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Pennsylvania Small Group Health Insurance Rates To Be Regulated

The Pennsylvania Department Of Insurance (PDOI) will have increased control in regulating Pennsylvania small group health insurance rates. Gov. Tom Corbett signed a law that allows the PDOI to have more influence in approving and of course, disapproving rate increases of more than 10% requested by health insurers. This law could possibly help keep group health insurance more stable.

It also provides more authority to local government and less for the federal government which is what most consumers prefer. Although it is likely rates will continue to increase, the increases may be more modest. This law does not impact individual health insurance rates in Pennsylvania since premium increases are already reviewed by the PDOI.

Because small group health insurance rates have been substantially increasing, many individuals and families are purchasing their own private medical plans which are offered by the top companies such as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthOne, Capital Blue Cross, Keystone and Independence Blue Cross. Rates are often substantially lower than group plans and a wide variety of coverage and benefits is available so you can easily customize your own policy.

In many situations, small group medical plans may be the best option (compared to private coverage). For example, if a major health conditions exists, such as insulin-dependent diabetes, severe obesity, cancer or severe heart disease, often, acceptance is guaranteed on group plans. Therefore in these instances, it is the best choice. Of course, each situation is different so enrollment options should be discussed with an experienced broker.

This website is Pennsylvania’s trusted online source for up-to-date issues pertaining to Pa health insurance rates, information or the Exchange. Our “one-stop” approach combines live experienced broker assistance with the best available rates to bring consumers an easy comparison and application process without paying any fees.

The PDOI may be setting up the “Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange” if future Supreme Court rulings are favorable to recent proposed changes to our health care system. Currently, the Exchange is on a holding pattern since it is expensive to implement and may actually turn out to be less helpful to consumers than originally planned.

Currently, small business group and individual health care is available through many different carriers and experienced broker websites (such as this one) that provide the means to purchase coverage. Hundreds of plans are offered and the process works well. The proposed Exchanges will limit choices and may force insureds to work with inexperienced “Navigators.” But for now, the concept has not been implemented.

Choosing The Right Health Insurance In Pennsylvania

Choosing the right health insurance in Pennsylvania is not an easy task. What type of policy is best? What company provides the most medical benefits for the least cost? Where do I buy a Pennsylvania health insurance policy? Does it make a difference? So many choices. Well, we have the answers that will help and the tips that will save you time and money.

We can help. Our website was created with two things in mind. First, we wanted to provide the most accurate and current information regarding a wide range of topics including rate information, policies, health care reform information, applying for coverage, pre-existing conditions and many more. Second, we wanted to give you the ability to easily apply for a Pennsylvania health insurance policy and pay the absolute lowest rate that every company offered. And that’s exactly what we have done.

Of course, the “choosing the right plan” part may be the most important step in the process. After you’re presented with all of the Pennsylvania options, now what do you do? We use our 31 years of experience to guide and recommend the right plan. If your main concern is minimizing potential out of pocket costs, we’ll find the policies with the lowest deductibles and copays. If you’re willing to take on a little bit of risk, a plan with a high deductible on hospital-type claims will save you a bunch of money.

Choosing the maximum monthly premium you want to pay should be one of the first things you decide. By developing an effective budget, you’ll drastically reduce the number of available plans, and make the process of picking the best plan much easier. As an example, if you wanted to keep your monthly premium below $400, instead of comparing 150 plans, approximately 10-15 plans might be in that price range. That’s a lot easier to compare isn’t it?

Now that you have decided on the premium, what type of Pennsylvania medical coverage would you want? A plan that covers office visits with low copay or simply a basic high deductible plan that provides catastrophic benefits? We would review with you the advantages (and disadvantages) of each option, and research which providers would be the best choice. It might be a Highmark plan if you live in the Pittsburgh area, a Geisinger plan if you live in Harrisburg, or possibly a Keystone Health Plan East policy if you live in Southeastern Pennsylvania. And of course, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare may provide the best combination of rate and coverage.

Essentially, that’s what we do best. We help you choose the right health insurance plan by listening to you and understanding the type of health care policy you want and the premium you want to pay. Then, we find those policies and help you pick out the policy that fits best. And finally, we simplify the application process so it’s quick and takes as little time as possible.

So browse the website, enjoy the content and view your free quotes. We’ll be available if you need expert guidance when comparing or applying for your policy.

Pa Health Care Will Cover Women’s Birth Control

Your health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania will cover women’s birth control and other reproductive expenses in 2012. Starting next August, thanks to the “Affordable Care Act, health insurers may be forced to provide many additional preventive services at no cost or copay to their policyholders. Some of these services include breastfeeding support and sexually-transmitted disease counseling.

And guess who might pay for these services? You. Health insurance rates in Pennsylvania will probably increase as the insurers pass the cost to the consumers. Now, don’t get me wrong. I think preventive benefits are important for men and women and medical plans should cover most of the expense. But it seems as if paying for birth control is going a bit too far. And covering the “morning after pill” was also a very controversial decision made by the Obama administration.

Regardless of whether you practice (or don’t practice) birth control, it seems a bit odd that the federal government is forcing insurance carriers to cover this. It’s not an option. It’s the law. You begin to wonder what will be next. Mandatory replacement of toothbrushes every 60 days? Free earmuffs for residents of Allegheny County?

The groups of insureds that are likely to see the biggest increases are females between the ages of 15 and 50, although the amount of the increase will vary, depending on the company. I believe the increases will be in the 2%-7% range. But that is my opinion.

But one of the unintended consequences of this change could be positive. Maternity health insurance rates should reduce, since it’s safe to assume the number of unplanned pregnancies will decrease. Highmark, Keystone (Independence Blue Cross) and Aetna offer maternity benefits in many of their plans, so we’ll monitor the rates when all of these changes transpire.

UnitedHealthacare and HealthAmerica do not offer maternity options or riders, so it will be interesting to see if they will add this coverage to their Pa portfolio. Actually, UnitedHealthcare offered a maternity coverage rider for many years, but suspended the product in 2010.

We update daily any rate or coverage change on our website. So feel free to view current rates. We’ll assist in the application process and don’t worry…you never pay any fees.

Affordable Geisinger Health Insurance In Eastern And Central Pennsylvania

Affordable Geisinger health insurance coverage is offered in most parts of Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. Spanning 43 counties, they offer 14 competitively priced policies including high-deductible HSA and low-deductible copay plans.

Pahealthinsurancecoverage.com proudly represents Geisinger along with all of the other major companies in Pennsylvania. We offer individual and family health insurance plans at the lowest available rates and never charge any fees. Geisinger has recently added two new plans to their portfolio and we’ll be happy to explain why they may be right for you.

One of the most popular Geisinger medical plans is the “PPO Plan 4,” which features a $20 copay on primary doctor office visits and $45 for specialist office visits. Covered office visits are not subject to a deductible. Also, qualified preventive expenses (routine annual physicals, OB-GYN exams and well-baby care visits) are covered at 100%.

We recommend adding an optional prescription benefit rider that is typically very inexpensive. Copays are $5 (generic), $35 (brand) and $55 (non-formulary mail order). A $100/$300 deductible will also apply to this rider. An optional maternity rider is also available at a very reasonable cost.

Perhaps the most popular feature of the “PPO Plan 4” is the low $250 major medical deductible, which is not often available with most other PPO plans from major Pennsylvania health insurers. Once this deductible is met, the policy pays 80% of all covered expenses (the coinsurance is 20%) until the maximum out-of-pocket limit of $1,500 is reached. Higher deductibles are offered through other plans, Rates will be lower, but most office visit and prescription coverages remain unaffected.

There is no lifetime maximum for paid benefits and many additional benefits are included, such as mental health coverage, no fees when applying for coverage and electronic signatures allowed during the application process. Basic dental and vision benefits are available through the “MyChoice Essential” plan, which was just introduced in 2012.

We’ll be happy to review additional Plan 4 specifics along with details on the other plans. At the same time, as an unbiased broker, we’ll also inform you if companies like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross, HealthAmerica or Assurant offer better options.

For additional information or if you wish to apply for coverage, please call us at (888) 513 6446.

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Independence Blue Cross Personal Choice PPO 5000 HSA Plan

The Independence Blue Cross Personal Choice PPO 5000 HSA plan is one of the most affordable health insurance policies in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Premiums are typically lower than comparable plans from other major carriers and the policy is eligible to be used with a Health Savings Account. We offer IBX plans at the lowest available rates. You can easily view and compare plan details by adding your zip code at the top of the page. There is no obligation to purchase any policy when you view rates.

An HSA (Health Savings Account) is a form of health care that allows you to pay for current and future qualified medical, dental and vision expenses with tax-deducible dollars. The HSA account works with a “High Deductible Health Plan” and you have complete control over the funds in your Pennsylvania HSA. Most companies will provide a debit card to conveniently pay for the expenses. I have had an HSA for many years and the debit card is a great free feature.

The Personal Choice plan covers all qualified preventive services at 100% without any waiting period or deductible. The most common preventive benefits are routine annual physicals, mammograms, pediatric immunizations, pap tests and routine gynecological exams. Six nutrition counseling visits are also included. A much broader list of benefits is available.

Once the deductible has been met, Independence Blue Cross pays 100% of covered expenses. This would include all primary care office visits, specialist office visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, emergency room charges, ambulance services medical equipment and MRIs. Whether the amount is $1,000 or $1o million, there is no cap on covered benefits.

Also covered at 100% after the deductible are generic formulary, brand formulary and non-formulary prescriptions. There is no maximum benefit and mail-order is available. Also, occupational therapy, physical therapy and spinal manipulations are all covered benefits, subject to limitations on visits.

Many expenses that are subject to the deductible receive a negotiated network discount which will lower out-of-pocket expenses. Lab fees and X-rays often receive very substantial discounts…often as much as 80%.

Sample Personal Choice PPO 5000 HSA Monthly Rates in the Philadelphia Area:

$111 40 Year-Old Male

$130 40 Year-Old Female

$384 40 Year-Old Male & Female Plus Two Children (Family Of Four)

For additional information regarding this plan or any other Pennsylvania Independence Blue Cross plans, please contact us. We’ll be happy to review your options and help with the application process. You can also apply online or receive a free quote at the top of the page.

View Independence Blue Cross Personal Choice PPO 5000 HSA Plan Details