2009 Economic Health Insurance Report By Rudy Lehder Rivas, President www.HSAInside.com
What to do when when you want to lower Health Insurance premiums or loose Health Insurance Coverage (800) 459 0515
By Rudy Rivas
An estimated 4 million Americans have lost their health insurance since the recession began, and as many as 14,000 people could be losing their health coverage every day, according to a report by the Center for American Progress Action Fund.In Los Angeles, CA unemployment records at 8.6% unemployment, the topic of conversation at water coolers is another company closing or laying off folks. www.HSAInside.com a Health Insurance solution company, advises "being laid off shouldn't automatically mean you go without health coverage."
For those of us wanting to lower our already high Health Insurance premium, we all must be aware that many newer type plans being offered are "Sub-Prime Health Plans". Typically used in reference to mortgages, it's clear that such a designation is needed in the world of health insurance. There's lots of "bad" health insurance out there, where people pay a premium and may not realize how little it covers--until it is too late. Many of these “sub-prime” types of plans do not cover “outpatient diagnostic” or “physical therapy” and most do not cover Brand name RX.Consumers need to be cautious when electing these types of plans over benefit rich Cobra plans when trying to save premium dollars.
We will not call you
We mail out a complete packet
Do not buy Online- Insurance is complicated – Get informed
What to do when you loose Health Insurance Coverage:
1. COBRA. While this is normally the most expensive option (family average is $1.069.per month), it's normally the only option for someone with a pre-existing medical condition. With the new Economic Stimulus package many Americans will be receiving Cobra at a huge reduction of cost- please consult with your Cobra Service Company before purchasing an Individual plan.
2. Health Insurance options for Kids:.In California Healthy Families is a great plan that includes Health, Dental and Vision coverage (800) 898 2969.In California, a family of 5 can make up to $62,000 a year of income to qualify *(call to qualify)
3. Adults can buy Individual Catastrophic Coverage: . For healthy individuals, another cost effective option while unemployed may be to purchase lower-cost high deductible individual coverage.In California for example a 35 year old male can find coverage starting at $52. Per month..Contact www.HSAinside.com for quotes and information regarding these plans.When shopping these types of “High Deductible plans” make sure they are not “sub-prime” type of plans, consult with a experience broker who can navigate you through.Call 800 459 0515 for the Nations Expert on Healthcare
4. Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions. For people who have been laid off and must purchase individual health insurance but are unable to obtain coverage due to a pre-existing condition, many states have government sponsored medical risk insurance pools (such as California's Major Risk Medical Insurance Program).Go to your state's government website to find out what type of medical pool coverage may be offered.For those of you who have started a business should contact a broker who may be able to offer a guaranteed issued plan, contact www.HSAInside.com for more information.
5.Federally-Funded plans:There are thousands of health centers around the U.S. that provide low-cost health care to people based on financial need.You pay what you can afford, based on your income.For more information visit www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or call (888) 275-4772.For folks who cannot afford to pay for services, there are around 200 Hill-Burton health care facilities around the country that offer free or reduced costs healthcare.To locate your local facility visit http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/hillburtonfacilities.htmIf you have a common illness or injuries you may consider a “Free Clinic” these are privately funded, community based clinics that provide care at little or no costs.Visit www.medicalcamps.com for more information or call your local hospital.
About Rudy Lehder Rivas: Rudy Rivas is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Inside Health Savings Accounts.As a health insurance industry veteran, Mr. Rivas has been helping Californians find health coverage since 1990.Mr. Rivas has been long advocate of “fixing our broken health system”, and is a Independent Authorized Broker for Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of CA and Kaiser Permanente.Mr. Rivas has won several awards including the US. Congressional Medal of Distinction for his services.
(800) 459 0515Mr. Rivas is considered one of the top Health Insurance Experts in the Nation.
Group Health Insurance Cost Containment Ideas: (Order today)
"Need Federal Cobra Employer or Employee booklets?" I offer them for FREE!!!
"One of the trajic parts of a Society is when the Youth are not served, 33% or 2.3Million Americans go without Insurance today because they are unaware of Free & Low Cost options. " If you work in the Media and are interested in hiring me to speak about these low/ no cost plans please contact me Rudy (562) 947 2502
Medi-Cal (Health insurance for low income children): 1-888-747-1222
California Kids(Health insurance for kids): 1-818-461-1400
California Children Services (For children with Chronic Health Problems): 1-916-327-1400
AIM (Access for Infants and Mothers- Pregnancy): 1-800-433-2611
Insure Kids now: 1-877 kids now.
Below Find listed Alphabetically- County assistance
Alameda County - Alliance Family Care Administered by Alameda Alliance for Health, Alliance Family Care was established in July 2000. It was designed to fill in the health coverage void for low-income families, 0% to 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG), who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. Alliance Family Care can cover both the uninsured children and the uninsured parents in a family. The monthly premium is $10 for children under 18 and $20 for adults 19 to 39; for example, the monthly premium for a family of three (parents between 19-39) would be $50 per month for the family. Alliance Family Care provides comprehensive medical, prescriptions and mental health benefits for the family as well as vision and dental benefits for the children. Copayments are required for some services with the exception of preventive care services.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Uninsured children enrolled full-time in college age 19 to 23
Uninsured parents of the children
Children do not qualify for no-cost full-scope Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Kern County - Healthy Kids Program Healthy Kids Kern County is a comprehensive program that provides health coverage to low and middle income children that reside in Kern County. The program is administered by Health Net of California. Families pay a monthly premium of $5 for each eligible child, up to a maximum monthly premium of $25 per family.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children 0-5 years old
Do not qualify for Full Scope Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Income < 300% FPL
Resident of Kern County
*regardless of immigration status
Kern County Department of Health - (800) 974-2717 ext. 80588 Clinica Sierra Vista - (661) 328-4245 Kern County Department of Human Services - (661) 631-6000
Los Angeles County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by LA Care Health Plan, Healthy Kids was established in July 2003. It was created for uninsured children in Los Angeles County whose family income fall below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. Monthly premiums are based on family income: $0/child up to 133% of FIG; $4/child from 134 to 150% FIG; $6/child from 151 to 300% FIG. The maximum monthly premium per family is the premium for two children ($8 to $12). Copayments of $5 are required for some services with a yearly maximum of $250 per family. Healthy Kids provides medical (inpatient and outpatient), dental, vision, and behavioral health benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Riverside County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by the Inland Empire Health Plan, Healthy Kids was established in September 2002. It was designed to provide health, vision and dental coverage for uninsured children from families with incomes up to 250% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) who do not qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or other publicly sponsored health care programs. Healthy Kids does not have a monthly premium but does require an enrollment processing fee of $5 or $20 per family depending on the family's selected provider network. Copayments are required for some services and range from $5 to $10. Healthy Kids provides medical, prescription, dental and vision benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
San Bernardino County - Healthy Kids Program Healthy Kids is administered by the Inland Empire Health Plan and is designed to provide health, vision and dental coverage for uninsured children from families with incomes below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) who do not qualify for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or other publicly sponsored health care programs. Healthy Kids does not have a monthly premium but does require an enrollment processing fee $20 per family. Copayments are required for some services and range from $5 to $10. Healthy Kids provides medical, prescription, dental and vision benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
San Francisco County - Healty Kids & Young Adults (Excellent - New Program) Healthy Kids & Young Adults program is a comprehensive health care insurance program offering health, dental, and vision care services to children and young adults of low to middle-income families living in San Francisco. The program is administered by San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP) It was created for the uninsured children of San Francisco County whose family incomes fall below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. The monthly premium is $4 per child with copayments of $5 for some services. Healthy Kids provides medical, prescription, mental health, vision, and dental benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Young adults between the ages of 19-24 who are transitioning from other state/county subsidized healthcare programs
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Living in families with income below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG)
San Joaquin County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by Health Plan of San Joaquin, Healthy Kids was established in October 2003. It was created for uninsured children in San Joaquin County whose family incomes fall below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. The monthly premium is $5 per child. Copayments are required: $10 for office visits and $20 for emergency room visits. Healthy Kids provides comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription and mental health benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Income < 300% FPL
Resident of San Joaquin County
*regardless of immigration status
Phone Number: (888) 936-PLAN (7526) or (209) 942-6320
San Mateo County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by Health Plan of San Mateo, Healthy Kids was established in February 2003. It was created for uninsured children in San Mateo County whose family incomes fall below 400% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. Monthly premiums are based on family income: $4/child up to 150% of FIG; $6/child from 150 to 250% FIG; $12/child from 250 to 300% FIG; and $20/child from 300 to 400% FIG. There is no maximum limit for premiums and $5 copayments are required for some services. Healthy Kids provides medical, dental, vision, prescription and mental health benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Santa Clara County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by the Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Healthy Kids was established in January 2001. It was created for the uninsured children of Santa Clara County whose family incomes fall below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. The monthly premium ranges from $4 to $6 per child with a maximum of $12 to $18 per family with additional copayments for some services. Healthy Kids provides comprehensive medical, vision, dental, prescription and mental health benefits.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Santa Cruz County - Healthy Kids Program Administered by Central Coast Alliance for Health, Healthy Kids was established in July 2004. It was created for uninsured children in Santa Cruz County whose family income falls below 300% of the Federal Income Guidelines (FIG) and do not qualify for Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program. Monthly premiums are similar to the Healthy Families Program and range from $4 to $9 per child. Copayments are $5 for some services. Healthy Kids provides medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits similar to the Healthy Families Program.
Basic qualifications *
Uninsured children from birth to age 19
Do not qualify for No-Cost Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program
Health Insurance: Can Californians Afford It? May 2005 This Snapshot shows the relationship of health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to household spending and hourly wages. It raises questions about the affordability and financial protection of health insurance for California workers and their employers.
Growing Up Healthy (Crecer con Salud) April 2005 This Spanish-language guide discusses children’s health issues, including preventive health, caring for children with diabetes or asthma, nutrition, and safety.
Rules Governing California’s Individual Health Insurance Market April 2005 Obtaining individual health insurance can be daunting, and the rules governing such policies are complex. This issue brief explains how California’s market is structured and regulated and provides a comprehensive review of the limited options available to individual consumers.
All About Health Insurance (Todo Sobre el Plan de Seguro Medico) October 2004 This La Opinión supplement provides Spanish-speaking Californians with information on health insurance, including access to coverage, a brief comparison of public health and benefit programs, and resources for evaluating health care options.
Tracking California's Individual and Small Group Health Insurance Markets February 2003 This publication provides findings from a study that examines the health insurance options available to small group and individual purchasers in California. The study provides a detailed description of the products, prices, and market conditions that prevailed from July 2001 through June 2002.
Purchasing Health Insurance Online December 2002 Consumers are increasingly using the Internet to research or purchase health insurance. Based on an analysis of broker sites, health plan sites, and small business purchasing alliance sites, this report highlights opportunities and recommendations for site sponsors. A related piece offers consumer tips.
Individuals Find Wide Price Spreads and Differing Benefits When Shopping for Insurance November 2002 Health insurance costs vary widely for the 1.5 million Californians covered by individual policies, and a dizzying array of choices can baffle consumers. This analysis helps compare options and suggests how policymakers might make the process easier.
Health Insurance serving California
Health Plans provides a Choice of Health Plans for Individuals and Familiesthrough Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, and Health NetServing: All of California
Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes, Atherton, Menlo park, Whittier, La Habra, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente, Westminster, Buena Park, Rowland heights, Hacienda Heights, Montebello, West Covina, Covina, Temecula, Rancho Santa Fe
