Health Insurance Enrollment Process

Lauren Mandel

The first deadline Obamacare formally adopted, but that does not mean you are completely out of luck. You still have time to get a 2016 cover for the whole family.

As we shared with you over the past weeks, December 15 was the deadline to get coverage starting January 1, 2016. If you enroll in a plan going forward, it will not be activated until some time after that date.

So what you need to know to find coverage before the end of the Open Enrollment?

• your deadline is January 31, 2016. Although the deadline has been extended in the past, it was recently announced that there would not the registration extension for 2016 do not waste time to find your plan before that date.
• Help is available. While you can go online to find coverage on your own, you can call to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Our agents can recommend specific plans, provide your estimate of the tax credit, and even get you fully in the plan of your choice.
• The tax penalty is greater than ever. If you choose to go uninsured, you face a fine of $ 695 or, 2.5 percent of income, whichever is greater. It was recently estimated that the average fine uninsured will face in 2016 is $ 969.
• sure to find the right plan. Plans Obamacare is not a one size. It is important to evaluate your options, consider your budget limitations, and find a plan that covers the services you need.

There are a few weeks left in the Open Enrollment period, and if you don 't find a plan before the deadline, you will most likely without coverage until next year . Do not wait :. Call 888-322-7557 or visit GoHealth.com to find your plan now

Lauren Mandel

Almost from January to May young adults n 't have health insurance coverage. As we approach the end of the Registration Open, and in the celebration of National Youth Day registration, we explain how important it is for only 20 percent enroll in a health plan, before that it's too late.

Many you may ask, "If I'm young and healthy, why do I need health insurance" Well, health insurance is not only for old and sick by law, everyone -. regardless of age or health status. - Is required to have health insurance coverage to protect against unexpected moments of life

Depending on your age, you might be able to stay on the health insurance plan of your parent a little longer than you thought. Thanks to the affordable care Act, everyone can stay on the plan 'insurance of their parents until they become 26 years old. this is true even if you are married or living somewhere other than home your parent.

If you over 26 or you can not you are covered by a parent, you still have other options. you can search a blanket on GoHealth.com, where you may be eligible for financial assistance known as tax credits . In fact, 8 out of 10 people has some kind of financial assistance last year. These grants can make your monthly payments more affordable premiums.

No matter how you choose to get health insurance, the most important thing is to cover. You never know when you might need help paying surprise, expensive medical bills, and you can not get health insurance to cover these costs after the fact. Now it's time to take control of your future and get the coverage you need.

Whether you are a buyer of health insurance for the first time or long enrollee to find the right Medicare coverage can be confusing. In an effort to help you find the right combination of shots, we answer questions top consumer Medicare, including what your first step should be, your prescription drug coverage options, and much more.

1. If I Part A, how can I add Part B?

to complete your coverage original Medicare and enroll in Part B, you must contact the Social Security office and actively enroll. Once you have both Parts A and B, you can supplement your Medicare coverage with additional options.

2. What is a guaranteed issue Medicare law, and I do

guaranteed a Medicare problem is just right in certain circumstances to grant a Medicare Supplement plan - or a Medigap policy - regardless of other details about your health. In these specific situations, insurance companies must sell you a Medicare Supplement plan cover all of your pre-existing conditions, not you pay more for because of health problems policy. Most often, you might have a guaranteed right problem if you lose your current coverage or health coverage changes.

3. If I have only Part A, what other types of health insurance do I get?

If you only have Part A, you are eligible to also get Part B. You can not move forward with the exploration of other types of coverage 'insurance until you have both part A and part B.

4. Can I enroll in part D without part B?

Unfortunately, you can not. To move forward with additional health insurance options (including Part D), you must have both Parts A and B.

5. What my coverage options for prescription drugs?

If you need coverage for prescription drugs, you have a few different options. Once you get the parts A and B, you can choose to switch to Medicare Advantage, which sometimes provides coverage for prescription drugs. You can also choose to join a prescription drug plan - or Part D -. Which offers various coverage options depending on the medicines you take

6. How do I find my claim Medicare number [?

you can call social security and a representative, it can help you find your claim Medicare number.

7. How do I subscribe to Medicaid?

You should call your state Medicaid department if you are interested in coverage of Medicaid health insurance.

8. What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Supplement - or Medigap - Plans help you complete your coverage. They can help you with the costs of health care that can not be covered by original Medicare, such as co-insurance, co-insurance, and deductibles. Medicare Advantage is a private health insurance option is needed to cover all the same benefits as Parts A and B, as well as additional benefits such as coverage for prescription drugs. You can not have a Medicare supplement plan and Medicare Advantage at the same time.

9. Why should I enroll in Medicare Advantage instead of original Medicare? Are not they the same thing?

Although they are similar, there are also differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. By law, Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover all the same benefits that Original Medicare, or parts A and B.

However, there may be some differences in how you pay your costs pocket-off with a Medicare Advantage plan, or you can have a more or less free. There may also be differences in the cover itself. For example, while Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, some Medicare Advantage plans only offer coverage.

10. How can I avoid gaps in coverage of my health insurance?

There are many different types of Medicare coverage available to help you avoid gaps in your coverage. It is important to explore all your options and combinations of coverage with a licensed agent.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

by Jenny Fliegel

The fourth open enrollment under the affordable care Act is just a few months, and the changes are done to the controversial law on health. However, no matter your opinion about Obamacare, it is clear that the law has changed the health care industry. But could the registration of a group - especially millennials - affect the whole market more than before

Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, the overall uninsured rate fell more 40 percent, and the uninsured rate? among young adults decreased by almost half. younger demographic groups generally have better health, which helps insurers to control costs and to balance the risks to cover less healthy people. low risk pools contain a disproportionate share of customers that cost more in health benefits coverage plans demanded they pay monthly premiums.

To further enhance the pool of market risk and reduce costs, there will be new outreach efforts to enroll email those who are still uninsured, particularly millennials. The 2016 data Open Enrollment Period concluded that young adults are about twice as likely to participate in health insurance in response to an awareness of email compared to seniors. The inclusion of young adults could help control premium rate increases in future years by offsetting the costs of former registered, less healthy.

Some learners may remain on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) until they turn 19 or on the health insurance plan of their parents until that they turn 26. data from the 2014 census showed an increase of nearly 7 percent uninsured rate of 19, and an increase of 4 percent of 26; lowering the uninsured rate benefit all Americans more than one way.

People who pay a tax penalty Obamacare this year for not having health insurance last year will receive letters encouraging them to register. About 7.9 million Americans paid a penalty for lack of coverage in 2014, and 45 percent of these people were under the age of 35. This year, the penalty for not having a qualified health coverage will be 2, 5 percent of household income or $ 695 per adult and $ 347.50 per child, whichever is higher. It is usually cheaper - and safer - to obtain health coverage to pay the fine

If you have questions about your current coverage or how to get coverage this fall, call 888 -322-7557 .. and be sure to follow us on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates Obamacare.

Last year, Microsoft introduced a service called HealthVault that allows people to store information medical and eHealth. The co-founder of AOL also unveiled online storage of health information at Revolution Health.

Now it's time for Google.

Google announced that they will launch an information storage program on pilot health with up to 10,000 volunteers who are patients at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, reported USA Today .

Cleveland Clinic already uses an online information system for their 0,000 patients -The participants in the pilot program will simply allow their information accessible with the Google service.

Microsoft HealthVault can store and manage information about your prescription drugs, lab results, doctors, health history documents. It will also share your information with other health Web sites.

The Google service will likely have many similar features.

The online tool will not be open to the public, and Google is keeping the details of their plans largely a secret.

Although many experts and legislators are urging health care providers to use information technology on health, there could be a risk of confidentiality regarding storing personal medical records .

according to the report USA Today, medical information on these third-party services may not be protected by confidentiality laws established. The Accountability Act and Health Insurance Portability (HIPAA), passed in 1996, included a locking arrangement of the patient / physician confidentiality and privacy.

But Microsoft HealthVault and Google pilot program are not bound by HIPAA, said Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum.

it means it can make it easier for outside sources to legally obtain personal health information.

others argue that the service is only patients taking an active role in their own health care.

"We believe that patients should be able to easily access and manage their own health information," said Google executive Marissa Mayer, who oversees the program.

New York City and Boston were the first to send trans fat on the run. Other cities and states have been slower to ban the fat clogged arteries, but proposing bans and restrictions.

World vague awareness of how bad trans fats are really for your health is almost like a fad.

But some health experts are concerned that anti-trans fat buzz could send the wrong signal. They warned against the "effect SnackWell" (or "SnackWell syndrome").

What is the effect SnackWell?

In the 190s, food manufacturers have begun to make low-fat and fat-free cookies, including cookies food SnackWell Devils. It was not long before these cookies have become a great success with the diet. Retail and grocery stores often sold out of them.

In fact, the cookies with low fat content of SnackWell were so successful that they are one of the most successful product launches in the food industry history, wrote the Chicago Tribune .

the problem was that people mistakenly believed that it is only the fat in food that causes weight gain. They also believed they could eat as much fat cookies as they wanted without gaining anything.

But put on the pounds is the result of consuming more calories than to burn them. So eat a fat box of cookies could add hundreds of calories to your diet.

When consumers have realized the cookies are not helping their weight loss efforts, sales of SnackWell dropped.

regarding trans fatty acids, SnackWell effect would happen if people started to believe all trans-fat foods were healthy.

"fried chicken or trans trans fat fat donuts are hardly an improvement. It may even backfire, with people thinking, now there are healthy fries [!]," said Care health author Michele Simon in Baltimore Sun

Keep in mind that all trans free food gREASE not all necessarily healthy They may contain saturated fats.. - . Who can raise your cholesterol, cause high blood pressure and pose many other health risks of heart

According to Mayo clinic, the average person should not eat more than 20 grams. fat saturated by day - and less than 2 grams of trans per day bold

another thing to remember:. foods labeled "0 trans fat" can be misleading the food and Drug Administration allows manufacturers to "fat 0 trans "on the label if half a gram or less of trans fat per serving.

So how can you choose foods with trans fats? Read the ingredient list.

trans fat comes from the oils hydrogenation process artificially. If "partially hydrogenated oil" is listed nowhere in the ingredients, and the food has trans fat.

While taking the trans fat of the image is good, it is not the only health risk food.

"We're definitely going in the right direction. It is somewhat fashionable these days, but [removing trans fats] only doing half the job, "said Dr. Michael Miller, who is director of the Preventive Cardiology Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

As the cost of health care continues to rise - and the number of Americans without coverage Medicare - many will cast their ballots in November for the presidential candidate who they believe has the best solution

Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate presumptive, would use tax breaks, the market competition, and high. -Risk Insurance pools to reduce the number of uninsured citizens.

under his sharp plane, Senator McCain get rid of the tax credit currently given to employers who provide health insurance, and give loans to individuals to purchase a plan on the private market .

to be true, people would get $ 2500 (families get $ 5000) to help purchase a health plan themselves.

would change the decades-old employer system in which most insured Americans get health coverage of their work

critics of his plan noted people with Pre-existing health conditions would struggle to find an affordable plan -. or would not be able to get coverage at all.

to fight against this problem, Senator McCain has proposed guaranteed access plan, which uses high-risk insurance pools to cover those with preexisting conditions. The pools under the McCain plan would offer monthly premiums "reasonable" and subsidize the cost of the lowest employees.

According to the principal political adviser to Senator McCain, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the federal government will provide $ 7 billion to $ 10 for pools, reported Wall Street Journal (subscription required) .

Not everyone agrees with this approach will work. Some health experts point out that high-risk pools often fail because of the cost and McCain pools will be no different.

But the point of the Arizona senator at the pool at high risk successfully in Minnesota, which covers about 28,500 people and has been in operation for 32 years. The Minnesota program will be the main model for guaranteed access plan.

"We must ensure [those with conditions] get the high quality coverage they need," said Senator McCain.

If you think to relax, watch a movie and munching popcorn this weekend, we thought we 'throw D a look at an article claiming the health benefits of popcorn.

in the article Reuters , researchers in Nebraska found a link between consumption of popcorn and good health. The results of the study suggest that people who eat popcorn consume the necessary three servings of whole grains per day.

The study, conducted by the Center for Human Nutrition in Omaha, watched that 15,506 people have eaten in the last 24 hours over a three-year study from 1999 to 02 for those eaten popcorn in the past 24 hours, they had an average of 12 cups, wrote the article.

Because popcorn is rich in whole grains, 12 cups equals about a consumption of 250 per cent more whole grain than someone who does not eat popcorn.

"These results confirm that the popcorn can provide a healthy alternative to high energy dense, low-nutrient dense snacks," said Dr. Ann C. Grandjean, who led the study.

has a coverage angle, we take this study with a grain of salt, with a slight pun.

although popcorn is a good source of whole grains, it does not mean he is in full health many types of popcorn lots of saturated fat, trans fat, and high amounts of sodium -.. All that you should look out for

preferably to avoid the kind of popcorn with loads of salt, fats and other preservatives, such as partially hydrogenated oils that contain trans fatty acids.

Last week, two US senators introduced a new draft health insurance law that will guarantee coverage for any child with a health problem.

Bill, US Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Sherrod Brown, would make a significant change in the law on federal insurance, HIPAA (Health Accountability Act Insurance Portability and).

Currently, HIPAA allows private health insurance companies to deny coverage or require exclusion / waiting period for children with pre-existing health conditions such as cancer or diabetes.

under the measure, called the Children Act, the Health Protection 08, this provision of the HIPAA law would be abolished, wrote a press release on Senator Brown's website.

insurance companies and employers providing health plan for a family would not be allowed to impose limitations of coverage for children up to the age of 19

"children deserve full access to a doctor in their community and the drugs they need to get healthy. Our bill is a critical step to ensure that all children receive the care healthcare they need, "said Sen. Lautenberg.

No word yet on the support of the measure, but a" "companion bill is proposed in the US House of representatives.

"the children's health protection Act would prevent the blocking of child insurers who need medical care the most," said Senator Brown.

Today, Senator Barack Obama talked about health care policy on the campaign trail in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

during a public meeting, according to a Wall Street Journal blog, Senator Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee said he would support a single -Pay health care system the United States if he could start again.

"If I were designing a system from scratch, I would probably go ahead with a single payer [health care] system," said Senator Obama.

such a system would get rid of private insurance companies and individual health insurance plans and the government would exclusively run all health care services.

It would bring universal health care USA, which is a goal of many Democratic lawmakers share.

of course, Senator Obama knows he can not start from scratch and our current health care system is unlikely could not be changed to single payer in the near future.

"[M] there is the attitude we will build the system we have, we will make it more efficient, we can over time, as we do more efficient system and everyone is covered, decide that there are other ways for us to provide care more efficiently, "said the senator from Illinois.

Therefore, even if we can not make the transition to a system of single payer health care now, should we be in the future?

health insurance for defenders the kids were disappointed not once but twice by President George W. Bush and the Democrats in the US House of representatives.

But never say congressional Democrats.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives will not try to push legislation to expand children's health insurance program states (SCHIP) because they know it will not be adopted.

"is not going to change any votes on the bill on children's health insurance. We still do not have enough to override a veto," said US Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois.

We believe that the Democrats are betting on Illinois Senator Barack Obama won the presidential election in November. Senator Obama is a supporter of the SCHIP expansion, and it went so far that he will push for a federal mandate that all children have health insurance.

Republicans argue that the SCHIP expansion would be too costly and undesirable step toward "socialized medicine. "

Democrats counter that Republicans do not want to make the children.

" Those who opposed this bill can face the voters and explain why they believe that 10 million children should not get health coverage, "Representative Emanuel also said, reported The New York Times .

The SCHIP debate was quite heated and almost completely partisan on Capitol Hill, it will be interesting to see how voters react Campaign healthcare 08.

Soon the insurance parity for mental health health to become law United States.

the Senate and House of Representatives passed bills that would require health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental and physical health conditions reported The New York Times .

in the Senate, parity of mental health is part of an alternative fuels, energy conservation, and renewable energy bill. In the provision of mental health, group health insurance plans will be required to cover the treatment of mental disorders as physical ailments.

energy bill in the Senate, including the provision of parity of mental health, was approved in a 93-2 vote.

in the House, a bill on independent mental health applies to all health insurance plans was approved yesterday by a vote of 376 to 47.

project the single mental health Act should soon the Senate and the House to go to the office of the president, wrote the Times article.

The mental health bills are supported by both houses of Congress, the health insurance companies, advocates for mental health, and the White House.

"There will be more people with mental illness have mental health coverage treated differently from their coverage for other diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes," said the US Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico.

Friday, a article in the Washington Post looked deeper into the new law mental health parity that was adopted as part of $ 700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout.

The article reported that there was indeed restrictions on health insurance coverage for mental health problems yet.

For example, health insurance plans that currently offer no mental health services are not required to add on the cover.

further, not all the conditions listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) will be covered. The DSM-IV is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is the guide that all psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers use to diagnose patients.

Although there are still some holes still left in the coverage of mental health, most agree that the new law is essentially positive -. and above all, that mental health problems are finally affirmed that medically diagnosed and treated

"millions of Americans will now be assured better access to all mental and behavioral health coverage while continuing to benefit from the programs innovative health plans have developed to promote high-quality care based on evidence, "said the president of America's health insurance plans, Karen Ignagni

One last interesting information some information. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the new law will increase the contribution to the health system by an average of only four-tenths of one percent.

Not bad.

Democrats the US House of representatives are preparing for 09 and a new administration in the white House. as regards health care, the first on the list (it seems) is to extend coverage to children's health state Insurance Program (SCHIP).

initially, lawmakers planned on including the funding of the expansion in a draft economic stimulus law, but are now looking to push the effort in the autonomous legislation.

The Associated Press and the Miami Herald , the new bill will be similar to those that have been vetoed by President Bush twice in 07.

But the details remain to be settled. Members must decide how much money to push and how long to extend the program's life. president of the Energy and Commerce Committee of the House, US Representative newly seated Harry Waxman, said the details are still to be determined, wrote the AP article.

if there is a position that is morally and politically correct, it is that all children should have health insurance.

has been the case since 1997, when the state health insurance program children (SCHIP) was created. and today marks the third time that Congress has approved the expansion of SCHIP, providing access to the program for millions of children.

It seems that the third time's the charm, with a new white House President Barack Obama is all but guaranteed to sign the extension approved by both Houses of Congress of the United States. Today, the Senate approved the expansion of SCHIP in a lopsided 66-32 vote, reported Washington post .

Previously, we reported that even this piece of politically correct law could not escape the partisan politics. And after today's vote, which is always the case.

It seems the stumbling point for Republicans was a provision that allowed some legal immigrants to enroll in SCHIP. GOP lawmakers wanted to keep the law as it is, forcing legal immigrants to wait five years before they become eligible.

In the latest draft of expansion law, legislators failed compromises and available to immigrants, but with a strong majority and a Democratic president, Senate Democrats re-added.

Apparently, the debate over the provision was a bit heated in the bedroom.

"[Re-adding the provision was a] slap to those of us who worked so hard with our friends on the other side," said Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah. "We could have had 95 votes. That would have sent a huge huge message that was not sent here for a long time."

Democrats saw it a bit differently

. "the bottom line is: This is a debate on the cover of the children's health This is not a debate about immigration." said Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois.

A familiar argument also came from the Republican side in the debate when Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi in question, "Is this the true intent of this bill to replace the private health care system a health care system run by the government? "

Partisan health insurance policy is here, it seems to stay.

This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services announced that they will reduce payments to health insurance companies for Medicare Advantage plans from 4 to 4.5 percent.

There is a promise kept by the Obama administration who said they would reduce the private health insurance provides in part to help fund a major health care and insurance revision disease, reported the Wall Street Journal

According to the WSJ article, insurers had expected the reductions -. but not before 2011.

Therefore, when and if these cuts go through, what this means for the average insured in their golden years?

General word of the insurance industry is that those who have Medicare Advantage will be reduced or increased premiums benefits. Most likely it would be this one because, honestly, probably the rate increase less hassle for insurers.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said the increases would average between $ 50 and $ 80, wrote the WSJ article.

So what do these rate increases to the approximately 10 million people are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan? Perhaps more drop and go to regular Medicare. Perhaps the insurance companies make too much of a stench and the Medicare Advantage market will not be significantly affected.

As we seem to say much here ... we'll have to wait and see.

This week the former governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius was (finally) confirmed that the Secretary of Health and Human services. As Secretary Sebelius will head the FDA, CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

His appointment was approved in a 65-31 vote, reported Wall Street Journal . - Actually five more votes than we originally thought.

As you may have heard, the biggest qualm people had about Secretary Sebelius is his pro-choice position on abortion and its relationship with a doctor who performs the procedure.

But she did it with a cushion 5 votes win the approval of a small handful of Republicans.

now that she's in, President Obama added to its list of powerful allies who promised time and again to get health care and health insurance reform done this year, and hope fact.

The Sebelius health care philosophy, a Democrat, is closely aligned with President Obama. Secretary Sebelius, we can expect to hear similar plans on things like individual plans public sponsored health insurance, individual mandates, and the prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions.

Although Sebelius was not the first choice of the President, it will be a great voice to the front of health reform, and we will be listening carefully.

So far, one of the points sharpest debate when it comes to health care reform and health insurance is whether we should have a public-private health insurance plan to compete with other plans.

Well, it is a point of debate, but ultimately likely to occur with lawmakers advocating enjoying a hefty majority in Congress and an ally in the White House.

But would a public-private plan means for the federal budget?

The Congressional Office Budget recently published a report on how the major reforms could affect the government's portfolio, reported Washington Post

in general, CBO examined the health reform in two ways :. the government would have strong control over the industry of health insurance, or private system maintains its independence with a public option added to the competition.

If the government has maintained strict control over the industry, then it would be considered by the CBO as a government program that belongs in the federal budget, CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf wrote.

on the other hand, said Elmendorf, an essentially private system of health insurance is not part of the budget.

And as long as people have a wide range of choice - and the government has not been in charge of collecting premiums for the public-private option - then a mandate for all Americans buy health insurance could not be considered a form of federal tax

Furthermore, the. premium collection would not be considered a federal income in a market dominated by private insurance.

Things are heating up on health insurance plans offer managed by the government. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rejected a Senate proposal to replace the insurance plans run by the government with the private management of health care cooperatives, reported The Hill .

The day before, during a visit to Green Bay, Wisconsin, Obama was greeted by protesters denouncing his healthcare reform as socialism. In response, his speech stressed it endorse the nationalized health care.

Indeed, while some details are still to be defined, it is clear that proposed reforms would allow people to stay with their insurance providers illness private. In addition, the public plan would not be subsidized, so it would be fair competition with private plans.

So what's the problem?

Groups such as the American Medical Association are concerned that the availability of a public plan would inevitably lead to a single-payer health care system with the outgoing government on top. In other words, they do not want Uncle Sam in their business.

But they can not have the bite or bark to be a real obstacle.

They now represent barely a quarter of the country's doctors. And an independent study of American doctors published in Annals of Internal Medicine last year revealed widespread support for health insurance sponsored by the government. Nearly 60 percent supported some form of health insurance.

Decades, the AMA has fought bitterly against the formation of Medicare, but had to yield to overwhelming public support of the program. Today, public opinion has become so hard for the reform of health care they are already tempered their position.

However, they remain the largest, most visible group of doctors in the country. And they are still spending vast amounts of money to shape national health policy. On Monday, President Obama is scheduled to address the annual meeting of the AMA in Chicago. It should be interesting to see how the organization receives the message of the president.

Today, AOS big news reform of health insurance is that President Obama is officially open to new tax on health benefits the employer.

It, AOS a giant leap away from what the president message OSA during the 08 campaign, in which he criticized the whole idea of ​​a new tax on group health insurance and promised no tax increase for the American middle class.

Unfortunately for Central America, any tax on health insurance employers hit the spot in the nose.

But times have changed. Obama is now president, the 2012 election is still more than 3 years of absence, voters have short memories, and most of the proposed reform of health insurance plans are expected to cost $ 1 trillion-plus.

Obama, AOS senior adviser David Axelrod told ABC George Stephanopoulos AOS that the White House won, AOT be, Äúdrawing lines in the sand about where Âu They, Aore will get money to reform and taxation of employer benefits could be a possibility, writes Washington post .

As McClatchey newspapers reported, however, President Obama isn, AOT so keen on the idea. As a compromise, the president is considering taxing only health insurance plans with a Cadillac-like cover, obviously in an attempt to target these potential tax increases to higher earning Americans.

Politically, such a decision could significantly hurt President Obama, AOS credibility but it could also be necessary to pay for a huge project of the health reform law.

secondly, the president and his advisers were shockingly bright when it comes to meander out of difficult political situations. After the way the president has handled its policy in the past, we wouldn, AOT surprised if he could pull this off.

We'll see.

To ensure that we are connected to health care and health insurance at any time or 140 characters least we're now on Twitter. Follow us at www.twitter.com/GoHealthDotCom.

Without introducing something new, President Obama gave a rousing speech to revive the momentum for the reform of health care. As far as this goes, we thought that he hit out of the park. You can not get around the fact that the president is a great orator.

Insofar as the details go, there were not too many surprises here either, although some interesting assertions were made.

More specifically, the speech of President supported the plan of Senator Baucus as the plan to reform health insurance. Obama almost approved the point Mr. Baucus plan by point.

This and the reduction of government spending, is how Mr. Baucus cut off his plan price tag down to $ 880 billion over ten years. Last night, the Obama figures came slightly more than $ 00 billion, which would still keep its promise to not add to the deficit.

The president also reiterated his support for a public plan, but not excluding other options, by simply calling one of many ways to the same end. However, he said that if the law fails to provide affordable health insurance for as many Americans, this should trigger a plan run by the government -. An idea championed by Senator Olympia J. Snowe, a chief negotiator of the Finance Committee

though the public plan has been a major sticking point, this new configuration may very well be the winning solution .

The New York Times reported that Ms. Snowe said she was pleased to hear the President was considering the idea of ​​using a public plan only as a back-up. She added: "I am pleased that many other elements he discussed dovetail with those we continue to work in the bipartisan Gang of Six. "

Is a starting light to shine out of the woods? Although Mr. Baucus will still get Senators Charles E. Grassley and Michael B. Enzi come around, it's a promising step towards passing a healthcare reform bill -. and one of the two parties to this

With formal approval of AARP yesterday the bill on the House health is moving more confidently towards its floor vote, just one day away. Several aspects of this time gave us break. AARP has never approved this kind of complete overhaul health care, and the law of the House is the most radical overhaul of the health care policy in four decades.

"We started this debate there are more than two years, with the dual goal of making affordable coverage to our members young and protect Medicare for seniors," said AARP CEO Barry Rand to Associated Press . "We" have read the affordable health care for America Act and we can say with confidence that it meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and necessary reform of the health insurance market to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage. "

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are undoubtedly breathe a little easier. the support of the AARP (or lack thereof) has proved powerful in the past, helping to adopt the Law on Drug Benefit prescription 03 and stop privatization of Social Security under former President George W. Bush.

But some major problems remain. In particular, coverage of immigrants and illegal restrictions on federal funding for abortion could be both explosive debates. the New York Times did a good job of analyzing the different factions and deals being negotiated around it, which are many and could still unravel legislation. hoping compromise prevails here.

Although Senate lawmakers look like they are going drop the public health insurance option against the health reform bill, the private sector has not moved.

In fact, it has fallen.

The Associated Press reported that the Medicare stocks fell slightly today after news broke of probable demise of the public option.

Without the public option, investors should not worry about a plan run by the government would come on the market and distort competition, and ultimately, revenues and profits.

As news of the release of the public option has no impact on the stock markets, the ideological left will probably be in the arms. It will be interesting to see if the public diet affects the combination of the versions of the Senate and the House.

The replacement of the public option looks like it could be a national health insurance plan administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which currently heads the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan for Employees federal.

Senate Democrats also want to let the Americans over the age of 55 to buy into Medicare. Critics are already critical of this, arguing that it would increase the cost of health care and open a back door to a single health care payer government run.

"I think it moves us way down the road," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Wall Street Journal .

As promised, today we will examine the arguments for implementing a mandate that would require almost all Americans to buy health insurance.

An argument for the individual mandate is that it would greatly spread the financial risk.

If nearly everyone is required to purchase health insurance, then there is more of the premiums paid into the system to pay for sick healthcare services.

Many argue that people who currently lack health insurance are young and relatively healthy. Because these people will not need many health care services, their premiums will in effect subsidize the cost of caring for others.

These additional premiums will facilitate the financial risk for everybody: health, patients and insurance companies.

Without a mandate, there is no incentive for healthy people to buy coverage. In fact, a developer of office might argue that this lack of incentives actually increases the cost of health care and health insurance rates if healthy people wait to buy insurance until they get sick.

Perhaps the most powerful moral argument is that the mandate will, in theory, improve the average health of Americans. There have been some pretty disseminated studies over the past two years linking lack of health insurance for illness, chronic illness, bankruptcy and even death.

The simple health insurance means that it is easier to stay healthy and away from the emergency room.

There are advantages and disadvantages to being all - especially in public policy. And we know that we do not cover everything. So let us know what you think.

Residents with Plans Health Maintenance Organization (HMO health insurance ) will no longer face waiting lists for medical services in California.

In an announcement tomorrow awaited California Legislature will need physicians to treat a patient with an HMO plan within 10 days of appointment requests, while specialists will have to see patients within 15 days. Emergency care will be provided to HMO insured within 48 hours.

The Los Angeles patients have been confronted with waiting 59 days average time for a routine physical. In San Diego, patients with HMO plans were waiting an average of 24 days, according to a survey by Merritt Hawkins & Associates.

Experts blame these long waiting periods on the number of insured Medicaid in California cities. Doctors receive low reimbursement rates for Medicaid, which makes a limited income in cities.

In addition to reducing wait times, phone calls will be returned within 30 minutes and healthcare providers must be available 24 hours a day.

This bill puts a huge amount of pressure on health care providers with the hope that these changes will alleviate the number of visits to emergency rooms each year performed.

Interestingly, health reform may still make it difficult for doctors to comply with these requirements. The reform may lead more doctors outside major cities in California, which would make the existing problem worse.

Florida legislature has established a program in January 09 to help residents uninsured buy affordable health insurance. Governor Charlie Crist pushed for this law, which has stripped health plans that are not subject to some state-mandated benefits. The program coverage in Florida, was considered a political victory by Crist, but was not so successful with uninsured residents.

Cover Florida offers a private health insurance to residents who do not qualify for public programs and have been uninsured for six months. There are 27 plans that can be purchased on average $ 50 per month. Residents with pre-existing conditions can not be turned down for coverage, but must wait a year before their conditions can be covered.

According to the American Medical Association, the program had 5,246 people enroll in Cover Florida over the year. With 3.8 million uninsured adults remaining, the program seems to be a bit of a failure.

So why so little purchasing this policy?

First, the state had almost no funds to promote the program to uninsured residents. In addition, insurers who sold the policy received little compensation for selling Cover Florida, giving little incentive agents to deliver the program.

Finally, health insurance plans cover Florida are more attractive to those who have trouble finding insurance, turning off consumers who are eligible for other private insurance policies.

It seems that the legislature of Florida realizes that the passage of the bill was only half the battle.

UnitedHealthcare has launched a new database on the care of cancer patients that includes clinical data and claims for oncologists. The registry, called analysis of oncology care, will measure the quality of health care that cancer patients receive by The Wall Street Journal .

The insurance company spent three years creating a database for oncologists on the treatment of cancer patients receive. UnitedHealthcare is soon to measure their results against the guidelines provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Hopes are that the registry will help oncologists compare the treatments they use compared to other oncologists to eliminate unnecessary procedures.

Another insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan helped the American Society of Clinical Oncology create a quality assessment program as well. This collaboration was created to recruit more doctors and participants help create cancer patients guidelines for health insurance companies and health care providers.

In theory, these programs are great ideas. But because cancer treatments vary from person to person, creating guidelines can be difficult.

Tennessee is the latest state to withdraw from the mandate of the federal insurance disease that has yet to become law. The Law on Freedom of Tennessee Health was adopted without any debate today. The law does not remove the federal mandate, but gives residents the choice to participate in the proposed program.

Tennessee legislature lobbied the state Attorney General Bob Cooper to challenge the federal mandate, but it refuses to do so until the mandate becomes law.

According to the Tennessean, thirty states have proposed similar bills, although the reform of health insurance appears to be stalled in Washington.

That the health reform federal happens or not, it will be interesting how many states reject the idea altogether.

a lawsuit was filed yesterday against Massachusetts Legislature to exclude legal immigrants to health insurance coverage subsidized by the state. Overall, coverage has been cut to 26,000 legal immigrants from Commonwealth Care, the Medicaid program of the State, which eliminated $ 130 million in funding last year.

The suit claims excluding legal immigrants is unconstitutional and a violation of rights.

According to The Boston Globe , those who were cut coverage were stripped-down health insurance plans instead given with higher coinsurance for drugs and treatments.

Since the law was passed, more than 8,000 legal immigrants became eligible for Commonwealth Care, but were denied coverage. Massachusetts Legislature capped enrollment in the health care system last year and will not allow more immigrants into the program.

legislators of Massachusetts' say they do not want to cut the coverage of immigrants, but cited cost as the biggest problem. According to the article, the federal government offers far fewer Medicaid funding for legal immigrants as US citizens.

The only problem with the costume is that it is still doubtful that immigrants can legally continue the state legislature at all.

We'll see how it all plays out. interesting things.