Florida Health Insurance and your Family

Posted on 6/18/2009 @ 2:01 AM in #Medical by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

It is easy to buy Florida health insurance when you are only shopping for one person, yourself. But what would you do if you had to buy a policy for more than one person? Buying a family Florida health insurance can be more time consuming and expensive. But this surely does not mean that you are going to totally be out of your element. You can still do a good job and end up with what you want. How many people are you buying for? This is what you need to think about before all else. Some people only need Florida health insurance for them and their spouse. Others have several children that they need to consider as well. Remember, the number of people you are buying insurance for will determine how much money you have to spend in the long run. As a general rule of thumb, the more people you insure the more money you will spend. You can use a Florida health insurance broker with experience in finding family policies if you are looking for help. Not everybody knows what they are doing. Hopefully you can locate a

Ways to Save Money in Health Insurance Industry

Posted on 5/18/2009 @ 10:09 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

South Floridians are brainstorming on ways to cut health care costs to submit these ideas to the Obama administration. The health insurance industry has promised to cut costs by $2 trillion over the next ten years, and this will involve a major overhaul in the way things are done now. Some changes may involve allowing terminally ill patients to die in their own homes instead of spending lots of money on intensive care which will have no positive impact. Also, doctors currently tend to perform every conceivable test to avoid lawsuits, although many of these tests may be useless or irrelevant. If there were more protections for doctors against these legal actions, much money would likely be saved. South Florida has long been a particular area of interest as it sees some of the highest health care costs in the country. Eliminating wasteful spending in this area could save the nation as much as $600 billion. What are some ways you can think of to cut down on costs? Read more here

Frightening Figures in the Realm of Health Insurance

Posted on 5/15/2009 @ 11:17 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

It has become more common knowledge that there is a major epidemic in this country when it comes to health care. Nearly 50 million Americans are without health insurance and as many as 10 million of them are children. Roughly half a million of these children live in Florida. Sadly, eight of ten children in this group have working parents. Florida's answer for this problem is its KidCare program, available to kids up to the age of 18. KidCare is the umbrella name for Florida's SCHIP (State Childrens Health Insurance Program, funded in part by the federal government) and includes four specific programs. Medicaid for children covers from birth to age 18, MediKids covers from from age 1 to 4, Healthy Kids covers children ages 5 through 18, and Children's Medical Services Network covers from birth to age 19 for children with special medical needs. Florida children will all apply using the same application form and will be placed in to one of the four programs based on a number of qualifications such as income,

Horror Stories in Health Insurance

Posted on 5/11/2009 @ 10:03 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 4 comments

Solantic owner Rick Scott has launched a personal ad campaign against Obama and his proposal for a universal type healthcare system. Scott began airing a series of ads last week on television which tell the tales of people who have suffered as a result of their country's health care system. The horror stories are from Canada and the United Kingdom and site long wait times for surgeries, the inability to get needed medicines, and the many who have had to come to the United States for treatment. Scott is funding the campaign with $5 million of his own dollars, andthe reaming $15 million has come from supporters. Democrats are trying to fight back by dredging up fraud charges brought against Scott in the early 90's which led to his dismissal as CEO of Columbia/HCA and his paying $1.7 million in fines. Scott has been unfazed by these attacks, saying he was never convicted of wrongdoing and that other companies were also fined for overbilling. He stands behind his goal of bringing public awareness into the arena

Options for Floridians without Health Insurance

Posted on 5/8/2009 @ 9:52 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

For the thousands of Floridians without health insurance, for whatever reason they find themselves in that situation, there are options. Many people are losing their jobs and their employer provided coverage, but for many Floridians working in a small company, the business simply cannot afford to offer a group plan to their employees. Experts say that many citizens are not even aware of the many options available to them including state and federally funded programs such as Medicaid and Kidcare. Read about health insurance options here http://www.news-press.com/article/20090508/BUSINESS/905080403/1014.

Health Insurance Woes in South Florida

Posted on 5/6/2009 @ 10:01 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

There is certainly a crisis in South Florida when it comes to health insurance. In addition to the maasses of people who have lost their jobs, and with it, their health insurance coverage, there are the roughly 75% of uninsured people who actually have jobs. South Florida is known for its many small businesses, unfortunately, one of the downsides of this is the inability of many of these small companies to provide health insurance benefits to their employees. So while the unemployment numbers is Florida may be on par with the rest of the country, the rate of uninsured citizens may be much higher as a result of this. Considering that the leading cause of bankruptcy is not real estate related, but actually a result of unmanageable medical bills, what needs to be done to rescue Florida from this crisis? Looking for health insurance? http://www.healthinsurancebrokeronline.com

Preventing Health Insurance Fraud in Florida

Posted on 5/4/2009 @ 3:07 PM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

Florida passed legislation last week that will hopefully make Medicare fraud a bit more difficult for people to get away with. The new law requires providers to live in this country for a minimum of five years before they could obtain a license to operate home health care agencies, medical equipment providers or health clinics unless they file a bond of no less than $500,000. South Florida has been notorious as the hotbed of Medicare fraud, and so the area was designated as an area of special concern. Providers would also have to submit proof that they have the financial capability to operate these facilities before being allowed to open one. Do you think these measures will make a noticeable difference in the problem of Medicare fraud in South Florida? Read more here http://www.californiahealthline.org/Articles/2009/5/4/Health-Care-Reform-Around-the-Nation-for-the-Week-of-May-4.aspx

Florida Children and Health Insurance

Posted on 5/1/2009 @ 11:28 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

The Florida KidCare Program has been very much in need of an overhaul, and while a proposal is in the works to streamline the system and make it more accessible to the millions of Florida's uninsured children, the cost of such a measure may keep it from coming to pass. Florida lawmakers fear that the budget is currently too tight to allow for a potentially costly overhaul, however supporters say that there is already money in the Kidcare budget to cover the cost, which may not be that much to begin with. The changes would reduce the amount of wait time to be eligible as well as allowing people to remain eligible, where previously folks were kicked out for very minor reasons. Considering that Florida ranks extremely high on the list of uninsured children across the nation, shouldn't legislators make it a priority to reduce these numbers? Read more here http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1026149.html

Florida Physician's Take on Health Care

Posted on 4/29/2009 @ 10:54 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

Ray Bellamy, a practicing physician in Tallahassee, FL, feels that having a single payer health care system is the only way to fix the current budget crisis in Florida. Bellamy proposes that having a Medicare for all type system, from birth to death, would not only mean health care for everyone, but it would also remove the state's single largest budget expenditure. Florida spends $16 billion a year on medicare, and if this were removed and made part offederal programwhich eliminated all the wasted administrative costs and insurance company profits, Florida would free up a tremendous amount of money in its budget for other needs. Do you think a single payer system run by the government could succeed in eliminationg wasted expenses and save Florida money, or is the failure of the current Medicare system too indicative of what could go wrong with a such a program?

The High Cost of Autism

Posted on 4/27/2009 @ 10:11 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

For parents of an autistic child, doing whatever it takes to help the child learn to communicate and become park of society may involve emptying out the bank account. The Wright family has experience this first hand with their six year old son Jake who was diagnosed two years ago. Jake has since been undergoing intensive behavioral therapy which takes up 20-25 hrs per week and costs a hefty $2,200 a month. A cost which is not covered by the family's private insurance plan. Since the treatment, although backed by the Surgeon General, is still considered experimental, most private insurance companies will not cover it. This has meant cleaning out the family savings, maxing out credit cards, and putting a second mortgage on the house. However, the improvements they have seen in Jake keep them hopeful that all the sacrifice will pay off. Should parents be forced to choose between the well being and future of their child or drowning in debt? Should health insurance companies by made to share in the burden of these

Central Florida Clinic Sees Increase in Patients

Posted on 4/22/2009 @ 10:14 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

The Osceola Council on Aging hosts a free clinic to central Floridians with a staff of 45 volunteer physicians who help keep costs down by offering their services five days a week at no charge. Physicians range from primary to neurologists and are on hand to help the thousands of people who are without health insurance. The clinic has seen a rapid increase in the number of folks without health insurance who must come to the clinic for care, many of whom have recently lost their job. A council rep commented that health insurance has become a luxury which many cannot afford, thus the importance of community efforts such as these. Will clinics such as these be able to meet the demands of the community as more and more people join the ranks of the uninsured?

Insult Upon Injury

Posted on 4/20/2009 @ 10:38 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

A retired Miami police officer is not only fighting for his life after having suffered his fourth heart attack in two years, but he is also fighting his insurance company for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills they have refused to pay. The insurance carrier has denied his claims for hospital stays and bypass surgeries and have asserted that his heart problems were a prexisting condition when he suffered the first attack in 2007. Miguel Narganes, 50, voluntarily retired from the service and now cannot get health insurance, has to ration his medication due to a lack of money, and his health continues to decline as a result. He also faces lawsuits from hospitals, constant collection calls, and a lien on his house. How can our health care system be so messed up that a retired civil servant can be suffering so deeply when he should have been taken care of?

Education to Keep Costs Down

Posted on 4/17/2009 @ 10:31 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

The Polk County School Board is facing the decision of whether or not to raise employee co-pays on their health insurance policies based on the 14% increase in the use of their health insurance which has resulted in higher than budgeted costs. The assistant superintendent of business services asserted in a school board meeting recently that employee education could help lower these costs. He stated that if more employees sought treatment on the weekends for non-life threatening issues via walk in clinics versus emergency rooms, it would save the school board a great deal of money. While a walk in clinic may only cost $80, the same treatment for a cold or flu could run $1500 in the emergency room. Do you think that education and changing the way people view their health care can save money?

Mayo Clinic Signs Agreement with Aetna

Posted on 4/15/2009 @ 11:33 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

Aetna and the Mayo Clinic of Florida have just announced a new agreement which was reached to allow Aetna members access to receive clinic services without a referall at in-network rates. It's previous contract had expired in October and Aetna representative Tom Nasby says that they are happy to have reached an equitable agreement with the Jacksonville area provider which will benefit everyone involved. What impact will this partnership have on area residents?

Florida Tobacco Tax a No-Brainer

Posted on 4/13/2009 @ 9:58 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

The Florida Hospital Association feels that raising Florida's taxes on cigarettes is a win win situation, a sentiment which seems to be echoed by public opinion polls. An overwhelming 72% of Floridians polled feel that raising the tax by $1 a pack, bringing Florida from nearly the lowest end of the tax list to about the middle, and generating about $1 billion for health care and to cover budget shortfalls, is a no-brainer. Florida lawmakers, however, are reluctant to upset the status quo and fear the impact of the change on the tobacco industry. Most people on the other hand feel the importance of providing medical care for the needy, uninsured, unemployed, and elderly is far more important. Do you think the tax increase will come to pass?

Settlement to Benefit Florida Regulation

Posted on 4/10/2009 @ 10:09 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

The Conseco Insurance Company will be required to pay almost half a million dollars to Florida as part of a 39 state settlement. The company was investigated following accusations that they had inadequately investigated claims and often denied or delayed paying them without justification. The Office of Insurance Regulation put forth the statement that when companies act in a way detrimental to the consumers of Florida, that the company will have to pay for these actions. Florida will receive the largest part of the settlement with money going straight to theFlorida Insurance Regulatory Trust Fun to support future regulatory action. How will this affect the way companies behave in the future? Will this help set the precedent of not tolerating detrimental business practices?

Voting Down Costly Legislation

Posted on 4/8/2009 @ 10:53 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

Potentially costly legislation is in the works right now for Florida which could result in an increase of insurance premiums across the state. The legislation would require insurance companies to pay physicians who are not members of PPO networks, and this increase in cost to the insurance companies would certainly be passed on to the consumer.Non participating doctors often charge too much for their services, opponents of the legislation say, and when people are already struggling to pay for the cost of health care, this potential increase could be disasterous. Advocates for protecting the Florida health care consumer say that the move could raise premiums by 22 million in 2009 alone. Is there any chance this legislation will pass?

Florida Pain Clinics Nothing More than Pill Mills

Posted on 4/6/2009 @ 10:22 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

A startling epidemic has begun in South Florida involving pain clinics where chronic pain sufferers can receive medication such as oxycododone at a discounted rate. The number of clinics has more than doubled in the past year, with roughly 150 in South Florida, 89 in Broward County alone. While the clinics themselves are deemed a legitimate way for chronic pain sufferers to seek relief, law enforcement officials say they are merely drug trafficking facilites and the "doctors" are only interested in making a profit. They draw people in with various gimmicks such as gas cards and other coupons, and dispense an absurd amount of narcotics daily. The rate of deaths by overdose has risen alongside the increase in clinic numbers, and law enforcers point much of the blame toward these clinics. With the rate of overdose via oxycodone up 107 percent, what should be done about these facilities so that legitimate pain sufferers can still find help, but the drug abusers will not have an easy way to score pain pills?

Tobacco Vs HealthCare Out of Balance

Posted on 4/3/2009 @ 10:07 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

While the federal government has already increased the tax on tobacco products to fund its expanded children's health insurance program, the State of Florida has been considering raising the tax on a state level as well. While many people in the tobacco industry are trying to fight it, experts make several points in favor of the tax. Firstly, Florida ranks 46th lowest in taxation of the substance, meaning that even North Carolina citizens pay more for cigarettes than Floridians do. The tax has not been increased in 19 yrs, and the proposed $1/pack tax would generate around $750 million over the next year to help cover deficits in the budget. The increase would place Florida in about the middle of the range when it comes to tobacco cost. Experts also point out the more than $6 billion a year that is spent on health care related to cigarette smoking, and a predicted 125,000 Floridians would stop smoking if the cost were raised. Do you think that Florida should ignore the complaints of the tobacco industry and

Florida Governor Blames Lack of Advertising

Posted on 4/1/2009 @ 10:36 AM in #Health by floridahealthinsurance 0 comments

While Florida Governor Charlie Crist blames insufficient advertising as the cause of low enrollment for his Cover Florida Plans, many others point to the plan themselves. While the plans are not inherently bad, they offer relatively low cost, easily accessible coverage for people aged 19-64 and use no tax dollars, the plans are still often too expensive for the working poor. For people with a small income who have to choose between feeding their family and paying for health insurance, the answer is a no brainer. Critics of the plans claim that if they were so great, people would have come in droves to sign up. The reality, however, is that less than 2,000 Floridians have enrolled since the plans became available in January. Many in the health insurance field feel there are better plans already available and that Crist's plans do not offer anything new or valuable. Do you agree?