You’re reading the web edition of Health Care Inc., STAT’s weekly newsletter following the flow of money through the health care system. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The latest in the Medicare Advantage Discourse™ We are at the point in the Medicare Advantage Discourse where health insurers have convinced themselves, and are continuing to try to convince the public, that MA saves taxpayers oodles of money. The verdict from experts on this extremely in-the-weeds issue: Don’t buy it. The latest exhibit comes from America’s Health Insurance Plans, which released a report last week that was conducted by actuaries at Wakely Consulting Group. AHIP claims the report proves Medicare...
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What Is a PPO? If you like having the flexibility to choose the doctors, hospitals and other health care providers you use to get care, and you can afford to pay more, a PPO may be the right plan for you and your family. PPO stands for Participating Provider Option. It's a type of health plan that lets you choose where you go for care, without a referral from a primary care physician or having to only use providers in your plan's provider network. It typically has higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance and deductibles. A PPO may be a good choice for you because: You don't need a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate your care. You don't need a referral...
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Most insured Texans are covered by private insurance, or through government programs like Medicare (for the elderly), Medicaid (for low-income pregnant women and children), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (for children whose families’ incomes exceed Medicaid limits) or a county’s program for poor residents. Slightly more than half of Texas employers offer health care coverage to their employees. The Texas Department of Insurance has an online resource, Your Health Care Coverage, which provides general information about health care coverage available in Texas. If you have insurance, your health plan’s policy or benefits booklet has detailed information about covered services,...
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Health-care coverage is a very important part of getting our children the care they need. Keeping up with medical records and making sure that health insurance is covering your child’s claims are big tasks, especially while you’re busy finding the best possible medical care for your child. Don’t give up! Having health coverage is usually the best way to help with expensive medical costs. And programs like Medicaid, Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and others are there to help. Different Health Care Benefits for Children with Disabilities There are 2 main types of health coverage: private insurance that you...
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Do you need health insurance that can cover your medical costs in case of an emergency? Need it soon? Short-term health insurance might be what you’re looking for. Short term health insurance in Texas can start as soon as the day after you apply. Can I Buy Short-Term Health Insurance in Texas? Yes, you can buy short-term health insurance in Texas for durations of up to 12 months at a time and may be able to renew your policy for a total of up to 36 months of coverage. If you are one of the 5.2 million uninsured Texans, short-term health insurance could be a first step towards having coverage. When you begin looking to cover a certain period of time, keep in mind that these duration limits...
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Health Insurance HealthSelect and The Consumer Directed HealthSelect of Texas plans are offered through ERS (Employees Retirement System). These plans are currently administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the 60 day of employment. Employee only coverage for full time employees is paid fully by the employer at no cost to the employee along with a $5,000 term life insurance policy for the employee. UNT pays 50% of all dependent medical coverage with the other 50% paid by the employee. Deductibles, coinsurance maximums and out-of-pocket maximums reset annually on January 1. For example, if you had previously met your...
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Texas Health Care Open Enrollment will run from November 1st to December 15th Baja’s experienced agents can help you select, apply for, and enroll in the right healthcare insurance plan for you and your family. Texas has one of the highest numbers of people enrolled in healthcare insurance in the country, and residents are required to enroll with an insurance provider. Texas health care open enrollment will run from November 1st to December 15th. If you enroll during this period, your coverage will become effective on the first of the following month. There are ten providers in Texas to choose from, all with varying coverage and premiums. You may qualify for financial assistance based...
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DALLAS – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is hosting a free health insurance enrollment and wellness event in Dallas on January 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fair Park Embarcadero Building. At the Countdown to Coverage: Health Care Enrollment and Wellness Fair, enrollment counselors will provide Texans with in-person enrollment assistance in both English and Spanish. The 2015 health insurance enrollment period opened onNovember 15, 2014, and will end onFebruary 15, 2015. At the events, BCBSTX will provide educational materials about the importance of health insurance and how to enroll. The event will also offer on-site health insurance educational resources for...
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Premium subsidies and buying coverage If you don’t have health insurance through your job or a government program, you may buy a plan from an insurance company or agent. You can also buy coverage through the federal health insurance marketplace at HealthCare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. For lists of companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) selling individual plans in Texas, visit TDI's Lists of Companies and HMOs. Open enrollment. You usually must buy health insurance during the annual open enrollment period. The open enrollment period is from November 1 to January 31 each year. You may qualify to buy health insurance at other times of the year if you lose existing...
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Welcome to Parkland Community Health Plan! At PCHP, we believe in improving every life we touch as good stewards to those we serve. If you are eligible for Medicaid, we can help. We offer these program services: - The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP/CHIP Perinate) Parkland Community Health Plan has proudly served the people of Texas since 1999. You’ll feel comfortable knowing that thousands of Texans get health care benefits through our plan services. When you join Parkland Community Health Plan, you can: - Choose your own doctor, close to home - Call to speak to a nurse anytime, 24/7 - Get extra benefits – special programs to meet your health care goals To join...
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