Hotsohbet.com » Health http://www.hotsohbet.com Sohbet odaları Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:27:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Paying for Health Care-health http://www.hotsohbet.com/paying-for-health-care-health.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/paying-for-health-care-health.htm#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:27:11 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/paying-for-health-care-health.htm

The cost of health care in the United States is expensive and is escalating. A majority of Americans cannot afford the cost of medicines, physicians’ fees, or hospitalization without some form of health insurance. Health insurance is a contract between an insurance company and an individual or group for the payment of medical care costs. After the individual or group pays a premium to an insurance company, the insurance company pays for part or all of the medical costs depending on the type of insurance and benefits provided. The type of insurance policy purchased greatly influences where you go for health care, who provides the health care, and what medical procedures can be performed. The three basic health insurance plans include a private, fee-for-service plan; a prepaid group plan; and a government-financed public plan.

Private Fee-For-Service Insurance Plan

Until recently, private, fee-for-service insurance was the principal form of health insurance coverage. In this plan an individual pays a monthly premium, usually through an employer, which ensures health care on a fee-far-service basis. On incurring medical costs, the patient files a claim to have a portion of these costs paid by the insurance company. There is usually a deductible, an amount paid by the patient before being eligible for benefits from the insurance company. For example, if your expenses are $1000, you may have to pay $200 before the insurance company will pay the other $800. Usually the lower the deductible, the higher the premiums will be. After the deductible is met the insurance provider pays a percentage of the remaining balance.

Typically there are fixed indemnity benefits, specified amounts that are paid for particular procedures. If your policy pays $500 for a tonsilectomy and the actual cost was $1000, you owe the health care provider $500. There are often exclusions, certain services that are not covered by the policy. Common examples include elective surgery, dental care, vision care, and coverage for preexisting illnesses and injuries. Some insurance plans provide options for adding dental and vision care. Other common options include life insurance, which pays a death benefit, and disability insurance, which pays for income lost because of the inability to work as a result of an illness or injury. The more options added to the insurance plan, the more expensive the insurance will be.

One strategy insurance companies are using to lower insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to the consumer is the formation of preferred providers organization (PPO). A PPO is a group of private practitioners who sell their services at reduced rates to insurance companies. When a patient chooses a provider that is in that company’s PPO, the insurance company pays a higher percentage of the fee. When a non-PPO provider is used, a much lower portion of the fee is paid.

A major advantage of a fee-for-service plan is that the patient has options in selecting health-care providers. Several disadvantages are that patients may not routinely receive comprehensive, preventive health care; health-care costs to the patient may be high if unexpected illnesses or injuries occur; and it may place heavy demands on time in keeping track of medical records, invoices, and insurance reimbursement forms.

Prepaid Group Insurance

In prepaid group insurance, health care is provided by a group of physicians organized into a health maintenance organization (HMO). HMOs are managed health-care plans that provide a full range of medical services for a prepaid amount of money. For a fixed monthly fee, usually paid through pay roll deductions by an employer, and often a small deductible, enrollees receive care from physicians, specialists, allied health professionals, and educators who are hired or contractually retained by the HMO. HMOs provide an advantage in that they provide comprehensive care including preventive care at a lower cost than private insurance over a long period of coverage. One drawback is that patients are limited in their choice of providers to those who belong to an HMO.

Government Insurance

In a government insurance plan the government at the federal, state, or local level pays for the health-care costs of elgible participants. Two prominent examples of this plan are Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is financed by social security taxes and is designed to provide health care for individuals 65 years of age and older, the blind, the severely disabled, and those requiring certain treatments such as kidney dialysis. Medicaid is subsidized by federal and state taxes. It provides limited health care, generally for individuals who are eligible for benefits and assistance from two programs: Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Supplementary Security Income.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/paying-for-health-care-health.htm/feed 0 One-eyed National Health Care http://www.hotsohbet.com/one-eyed-national-health-care.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/one-eyed-national-health-care.htm#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:27:14 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/one-eyed-national-health-care.htm National health care might be a disaster, due to the cost and the complexity. A government-controlled system also creates agonizing moral dilemmas (read about the eye treatment ruling covered further down). Still, despite my opposition to it, I can see it’s a real possibility, and soon. Keeping that in mind, here is what we can do to solve some of the inherent problems and make the system work better.What’s Your QUALYs Score?

Who gets what health care? That would be a tricky decision for any of us, but some might argue that the bureaucrats in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) are pretty good at it. They are evaluate and approve treatments for the National Health Services administration in Britain (their national health care bureaucracy). After all, the life expectancy in Britain is about the same as in the United States, and the government spends less on health care while covering ALL citizens.

Making such decisions, of course, does lead to some interesting problems. One example: In 2002 NICE recommended that a certain treatment for macular degeneration be used only in one eye – the one less affected by the disease. What about the other eye? It is presumably allowed to go blind. They arrived at this decision by using “QUALYs,” or Quality-Adjusted Life Years.

How does this methodology for measuring the value of treatments work? Let’s look at a couple examples. A surgery that gives you an average of ten years of life is better than one that gives you five, and so scores higher on the QUALYs scale. Years added to life matter, but so does quality of those years. Suppose you could be saved by a treatment but be in a coma for six years, while another person could be saved and healthy for six years by some other treatment. If funds are limited (aren’t they always?), the latter would be approved.

Now let’s look again at the case of the eye treatment. The score for QUALYs is high for the first eye, since seeing presumably greatly increases the quality of life over blindness. But seeing with the second eye doesn’t boost the quality of life nearly as much, right?

We don’t need to get into the complexities of the system to understand the logic. Life matters, but quality of life also matters, an idea most of us can agree to. But it leads to some uncomfortable conclusions, doesn’t it?. For example a person with a debilitating disease or handicap presumably scores lower in QUALYs when considered for a life-prolonging heart operation. We might pass her over in favor of a healthier person who would benefit more according to the QUALYs score.

The real truth, normally ignored, is that there a financial limit to any national health care plan. As a result, we have to make decisions that can certainly be uncomfortable, and sometimes downright disturbing. What if a million dollars could prevent ten thousand people from getting a deadly disease, or that same million could be used to treat and possibly cure twenty people who already have the disease. Should we allow the twenty to die in order to prevent the deaths of ten thousand?

Of course, it’s easy to say we should cure the twenty AND run the prevention program. This may even be possible, and we certainly could pay for both eyes to be treated in the case of macular degeneration. On the other hand, we really can’t do everything. Honesty compels us to admit that perhaps going blind in one eye isn’t nearly so tragic as losing sight in both, and if treating just one eye for one patient saves enough money to treat another patient’s heart problem with a new procedure that saves his life, maybe we need to make that kind of decision.

Whatever utopian theorizing we do, tough choices will have to be made at some point if we decide on national health care. We’ll need to put a value on life, or on various qualities of life at least. Yes, we may even have to put a value on one eye versus two, or on eyesight versus saved limbs that might be amputated otherwise. In a market system medical providers compete to provide better treatments for your diabetes, but this will be, in part, a system where your diabetes competes with somebody’s migraine headaches or broken nose.National Health Care – Some Suggestions

If we allow a market system of health care to exist alongside a government system, we could at least pay to have the other eye fixed. The rich will obviously get better care, but I don’t think we are such a petty envious people that we would vote against such a dual-system just because of this. The healthiness of the wealthy doesn’t hurt the rest of us. Also, we all would at least have the hope of raising money for whatever additional health care we desire. So let the market still exists.

There will also be the problem of demand. Free means higher demand, of course. At the moment I have a few teeth that I might have a dentist look at this week if the examination and treatment was free, but since it isn’t I’ll wait a bit. People often delay treatment because of the expense, but they also look for and find cheaper alternatives. That would change if we had free national health care.

There will be a big increase in demand. Naturally, cuts that might be bandaged will be more often be stitched if the service is without cost. A headache or sore throat that would normally be endured might mean a trip to the free hospital or clinic. Sadly, this would use government health care money that might otherwise pay for research or treatment for life-threatening illnesses, meaning more tough decisions.

How do we alleviate this problem of excessive demand? Design a system that isn’t free. After all, the problem isn’t that we have to pay for health care, since we find a way to pay for groceries, clothing and cable television without government handouts. The problem is the high price and unpredictability of health care expenses. An occasional surprise is one thing if it’s a few hundred dollars, but a few weeks in a hospital can eat up a lifetime of savings.

Address THIS issue, instead of encouraging people’s unwillingness to budget for unexpected, but affordable surprises? How? One way is to have national health insurance for all, but with a $500 annual deductible. When a person can’t afford this (it amounts to $42 per month) it usually suggests a budgeting problem, not a problem of over-priced care.

Have each person pay 20% of all costs beyond that deductible as well, up to $1,000 ($5,000 in costs). This would keep people from running to the doctor or hospital for every little thing. This also encourages them to look for cheaper effective treatments, so the system doesn’t destroy the usual incentive (money) for this creative process of health care improvement.

Prescription drugs shouldn’t be covered until the cost goes beyond that $500 annual deductible, and even then the patient should pay his or her 20%. People (even poor people in this country) find a way to pay for bigger expenses in life, and this would keep the system from being abused. What if some people really are too poor to afford even this? Address that problem through general welfare programs, rather than paying for prescriptions for tens of millions who can easily afford them.

I am not thrilled with the idea of a national health care system. On the other hand, if it is going to happen in any case, we at least make it sustainable and leave open more options for all of us. That’s what the system outlined above would hopefully accomplish.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/one-eyed-national-health-care.htm/feed 0 Health Insurance For Financial Protection http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-for-financial-protection.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-for-financial-protection.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:29:41 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-for-financial-protection.htm Health insurance is a very important form of financial protection and it is important that everyone start planning for their health insurance early. Insurance policies that are linked to certain equity assets may also be a useful form of financial investment.
People who have comprehensive health insurance plans get their medical treatments paid out from their insurance policies. This was not always the case in the past when we would have paid the doctors directly for treatments that we received. However, modern medical treatments require more complex medical equipment, better trained doctors and cutting edge medications that are unfortunately very expensive. If individuals who do not have health insurance that they have paid for gradually over several years, have to pay for complex treatments themselves, they would find the costs prohibitive.
It is often said that health is wealth. Our wellbeing is important and the current cost of medical treatment is almost unbearable. Health insurance premiums have continued to rise astronomically over the last few years since advanced treatment methods become more expensive. It is increasingly becoming difficult these days to find a health insurance policy with good coverage and affordable premium.
Many Health Insurance Policies To Choose From
To look out for yourself in the ‘murky waters’ of health insurance plans, you need to ensure that your health insurance is not costly and has adequate coverage. Firstly look at exclusions in the health insurance policy and know which areas are not covered. Also always ask what your premiums will be, the deductibles and their policies regarding pre-existing conditions. It is very important to do your due diligence thoroughly so that you get the health insurance that meets your needs at the right price.
Another important aspect when deciding on a health insurance plan to purchase is to find out what additional costs you will have to bear as a consumer. Costs such as co-pays and deductibles are often raised in order to lower premiums. If you need to see the doctor often or have other chronic illness these expenses could end up costing you lots of money.
It is relatively easy for a generally healthy young person to get coverage. On the other hand, a person with a serious medical condition may get excluded from health insurance coverage altogether. It is important to let your prospective health insurer know than have an insurance claim revoked later on. Other vital information are the limits on benefits and the prescription drug coverage. You must also be armed with the knowledge of whether you need to stay with your current doctor or switch to another.
One way to start your search for a good health insurance plan is first of all by looking for an independent agent. State departments of insurance do have lists of such agents. You can refer to them. Furthermore, you can also check the department for expert advice. It is also advisable to go for reputable companies when looking for good health insurance plans.
Many insurance service providers offer various forms of health insurance plans. It is very tedious and many times confusing to compare the features of competing plans. Unfortunately, this process of due diligence is required to ensure that you choose the right plan with the right features suited to you and your family at the right price.
Do your research over the Internet to get to your initial list of insurance service providers to consider for your needs. During this research phase, you will also understand and appreciate features that you will consider important to you. Contact agents from these selected insurance providers to send you their proposals based on your stated needs. Do not be afraid to clarify your doubts with these agents when you receive their proposals. It is their job to enlighten you about the various features of their proposals. Remove service providers who are unable to answer your questions convincingly or deliberately try to confuse matters, off your hit list.
When you have whittled your list down to the final shortlist, ask your family, friends and colleagues for some feedback if they have had any interactions with the health insurance service providers in your list. You may also choose to discuss your options with some trusted medical professionals.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-for-financial-protection.htm/feed 0 2008 Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo http://www.hotsohbet.com/2008-government-health-technologies-conference-and-expo.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/2008-government-health-technologies-conference-and-expo.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:28:17 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/2008-government-health-technologies-conference-and-expo.htm Saskatoon Health Region To Present on Implementing Information Practices that Support Legislative Requirements in Access and Privacy at the 2008 Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo

2008 – Toronto, Canada – Jayden Stephens, Privacy Officer, Saskatoon Health Region will present a Case Study on implementing information practices that support legislative requirements in access and privacy at the 2008 Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo. The conference will be hosted on April 15 – 16, 2008 at the Design Exchange in Toronto Ontario.

During this interactive presentation, Jayden Stevens, Privacy Officer will detail the steps taken at Saskatoon Health Region to establish and roll out a privacy and access program to 11,500 employees in over 80 facilities within his jurisdiction. Responsible for overseeing the application of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in addition to the Health Information Protection Act to health facilities with the Saskatoon region, he will offer insight into best practices for enforcing legislative compliance to each of these Acts.

Based on his experience, Jayden will explore the opportunity created by technology to gather, link and disclose large amounts of patient information, and how to implement information practices that support legislative requirements. He’ll reveal what they have learned about how to respond to requests for information in timely manner while respecting best practices for the responsible sharing of patient health information.

Jayden will be joining a great lineup of speakers, including Dr. Robert Bell, CEO and President of UHN, Richard Reiner from Telus Security, Melonie Warfel from Adobe Systems, and Laurie Hicks from Smart Systems For Health Agency (SSHA).

To register for Early-Bird Passes please visit http://gov.wowgao.com/registration OR call (416) 292-0038 Ext. 812.

About Saskatoon Health Region:

Saskatoon Health Region is an integrated health delivery agency providing a comprehensive range of services and programs including but not limited to hospital and long term care, public health and home care, mental health and addiction services, prenatal and palliative care. It represents the largest health region in Saskatchewan, serving 289,000 local residents in more than 100 cities, towns, villages, RMs and First Nation communities.

About the 2008 Government and Health Technologies Conference & Expo:

The 2008 Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo will focus on the latest IT products and solutions being developed and sought after in the healthcare and public service sector, including Web 2.0, Patient Monitoring Systems, Document Management, Business Intelligence, Mobile Data Systems, RFID Solutions, Biometrics and much more.

As one of Canada’s leading annual IT conference and exposition, the event features ground breaking IT applications that aim to educate key IT professionals, Government officials, developers, architects, engineers and medical professionals with the necessary tools and techniques for the reliable, effective management of all public information services across Canada. For more information about the event, please visit http://gov.wowgao.com

About the Gao Group’s Companies:

WowGao Inc. (www.wowgao.com) a member of GAO Group, is an award winning leading event management company that produces, since 2003, internationally renowned conferences and expositions that address the latest innovations and developments in the information technology industry. Our featured events include:

Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo, April 15 & 16, 2008

Wireless & Mobile Expo and Conference, July 15 & 16, 2008

RFID Forum, July 15 & 16, 2008

Financial Services Technology Forum, October 2008

GAO Embedded Inc. (www.GAOEmbedded.com), a member of GAO Group, is an international leading provider of embedded development tools that serve the needs of electronic design engineers throughout the world.

GAO Tek Inc. (http://www.GAOTek.com), a member of GAO Group, is an international leading provider of engineering development tools, test and measurement instruments and electronic components that serve the needs of electronic engineers in the world.

GAO Research Inc. (www.GAOResearch.com), a member of GAO Group, is a developer of leading-edge embedded communications software for voice, video, data, and fax over IP/wireless.

GAO RFID Inc. (http://www.GAORFID.com), a member of GAO Group, a leading provider for a wide range of high quality, reliable and affordable RFID readers, tags, antenna, modules, sample packages, evaluation kits, and other products to worldwide users.

For conference inquiries:

Conference Producer

(416) 292 – 0038 ext. 840 | conference@wowgao.com

WowGao Inc. | www.wowgao.com

The first Member Company, GAO Research Inc., was founded on June 2, 1992 and it quickly established its reputation as an R & D power house in the embedded industry. GAO Group has continually grown and has become a conglomerate of fast growing companies with an enormous international customer base and an extensive network of VARs, distributors, resellers, and strategic partners in diversified industries worldwide.

With the aim of providing unparalleled services to its enormous customer base spread out over the world, GAO Group has developed and deployed state of the art technologies among all its facilities to support such functions as e-commerce, inventory management, CRM, project management, and supply chain management.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/2008-government-health-technologies-conference-and-expo.htm/feed 0 The Food Industry’s Greed: How Misleading Omega-3 Labeling Undermines American Health http://www.hotsohbet.com/the-food-industry%e2%80%99s-greed-how-misleading-omega-3-labeling-undermines-american-health.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/the-food-industry%e2%80%99s-greed-how-misleading-omega-3-labeling-undermines-american-health.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:29:23 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/the-food-industry%e2%80%99s-greed-how-misleading-omega-3-labeling-undermines-american-health.htm There’s an Omega-3 travesty a-foot and if the American consumer doesn’t become aware of it very soon, they’ll unfortunately know first hand the day inflammation rears its ugly head – and according to Harvard, for 3 out of 4 Americans, it already has.

FDA Qualifying Health Claim for EPA and DHA

When the FDA issued a Health Qualifying Claim for “EPA and DHA” from fatty fish in 2004, “Omega-3” became big business. So big, food manufacturers freely began substituting “ALA” (alpha-linolenic acid) for EPA and DHA in bread, cookies, pasta to yogurt and now, a line of soybean-fed pork items that are “enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids.” The double-whammy contained in one ounce of those pork items is frightening with no end, supervision, or control in sight.

Is anyone home at the FDA?

Not only was ALA not part of the FDA Qualifying claim, science conclusively shows we convert Omega-3 ALA seed and plant oils into inflammatory Omega-6. And the end result? Consumers are being hoodwinked into purchasing these products while awareness of the health benefits from EPA and DHA are being compromised. How big of an issue is this? Read on and you’ll see why the word “travesty” applies.

Omega-3 ALA

Omega-3 ALA is plant and seed oils, soybean, corn, safflower, flaxseed, all polyunsaturates, and while they may be lumped together and referred to as “Omega-3 fatty acids” all they share in common with EPA and DHA is the classification “Omega-3 fatty acids.” There’s a far cry between any health benefits from ALA and those science has conclusively contributed to EPA and DHA.

An astonishing 94% of Omega-3 products line shelves today contain ALA while 6% contain minute amounts of algae or algal oil.

Omega-6s

Why is this so critical to the American consumer? Unless you’ve led a vegetarian lifestyle for years, rarely eat out, unknowingly you’ve been consuming an abundance of Omega-6s for decades hidden deceptively in packaged foods, snacks, cakes, dressings, as well as liberally used by restaurants and fast food chains. In other words, our bodies are so tipped in Omega-6s, we were in a state of perpetual inflammation before food manufacturers began adding more ALA to boast an Omega-3 label. How bad is this?

National Institutes of Health on Omega-6 Inflammation

Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, National institutes of Health, and world renowned Omega-3 researcher, and tireless crusader for American health, says:

“When you look at the percentages of Omega-6s to Omega-3s in the US diet, it’s about 90% of all the polyunsaturates in our tissues are Omega 6s and about 10% are Omega 3s. So you had a one-to-one balance to inflammation when we were evolving, and now it’s a 10-to-one balance in favor of inflammation because of the predominance in seed oils. Soybean oil is called the lubricant of the food industry, and it literally is.”

William Lands, retired biochemist with the National Institutes of Health, had this to say:

About 1960, when “soybean oil took over the U.S. food chain, it was like a tsunami. These two types of fatty acids have a biochemical yin-and-yang relationship. While omega-3s reduce our body’s inflammation response, Omega-6s encourage it. Each fatty acid is crucial. For example, if your inflammatory response is too weak, you won’t be able to fight infection properly. And in theory, the push and pull should create perfect balance. Instead, the excess of Omega-6s in our diets may have left us in a perpetual state of inflammation. That’s what’s really killing us – the balance of Omega 3s to 6s got out of whack.”

Center for Science in the Public Interest

And Bonnie Liebman, a nutritionist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says:

“It’s all very confusing. Consumers are in real danger of being misled. Even a careful label reader won’t learn, for instance that a carton of Breyers Smart DHA Omega-3 yogurt has less DHA than a teaspoon of salmon.”

Consider this. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise says “Naturally Rich In Omega-3” but remember, it’s just a name. What’s really in it? “Most mayonnaise is made with soybean oil which is a source of ALA. But that kind of Omega-3 fat, found most abundantly in flaxseed, has not been proven to convey the same health benefits as DHA plus EPA,” Liebman says.

Omega-6s and Inflammation

That Omega-6s create inflammation that leads to diet-related disease, poor heart health, arachidonic acid, to name but a few, is scientifically established. If this information is hard to grasp, look at our health statistics. We have unprecedented numbers of childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes and with each passing year, according to Harvard, those numbers rise dramatically. Did children suddenly become ravenous eaters?

The rise in health issues and obesity crosses all age groups but this rise in children is the most telling of all. What is the common denominator? It’s not the water supply – it’s our food supply that packs pounds leaving our bodies in a perpetual state of inflammation.

How critical to health is this misleading labeling of Omega-3 ALA? Let’s look at the conclusions of a 14 year study conducted by the National Cancer Institute about ALA:

“In this large prospective study, we found that ALA from non-animal sources and ALA from meat and dairy sources were associated or suggestively associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. This finding agrees with the finding of a single previous study that evaluated ALA intake by food source. EPA + DHA was suggestively related to a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer, which was mainly due to DHA and to a lesser extent to EPA.”

It is sad and disheartening that information from prestigious medical communities, globally, with study after study showing EPA and DHA are profoundly beneficial to a myriad of health issues from diet-related to cognitive, is becoming obscured and blinded by food manufacturers’ hype. With their long reach and deep pockets, the health of a nation is on the line.

And the result? The every-day, hard-working consumer overwhelmed with little time to do any personal in-depth research assumes all Omegas are created equal.

This travesty has been detailed in a thoroughly researched and investigative expose, “The Food Industry’s Greed: How Misleading Labeling of Omega-3 Foods Undermines American Health.” Learn how this began in 2004 with the FDA Health Qualifying claim, Omega-3 labeling violations by food manufacturers, complaints filed against the FDA that are being ignored, health warnings from prestigious medical communities, and what you can do to protect your health.

http://www.sea-based-health.com/omega-3-book.html


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/the-food-industry%e2%80%99s-greed-how-misleading-omega-3-labeling-undermines-american-health.htm/feed 0 How Small Business Owners Can Cut Their Health Insurance Costs in Half http://www.hotsohbet.com/how-small-business-owners-can-cut-their-health-insurance-costs-in-half.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/how-small-business-owners-can-cut-their-health-insurance-costs-in-half.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:27:19 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/how-small-business-owners-can-cut-their-health-insurance-costs-in-half.htm Small business owners can now take advantage of Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or HRAs, as a way to cut their health insurance expenses in half. As health insurance premiums continue to grow, fewer small businesses are offering group coverage to their employees. For small businesses with healthy employees, establishing HRAs can be a great way to help their employees obtain permanent, portable individual health insurance at a much lower cost than conventional group coverage.What is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement?

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or HRA, is simply an agreement by an employer to reimburse the employee for their health insurance premiums and other specified medical expenses. This is considered to be a tax-free fringe benefit for the employee.

Because family and individual health insurance plans are underwritten (meaning that the insurance company has the option of excluding a condition or declining an application all together), they are much less expensive than are group plans. In fact, they typically cost less than half as much.

HRAs are also known as Section 105 plans, named after the section in the U.S. Tax Code that governs them.How Health Reimbursement Arrangements Work

In today’s business climate employees are quick to go elsewhere if they see a better opportunity. Providing good benefits is essential to retaining the best employees, but group health insurance can be too expensive for some small business owners.

An HRA allows you to reimburse your employees for their individual health insurance expenses, taking you out of the middle. Employees carry their own private coverage which is totally portable and not tied down to their employment.

You no longer have to administer the plan, and you no longer have to shop it every year. When employees carry their own private coverage, there are also no COBRA issues to deal with when employment terminates.

When you establish an HRA for your employees, you define what expenses that you will be reimbursing, and how much you will reimburse. For example, you may say that you will reimburse up to $300/month for covered health insurance and medical expenses. If the employee uses less than that, any excess credit accumulates for future disbursement.

When the employee has a qualified medical expense, they would submit it to you for reimbursement, up to the amount of their HRA balance. You then simply cut a check for the amount of the reimbursement. It’s that simple. You count it as a business expense, and your employee pays no taxes on that reimbursement.Keeping Your Employees Healthy

Most of your employees will incur medical expenses every year, including dental expenses and eye glass expenses. Through an HRA you can reimburse your employees for these expenses with tax-free dollars.

The best businesses are about more than just selling widgets and making money. The more the business cares about the employees and the more the employees care about the business – the more fun we have and the more successful we are. So why not reimburse for preventive benefits like smoking cessation programs, weight loss programs, or even just annual physicals.

The great thing about HRAs is that you are the architect. You get to decide what expenses you will reimburse. You also have the right to exclude part time employees, employees who have worked for you for less than three years, and those under age 25. How to Establish Your HRAs

When you establish an HRA, all you have to do is furnish a Summary Plan Description to all plan participants. The Summary Plan Description simply describes who is eligible, and the benefit limits that can be reimbursed. For instance, it may list the minimum number of hours they must work, their minimum age, and the number of months they must be employed. It will list the benefit limit for reimbursement of health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, term life premiums, and possibly other expenses. You must also keep a Plan Document in your files, which documents the same information. A Better System for Employer and Employee

If you have a small business of healthy employees, an HRA may be a no-brainer. Keep in mind that because your employees will be applying for individual health insurance coverage instead of group coverage, their premiums will be much lower but the plans will each be individually underwritten.

Your employees will each get to choose the insurance plan and deductible that best fits their individual needs. Many are choosing Health Savings Accounts as a way to further reduce their health insurance costs. Once everyone is approved they will have permanent coverage that is not tied down to their employment. And you can get out of the insurance business, for good.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/how-small-business-owners-can-cut-their-health-insurance-costs-in-half.htm/feed 0 Health Insurance Options for Small Business Owners to Cut Costs http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-options-for-small-business-owners-to-cut-costs.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-options-for-small-business-owners-to-cut-costs.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:28:40 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-options-for-small-business-owners-to-cut-costs.htm Small business owners can now take advantage of Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or HRAs, as a way to cut their health insurance expenses in half. As health insurance premiums continue to grow, fewer small businesses are offering group coverage to their employees. For small businesses with healthy employees, establishing HRAs can be a great way to help their employees obtain permanent, portable individual health insurance at a much lower cost than conventional group coverage.

What is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement?

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or HRA, is simply an agreement by an employer to reimburse the employee for their health insurance premiums and other specified medical expenses. This is considered to be a tax-free fringe benefit for the employee.

Because family and individual health insurance plans are underwritten (meaning that the insurance company has the option of excluding a condition or declining an application all together), they are much less expensive than are group plans. In fact, they typically cost less than half as much.

HRAs are also known as Section 105 plans, named after the section in the U.S. Tax Code that governs them.

How Health Reimbursement Arrangements Work

In today’s business climate employees are quick to go elsewhere if they see a better opportunity. Providing excellent benefits is essential to retaining the great employees, but group health insurance can be too expensive for some small business owners.

An HRA allows you to reimburse your employees for their individual health insurance expenses, taking you out of the middle. Employees carry their own private health insurance coverage which is totally portable and not tied to their employment.

You no longer have to administer the plan, and you no longer have to shop it every year. When employees carry their own private coverage, there are also no COBRA issues to deal with when employment terminates.

When you establish an HRA for your employees, you define what expenses that you will be reimbursing, and how much you will reimburse. For example, you may say that you will reimburse up to $300/month for covered health insurance and medical expenses. If the employee uses less than that, any excess credit accumulates for future disbursement.

When the employee has a qualified medical expense, they would submit it to you for reimbursement, up to the amount of their HRA balance. You then simply cut a check for the amount of the reimbursement. It’s that simple. You count it as a business expense, and on that reimbursement, your employee pays no taxes.

Keeping Your Employees Healthy

Most of your employees will incur medical expenses every year, including dental expenses and eye glass expenses. Through an HRA you can reimburse your employees for these expenses with tax-free dollars.

The best businesses are about more than just selling widgets and making money. The more the business cares about the employees and the more the employees care about the business – the more fun we have and the more successful we are. So why not reimburse for preventive benefits like smoking cessation programs, weight loss programs, or even just annual physicals.

The great thing about HRAs is that you are the architect. You get to decide what expenses you will reimburse. You also have the right to exclude part time employees, employees who have worked for you for less than three years, and those under age 25.

How to Establish Your HRAs

When you establish an HRA, all you have to do is furnish a Summary Plan Description to all plan participants. The Summary Plan Description simply describes who is eligible, and the benefit limits that can be reimbursed. For instance, it may list their minimum age, the number of months they must be employed, and the minimum number of hours they must work. It will list the benefit limit for reimbursement of health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, term life premiums, and possibly other expenses. You must also keep a Plan Document in your files, which documents the same information.

A Better System for Employer and Employee

If you have a small business of healthy employees, an HRA may be a no-brainer. Keep in mind that because your employees will be applying for individual health insurance coverage instead of group coverage, their premiums will be much lower but the plans will each be individually underwritten.

Your employees will each get to choose the insurance plan and deductible that best fits their individual needs. Many are choosing Health Savings Accounts as a way to further reduce their health insurance costs. Once everyone is approved they will have permanent coverage that is not tied down to their employment. And you can get out of the insurance business, for good.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/health-insurance-options-for-small-business-owners-to-cut-costs.htm/feed 0 Texas Health Insurance: Compare Costs and Benefits http://www.hotsohbet.com/texas-health-insurance-compare-costs-and-benefits.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/texas-health-insurance-compare-costs-and-benefits.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:28:34 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/texas-health-insurance-compare-costs-and-benefits.htm Medical emergencies can hit you anytime and anywhere, despite your best efforts to stay safe and stay healthy. To avoid paying heavy medical bills due to unforeseen emergencies, one must get a Texas health insurance plan to cover the costs of prescriptions, medicines, doctor visits, and emergency hospital stays. In our struggling economy, the cost of health insurance is rising day by day. Luckily, state government and insurance companies in Texas have taken a valuable step to maintain the health of masses by dipping the cost of health insurance plan in the state. Texas is a relatively inexpensive state to procure health insurance when compared with “expensive” states such as New York where policies cost much more. One can surely find a Texas health insurance plan in tune with his/her needs and budget. These days, there are various Texas health insurance providers offering twin health insurance policies – major medical insurance and disability insurance to protect the people of Texas. Major medical health insurance offers medical coverage as diverse as coverage for a chronic illness to unexpected accident. On the other hand, disability health insurance usually refers to an income replacement and provides coverage for a specified period of time when you are unable to work due to physical disability such as bone fracture. In Texas, individual health insurance plans are usually more costly when compared with group insurance. But that does not mean that you cannot purchase a cost-effective individual health insurance plan. If you compare a range of Texas online health insurance quote, you will certainly get a list of individual health insurance policies at lower-priced services and cheaper deductibles. Every individual health insurance policy offers accident coverage and hospital visits, and can be extended to include prescriptions and regular visits to the physician as well. The internet has paved the way for you to shop for an affordable individual health insurance plan in tune with your needs and budget. At the same time, you can use internet resources as a source of information on how to interpret individual health insurance plans and how to set up a health savings account. So, what are you waiting for? Fill in an online application form and you can gat a Texas online health insurance quote within a matter of hours.


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]]> http://www.hotsohbet.com/texas-health-insurance-compare-costs-and-benefits.htm/feed 0 Determine Your Needs to Find Affordable Health Insurance http://www.hotsohbet.com/determine-your-needs-to-find-affordable-health-insurance.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/determine-your-needs-to-find-affordable-health-insurance.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:27:32 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/determine-your-needs-to-find-affordable-health-insurance.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/determine-your-needs-to-find-affordable-health-insurance.htm/feed 0 Choosing a Texas Online Health Insurance Quote http://www.hotsohbet.com/choosing-a-texas-online-health-insurance-quote.htm http://www.hotsohbet.com/choosing-a-texas-online-health-insurance-quote.htm#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000 admin http://www.hotsohbet.com/choosing-a-texas-online-health-insurance-quote.htm Texas health insurance is more than just doctors visits and prescription coverage. It is a financial investment in your own future that everyone should have. It might seem like a luxury, in this day and age, to have health insurance. However, the cost of not having health insurance is much greater in the long run than the cost of purchasing your own health insurance now. Fewer and fewer companies insure their employees these days. Furthermore, the cost of medical treatment keeps sky rocketing, making it more difficult than ever for many to afford good healthcare. Choosing a Dallas health insurance policy, for those who live in Texas can be taxing particularly if one does not understand what to look for. As with most investments, thorough research should be conducted in advance. There are a few essential considerations to take into account before purchasing Texas health insurance.

Like any investment, a Texas health insurance policy that you purchase should be within your financial means. In some cases, a more expensive plan is not necessarily better and a cheaper plan does not necessarily mean sub-standard service. For example, there are many low cost health insurance Fort Worth plans available. You’ll need to find a balance between the services offered by the health plans and the services you actually need. Don’t pay extra for services you’ll never use. Health insurers will give you the choice of contributing a set amount of money per month, usually called the premium, based on how much you can manage. Some Texas health insurance plans will require you to pay for out-patient visits and occasionally pay a particular amount of money before your health plan can be started.

Assuming that the health insurance plan payment is within your means, the next thing to find out is what your health plan package covers. Most health insurers will not cover pre-existing conditions but some will- but at a higher rate. Many Texas health insurance providers will require you to take a complete medical exam before they agree to cover you. The health insurers will provide you with a list of what pre-existing conditions they cover and which ones they do not, thus enabling you select a health insurance plan that is the best for you.

Having a complete understanding of the services offered by the individual health insurance or Texas small business health insurance plan will offer you an insight into that you will be signing up for and what level of service to expect. Also, make sure to find out what the rules and regulations, as well as the terms and conditions, for each health policy are. Some will only let you see particular doctors or visit particular hospitals. It is crucial to know this information before anything traumatic happens. Knowing the details of your health insurance policy is the best way to get the most for your money.

 


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