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Tips for navigating Obamacare http://www.westhillinsuranceconsulting.com/blog/westhill-consulting-tips-for-navigating-obamacare/ Think hard before your drop insurance entirely Tambe said that might not make good business sense despite some companies might be tempted to abolish insurance benefits completely and let employees go to marketplaces to get coverage. The problem is insurance purchased on the marketplace will be more expensive for individuals. Then the company will risk talent leaving the company for a competitor who offers them the less expensive option if the company isn't willing to compensate by raising their salary. "It may work to keep costs down but you'll have a hard time keeping talented folks," he said. Other federal programs could help you For households making under 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, the ACA grants subsidies available on the public marketplace under certain circumstances. Additionally there are current efforts for Ohio to spread out the Medicaid program to households making less than 138 percent of the poverty level. This in turn if acted out would make more people eligible for those programs. Not all individuals will qualify for subsidy even though most Americans will be eligible to obtain coverage through the exchange. Employer-sponsored coverage may affect an employee's ability to meet the criteria for the subsidy. If there are many employees qualify for federal assistance, it will be reasonable to let them use those plans, particularly since employees being offered insurance by an employer aren't allowed onto the marketplace if their employer is offering insurance deemed affordable, or 9.5 percent of their wage rate based on 130 hours per month for single coverage. "A lot of folks qualify for these things, and there's no penalty to employers," Tambe said. Know the paperwor

A nonprofit organization the three work with known as Health Care Cost Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, said the insurance companies will develop and provide consumers "free access to an online tool that will offer consumers the most comprehensive information about the price and quality of health care services." Additional health plans could soon join Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealth in the effort. The move by the insurance companies comes as more Americans gain health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, these newly insured Americans and those already with coverage are demanding more information about the cost of care as deductibles and co-payments rise and they pay more out of their own pockets for medical services and treatments. "This unprecedented initiative is testament to our belief that educated consumers benefit the entire health care system," UnitedHealth Group said in a statement to Forbes. The information on prices will also include information about quality and other information in an effort to help health care become more transparent. "Consumers, employers and regulatory agencies will now have a single source of consistent, transparent health care information based on the most reliable data available, including actual costs, which only insurers currently have," David Newman, the Health Care Cost Institute's executive director said in a statement issued this morning. There will be three tiers of information provided. In one tier, any consumer will get average price information for an "episode of care" such as a knee replacement or heart surgery based on complex coding and claims data submitted to and analyzed by the Institute. In another tier, consumers with coverage from Aetna, Humana or UnitedHealth Group will get more detailed price information given the health plan subscribers in their plans already have a relationship with the companies and therefore more specific information on their networ

Health insurance protects you from any unexpected and costly medical emergencies. However, the situation today is different than 20 years ago where healthcare is now rather cheap and affordable for all Americans. Choosing a reliable insurance company can be complicated, as you will have to deal with several insurers and their various healthcare policies. Individuals who want to enroll themselves to a good health insurance policy must take their time in choosing a good company that offers the right coverage at an affordable cost. Saving money on health insurance is not an easy goal to achieve but with some thorough research, you'll have an understanding of each of the policies available. First and foremost, you should check out the company's credentials and past achievements before you consider it as the one to get your policy from. Don't get confused by the different policies they offer; just choose the one that suits your budget with the coverage you need. Having good customer service that will answer your concerns in case the situation gets complicated is also a must for all health insurance companies. Comparing health insurance quotes is another good thing to consider, as it will give you the opportunity to choose the right policy that fits your needs. A cheap insurance policy is always an attractive deal for anyone to consider, but you must also check for the benefits it provides. It does appear like you save money in choosing an inexpensive plan, but with limited medical coverage you will end up spending more. Going through the terms and conditions before signing up with any plan is one way to find out if your insurance policy will take care of you until its validity ends. Joining various discount clubs for a lesser monthly payment is also a good idea. Some companies even provide up to 60 percent discount as long as you show them your discount cards. However, it will help you choose the right club to join if you check each plan's coverage as some re

WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2014 (Health Day News) - there will be almost twice as many elderly Americans in 2050 as there are now, posing serious issues for the nation's health care system, according to two U.S. Census Bureau reports released Tuesday. "The United States is projected to age significantly over this period, with 20 percent of its population age 65 and over by 2030," Jennifer Ortman, chief of the Population Projections Branch at the census bureau, said in an agency news release. The number of people aged 65 and older is projected to reach 83.7 million by 2050, compared with 43.1 million in 2012, the bureau reported. This sharp rise is due to aging baby boomers, which were born between 1946 and 1964 and began turning 65 in 2011. An aging population "will have implications for health care services and providers, national and local policymakers," Ortman added. She said businesses will also have to adapt to meet new demands as a rising number of elderly influences both the "family structure and the American landscape." Baby boomer-influenced growth in health-care related industries began a few years ago, the agency said. According to the census bureau, there were about 819,000 health and social assistance-related facilities and businesses in 2011 - a 20 percent jump from 2007.

The data breaches of 2014 have yet to fade into memory, and we already have 2015 looming. Experian's 2015 Data Breach Industry Forecast gives us much to anticipate, and I've asked security experts to weigh in with their thoughts for the coming year as well. Experian highlights a number of key factors that will drive or contribute to data breaches in 2015. A few of them aren't surprising: Organizations are focusing too much on external attacks when insiders are a significantly bigger threat, and attackers are likely to go after cloud-based services and data. A few new factors, however, merit your attention. First, there is a looming deadline of October, 2015 for retailers to upgrade to point-of-sale systems capable of processing chip-and-PIN credit cards. As banks and credit card issuers adopt more secure chip-and-PIN cards, and more consumers have them in hand, it will be significantly more difficult to clone cards or perpetrate credit card fraud. That's why Experian expects cybercriminals to increase the volume of attacks early in 2015, to compromise as much as possible while they still can. The third thing that stands out in the Experian report is an increased focus on healthcare breaches. Electronic medical records and the explosion of health or fitness-related wearable devices make sensitive personal health information more vulnerable than ever to being compromised or exposed. The risk of health related data being breached is also a concern voiced by Ken Westin, security analyst with Tripwire. He pointed out that part of the reason that retail breaches have escalated is because cybercriminals have developed the technologies and market for monetizing that data. "The bad news is that other industries can easily become targets once a market develops for the type of data they have. For more info: Westhill Insurance Consulting Data breach trends for 2015: C

How to Find Affordable Family Health Insurance http://www.westhillinsuranceconsulting.com/blog/how-to-find-affordable-family-health-insurance/ Take advantage of free quotes: Who doesn't like free, it a great price! There are many health insurance websites where you can find lot of sites with free family insurance quotes. You must take advantage of these. Not every policy is going to fit for everyone because every family is different. To know the best one for you and your family, use these quoting tools to gather prices and service offerings. And do not think about it as a waste of time, after all it is a free look into the company. It is free yet well worth the time it takes to fill out the questionnaire or quoting application. Know your priorities: You should know and you must be well aware of all your priorities regarding your health care. Are you satisfied with your current doctor or are you open to find new ones? If you are unsure, sit down and take some time listing of your top five most important things when looking for a new policy or health insurance company. This will help you narrow down exactly what you only need and what your looking for. Ask for help if you need it: It is all known to us that understanding the ins and outs of health insurance policies and coverage could sometimes be very frustrating. This is more common to those who are just new to it. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you need to ask questions, ask your questions to the health insurance company representatives. You can even ask your husband, your wife, your dad, your mom, or even your friends. But if you feel that you are not satisfied with the answers you got, don't be frightened to enlist the help of an insurance broker. They can help you find the best rates available, can explain the inner workings of the policy, and know what places are reputab

Westhill Consulting Insurance - How to Avoid Health Care Fraud Mail-order medications Patients who buy drugs through mail-order companies could be rolling the dice with their health says Dr. Deborah C. Peel, a physician and founder of the nonprofit Patient Privacy Rights. There's a high probability in many cases that these drugs are counterfeit Peel added. "And you don't ever know because the fraudulent tablets look just like the real ones," says Peel. She says ordering from companies that specialize in mail-order sales that are not affiliated with a legitimate insurance company, especially from foreign countries, can be very risky. Not only could the quality be questionable, it could also be illegal. "But people are desperate because we're being so grossly overcharged for medication," she says. Peel says you can lessen costs by buying generic. You can spot it by: the best thing to do is to keep away from buying drugs from foreign or obscure pharmacies. And if you decide to go with the mail-order route, just stay with U.S.-based companies because if it's a U.S. company, you can report the health care fraud to the Food and Drug Administration while if it's a foreign company, there's little that can or will be done. False product claims According to the Federal Trade Commission, millions fall victim each year to false miracle cures. Especially vulnerable are victims of debilitating and potentially deadly illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV and AIDS. The FTC website says scammers take advantage of people with a grim diagnosis such as cancer and "promote unproven - and potentially dangerous - substances like black salve, essiac tea, or laetrile with claims that the products are both 'natural' and effective." But, say physicians and other experts, simply because something is advertised as "natural" doesn't mean it works. And while a patient is experimenting with bogus treatments, he or she can squander the opportu

SACRAMENTO, California - Aetna Inc. discontinue selling individual health insurance policies in California, just weeks after opting out of the exchange that is being established as part of the national health care reforms, a state regulator said last month. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said he was disappointed in Aetna's decision because consumers need more choices. The decision does not affect people who have Aetna insurance through their employer. "This is not good news for California consumers," Jones said in a statement. "A competitive market with more choices for consumers is important, as we implement the Affordable Care Act and health insurance coverage is a requirement." In California's individual health insurance market, Aetna is a quite small player. According to 2011 figures compiled by the California HealthCare Foundation, Aetna has about 5 percent of the state's individual health market. By comparison, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Kaiser share 87 percent. Aetna says it has about 58,000 individual enrollees in the state and expects to have about 49,000 by the end of the year. It plans to withdraw from the state at the end of the year but will continue to offer small and large group plans, as well as Medicare, dental and life insurance products. Those in search of to buying their own health insurance will be directed to Covered California, the state's new health insurance exchange starting Oct. 1. Aetna was not among 13 insurance carriers that will sell individual coverage to millions of Californians through the exchange. According to Jones' office Under state law, Aetna will not be allowed to sell individual policies in California for five years once it leaves that market. http://www.westhillinsuranceconsulting.com/blog/ http://www.westhillinsuranceconsulting.com/

Westhill Healthcare Consulting is one of the internet's oldest sites that offer consumer information on reasonably priced health and medical coverage since it was published during early 90's. It is the most-trusted independent site, respect and loyalty was earned trough the years of hard work. All the information on this site is projected to the general consumer audience. Westhill Healthcare Consulting is not selling insurance and is not an insurance agency Your concern is our business, as service to our visitors, we provide health insurance quotes from carefully chosen partners who are in the business of selling health insurance, and who meet Westhill Healthcare Consulting strict standards. It is the referrals that pay us and in turn this is what we use to pay the cost of publishing this site. http://www.westhillinsuranceconsulting.com/blog/

"Westhill Consulting - Car Insurance Tips to Help You Buy Smarter Car Insurance Tips to Help You Buy Smarter  It doesn't have to be intimidating; buying auto insurance doesn't have to be stressful. There are many options to customize your policy needs base on your budget. If you are knowledgeable with some basic information you can make smarter insurance decisions. These car insurance tips can help you trim down choices and save time and money. * Make sure you're legally covered From state to state, requirements of car insurance vary but one thing is the same virtually everywhere in the U.S. and it is if you drive a car, you're required to have some form of car insurance or proof of financial responsibility. There are more than few factors such as your driving record and insurance history, may affect your policy rates. You may begin here to find the minimum requirements for your state. * Understand your insurance options Car insurance can sometimes be a bit confusing sometimes; it can be complicated to look at because of many choices available to protect you and your car. For you to understand basics, there are nationwide offers such as the following the difference between collision and comprehensive, before you call an agent or get a quote online. * Get at least three quotes It will help if you get quotes from at least three insurance companies you compare price and service options. It is necessary that you request the same coverage from each to get an apples-to-apples comparison. Rates may differ from one company to another. Remember that not because it is the lowest it is the best because the lowest priced insurance may not give you all the coverage you need. Check for every detail, look at price, amount of coverage, benefits and claims services before you make your decision. * Take advantage of discounts This may surprise you, a number of discounts available to lower you for auto insurance rates. An example is if you insure multiple vehicles

When shopping for a plan, start with the basics of what you're looking for and what you're willing to pay for, says Michael McMillan,Executive Director of Market and Network Services at Cleveland Clinic. Then make your selection carefully so you get what you're paying for, he adds. To help you navigate enrollment - either on health insurance exchanges or elsewhere - McMillan offers the following helpful tips: 1. Know what services are covered under a selected plan Start by reviewing what each particular plan offers. For example, what does the network of care providers look like? What services are most important to you based on your particular health needs or conditions, and are they available within a plan's coverage? "This will be a period of great change, and consumers will have a lot of options they haven't had before on the exchanges," McMillan says. "It's important to be clear on what's available and what isn't." 2. Make sure your providers are part of the network When choosing plans, this is a major factor. Look at any given plan to see if your doctors and hospitals you use regularly are listed as network providers. One evolving trend has been for health plans to create narrow networks - smaller versions of their standard network that help them achieve a lower price. The bottom line: Not all providers are included in these limited networks, so it's worth your effort to check first and make sure your new plan includes the doctors and other practitioners you see regularly, McMillan says. 3. Know your out-of-pocket costs These are costs associated with the care received. They include things such as deductibles - the amount you pay before coverage kicks in - as well as copays and coinsurance on services. Out-of-pocket costs vary by the "metal" level of plan you choose on a health insurance exchange. So, for example, you would pay 40 percent of costs of coinsurance in a bronze plan, and 30 percent for silver. In some high

National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says a bill introduced in the Senate yesterday provides much needed support for fighting healthcare fraud. The Stop Schemes and Crimes Against Medicare and Seniors (Stop SCAMS) Act, was introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), and is co-sponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).] The bill contains important provisions to strengthen the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP). The Partnership was established last year to focus on joint efforts to fight fraud by both the public and private sectors. "NICB is particularly focused on the bill's carefully crafted provisions relating to the sharing of fraud-related information and investigative activities among the HFPP's partners," said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. This language is consistent with the HFPP's anti-fraud program and with laws already in effect in many states governing anti-fraud insurance investigations. "The same fraudsters who prey on government healthcare programs and private health insurance also target the medical component of auto and workers' compensation insurance," said Wehrle. "The HFPP is the most comprehensive effort ever undertaken to bring the nation's public and private resources together to protect the integrity of medical care and insurance. The Stop SCAMS Act's support for the HFPP will strengthen it and the anti-fraud program overall." About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote $371 billion in insurance premiums in 2013, or more than 78 percent of the nation's property/cas

Texas pays out $28 billion a year to some 4.8 million people, according to Kaiser. The state picks up one-fourth of the tab, and the feds pay the rest.  The FBI estimates that 10% of Medicaid claims are fraudulent, which comes out to $2.8 billion a year in Texas alone. On Monday, Austin company 21CT launches a new computer system called "Torch" to help the state bring scammers to justice. Torch will collate state data around the clock. The system will monitor frequency of claims, the size of claims and any funny patterns or anomalies. 21CT has grown to over 100 employees, most of them devoted to the crackdown. Company officials say what they are finding is eye opening. "You know it's there," said Kyle Flaherty, Vice President of Marketing for 21CT. "What's so surprising is how complex and entrepreneurial the fraudsters can be. This is a business for them and we need to disrupt the business they are creating." Torch will eyeball providers: businesses, medical supply companies, doctors, therapists, dentists, ambulance firms, hospitals and more. The system will make it easier to sort out.