance
[…] Even in Colorado – the thinnest state – one in five of us is obese, and health insurance rates have been steadily outpacing inflation for years. If obesity is not self-inflicted, one would expect to see no changes in the levels of obesity following a dramatic change in our lifestyles. If you had to make a bet one way or the other, what would it be?