Ohio insurance pool will open August 1st

Ohioans with pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, can apply for coverage under a new high-risk insurance pool beginning Aug. 1, state officials said today. Go to the below site for qualifications and details.

http://www.ohiohighriskpool.com/

What's the healthcare reform going to make me do?

A concerned individual had this question regarding health reform.

My answer - It mandates that, beginning in 2014, virtually all Americans buy affordable coverage. It expects states to create health insurance exchanges on which private insurers will offer coverage for small businesses and individuals unable to obtain it otherwise. Federal subsidies will help those who cannot afford an available policy to pay the premiums and required cost-sharing amounts. As a result, more than 30 million additional Americans will gain access to comprehensive health care coverage.

Insurers will no longer be able to refuse to sell to people with pre-existing conditions or other risk factors, charge them more for coverage (except for age), cancel or refuse to renew policies for people using services, or impose limits on benefits.

Health Care Reform

A Ohio resident contacted me today regarding Healthcare reform in Ohio:

"Is the government implementing new health insurance programs in Ohio"

Yes Medical Mutual of Ohio, as of September 1st, it appears right now will run the new health pool for the state of Ohio. We should have more details in the coming weeks.

Question today from declined applicant

A person emailed me today: "I was declined individual coverage because of a joint replacement issue. Isn't there any company that will cover me even if I have just this one issue."

My answer is "Yes. Assurant Health can possibly approve you for one of their individual plans with the possibility of putting an exclusionary rider for this condition - which means they will approve you for one of their preferred plans but not cover that one particular condition."

Senate fails to extend Bill for Doctors

Senate Fails to Extend Bill for Doctors: Before leaving for the Memorial Day recess, House Democratic leaders scaled back health care language from the jobs bill before passing the bill. In the package, doctors who treat Medicare patients would see a 2.2% payment increase for the remainder of this year and a 1% payment increase in 2011. Extensions of COBRA subsidies and additional Medicaid funding for states were removed from the bill. Lawmakers in the Senate will vote on the bill when they return from recess next week.

Question of the week.

Q: I understand that there are tax benefits related to the extension of dependent coverage. Can you explain these benefits?

A: Under a change in tax law included in the Affordable Care Act, the value of any employer-provided health coverage for an employee's child is excluded from the employee’s income through the end of the taxable year in which the child turns 26. This tax benefit applies regardless of whether the plan or the insurer is required by law to extend health care coverage to the adult child or the plan or insurer voluntarily extends the coverage.

Healthcare Reform: How it will affect us?

Good article here explaining how it work for individuals, families and employers.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0320/Health-care-reform-bill-101-Who-gets-subsidized-insurance