Health Insurance 101

The crisis that exists in the financial market is being felt all over the world with markets tumbling and insurance costs rising to unprecedented heights. This has left most Americans without health insurance simply because they cannot afford it and worse, even they do not qualify for government funded healthcare insurance programs due to excessive financial burdens. There are currently 47 million people, 9 million of whom are children, do not have health insurance leaving them vulnerable when medical emergencies do strike. The problem is so extreme with Hispanics and African Americans who work in low paying jobs that barely gives them enough to survive. These people who float in between the free care criteria and the ability to purchase private insurance are left hanging, literally, without the necessary financial buffering given by health insurance.

The debate between the congressional committee and lawmakers continue to this date and there is no sure sign that the health care system would be getting any better soon. The Federal government (namely President Bush) has vetoed twice, proposals to raise government expenditure into health care by almost half increasing funds to almost $60 million dollars. This would allow the health care system to do more with those who cannot afford private insurance but a resolution is yet to be reached. The health care system is one of the strong points of Senator Clinton which she has pledged to overhaul since beginning campaigning for the upcoming elections. Senator McCain, also pledges to revamp the health care system and industry making it more competitive and affordable the ordinary American can afford to pay for one. Whoever wins might be left for tomorrow but the health care system is indeed in need of an overhaul to alleviate the millions of Americans who go day by day without proper healthcare.

Coverage denials are rising as are the costs of health care and premiums and the leaders of the industry are trying to do their best with adjusting to reforms in policy from the government that would make them more accessible and affordable. The denial of claims (which has undoubtedly resulted in several lawsuits) is making it more and harder for the industry and consumer to work hand in hand due to raging emotions and the troubled economy. The moves would be the banning of rescission (with pre-set rules of course) for specific cases which are the victims of the economic turmoil.

The proposal by the federal government regarding health care for kids has received criticism from lawmakers as they face congress in hearings to debate the proposed laws. Lawmakers argue that under the federal government’s proposal, quite a number of children will get no health care due to their not qualifying for the new programs as defined. Lawmakers insist that the “Kids Must Come First” and that there should be no holds barred when kids are at risk. Health care should be available to all citizens of the United States and even the kids of those illegal immigrants. The key is to get their parents on the right track with more acceptable employment opportunities to allow them to pay for their own health care. The federal government has vetoed several attempts by lawmakers to increase the total budget for healthcare which would have provided much needed fuel to the slow health care system. The levels set by the federal government are unacceptable and even families who have twice the poverty level cannot afford private health care. The debate goes on as lawmakers fight their way to get people the healthcare they need when they need it.

Laws aimed to allow insurance companies to deny people with pre-existing conditions has fallen short and insurance companies are still paying dearly for claims they should have otherwise not have to. The law was supposed to cap of the limits at which coverage of high-risk individuals and even allowing them to deny coverage if proper documentation is supplied of course. The effect is that insurance companies have had to raise premium rates top cover unnecessary claims which the law was supposed to prevent. As supposed effect of the law, the people who don’t qualify or would have caps on their coverage amounts due to their pre-existing condition, then insurance companies would have to payout less (due to less deaths which was caused by these so-called pre-conditions) lowering premiums and allowing more people to get insurance. Lawmakers might have to revamp the law but that would take time and insurance companies will have to contend with the high claims rates for cases such as acne and other unnecessary stuff.

There have been rising incidents of cases wherein people who seek medical treatment from hospitals end up with more than they bargained for in terms of aggravating the condition they had when they first entered. The culprit, humans for it seems that anything that has a human being making decisions there are prone to be mistakes and in an industry that is as critical as health that can mean the difference between life and death. Mistakes in these medical facilities do happen but are seldom publicized due to their detrimental effect on the trust of patrons. People getting the wrong medicine, being given wrong doses, misdiagnosis of illnesses and many more very alarming incidents are on the rise for as more people want to spend more time at work in a field that is competitive as the medical industry to earn more, the more sleep they lose and thus they become prone to making errors. Studies show that the more sleep deficit you build up, you become more temperamental and emotions get in the way of rational thinking.

The rising cost of health care has resulted in projected increases by providers of insurance rates. Various states in the US have started to regulate and monitor the said increases in hopes of making them more affordable yet maintain that they are working with providers in making health care both affordable and high quality. The health care system has been in decline with rising costs and studies have shown that behind the scenes many sad stories happen. Analysts even find that not all major hospitals are capable of giving specialized and intensive care for emergency patients in some categories alarming the public. Costs are rising but it has to be ensured that all Americans get the best health care systems in the world is what many presidential candidates are hoping for. With the elections looming, time will tell if the said reforms that are expected to make the difference between the coming true of such promises do materialize.

From the US, the CDC has announced that one in five Americans cannot afford health insurance. This is alarming for this comes to a number in the 40 million of the whole population. The report states that affordable health care is just not affordable enough and reforms to the said health care system truly are needed. This is why many Presidential candidates have used the said area for their platforms to bring health care to everybody and not just the regular health care packages but quality health care.

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In another twist of health related news, another survey in the United States government has released. It seems that not all hospitals are equipped to handle pediatric patients. This is also another blow to the health care system that is already plagued by many problems. So people are advised to check with their local hospitals for such facilities if they exist so they would know where to take their children in case of emergency.

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With private health insurance, it would be similar to purchasing something out of the store. You choose the package (different companies have different offerings and names for their own products) sign the contract and make your first payment. Coverage usually starts after that event even if only one payment has been made. With government sponsored health care, there are pre-registration requirements needed to get the proper care and documentation. You apply at the health office and get to choose (yes you get to choose the type of packages) some states offer totally free services and others don�t. Some states may offer this and others don�t but all of these government sponsored programs are under federal control. Consult family and friends for help on this one for they might know more than you regarding the topic. You can also contact your local health office for advice and requirements that are required by government agencies for approval to get into the program.

There can be problems that can arise from health insurance providers and the best thing to do is to screen the said company or organization with the US Health department for accreditation. Also make sure you check with the nearest hospital which health insurance providers do they honor so you can maximize the convenience factor of your plan. Some issues arise when patients are discovered to have a chronic disease (which was totally unknown to that individual and was only discovered after signing up for a plan) which can give the insurance company certain discretionary rights to choose whether to cover or not the expenses that have been incurred. There is an association which governs and manages these health insurance providers to ensure they follow government regulations and all problems should be referred promptly to stop unfair practices. Check Out the USA.Gov web sites for details and help on the matter.