Health Maintenance Organizations...have been around since 1937.  Kaiser was the first in the U.S. and is
still around.  There are several kinds of HMOs with Kaiser being one of the most successful.
 

 

Staff Model HMOs  control costs the best by controlling the process.  This means they
are overseeing what doctor you can see and when you are approved to see a Specialist.  The ''gate keeper''
approach has been one of the biggest concerns of this type of HMO.

 

Other HMO plans have
been more like a traditional Point of Service Plan with the exception of your need to use the HMOs directory
of doctors.  There is no out of network coverage available.

 

With the increasing cost of
Health care, people are asking are the HMOs still doing the job they once did to better control cost.  All
insurance plans are going up in cost but some at different rates of increase.  Are HMOs holding the line
better?

 

This is debatable and hard to determine.  Health Savings plans and Health
Reimbursement Accounts are becoming somewhat more popular. There goal is to slow the rise in health care by
transferring some of the risk back to the employee. This has an initial savings that stays with the plan but
hasn't proven yet to slow the rate of increase.  More data is still needed.  

 

The one
thing that has become evident, however, is that when it is truly the employees money, they are more cafeful
about how and when their money is spent.  That is ultimately the whole
idea.

 

 

 

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The first reason
is the Disability coverage also covers them, the business owner, at a fraction of the cost.  It is also
guarantee issue as long as the business has 3+ employees.  These are important considerations for any
business owner to consider.

 

You also do the right
thing by covering your employees and offering them a benefit.  They have the same problem buying disability
coverage on their own.  Higher costs and underwriting considerations.

 

style="white-space: pre;"> Disability coverage is the most important benefit after ones health
insurance coverage.  It basically protects your ability to earn an income and pays you when you cannot.
 Generally, the benefit is equal to 60% of your earnings before your disability.

 

style="white-space: pre;"> Many employees don't think about this very important coverage until it is to
late and they find themselves out of work for a time.  The cost of this benefit is usually less then 3% of
the income it is protecting.

 

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What is the best voluntary benefit?  What is a voluntary benefit?  This is a benefit that the employee
pays for.  It is written as a group benefit, charged accordingly and written on a guarantee issue
basis.

 

Dental insurance is the top voluntary benefit.  It is a benefit used by all and
used by all the family members without going to the hospital, becoming disabled or
unemployed.

 

Employees will gladly step up and pay for their dental coverage.  Usually
dental insurance is inexpensive and covers the basic as well as most of the major services.  The children are
also covered and get the latest flouride treatments.

 

So if you are looking to enhance your
benefits  without incurring greater expenses for your organization, look no further than a quality dental
insurance plan.

 

   

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What is Health Care Reform?  Who is leading the charge?
 Is the Public Option in or out?  These are the important questions being touted now.  Can Congress come to
an agreement would be another...

 

If we started with
some of the amendments both Parties agree on, meaningful reform could pass immediately. There is much to agree
on.  For example, the concept of Portabiity is popular, waiving pre-exisiting conditions is another, revising
COBRA is a simple one as the Federal Government created it in the first place.  Covering the real uninsured
and insentivising those who can afford health insurance is certainly a measure that would improve the flow of
needed dollars in to the system.

 

Much work is to be
done.  The Public Option is not the answer.  There is no benefits and costs would skyrocket the cost of the
healthcare system.  The Public Option is greater control by the Government of the total system at a time when
Medicare and Medicaid are going broke.  

 

Let us as
a Nation focus on what we know is meaningful Reform and hold off on Legislation that would increase cost at a
time when our Country is out of money.

 

  
 

 

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The young people out in our economy represent the greatest number of uninsured.  Many don't want to pay
for the insurance and they do not feel they need the coverage.  Many of the young guys think they will never
need it at such a young age.

 

Insurance is never easier to get and never more affordable
then when we are young.  Our health is better and therefore we can lock in our insurability by qualifying for
better rates on a better policy.  Now is the time for people to get their best
policy.

 

Health Savings Accounts are very affordable and can be purchased on individual
policies.  Many younger people can benefits from the savings aspects of the plans as well.  The money is
deposited on a tax deductible basis and can be used tax free for medical and dental
expenses.

 

 

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          Obama is coming back for Round 2 on the Health Care Debate.  Experts are not sure
whether the Public Options is on or off the table.  This seems to be the real dividing line between
Congressman and the public.

          Blue Dogs say they will not accept the Public Option
but reconize reform is necessary.  What type and how much will be debated.    The Democrats on the far left
say they are pusing for the Public Option no matter what.  They argue that is the point of Reform.  />
          The Republicans are pushing hard for their own reform measures.  While keeping the
structure in the hands of the private sector, they agree also that some reform would be good. 
/>          Most of the agreement stems around waiving preexisting conditions, extending the time
line on COBRA benefits, guarantee issue of both group and individual health insurance and some tax reform
measures.

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Those employing fewer than 25 employees offer benefits
less than 50% of the time.  This is a recent statistic by a major insurance company offering benefits to all
types and sizes of businesses.  Where as those with greater than 25 employees offer benefits in over 90% of
the cases.

 

Why such a disparity?  Part of it is
the perception that the bigger companies get a better deal.  This used to be true in Florida but not since
Small Group Reform in 1994.  Many small businesses not currently offering benefits have not shopped the
market lately to price the newer plan available to them.  With Health saving Accounts and Health
Reimbursements and low cost options many plans are very affordable.

 

style="white-space: pre;"> Why buy health insurance in the first place?  Obviously to keep us from
going bankrupt.  Also, to reap the benefits of the discounts the major insurance companies afford us.  This
is often not fully realized when considering the purpose for the insurance.

 

style="white-space: pre;"> Major Insurance Companies and Hospitals negotiate for better pricing.  This
helps us at the time of claim.  Discounts off retail pricing at just about any Hospital in America are
between 70-80%.  The Hospitals need those insured to help offset the uninsured and the underinsured from
Government Insurance plans such as Medicare and Medicaid.

 

 

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          Confusion and mis-steps is the only thing  Congress can seem to do
concerning health care reform.  Some had said it might be easier to start over.  The town hall meetings is
adding a great deal of pressure to the House Memebers as they hear from their
base.

          Reform that willl benefit the consumer without adding more cost
would be a great starting point.  Can Congress grasp this concept without all the pork and added cost. 
With the Stimulis plan, Cap and Trade, America is getting the idea that the only plan on the minds of Congrees
is spending and control. 

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For those looking for affordable health insurance, who are not a part of a group, individual
health insurance is available from several good brand name companies in Florida.  Blue Cross and Blue
Shield and Aetna to name two.

Why purchase individual health insurance?  Most people feel health
insurance is a necessity.  Many your men think they are invinable and often wait until they are married to
get covered.  At this age, insurance will never be more affordable.  These men can lock in their health by
selecting a good plan while they are healthy.

Check with one of our agents to see how affordable helath
insurance really is.  We offer a wide variety of deductibles and Health Savings Plans to fit almost any
budget. 

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           What is hidden in the over 1,000 pages of the current Health Care Reform
Bill?  Has anybody in Congress read it?  Is anybody in Congress going to read it beofore they vote for
it?

          As with the Stimulous Bill, reading the Bill was apparently optional.  Partisan
politics ruled the day when this Bill passed with flying colors.  Some regrets by many have surfaced as
Americans are asking why more money and why so little return on our hard earned
money?

          ObamaCare is riddled with gotchas.  A health Pannel of Govermenent
Beaurocrats may decide if your life is worth saving.  Your aging Mother may not be worth the money necessary
for that hip replacement.  This is already happening in Oregon with their State run health
system.

          Let's make sure we tell Congress to just say no to this Bill.  ''Real''
reform, not a complete revamping of a very good system would make much more sense.

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