[About eHealthInsurance: Since its founding in 1997, eHealthInsurance Services, Inc. (www.ehealthinsurance.com) has become the nation's leading source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. The company sells health insurance in all 50 states, and offers more than 6,500 plans underwritten by more than 140 of the nation's leading health insurance companies. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California.]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

Consumer Report: Divorcees Pay Significantly More
Divorcees pay significantly more than Married People, and Singles Pay the Lowest Prices for Health Insurance.

-Overall, 41% of Individuals pay $100 or Less on Monthly Premiums-

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., November 9, 2005 –– Divorced individuals pay 26 percent more for health insurance premiums on a monthly basis than married individuals, who pay 25 percent more than singles ($242, $180, $136 average per month, respectively), according to a new national study of more than 80,000 individual and family health insurance policies sold through www.ehealthinsurance.com in the last year. The report also finds that 41 percent of all individuals pay $100 or less per month for Major Medical health insurance coverage, while 55 percent of families pay $300 or less per month, for an average of three people per family.

“The individual health insurance market offers consumers in all stages of life a wide choice of health insurance options, ” said Gary Lauer, CEO of eHealthInsurance. “These options are often more affordable than many people expect, which explains why 46 percent of consumers who buy health insurance through our site were previously uninsured – they now know that they can afford to get covered.”

Other findings of the report include:

* Men pay less than women for Major Medical insurance – as much as $25 a month less;
* New Yorkers in this sample paid nearly 4 times as much as Michigan residents for their monthly premium on average, at $379 per month vs. $98 per month;
* Customers paid an average of $89 a month to insure one child, which dropped to $61 if a second child was also covered; and
* Short-Term health insurance coverage continued to be more affordable than Major Medical coverage, with families paying an average of $192 per month, and individuals paying an average of $78 per month.

These are among the wide-ranging data gathered by market leader eHealthInsurance. In “The Cost and Benefits of Individual Health Insurance Plans” report, the company selected and analyzed a sample of more than 80,000 Individual and Family Health Insurance policies selected and purchased through www.ehealthinsurance.com on which premiums were paid between January 1, 2004 and April 30, 2005. Topics analyzed include average monthly premiums paid by age, gender, marital status and state, as well as deductible level, office visit co-payment and specific benefits. Similar statistics were gathered for Short-Term Health Insurance Plans purchased through the site.

The full Cost and Benefits of Individual and Family Health Insurance report can be found by visiting www.eHealthInsurance.com \ About Us \ News \ Reports.

[The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) is a research and advocacy association of insurance carriers active in the individual, small group, HSA and senior markets. CAHI's membership includes insurance companies, small businesses, providers, nonprofit associations, actuaries, insurance brokers and individuals. Since 1992, CAHI has been an active advocate for market-oriented solutions to the problems in America's health care system. (CAHI About]
-globalEyeNews.tips.health insurance

CAHI:New Plans Are Already Changing Health Care: "
December 8, 2004
HSAs Signed into Law One Year Ago
New Plans Are Already Changing Health Care

ALEXANDRIA, – Today marks the first anniversary of the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act, which created one of the most innovative and consumer-friendly health insurance products available: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

“HSAs have revolutionized America’s health care marketplace since the first one was sold January 1, 2004,” stated Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) Director Dr. Merrill Matthews. “More people are gaining coverage and taking control of their health care options than ever before.”

HSAs allow employers or employees to contribute to a tax-deferred personal savings account, which are used to pay smaller and routine medical expenses. HSAs must be linked to a high-deductible health insurance policy with a minimum $1,000 deducible for an individual or $2,000 for a family.

Critics of HSAs said that only the rich seeking a tax shelter would want an HSA; working Americans would shun them. However, according to a study from eHealthInsurance, 41% of the individuals purchasing HSA plans, and 53% of families, have annual incomes of $50,000 or less. Also, approximately 30% of HSA-eligible health insurance plans sold through eHealthInsurance were to people who were previously uninsured.

“The facts are coming in, "

[A comprehensive review of President Bush's accomplishments in 2005 was issued by the Office of the Press Secretary for public consumption on December 22, 2005 ]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

Strengthening Medicare: A Framework to Modernize and Improve Medicare


President George W. Bush smiles at 85-year-old Eloise Cartwright as he joins the residents of Greenspring Village Retirement Community and others for a roundtable discussion on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005, in Springfield, Va. White House photo by Paul Morse

Presidential Action:

On August 29, 2005, President Bush Announced New Low-Cost Options Under The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit That Will Be Available Beginning In January 2006. Medicare beneficiaries will have choices for prescription drug coverage that will cost less and offer more benefits than originally expected. Competition is working to drive down prices, and the President encouraged seniors acros"

[Important Dates: Jan. 1, 2006 - Coverage begins for people who have joined by Dec. 31, 2005; May 15, 2006 - Last day to join a plan offering coverage for 2006; Nov. 15 - Dec. 31, 2006 - Next opportunity to enroll]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

WebWire® | More Than 11 Million Medicare Beneficiaries To Be Covered For Prescription Drugs As of January 1, 2006: "More Than 11 Million Medicare Beneficiaries To Be Covered For Prescription Drugs As of January 1, 2006

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
12/22/2005 12:13:08 PM

More than 21 million seniors and people with disabilities will get prescription drug coverage as of Jan. 1, 2006, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said today. The number includes more than one million Americans who signed up for the new stand-alone coverage in the first 28 days it was offered. Another 500,000 are expected to be enrolled by the end of January.

“The new prescription drug benefit is off to a strong start,” Secretary Leavitt said. “With more than 21 million participating in coverage as of January 1, we are well on the way of meeting our goal of 28-30 million enrolled in the first year of the program. While there is still much work to do, we are encouraged by the early results.”

“Interest in the drug coverage is strong, and these numbers do show that people are getting questions answered and making decisions. For people who have decided "

[For a listing of Pfizer Patient Assistance Partner Programs go to Pfizer Helpful Answers at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

WebWire® | Pfizer Helpful AnswersTM One Year Later: Helping Millions of Uninsured Americans Get Access to the Medicines They Need: "Pfizer Helpful AnswersTM One Year Later: Helping Millions of Uninsured Americans Get Access to the Medicines They Need

Pfizer Inc
10/27/2005 1:30:38 PM

NEW YORK, October 26 -- This month, Arturo Navarro-Padilla is going to receive another free Pfizer prescription which helps him keep his cholesterol under control. Mr. Navarro-Padilla is one of millions of uninsured Americans who has benefited from Pfizer Helpful Answers, a program that recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary of improving and expanding access to Pfizer medicines for the uninsured. Pfizer Helpful Answers makes it simple for Americans without prescription coverage to obtain many Pfizer medicines for free or at reduced cost.

'The Pfizer program is fantastic. Before enrolling, I couldn’t afford my medicines, and often did without. Now that I can take my medicine properly, I feel more energized and I feel great! I am very thankful for the program,' said Navarro-Padilla.

Providing patients in need with access to Pfizer medicines has been a hallmark of P"

[For a listing of Pfizer Patient Assistance Partner Programs go to Pfizer Helpful Answers at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

Every one of America's uninsured, regardless of age or income, can call toll free to 1-866-706-2400 or log onto the Internet at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/ to find out how to get Pfizer medicines for free or at significant savings. The toll-free number features trained, bi- lingual (English and Spanish) operators who will help patients find and enroll in the best Pfizer program for their needs.

"Anyone who needs a Pfizer medicine and does not have insurance covering prescriptions should take advantage of Helpful Answers," said Hank McKinnell, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer.

"This new effort is meant to immediately address one of the challenges that the uninsured face in staying healthy - access to prescription medicines. By helping the uninsured get appropriate preventive care, we can help them stay healthier and decrease the need for expensive acute care that burdens our system." Helpful Answers provides one-stop-shopping to help America's uninsured identify and enroll in the Pfizer program that is best for them, including existing Pfizer patient assistance initiatives and the new Pfizer Pfriends(TM) program, announced July 7, 2004. Helpful Answers also will refer patients to other programs for which they may be eligible, such as Medicaid, state prescription assistance programs and other publicly funded programs.

Pfizer Helpful Answers provides the greatest savings for those with the lowest incomes and offers something for every person without prescription medicine insurance, regardless of age or income.

-- Families earning less than $31,000 qualify for free Pfizer medicines, through existing Pfizer programs: Sharing the Care(R) and Connection to Care(TM);

-- Through Pfizer Pfriends, families earning less than $45,000 a year will see savings up to 50 percent, and averaging about 37 percent, off retail prices on Pfizer medicines; and,

-- Through Pfizer Pfriends, families earning more than $45,000 will be eligible for savings up to 25%, and averaging 15 percent, off retail prices on Pfizer medicines.

Pfizer has already begun working with partners to get the word out about this new, easy-access system by distributing information at outreach events in Georgia, Mississippi and Iowa. Over the coming weeks and months, Pfizer will work with government officials, more than 40 national organizations, and thousands of local organizations nationwide to educate eligible patients about the program. Pfizer's partners in this effort will include many of the health associations that strive to bring quality health care to the uninsured, such as the National Medical Association and Easter Seals.

America's uninsured who need help getting access to Pfizer medicines can call Helpful Answers at 1-866-706-2400 or log onto the Internet at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/.
For help with non-Pfizer medicines, patients can log onto http://www.helpingpatients.org/.

Pfizer Helpful Answers(TM)

Consumer FAQ

Many people have asked questions about Pfizer's Helpful Answers(TM). Here are answers to a few that we receive most frequently.

How do I find out if I am eligible for help getting my Pfizer prescription medicines?

You can call 1-866-706-2400 to find out if you are eligible for savings on your Pfizer prescription medicines.

Is there a fee to call or enroll?

There is no fee to call Helpful Answers, and there is never a fee to enroll in any Pfizer assistance program. Some of the other programs to which you may be referred (such as the U-Share prescription drug discount card for seniors) may carry modest enrollment fees.

Do I need a doctor's prescription to receive medicines through Helpful Answers?

Yes. A doctor's prescription is needed in order to receive any Pfizer prescription medicine.

How can I get my medicines through these programs?

Depending on the program, callers can get their medicines from a variety of different places, including many pharmacies, doctor offices, community health centers and hospitals, and even through the mail.

What kind of information will I need to provide in order to enroll?

Enrollment requirements for Pfizer programs vary by program. Some, like Pfizer Pfriends(TM), require only a simple form. Others require more detailed documentation such as copies of income tax returns. Call 1-866-706-2400 to find out what program you may qualify for and what information you may need to provide.

Am I eligible to enroll if I have insurance?

If you have insurance coverage for prescription medicines, then you are not eligible for Pfizer's Helpful Answers programs.

If you have other types of health insurance coverage -- for example, for hospital stays and doctor visits -- but not for prescription medicines, then you are eligible for Helpful Answers. Call 1-866-706-2400 for Helpful Answers.

[With proper guidance a Health Savings Account (HSA) can enable you to: Lower your health insurance premium by 30 - 50%; Reduce your income taxes up to $1,500 - $1,700 each year; Build an additional retirement account of several hundred thousand dollars (varies with account criteria). Note: To obtain the maximum tax benefit from your HSA in 2006, you must have your HSA-qualified health insurance plan in effect no later than January 1]
-globalEyeNews.tip.health insurance

RedOrbit - Health - More Banks Offer Health Savings Accounts to Pay Bills: "More Banks Offer Health Savings Accounts to Pay Bills

By Kim Norris, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press

Dec. 24--A growing number of banks are beginning to offer health savings accounts, which are paired with high-deductible health insurance plans and poised to become the hottest thing in health coverage since HMOs.

Consumers like the convenience because HSAs can be linked to checking accounts, allowing them to use debit cards to pay medical bills.

Banks benefit because HSAs attract customers and deposits can be used for everything from mortgages to car loans.

LaSalle Bank, for instance, introduced its HSA a week ago and plans to launch an advertising campaign in January.

'Although the high-deductible health plans are not the most prevalent offering today, the research we did indicates that is the direction they will be moving,' said Diane Berner, senior vice president in charge of the bank's consumer deposit product management.

Created in 2003, HSAs allow individuals and employers to set aside money before it's taxed to pay for doctor, hospital and other medical bills. Unlike flexible spending accounts, the money in HSAs can be rolled over year after year. The money earns interest or can even be invested in mutual funds "

Non-Profit Worker Association Offers Discount Health Insurance to Working New Yorkers: "The American Association of Employees and Self-Employed Persons (AAESEP), a non-profit organization, offering American workers access to information, referrals to job training and job search organizations, and opportunities to act as advocates on the policies and programs that will dramatically affect their lives, has added a critical new service to their growing list of programs. New Yorkers have been paying far too much for health insurance premiums. The latest statistics show that New Yorkers pay the highest average monthly health insurance premiums in the country. AAESEP has been working diligently to help hard-working New Yorkers get the quality health care they deserve. By joining AAESEP members pool risk and join together to save on their health insurance costs. Beginning January 1st, 2006 high-quality, affordable health insurance from Atlantis Health Plan will be available to AAESEP members through the AAESEP website. Rates will begin as low as $272 per month and offer savings up to $800 a month over other commercial health plans offered by large carriers in New York City.

New York, New York (PRWEB) December 22, 2005 -- The American Association of Employees and Self-Employed Persons (AAESEP), a non-profit organization, offering American workers access to information, referrals to job training and job search organizations, and"

-globalEye.tip.health insurance

Navigating the Individual Health Insurance Market
by By Karen Pallarito
HealthDay Reporter

[Sticky issues that providers sometimes aren't very clear about. The article rightly recommends getting verbal and written documentation from provider for clarification. Ask for possibly written documentation that defines in laymen's terms coverage for all family members regarding substance abuse, stress, depression and other mental health issues.]
-globalEye.tip.health insurance

Health Insurance - Provision of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: "

Frequently Asked Questions
* How can I get services? Whom should I contact?
* What can I expect from my insurance plan?
* How can I enhance my insurance?
* What about parity?
* When should I use mental health or substance abuse services?
* Whom will I see?
* For more information...
How can I get services? Whom should I contact?

Call your insurance plan, or your company's benefits administrator, and ask for a verbal and written description of what coverage is provided for behavioral health treatments. Many insurers offer coverage for mental health (MH) services and/or substance abuse (SA) treatments; some only cover substance abuse if it co-occurs with mental illness. If you plan to use MH or SA benefits through your insurance plan, you may be required to get a referral from your regular doctor before you can receive services.
Additionally, your employer may offer an employee assistance program, or EAP. An EAP is a resource provided either as part of, or separate from, employer-sponsored health plans. Usually EAP visits are free, but the number of visits may be limited. Preventive care measures such as "

[The program targeted six major allergens — dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, rodents, passive smoking and mold with educational measures given for allergen-impermeable covers on the child’s mattress, box spring and pillows, air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters, and professional pest control.]
-globalEye.tip.health insurance

New Study on Childhood Asthma Shows Home-Based Interventions Are Cost-Effective, October 11, 2005 Press Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH): "New Study on Childhood Asthma Shows Home-Based Interventions Are Cost-Effective"

New data suggest that a home-based environmental intervention program is a cost-effective way to improve the health of inner-city children who have moderate to severe asthma. The program successfully decreased allergen levels in the home and reduced asthma symptoms. The data also show that the cost would be substantially lower if the interventions were implemented in a community setting, and that they would be as cost-effective as many drug interventions.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provided major funding to researchers at seven centers across the United States for the two-year study. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of NIH, also supported the research. Study results are now available online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
�While the interventions were clearly effective in reducing asthma symptoms, we wanted to know whether the measures were cost-effective,� says Meyer Kattan, M.D., a pediatric pulmonologist with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and lead author on the study.
The home-based program was designed to target six major c"

[Check the fine print, from bumper to bumper, for built-in provisional coverages that can unnecessarily cost you more than you need to pay; as well as, ceilings and limitations that could possibly expense out by omission in an even greater way.]
-globalEye.tip.health insurance

Article Search Engine: GoArticles.com:
"Finding Affordable Health Insurance"
by Carol Cass

With prices seeming to be on a never-ending rise, health insurance costs have increased to the point that affordable health insurance seems to be a thing of the past. One of the most common means of obtaining affordable health insurance is working for a company that offers a group health insurance. But what about those of us who don't work for a company with insurance benefits, those who have lost their jobs or are in between, those who are uninsured and under-insured ?

The first thing to do when looking for affordable health insurance is to assess your personal situation. Not all people need the same benefits in an insurance policy. Someone who has a family will need a different policy than a single person, and, even though a company offers a family group policy, their group policy might not meet the needs of your particular family situation. You must look at your needs before starting to shop for affordable health insurance, and, then, shop around. Pay strict attention to the cost of the benefits that are important to you, the yearly deductibles, co-pays, ceilings, and lifetime maximums that might adversely affect you. For instance, some may need a policy that covers maternity, but if you don't need it, delete that from your list of necessary coverage. Look at a minimum of 8 t"