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	<title>Medical Insurance Today</title>
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	<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com</link>
	<description>The trusted source for Medical Insurance Agencies, Articles, Cheap Insurance, Claims, Comparisons, Coverage, Help, News, Policies and the Best Medical Insurance Rates &#38; Quotes</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2009 05:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Health care reform a winner for rural America</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/health-care-reform-a-winner-for-rural-america/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/health-care-reform-a-winner-for-rural-america/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2009 05:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lincoln Journal Star - Lincoln,Nebraska,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/0c462053c23736f7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you want to see just how badly broken America’s health care system is come to the country.

Be careful during your visit, however, because rural America—where just nine percent of the nation’s doctors serve 17 percent of its citizens scattered across 80 percent of its geography—is not an ideal place to find medical care.

It’s an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you want to see just how badly broken America’s health care system is come to the country.

Be careful during your visit, however, because rural America—where just nine percent of the nation’s doctors serve 17 percent of its citizens scattered across 80 percent of its geography—is not an ideal place to find medical care.

It’s an even worse place to get medical insurance, according to an April 2009 report issued by the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Neb. In fact, if you want to put a face on the need for Congress and the White House to reform the nation’s health care system look no further than the weathered ones of farmers and ranchers.

The reasons for reform are evident, says Jon Bailey, director of rural research and analysis at CRA. Bailey co-authored the report with colleague Julia Hudson and Dr. Joe Blankenau, a professor of politics at Wayne State College in Nebraska.

First, he notes, rural Americans need medical care insurance more than urban counterparts because their demographic—older, poorer and less educated—means greater use of the health care system. Insurance to cover that need, though, is growing problem in rural America.

“Overall, 72 percent of the urban non-elderly have insurance through employers,” explains the CRA report. It’s 61 percent for rural non-elderly.

Most of the fall-off can be traced to jobs. Rural America is dominated by small business and “people working for small business are twice as likely to be uninsured,” says the Center for Rural Affairs.

Moreover, rural business is usually low-wage business, the key reason many locate in rural areas. And a big key to that low wage is not providing medical insurance. “Workers making about $7 per hour are three times more likely to be uninsured” than ...]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Negotiate fees with your doctor</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/negotiate-fees-with-your-doctor/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/negotiate-fees-with-your-doctor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 06:40:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chattanooga Times Free Press - Chattanooga,TN,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/f933dd7634ad1803</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gone are the days (I hope) when physicians reigned as the Supreme Medical Being in whose hands our lives were balanced and whose prognosis and diagnosis were never questioned.

Because much of the population is savvier than yesteryear, we tend to always bring a list of questions to appointments, to quiz what we don’t understand, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Gone are the days (I hope) when physicians reigned as the Supreme Medical Being in whose hands our lives were balanced and whose prognosis and diagnosis were never questioned.

Because much of the population is savvier than yesteryear, we tend to always bring a list of questions to appointments, to quiz what we don’t understand, and even to insist upon second opinions if we feel it necessary.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I have the greatest respect for these good folks, and many have helped me immeasurably over the years. On the other hand, when dealing with health and that of my family, I don’t intend to be passive.

What I’m trying to impart in a roundabout way is: We mustn’t be timid or feel inferior when dealing with health care providers — and this includes bargaining with them about finances.

Those of us lucky enough to hold medical insurance know it’s sometimes a real pain to get reimbursed or the doctor paid. Multiply that by a hundred and you have an idea of the hassles a physician goes through with his or her insured patients.

In fact, we’re seeing more and more docs jumping ship and returning to the practice of cash or credit cards. If the latter, the practice must pay a bank fee for each charge. Cash, then, can become its own bargaining tool so offer ready money upfront when you make the appointment. Bypass the receptionist and ask to speak directly with the office manager. If this approach fails, go straight to the physician.

Remember, we’re now savvy about health care, including medications. Research shows that doctors are more apt to prescribe a brand name drug than a generic, sometimes because of drug reps who often visit and leave samples and other times because Doc Feelgood simply can’t keep up with the number of generic medicines covered by all his patients’ medical insurance plans.

It pays big bucks to check equally effective alternatives with your medical insurance company. Prices can vary between 40 to 90 percent! (And don’t forget most pharmaceutical manufacturers offer a patient assistance program, for which lower income or uninsured consumers may be eligible for low or no-cost medications. Check with each company as to its requirements.)

OK, you’ve saved money by haggling over appointment prices and by being knowledgeable about generic vs. brand drugs. Don’t think I’ll let you throw out all you’ve salvaged to pay for expensive tests; savvy is still the byword.

If your physician prescribes a routine test, such as a mammogram or a colonoscopy, and wants to arrange the exam in a hospital, dig in your shrewd heels. Tests like these can cost three times as much in a hospital than in an outpatient facility. Once you’ve obtained a short list of reliable sites from your doctor or insurance company, call around for quotes.

Following just a few of these suggestions can save you big bucks ...]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/negotiate-fees-with-your-doctor/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Buying individual medical insurance online</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/buying-individual-medical-insurance-online/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/buying-individual-medical-insurance-online/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2009 11:46:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ecommerce Journal - Boston,MA,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/036f7caf1b8d4fd0</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Searching for affordable individual health/medical insurance? You are not alone. Across the country, there are countless individuals who buy their own health insurance each year. Some of them are unemployed or work for themselves. Many are early retirees or people who don't have health insurance coverage through their job. Here are some tips to help [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Searching for affordable individual health/medical insurance? You are not alone. Across the country, there are countless individuals who buy their own health insurance each year. Some of them are unemployed or work for themselves. Many are early retirees or people who don't have health insurance coverage through their job. Here are some tips to help you navigate the individual health insurance market and find individual coverage that you can afford.

In the busy rhythm of present-day life the way we shop for things has significantly changed.  There is no need to spend days and hours for the old way of brick and mortar shopping. We can simply go to favorite stores on the Internet and buy everything we need with a click of the mouse. 

The same is true for medical insurance. You do not need to sit with a broker watching the clock and listening to his endless sales proposals. Now you can find and buy individual health insurance online. Obtain quotes in the privacy of your home or office and choose medical insurance from the company that offers the best coverage and the most reasonable price.

Individual medical insurance

If you are unable to obtain medical insurance through your employer, you can seek coverage under an individual health insurance plan. This type of coverage is ideal for solo entrepreneurs and people looking for additional options.

Obtaining private health insurance on your own may be a difficult task, especially if you have been spoiled by years of carefree coverage through your employer. What exactly will you pay for? What's the difference between insurance plans? The information about claims, co-pays, deductibles, etc. is enough to drive you crazy.

Medical insurance is an agreement between you and the insurance company. The insurance company agrees to pay a portion of your medical expenses if you get sick or hurt and have to visit a doctor's office or hospital. The policy owner agrees to pay a specified amount called a premium at regular intervals to avoid high or unexpected healthcare expenses.

Medical insurance may be purchased on a group basis (for example, by a corporation to cover its employees) or by individual consumers. More than 15 million Americans get their health coverage on the individual market.

Another difference between group and individual health insurance is in the application process. To purchase individual insurance, a person has to answer questions about his or her health and undergo a physical exam to assess the risk of future claims. Poor health can really make a difference in the cost and eligibility.

Individual medical insurance policy provides ...]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/buying-individual-medical-insurance-online/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Individual Medical Insurance Offers COBRA Alternative</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/individual-medical-insurance-offers-cobra-alternative/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/individual-medical-insurance-offers-cobra-alternative/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2009 09:17:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/d33f6c6269edd172</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the job market declines, the population of uninsured Americans swells. And paying for health insurance, along with everything else, weighs heavily on a multitude of minds these days. When it comes to options, COBRA may be the buzzword, but an alternative called individual medical insurance may offer a more palatable solution.  

Unemployment rose from 7.5 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[As the job market declines, the population of uninsured Americans swells. And paying for health insurance, along with everything else, weighs heavily on a multitude of minds these days. When it comes to options, COBRA may be the buzzword, but an alternative called individual medical insurance may offer a more palatable solution.  

Unemployment rose from 7.5 to 8.1 percent in February 2009-its highest rate in more than 25 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A study by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, April 2008, indicates that each one percent increase in the national unemployment rate leads to more than 1 million additional people losing their medical insurance.

Through COBRA, employees who lose their jobs are able to continue employer-sponsored medical insurance coverage for up to 18 months. However, they may pay 110 percent of the cost of the traditional insurance premium for COBRA continuation coverage.

Relief seemed to appear in February 2009 when President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus package, which included a subsidy covering 65 percent of COBRA premiums for the first nine months of unemployment. This assistance is available to eligible workers who have lost or will lose their jobs as a result of the current economic recession between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.

Still, COBRA remains out of reach for many collecting unemployment checks and struggling to pay for bare necessities. Pre-subsidy annual COBRA premiums average $4,400 for individuals and $11,000 for families, according to Kaiser Family Foundation statistics.

"As Anthem Blue Cross representatives , we understand that these are tough economic times. We understand that people are worried about keeping their job, and if they should lose their job, the struggle to make ends meet with COBRA premiums seems overwhelming," ...]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hazardous health plans may have serious gaps</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/hazardous-health-plans-may-have-serious-gaps/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/hazardous-health-plans-may-have-serious-gaps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2009 01:10:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Policies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance Policies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Policy News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/f0af142f947fe2c5</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people who believe they have adequate health insurance actually have coverage so riddled with loopholes, limits, exclusions, and gotchas that it won't come close to covering their expenses if they fall seriously ill, a Consumer Reports investigation found.
At issue are so-called individual plans that consumers get on their own when, say, they've been laid [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many people who believe they have adequate health insurance actually have coverage so riddled with loopholes, limits, exclusions, and gotchas that it won't come close to covering their expenses if they fall seriously ill, a Consumer Reports investigation found.
At issue are so-called individual plans that consumers get on their own when, say, they've been laid off from a job but are too young for Medicare or too "affluent" for Medicaid. An estimated 14,000 Americans a day lose their job-based coverage, and many might be considering individual insurance for the first time in their lives.]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Medical insurance needs transparency</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/medical-insurance-needs-transparency/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/medical-insurance-needs-transparency/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2009 11:12:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Statesman Journal - Salem,OR,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/2865484e4d2fb9aa</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It would seem, although my fingers are crossed, that all it took to scare the medical insurance industry into some semblance of involvement in and promised compliance with the health care debate's outcome was to oust a couple of auto executives and order a big automaker into bankruptcy.
 
It sure looks like writing on the wall [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[It would seem, although my fingers are crossed, that all it took to scare the medical insurance industry into some semblance of involvement in and promised compliance with the health care debate's outcome was to oust a couple of auto executives and order a big automaker into bankruptcy.
 
It sure looks like writing on the wall was noticed by the wheeler-dealers next on the new national agenda.
The professionals in the trenches — medical workers such as doctors, nurses and technicians — are not the problem in health care. Those are the Americans who want to take care of you; what's needed is a removal of barriers so they can do so.

Bringing about innovation and modernization into medical treatment is the best way to control the multitude of errors now costing us an efficient and cost-cutting health care system. Removal or at least mitigation of bureaucratic medical insurance middlemen ...]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Challenge to Blue Cross rate hikes</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/challenge-to-blue-cross-rate-hikes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/challenge-to-blue-cross-rate-hikes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2009 17:05:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Detroit News - Detroit,MI,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/667d47ad50581467</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is challenging rate hikes proposed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on nearly 200,000 senior customers who buy the insurer's Medigap plans.

Cox filed a petition Thursday for a rate hearing with Michigan insurance regulators to oppose the 31 percent increase, which could raise premiums on supplemental Medicare plans to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is challenging rate hikes proposed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on nearly 200,000 senior customers who buy the insurer's Medigap plans.

Cox filed a petition Thursday for a rate hearing with Michigan insurance regulators to oppose the 31 percent increase, which could raise premiums on supplemental Medicare plans to as much as $107.09 a month.

"This is all about revenues for Blue Cross, not health care for Michigan seniors," Cox said in a statement released Thursday morning. Cox, a vocal critic of Blue Cross's business practices, is a potential Republican candidate for governor.

The attorney general also voiced his opposition to a legislative proposal introduced this month by Rep. Marc Corriveau, D-Northville, seeking to tackle problems in the individual insurance market where people who aren't covered by employer health benefits can purchase their own medical insurance. Cox charged that Corriveau's bills remove attorney general oversight of rate increases -- a consumer protection that he said would also ...]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Health savings accounts on the rise</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/health-savings-accounts-on-the-rise/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/health-savings-accounts-on-the-rise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2009 00:13:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>CharlotteObserver.com - Charlotte,NC,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/ce0fc737ed683628</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The future of health insurance likely lies in personal spending accounts rather than traditional copayment plans, business leaders said Wednesday at a health care summit hosted by the Charlotte Chamber.
Though still making up a small percentage of medical insurance plans, health savings accounts and health reimbursement accounts are gaining in popularity as Charlotte-area businesses of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The future of health insurance likely lies in personal spending accounts rather than traditional copayment plans, business leaders said Wednesday at a health care summit hosted by the Charlotte Chamber.
Though still making up a small percentage of medical insurance plans, health savings accounts and health reimbursement accounts are gaining in popularity as Charlotte-area businesses of all sizes look to cut costs.
Health savings accounts allow people to save money in an account designated solely for health care expenses. Employers often pay into the accounts as part of a benefits package, but all money in the accounts is owned by the individual.
Health reimbursement accounts are a similar type of health care plan but are owned by the employer. Businesses set aside a certain amount of money per year to pay employees back for medical expenses.
Participation in these programs is ...]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Questions For Long Term Care Insurance Consideration</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/questions-for-long-term-care-insurance-consideration/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/questions-for-long-term-care-insurance-consideration/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 13:44:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>eMaxHealth.com - Hickory,NC,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/0755d69a3a5aa967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the United States today, the options for paying for health care are numerous. For some, their workplace pays all the bills. (That's a company I want to work for!) For most workers though, health insurance costs are split between employer and employee. And for those who work on their own, or don't have an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the United States today, the options for paying for health care are numerous. For some, their workplace pays all the bills. (That's a company I want to work for!) For most workers though, health insurance costs are split between employer and employee. And for those who work on their own, or don't have an employer, they foot the health bills themselves. If a person can't afford health care, or chooses not to buy it, they use hospital emergency rooms as their first line of defense. (Note: the exception is the state of Massachusetts, where every citizen must have health insurance or pay a hefty penalty come tax time.)

Health insurance is fine for ordinary expenses. However, what do you do if you or a member of your family has a debilitating illness that demands long-term care? For how long does ordinary health insurance pay your medical bills? Is it smart to buy a long-term health insurance policy now when you and your family are healthy, just in case?

3 questions to ask before making ...]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Laid off workers deal with high cost of insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/laid-off-workers-deal-with-high-cost-of-keeping-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.medicalinsurance-today.com/laid-off-workers-deal-with-high-cost-of-keeping-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2009 14:38:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>WSBT-TV - South Bend,IN,USA</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Costs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance Cost News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance Costs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:google.com,2005:reader/item/a98c9fc1eed2e5b5</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jose and Rebecca Revulcaba have worked on their St. Joseph County home of 13 years.

They're adding several rooms, but had to stop in December, when AT&#38;T laid off Jose and 12,000 employees across the country.

"The first thought was insurance," said Rececca Revulcaba.

They had COBRA, but like many others, were shocked at the price.

"There's no way [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Jose and Rebecca Revulcaba have worked on their St. Joseph County home of 13 years.

They're adding several rooms, but had to stop in December, when AT&amp;T laid off Jose and 12,000 employees across the country.

"The first thought was insurance," said Rececca Revulcaba.

They had COBRA, but like many others, were shocked at the price.

"There's no way we're gonna be able to afford $800 and something of medical insurance, a month," continued Revulcaba.

COBRA became law in 1986 to provide the unemployed with continued health coverage at group rates. So why is it so expensive?

"People are surprised because they think they're getting gouged," said David Hoffman.

Hoffman, with Hoffman Insurance Group in Granger, has been selling health insurance ...]]></content:encoded>
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