More Than Two in Five People Have Medical Debt, Medical Bill Problems, Study Says
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January 24, 2006

[Detailed from a March 2004 study by the Commonwealth Fund, an estimated 27.7 million working adults had medical debt in 2003 and 62% of those individuals had health insurance. The highest percentage were among those with higher deductible health insurance plans. These numbers could be a telling indicator of why the more recent trends in Health Savings Accounts (HSA) have been so dramaticly strong.]
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Coverage & Access | More Than Two in Five People Have Medical Debt, Medical Bill Problems, Study Says - Kaisernetwork.org:


KaiserNetwork | Daily Health Policy Report

[Aug 11, 2005]

More than two of every five U.S. adults—about 77 million individuals—had problems with paying of medical bills, had accrued medical debt or both in 2003, according to a study released on Wednesday by the Commonwealth Fund, Healthday News/Detroit Free Press reports (Pallarito, Healthday News/Detroit Free Press, 8/11). For the study, Michelle Doty, a senior analyst atthe Commonwealth Fund, and colleagues conducted a more detailed analysis of data from a March 2004 study that surveyed 4,052 adults ages 19 and older between September 2003 and January 2004. According to the new study, an estimated 27.7 million working adults had medical debt in 2003 and 62% of those individuals had health insurance. The study also found:

* 49% of respondents who had health insurance with annual deductibles of $500 or more reported problems with the payment of medical bills, compared with 32% of those with lower annual deductibles (Higgins, Washington Times, 8/11);

* 63% of respondents who reported problems with the payment of medical bills said that they did not seek necessary treatment because of cost concerns;

* 48% of respondents who had health insurance but not prescription drug coverage reported problems with the payment of medical bills, compared with 33% of those who had prescription drug...... Read More>>>

Health Plan Specialists Debunk the Myth: HSAs are Just for the Healthy
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According to Emily Harding, principal of Health Plan Specialists, health insurance consumers at large have been misled by so-called 'experts' concerning the 'risks' of HSA's. According to Harding, when detailed cost-analysis is applied, traditional co-pay health insurance plans are more costly than a well placed HSA plan, even for the unhealthy. “The truth is, contrary to past advice about HSA plans from “experts”, any detailed cost analysis will easily prove there are far more risks and less protection for a much greater cost with co-pay plans than with properly priced and selected HSA plan”-– even for the sick.” said Harding.
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Health Plan Specialists Debunk the Myth: HSAs are Just for the Healthy

PRWeb™ : Press Release>NewsWire

Experts in choosing the better health insurance values for their clients prove with actual quotes for co-pay plans and HSA qualified health plans that a well priced HSA plan provides more than enough savings to provide better health care protection for less cost than traditional co-pay plans – for both the sick and the healthy.

Newport, RI (PRWEB) January 16, 2006 -- The general public has been misled by so-called “experts” who warn of “risks” associated with high deductible health plans used with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – especially for the unhealthy.

For far too long people have been advised to choose a plan based on their current needs and that the best plan for someone with a chronic condition is one that will “cover” or pay for the on-going expenses for that condition.

“What the so-called “experts” have failed to do is take into consideration the bottom-line cost for healthcare -- which includes the monthly premiums or cost of the insurance plus all the co-pays, deductibles, and out of pocket costs”, said Emily Harding, principal of Health Plan Specialists.

“Typically with even the most expensive “best” co-pay plan, the co-pays...

Read More>>>

New WellPoint Health Plan for Uninsured Young Adults Examined
globalEyeNews.health insurance.feature article

January 22, 2006

Tonik by WellPoint targets young uninsured adults with low-premium, high-deductible health plans as medical insurance companies continue to recognize the growing health care crisis among this demographic group. 70% of individuals who enroll in Tonik were previously uninsured.
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Daily Health Policy Report | Coverage & Access:
New WellPoint Health Plan for Uninsured Young Adults Examined - Kaisernetwork.org:

[January 4, 2006]

The Indianapolis Star on Dec. 25, 2005, examined a new low-premium, high-deductible health plan from Indianapolis-based WellPoint for individuals from ages 19 through their early 30s 'who are likely to go without health insurance.' WellPoint designed the health plan, called Tonik, for young adults who 'are without jobs or working in positions that don't provide benefits' and students who no longer receive coverage through the health plans of their parents, the Star reports. WellPoint launched Tonik in California in 2003. Tonik also is available in Colorado and will become available in other states this year. Tonik offers three levels of health coverage: 'Thrill Seeker,' 'Part-Time Daredevil' and 'Calculated Risktaker.' Monthly premiums under Tonik range from $64 to $123 based on age, location and medical history, and deductibles range from $1,500 to $5,000. Tonik covers limited dental and vision services but does not cover maternity care. According to the Star, Tonik is 'part of a new line of insurance products sprouting up as fewer Americans are getting health insurance' from their employers because of increased health".... Read More>>>

Health Insurance 101 for Individuals and Families:
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[It seems there has been a disturbing national trend developing, especially among singles in the 24-34 year old age group, that is, to forego health insurance entirely because of rising health insurance costs and budget restraints. There are high deductible plans available that cover the more 'catastrophic' health care issues that can be considerably more affordable. A companion Health Savings Account is an option, which reduces taxable income and can be rolled over yearly into a retirement account. Click HSA Calculator on the top menu bar for more information.]
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Health Insurance 101 for Individuals and Families:

by Michael H. Ertel

January 19, 2006

The changing healthcare and health insurance landscape in the United States has resulted in more individuals and families purchasing health insurance coverage on their own. Rather than touch on the number of reasons why this is the case, I would like to provide individuals and families finding themselves in this position with ten basic ideas to assist them with getting the best health insurance policy for their specific situation. Below is a combination of ten questions and suggestions that will provide the tools necessary to get a medical insurance policy that will best work forfor you and your family.

1. What are your typical health and medical care expenses in a calendar year? Most people are surprised when they go through this exercise to learn that they would be financially better off in most years to purchase a high deductible health insurance plan and use the premium savings to directly offset heath care expenses throughout the year.
   
   
   
2. How long do you anticipate needing the health insurance coverage? For example, many companies sell temporary policies that can be put in force for 1-6 months and they are relatively inexpensive. If you are in between jobs or in a waiting period for employer coverage, this may be your best option.
   
   
   
3. What is your budget? If your budget is tight, having a $1000, $2500 or even $5000 deductible is better than having no coverage at all. The ability of doctors and hospitals to save and prolong life in the United States is in many cases extraordinary. However, their treatment is not free and going without health insurance coverage can in some cases result in you and/or your family losing an entire life’s worth of savings and assets.
   
   
   
4. Be careful to choose a plan that covers the “big stuff”. It is nice to have.....Read More>>>