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You shouldn't sign up for health insurance without first asking a few questions. Learn about things to ask about elderly health insurance with help from the owner of a brokerage insurance company in this free video clip.
A health insurance committee is designed with a very specific purpose in mind. Learn about the purpose of a health insurance committee with help from the owner of a brokerage insurance company in this free video clip.
Subsidized health insurance has a few things associated with it that you need to keep in mind. Learn about subsidized health insurance with help from the owner of a brokerage insurance company in this free video clip.
When shopping around for health insurance its important to keep a few very specific things in mind. Get health insurance advice with help from an insurance professional in this free video clip.
One of the first things you need to do to combat debt is to get organized. Learn how to organize credit card, health insurance and IRS debt with help from a best-selling author and financial expert in this free video clip.
How you will use health insurance after divorce varies state to state. Use health insurance after divorce with help from an attorney in this free video clip.
Travel health insurance is great to have for a number of different situations. Find out about travel health insurance with help from an insurance professional in this free video clip.
One of the most important decisions retirees face is choosing a health insurance plan. Many retirees qualify for Medicare, which they may use on its own, or in conjunction with other coverage. If you're retired but not old enough for Medicare, you may need to secure coverage on your own or through a spouse, which can be fairly expensive.
Health insurance benefits are key to attracting talented employees to a company. Many companies try to balance employee health needs with cost effectiveness. Finance managers must determine what portion of retained income should be spent on employee health insurance. Accounting for the insurance involves many factors including employee needs, company budget and industry standards. Health insurance packages fulfill different roles for employer and employee. For the employer, the quality of health insurance programs relates to the quality of employee the company wishes to attract. For employees, health insurance benefits help determine quality of life.
Commission costs affect profit and loss. Companies may pay their staff salaries, commissions or a combination. The commissions are part of a company's selling expenses and directly affect profitability. Commissions are usually a percentage of the sales. Companies may pay commissions to its own employees or to outside entities.
Unemployment benefits pay a portion of your wages after you have lost your job. File an unemployment claim through your local department of labor office as soon as possible after termination. To collect benefits, you must have a valid reason for not working and continue to actively look for work. A unemployment agency representative reviews your claim to determine whether you are permitted to collect benefits as well as the benefit amount and duration.
In years without any major natural disasters or extraordinary insurance events, reinsurance commissions can be extremely lucrative for the sales person, and premiums can be profitable for the firm. In bad years, however, reinsurance commissions can be zero and profits can be negative. Of course, the outcome is unknown when the deal is signed, so you can create a probability distribution to estimate commissions.
The billing analyst or clerk is responsible for managing the flow of invoices in a public, private or government accounting office. Billing analysts must keep an accurate record of the bills, in addition to recording the data contained on the them. Quite commonly, the billing analyst is an entry-level finance position that allows the employee to learn the systems and accounting methods that the company or organization uses.
Institutions of higher learning administer psychological tests to evaluate the aptitudes of their graduate student applicants. Although graduate recruiters do not use the tests to disqualify applicants, they administer these tests to compare competencies such as critical thinking skills and task performance. Administration of psychological tests for educational purposes is regulated by various psychological principles established by industry bodies such as the American Psychology Association. Graduate recruiters are required to apply these principles during the evaluation of student applicants.
Productivity is output divided by hours of employment, where output is the value of goods and services produced in an economy. High productivity can result from higher output or fewer hours worked. However, a combination of the two usually means higher unemployment. Process improvements, technological changes and cost management are some of the reasons for both high productivity and low unemployment.
When two or more parties make a contract, either party may sue the other for damages if she breaks her side of the agreement. In Illinois, contracts must meet certain criteria to be eligible for enforcement. Both parties must agree, preferably in writing, before either party can take legal action against the other for breach of contract.
Many employees take advantage of the health insurance offered through their job. The employer offers insurance to workers at a lower rate than the employee would pay if she purchased it independently. As the cost of health care rises, many companies consider their options regarding how to fund their health insurance plans. Many companies choose to self-fund their plans in order to manage these costs. Companies that self-fund must consider which type of bank account to deposit their funds into. Several options exist.
Traditionally in the United States, public schools have operated under a closed enrollment, where only certain students from a certain area could apply for entry. Funding was likewise kept separate, as each school district maintained its own budget. Open enrollment changes this by allowing any student to apply for entry to any school. The funding changes that are also undergone as a part of this process are meant to correct certain discrepancies in education.
Many employers in the United States provide health and life insurance benefits for employees. Typically, you and your employer split the cost of these group insurance plans and the coverage ends when you leave your job. However, in many instances under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, you can elect to continue your health coverage after you quit your job. Additionally, while COBRA does not cover life insurance continuation, many insurance firms allow you to continue with term life insurance coverage that you previously paid for through payroll deductions.
Finding funding for any type of business venture is important and is one of the first tasks that you will have to accomplish before the door of the business opens for the first time. In addition to funding your business, you have to protect that business, including the building, the equipment and the other assets whether they are tangible or intangible in nature. There are several ways to get the money that you need, including asking for a loan from a traditional bank. However, that is not always the most cost-effective method. Insurance is one of the biggest expenses that…
Insurance companies provide you with peace of mind in case of an unexpected emergency. The payments you or your company make come with the assurance that if something happens, like a tornado or a robbery, your insurance company will financially reimburse you. The amount you pay and the coverage you get is determined by an underwriter -- an oft-unseen but highly influential piece of the insurance equation.
More than 1,200 registered agricultural lobbyists influence decision making on a variety of topics, including farming, scientific experimentation, pesticide use, type of crops grown and farm subsidies. Lobbyist pay varies with the individual and the lobbying firm, but the employment field as a whole earns some of the top salaries in Washington, D.C. -- a geographic lobbying center where the average income for all workers tops six figures.
The commonality between subrogation and bankruptcy is the recovery of debt. Besides this characteristic, the two concepts are quite different. Subrogation deals with the recovery of funds by insurance companies from the party that caused damages; whereas, bankruptcy deals with the recovery of debt by creditors.
When you evaluate a job offer, salary may not be your only consideration. Tangible benefits, such as health insurance, stock-option programs, employee stock-purchase plans and retirement programs, are part of the attraction of a particular job offer. Evaluate the tangible benefit package offered by an employer to help you choose the most lucrative employment opportunity.
A personal lines insurance agent sells insurance policies to individuals rather than businesses. These policies are typically for homes, automobiles and health insurance. A personal lines insurance agent typically receives a salary from the insurance company and may also receive a commission from the sales of the insurance policy.
Employer-sponsored elder care, or long-term care as it is also known, is an additional benefit offered in many disability programs that refers to insurance coverage that protects your parents if they require long-term specialized care. Employer-sponsored plans contain a number of significant advantages for you as an employee but there are some dangers that you should be aware of.
Organizations faced with the need to influence lawmakers often call on the services of a lobbyist. Lobbyists are public relations specialists who use their persuasive abilities in an attempt to get legislators to take action which benefits those who employ the lobbyist. As a result, lobbyists must be well-versed in the legislative process as well as the nuances of their particular industry.
Record retention requirements are imposed by federal and state governments on businesses in order to aid in law enforcement investigations and civil litigation. Records subject to retention requirements include tax records, payroll, immigration compliance documentation, employment records and corporate securities documents. Failure to maintain the required documentation may lead to the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986, known as COBRA, is a federal law requiring covered employers to provide their employees with continuing health insurance after job termination. COBRA requires employers to provide eligible employees with up to 18 months of continuing group health coverage. Many states enacted similar legislation providing expanded coverage to employees who are not eligible for the coverage benefits under federal law. The Kansas Continuation Law requires employers to comply with the state's insurance law if they are not covered by the federal law.
Business ethics are a complicated field of inquiry presenting a very large and diverse group of questions about the ethical obligations of business. These questions are ripe for debate, as they present no right or wrong answers, and are seen in radically different ways by people of different ideologies and values systems. A debater or debate team looking for a question of business ethics to tackle would have many options.
Insurance agents, representatives and others who have contact with the public must earn licenses issued by the Florida Department of Insurance. This state agency licenses Resident Customer Service Representatives with the 4-40 license. Earning the 4-40 is a fairly straightforward matter of either passing a short class or taking an examination.
Illinois, like every state in the U.S., oversees and sets the laws for workers' compensation provisions within its boundaries. While the federal government requires that employees receive this coverage, it leaves the details of that coverage up to the states. In Illinois, like many other states, some companies or public entities elect self-insurance over the high cost of workers' compensation insurance premiums. In these cases, employers hire their own claims staff and self-manage and pay workers' compensation claims or they hire a third-party administrator to handle the claims on their behalf. The Illinois Department of Insurance oversees and manages the…
The field of ethics involves questions of right and wrong and examines what is appropriate behavior in different circumstances. Because ideas of good and bad are subjective and personal, ethical debates are common between people who hold different philosophies. Positive ethical debates leave all participants more informed about other viewpoints, while negative debates can degenerate into name calling.
ARMA International, a professional organization for records management professionals, is the certifying body for the Certified Records Manager, or CRM, credential. The credential is awarded by the Institute of Certified Records Managers. The CRM credential, the primary credential in the records and information management profession, is geared for individuals with management-level experience who meet specified educational and work experience requirements.
The Kaiser Foundation is a name which, for many, is synonymous with health-care research and policy initiatives in U.S. medical care. However, several nonprofit organizations exist that bear this name, and not all of them offer grant opportunities to help fund health care projects. However, each organization is involved in some aspect of health-care policy development and offers various resources for individuals or groups looking to become more educated about the health-care issues. Financial awards that are available tend to fund either community access to health care or education on health care policy.
Medical billers, also known as coders, work in doctor's offices, hospitals and outpatient facilities. A medical biller can pursue a professional credential from the American Health Information Management Association or the American Association of Professional Coders. Candidates need to meet work experience and education requirements before being cleared to register for a certification exam.
Employers contract with third party administrations, often referred to as TPAs, to handle many of their human resources and insurance-related administrative functions. TPAs are independent companies that manage specific areas for employers such as insurance enrollment, COBRA administration and claims services. This frees up the employer's HR department and leaves the administrative and technical aspect of these areas to the TPA.
The purpose of debate is to challenge perspectives on any number of topics. In the world of business, different companies, organizations and people have different perspectives on the best business practices for an institution or industry. Opening these topics for debate -- in a classroom setting, at a conference or even published in a journal -- is an opportunity for business leaders to take note of these diverse views to determine how to best apply these perspectives to their own needs.
Illinois state employees may choose from several different health insurance options, which include dental, vision, prescription medication, life insurance and behavioral health benefits. Choices include managed health care offered throughout the state by various plan administrators and the Cigna Quality Care Health Care Plan managed by that insurer. Rates vary depending on the type of plan and options. All plans include deductibles for prescription drugs.
A warehouse representative is a common job title for someone in a management position in a particular warehouse setting, where tangible goods are being constantly brought in and shipped out. Companies that ship their own products to consumers, receive supplies from supplier to manufacture or send out completed products to distributors often use warehouses to store or at least organize their shipments. The warehouse representative has a key role in this process and must usually complete several important tasks. The job tends to be full time with highly variable scheduling including nights, weekends and overtime when needed.
The federal United States Department of Labor requires employers to comply with federal record-keeping and record retention requirements. Additionally, each state may require that employers conducting business within its jurisdictional boundaries keep additional records. In Connecticut, the Division of Wage and Workplace Standards, part of the state Department of Labor, is responsible for enforcing the state's employment record-keeping laws.
The Maryland State Health Insurance Plan, commonly known as MHIP, provides health insurance coverage to state residents who may otherwise be uninsured. MHIP offers three different plans, with varying eligibility requirements. Managed by the state, MHIP offers coverage through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and CareFirst BlueChoice. The plans include prescription drug coverage.
Medical coders work in the health information field to attach codes to medical diagnoses, treatments and procedures performed by a healthcare professional. The codes classify the procedure, treatment or diagnoses, which insurance companies and government agencies use to determine the payment to the healthcare provider. Billing and coding specialists ensure patient information and records are complete and accurate. The billing and coding professional can obtain certification from a credentialing agency to improve job prospects. The National Healthcareer Association offers the Certified Medical Biller and Coder credential for professionals in the field.
A broker by definition is anyone who facilitates a trade between two or more parties. Typically, brokers across different industries do not earn salaries, but earn commissions or fees based on the completion of an actual sale. In this sense, broker earnings are high-risk, high-reward. If you have a knack for selling and completing transactions, you can make a lot of money as a broker. However, brokers rarely earn a guaranteed salary.
The health insurance industry is one of the largest in the nation. A majority of Americans rely on health insurance through private companies that provide coverage for themselves and their families. However, with so many options, these families usually need the help of a health insurance broker. These agents help clients decide what kind of coverage they need based on their incomes, health conditions and other factors. Health insurance brokers have a variety of career options, and a range of salaries to accompany each career path.
The Family and Medical Leave Act requires employers to allow certain protections -- such as continuing to provide health insurance -- for an employee who is on a protected leave under the act. Employees on bonding leave have recently -- within the past 12 months -- had a newborn baby, or have fostered or adopted a child. The FMLA allows up to 12 weeks of leave for new parents to bond with the new arrival, and during this time the employer maintains a group health insurance plan for the employee and may pay the health insurance premiums. However, an employee…
Health insurance matters to most employees and employers too. Group plans offered through employers are the most reliable way for people -- including employers -- to get medical insurance and in many circumstances, their best coverage options. That's why so many employers put tremendous effort into finding and negotiating the best possible health insurance plan. Unfortunately, quality coverage isn't always affordable. Employers often find themselves agonizing over difficult choices.
According to Harper College, a health insurance specialist is a medical insurance billing and coding technician or clerk that handles much of the paperwork related to medical claims. Health insurance specialists work in both inpatient and outpatient facilities and serve as the primary link between health care facilities and insurance companies. They can also work on the other side for insurance companies as a go between to the health care facilities.
Kaiser Permanente is a combined health maintenance organization, HMO, and medical care provider. Kaiser's insured are referred to as members as they receive the majority of their care at Kaiser outpatient clinics and hospitals. Residents of California, Oregon, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii and Virginia can take advantage of Kaiser's prevention-oriented health care systems. While Kaiser offers plans directly to individuals and families, many members join through the employer sponsored group plans available to organizations of all sizes.
Health insurance is one of the most common job benefits offered in the United States. Although the nature of health insurance plans has changed with the introduction of managed care and other attempts to reduce costs, companies still promote their health plans heavily as part of their benefits packages. Potential employees often look for this as one of their primary benefits.
Subrogation refers to an insurance company´s reimbursement for claims paid out as a result of an accident. In cases of health insurance subrogation, your health insurance company may seek compensation for claims paid as a result of an accident when the accident resulted from a third party's liability. Health insurance companies can only seek reimbursement through subrogation after paying out claims. Thus, through subrogation, insurance companies try to hold third parties accountable for the claims the insurance company has already paid out.
A police officer is charged with the responsibility of protecting the public and property. This includes pursuing and arresting criminals, issuing citations, generating police reports and patrolling designated areas. They are sometimes called upon to help injured victims and enter dangerous situations. The salaries and health insurance options for police officers depend on several factors.
Losing your job and health insurance coverage can be scary. When employment ends voluntarily or involuntarily, an employee may qualify for continued healthcare benefits through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which is commonly called COBRA. This provides a qualified employee the opportunity to continue health insurance coverage at his/her own expense under the former employer's benefit plan. Your former employer should be able to provide you with the information you need to know about COBRA coverage.
A byproduct of the debate over American health care reform was a heightened interest in how senators and congressmen received their health insurance. Congressional health insurance also became the topic of campaign speeches, with some politicians using it as a model for what universal care could be and others pointing out the unfairness inherent in the fact that members of Congress have such good coverage while millions of Americans have no insurance at all.
Health insurance is a must in times of both health and sickness. Whether the economy is doing well or in a recession, it is important to maintain your coverage. You do not want to be in the unfortunate situation of losing your health insurance -- even for a few days. There are ways to avoid letting your policy lapse.
Aetna is an insurance company that offers a variety of health insurance options in the state of Texas. With more than a dozen medical insurance plans in the state of Texas, you can find a plan that provides the benefits and services you require. Aetna offers both preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSA).
Different health insurance plans cover different services. Individuals, employers, union trusts and welfare funds may decide what benefits they want to cover. States also impose provisions that require health insurers to cover certain benefits and to what level. State mandates always supersede the decisions of health insurance companies, employers, individuals and union trust and funds regarding coverage.
If you have been terminated from your job or are concerned that this might happen soon, you may be wondering what to do about health insurance coverage. Fortunately, you do have several options for covering your health care needs.
If you have two insurance policies, then you will need to have one insurance act as the primary insurance policy and the other as the secondary insurance policy. When your doctor files an insurance claim, his office needs to know which one to use first in order for you to receive maximum coverage.
The Council for Affordable Health Insurance is an insurance industry-based association pursuing changes in the nation's health care system. Besides insurance companies, members also include small businesses, health-care providers, actuaries, nonprofit organizations and individuals. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., the CAHI lobbies on health-care issues.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health plans for individuals and families. Blue Cross and Blue Shield define PPOs as "an arrangement designed to supply health care services at a discounted cost by providing incentives for members to use designated health providers." Unlike Health Maintenance Organizations, or HMOs, those enrolled in PPOs may also receive coverage for services provided by health care professionals who are not in the particular PPO network.
Many large employers offer potential employees many benefits other than a straight salary. The compensation package could include a car allowance, a 401k retirement plan, and health insurance benefits. Employers do not have to offer any of these inducements by law but, once they do, they have to apply the rules fairly. All employees in a certain class (full-time, management-level, engineers) must have access to the same benefits. Consider four things when deciding to take a job that has health benefits.
Telemarketing involves the use of the telephone making direct contact with prospects to sell them products or services. A direct sale could be made over the phone but, in the case of health insurance, usually involves setting up an appointment for a salesperson to see a health care prospect in person. Benefits of telemarketing include an efficient way to contact and qualify prospects before investing in a salesperson's time, a method for reaching a precise targeted audience and a measurable sales approach. Understand how to best use telemarketing to obtain health care prospect appointments and you will convert more health…
The U.S. tax code offers taxpayers myriad tax deductions that can lower taxable income and, in turn, decrease the amount paid in federal income tax. The law may allow you to deduct all or part of your health insurance premium, depending on how much you pay, your income, your employment status and how you obtained your health coverage.
Toddlers need regular check ups and medical care. The frequency of the visits makes health insurance a necessity. There are several options available to help you find insurance for your toddler, even if it is difficult to afford health insurance. Taking your child in for regular treatments can help to catch serious problems early.
Health insurance can protect you from medical bankruptcy. It will help pay for medical expenses. It will cover both planned procedures and emergency procedures. When you use health insurance you will still be responsible for copayments and co-insurance, although the insurance should cover the majority of your expenses. Finding an insurance policy should be a matter of balancing the cost with the right amount of coverage.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal entity which oversees the United States' two national health programs. Medicare is designed for senior citizens, while Medicaid is meant for very low-income families, individuals and the disabled. While Medicare is handled mainly at the federal level, Medicaid is managed for the most part by the states, which are allowed to design certain aspects of their own Medicaid programs. Medicaid in Ohio is administered and supervised by the Department of Job and Family Services.
Health insurance is intended to help protect individuals and families in the event of health problems, illness or accidents. Health insurance also provides individuals the ability to visit doctors for routine checkups and annual physicals while keeping costs for medical care at a reasonable rate. In Florida, there are many types of insurance policies that are available to the residents. The main types of insurance in Florida are comprehensive or "major medical" coverage, managed care and limited benefit policies.
If your employer offers group health insurance coverage as an employee benefit, you should become familiar with the basic and most common factors that determine your eligibility to participate in the plan. Not every worker qualifies to enroll in the medical plan. Regulations that define an eligible employee may differ slightly from state to state, but most state insurance departments have similar legislation.
A health or medical insurance verification specialist, also called an insurance verifier or preregistration specialist, confirms insurance coverage before patients are admitted into a hospital. She interviews patients and completes paperwork, and verifies patient information with the insurance carrier. The preregistration work can be done by telephone or online. This specialist also resolves potential problems with coverage and refers complicated issues to a supervisor. Health insurance verification specialist salaries in Florida typically are in the area of $30,000 per year.
If you own an LLC and are considering offering health insurance to your workers, it's essential that you understand the basics of how group medical policies work and the requirements placed on your LLC. The process of obtaining group health insurance for your LLC is no different than for any other type of corporation or eligible entity. The fact that your organization is an LLC, not an S-corp, C-corp, etc., is essentially irrelevant to insurance companies, provided your entity is legitimate and your group meets established criteria for qualification.
National health insurance is also known as "single payer" health care. This means the government will be the "single payer," as opposed to every individual health care user having to pay for his own health care. Health care is provided via a national plan, differing from private health insurance, in which a person can choose whichever provider he wants.
While many insurance agents (also called producers) are employed by insurance companies, some agents choose to work as independent agents that can represent many insurance companies, thus being able to provide consumers with more insurance product choices. Independent health insurance agents are a growing sub-field among independent insurance agents, and this job category could experience substantial growth through 2015 as the 2009 health care reform law is fully implemented and almost all Americans are mandated to purchase health care insurance.
Employers who are covered by the Family Medical Leave Act must continue to administer the group health benefits for employees who have taken an FMLA-designated leave of absence. The employer must maintain the health insurance benefits in the same manner as if the employee were still engaged in his normal day-to-day work duties. This includes the collection of employee health insurance premiums and permitting life event and open enrollment changes.
Health insurance in Washington is fairly robust, with a wide variety of public and private plans available. As elsewhere, you can get health insurance either through your employer or buy it directly from a private insurance company. If you're self employed, you have the option of developing your own health care insurance. If you're low income, age 65 and older, disabled or a state worker, you may qualify for any of several low-cost insurance plans. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner provides a comprehensive guide to health insurance options for the public.
Belize is one of the world's poorest countries, with little in terms of basic infrastructure. It's health care system is typical of the "fourth world," and yet, there are substantial reforms in the works as of 2011. Belize is a country deeply in debt, with high unemployment and interest rates. Its main exports are fruit and fish. The discovery of oil in 2006 helped the economy expand, and new oil revenues permitted the Health Ministry to create new health care initiatives that seek to expand primary care and control costs.
Keeping track of a health insurance plan is one of the many responsibilities employers deal with in managing a business. Health insurance administration consists of several processes and tasks that can quickly drain the resources within a business' human resources department. Third party administrator roles take on much of the responsibility involved with managing employee health benefits.
Health care in the United States has been a major topic of political debate since the administration of Richard Nixon in the 1970s. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2009 that the number of Americans without health insurance increased between 2008 and 2009. The debate over providing affordable health insurance includes exploration of insurance policies and the ways insurance is marketed in the United States. An insurance exchange offers one of the possible national insurance reforms.
The answer to whether health insurance is important to a job seeker depends on the individual job seeker. In many cases, health insurance is important as a part of a total compensation package. However, other considerations and priorities in a job seeker's life may not make health insurance such an important factor in their search for a job.
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, COBRA, is federal legislation that enables workers and their families to keep their group health insurance benefits for a limited amount of time if they lose their job. COBRA legislation mandates that businesses follow certain rules to ensure all employees who are eligible for the plan can opt into COBRA.
The bitter, contentious and costly debate in 2009 over President Barack Obama's health care reform plan turned the national spotlight on the lobbying efforts funded by the U.S. health insurance industry. In their efforts to defeat the Obama administration proposal, health insurers hired lobbyists with extensive political connections to persuade members of Congress to vote against the reforms. Like other lobbyists representing various interests in the public policy process, health insurance industry lobbyists often receive high salaries in exchange for their lobbying and public relations skills, as well as their political contacts.
A career as an independent health insurance agent presents an opportunity unlike any other. The freedom to arrange your own work schedule to suit your needs, and those of your family, is combined with unlimited income potential. Selling health insurance involves meeting new people every day, talking with human resources directors and company owners. Being involved in the insurance industry requires significant time and dedication, and it's not a career suited to just anyone.
Commission sales is one of the most lucrative opportunities for people without a college degree. Of commission sales opportunities, insurance sales is one of the most profitable. Health insurance is one of the major types of insurance available for agents to sell. Once you've cut your teeth selling in a single state, you can increase your potential market by 50 times if you expand your operation out over the entire United States.
In the United States, employer-based health insurance covers nearly 64 percent of the population under 65 years of age. The cost to employers for health insurance coverage for their employees has risen sharply over the past 5 years, not only due to the rising costs of health care, but also to record-breaking profits of the health insurance industry. From 2008 to 2009, Cigna's profit rose 346 percent, Wellpoint's increased 91 percent and Humana's by 61 percent.
As with everything, health care costs money. Whether it should cost more to buy the insurance to pay for health care services or not is an issue facing politicians, administrators and everyday Americans. Although insurance deductibles were originally created to help keep health care costs down, instead, they have led to the avoidance of needed health care.
In 2006, the state of Massachusetts passed a health care reform law requiring all residents to be covered by health insurance or pay a fine. Those with low income are covered by health insurance through affordable or free government programs so that they have access to health care.
The State of Illinois provides the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) for individuals who have been denied regular health insurance, have not had group health insurance for three months, have certain diseases or are receiving Medicare benefits before the age of 65. Individuals on any of these plans will need to pay monthly premiums for this coverage.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's 2010 health benefits survey, health care premiums for family coverage rose 114 percent in total between 2000 and 2010. In that same period, the amount of money that workers are being asked to contribute to health care has gone up 147 percent. Health care costs are a concern for business, and employers are using various strategies to cope with the rising costs of health insurance premiums.
Many employers offer employee benefits, and employer-sponsored health care benefits take top billing in a comprehensive benefits package. As of January 2011, employer-sponsored health insurance helps employees save money on coverage, and employers reap rewards in the form of more productive employees and tax benefits. Employer-sponsored health care benefits come with a hefty price tag, though, and some companies have considered scaling back on these offerings.
Psychologists with master's degrees face a choice between entering the workforce with their degree or going on to earn their PhDs. Although the lure of achieving their highest-level degree is strong, many psychologists with master's degrees actually can achieve salaries comparable to those of a professional with similar work experience and certifications who has a doctorate.
If you love working with people, do not mind comparing and crunching numbers but also enjoy making the sale, being a health insurance agent may be for you. While agents may work for a company or independently, they do command a respectable average salary and often enjoy some benefits and perks.
A good marketing campaign is important to the success of most companies, including health insurance businesses. Marketing health insurance can be a difficult task, because insurance companies are trying to make a profit and consumers are looking for the best health insurance rates. The good news is there are several strategies health insurance professionals can use to market their services while also helping out their customers.
Understanding health insurance terminology can help you improve your medical acumen. If you're a policyholder, familiarizing yourself with medical insurance basics is useful when dealing with your insurance company. This knowledge might also help you embark on a career in the health industry and work for a hospital or insurance company.
Just because you have terminated an employee does not mean that your obligation to him has been terminated as well. Federal law may require you to continue to offer health insurance to a terminated employee---albeit at the former employee's own cost---for a period of months after his discharge.
Medical billers and coders, perform a specific set of functions in the processing of health insurance payments and the billing of medical procedures. Using specialized software, they assign codes to each procedure and diagnosis and then ensure bills are sent to health insurance companies and patients. In 2008, health technician positions such as these paid about $25,000 to $39,500 a year with some making more than $50,000 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the right software and computer setup, many of these jobs can be done from home.
All insurance professionals in Florida must hold a valid license to sell insurance products. If you wish to sell life and health insurance products, you need to apply for the combined Life and Health with Variable Annuity license, which allows you to sell life insurance, health insurance coverage and fixed value annuities.
As of January 2011, Hawaii has followed the Hawaii Prepaid Healthcare Act for 36 years, which has drastically changed the face of health insurance for residents of Hawaii. The act offers widespread health coverage to workers in Hawaii, and the federal healthcare reform changes of 2010 will further increase the number of citizens covered by health insurance in the state.
Cigna, with ties back to 1792, is one of the largest health insurers in the country. Offering many health insurance plan options to individual consumers and employer groups, Cigna is a publicly traded company with more than $18 billion dollars of revenue in 2009. Cigna also serves an international market and offers other insurance products in addition to health insurance such as life, dental, disability and behavioral health policies. Cigna Corporation is headquartered in Philadelphia and the health care division is one of five business segments of the corporation.
Offering group health insurance can help your company be more competitive in the hiring market and decrease attrition for existing employees. Before you choose a health insurance plan for your employees, know your options, understand how different health insurance options work, and consider which is best for you and your employees.
Smoking increases the likelihood of coronary heart disease, respiratory diseases and even infertility and hip fractures. More than 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking, and it also causes cancers of the bladder, kidney, larynx and uterus, among others. Given all the medical facts, it should therefore come as no surprise that smokers pay more for health insurance.
Wellness programs, such as smoking cessation and weight loss, may be accessible to employees covered under group health insurance. For no or low cost, companies can add these benefits to existing coverage or contract with a health management company to offer wellness programs to their staff. Wellness programs help employees modify their behavior and make lifestyle changes leading to better health and disease prevention. Most wellness programs offer an online component and health coaches who work directly with employees by telephone or in-person to educate the employee on making healthy choices.
Before you can sell health insurance in Nevada, you must first obtain a health insurance license from the Nevada Division of Insurance. To ensure insurance agents are qualified and ethical, applicants are required to pass an examination and submit to a background check. Once licensed, the Division of Insurance can suspend or revoke your license if you act incompetently or unethically towards a client.
The California Health Insurance Reliability Act proposed a single-payer, state-operated health care system that would establish the California Health Insurance System (CHIS). The term "single-payer" refers to a type of system in which a single entity collects all fees for health care coverage and pays all medical service providers. Under the CHIS framework, employers and income earners, along with funding from local, state, and federal governments, would pay for a system that would provide coverage for all eligible California residents.
Needlestick insurance is a special kind of coverage that people might be interested in when they work directly with needles and syringes. Those who work in such fields as health care, dentistry and body art (tattooing and piercing) often come in contact with sharp instruments that could be contaminated with HIV, hepatitis or other blood-borne pathogens. These workers need to be assured that they are covered by insurance if they become infected from an accidental needlestick, but because the coverage is specialized, many don't know how to get it.
Life and health insurance brokers, also called agents or producers, are in a competitive business that is dependent upon a consumer planning for the future. Health insurance policies help individuals pay for medical bills. Life insurance policies give money to the beneficiary listed on the policy in the event the insured dies.
Figuring out a patient's primary health insurance is prerequisite to correct submission of claims. The medical claims billing department in a doctors' office, hospital or medical facility sends the medical bill, also known as a claim, to the primary insurer who pays first. If the patient has secondary coverage, this insurer usually pays whatever the primary insurer did not. Most insurance companies determine primary versus secondary by following industry-standard coordination-of-benefits rules, created by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
The time to choose a health insurance provider is before you need one. This allows you to take your time, get your questions answered and know that when something does happen, you will have the coverage you need. Choosing a health insurance provider is an important component of your health care. There are things that you can do to ensure you choose the health insurance provider that will meet your health care needs.
Health insurance in the United States consists of a confusing array of premiums, networks, co-pays, deductibles and regulations. People get coverage for their medical bills from a mix of public and private payers, and regulations vary from state to state. You may wonder how we arrived at this system to pay doctor bills. The history of health insurance in the United States is a patchwork of events, much like health insurance itself.
Health insurance claims analysts supervise, verify and process health insurance payments. They evaluate the validity of claims, determine whether the claims should be accepted or denied, and issue claim payments. Health insurance claim analysts educate claimants regarding benefits and generally work for health insurance companies, hospitals and other medical facilities. They earn between $31,000 and $53,000 annually, according to PayScale.
If you are trying to complete the CMS-1500 form but are unsure how to fill in all of the requested data, it is a good idea to have a look at some guidelines on how to use the form. The form is a paper-based method for non-institutional healthcare providers or suppliers to bill Medicare and Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carriers for health care. This form can only be used if you qualify for exemption from the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act. The form is easy to complete and can be done by following simple instructions.
Public health insurance has long been associated with health care assistance for the needy, disabled, elderly and low-income. During the health care debate of 2009, Congress debated and ultimately discarded the public option under health care reform. In 2006, Massachusetts introduced its own health reforms for residents under 64, introducing them to marketplace connectors as these residents chose health care plans that fit their needs.
Insurance brokers help others to get peace of mind and protection against emergencies. But brokers themselves need tools and support to get their jobs done and to feel good about their choice of employment. That's why brokers often turn to other brokers to help their firms get the best deals on health care coverage. Similarly, brokerage firms support their agents as well as maximize their own bottom lines by purchasing data warehouse tools that consolidate information so that agents at a brokerage can receive and give the best information possible to satisfy clients and bring in sales.
Health insurance premiums can be 100 percent deductible for members of a Limited Liability Company. The Internal Revenue Service allows deductions for premiums under certain circumstances for member managers, those members who are actively involved in the operations of the company.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) included standardized procedures for protecting health records. HIPAA's Privacy Rule addresses how information may be used and the steps that covered entities must take to ensure confidentiality. As part of the privacy issue, the act identifies acceptable disposable methods for personal information.
Insurance companies such as Aetna require medical providers to complete a process known as credentialing to be accepted as a network provider. Patients often don't see an out-of-network provider due to the increased out-of-pocket cost to the patient and find an in-network provider instead. As an in-network option, the provider can potentially increase the number of patients he sees and therefore increase his revenue. The credentialing process requires the medical provider to complete an application and be approved.
The health-care industry represents 16 percent of the gross domestic product, according to data from the World Health Organization. Because of this, and because individuals who lose health insurance frequently wind up relying on government for care, the government has long had an interest in regulating not just health care, but also how it's financed --- including insurance arrangements. By long legal tradition, insurance contracts have been regulated primarily at the state level. However, the passage of the Affordable Care Act in the spring of 2010 led to changes that are expanding the role of the federal government in the…
In the field of health insurance, competition is stiff and marketing is a crucial factor in staying ahead of competitors and increasing sales. As you develop a marketing strategy for your health insurance plans, consider ways you can dispel concerns, reach potential new customers, and educate your audience about options.
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a law passed in the 1980s that mandated continued health insurance coverage for people who lost their job, whether or not the termination was voluntary. The law requires employers to offer COBRA coverage, which is fully paid by the worker, for an 18-month period. In some cases that period can be extended to 36 months. Although the program has helped many workers keep their insurance, several problems arise when dealing with COBRA "continuation" coverage.
Selling insurance to individuals and businesses is not easy, but once you hit your stride, there are many rewards. First, you can work independently from home and create your own schedule. In sales, the harder you work, the more customers you gain and the more lucrative your career. If you succeed in selling accident and health insurance policies, commissions and customer renewals will build, leading to a career easily managed from your home office.
Social service departments and government legislation provide help for unemployed workers. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, state and federal resources are available to help you provide affordable health care coverage for yourself and your family. The type of assistance available will depend on where you live.
Hiring and retaining quality employees is necessary for organizational success. Of course, keeping top employees comes with a price tag. One of the biggest costs for any company is providing health insurance to employees, which averaged about 8 percent of employee pay in 2010. Health care costs continue to rise, but employers have options to help lower costs.
Medical insurance sales is a tough field. Commissions are modest compared to other forms of insurance and the climate is extremely competitive. Moreover, the industry is operating under significant regulatory uncertainty, as the effects of recent health insurance reform play themselves out. Nevertheless, there are lucrative opportunities out there for diligent workers, including the opportunity for residual income.
As a health care provider, it is your decision whether to accept health insurance. The advantages to accepting health insurance include patients who are more likely to see a doctor that accepts their insurance, referrals from the insurance company, easy handling of claims submission and quick claims reimbursement. The cons are that you must accept the payment rate dictated by the insurance company for your services and you cannot bill the patient for the difference.
Health insurance agents work for agencies, brokerages, health insurance companies or independently for themselves. There are several ways to get started selling health insurance, however, in every state; you must obtain a license before starting insurance sales. Before leaping into a career in health insurance sales, consider the skills you will need including sales ability, exceptional verbal communication skills and knowledge of the health insurance industry. When getting started selling health insurance you will likely start in an entry-level position and may require a year or two for honing your sales skills and amassing a client base.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics "Occupational Outlook Handbook," 2010-11 edition, rising healthcare costs will drive demand for physicians and nurses during the 2008 to 2018 decade. For individuals over age 65, or Americans under 65 with certain disabilities, the U.S. federal government offers Medicare. Medicare health insurance guidelines state that residents with permanent kidney failure and Lou Gehrig's disease can have Medicare at any age. To receive benefits, Medicare enrollees must be U.S. citizens or legal residents of five years or more.
When most people think about careers in health and/or life insurance, they usually think about sales. Insurance sales jobs are often advertised, and they can often be good career paths for people with the right personalities and skills. However, there are careers other than sales in life and health insurance. While sales takes constant energy, communication and enthusiasm, other careers in insurance are more suitable to a wider range of individuals.
Life and health insurance sales can be one of the most challenging and rewarding careers available today. It offers unlimited earnings potential, including the possibility of residual income, since agents frequently get a share of policy renewal proceeds long after they sell the initial policy. However, selling insurance requires a great deal of time, work, dedication and a lot of rejection. As a result, a majority of new insurance agents fail within the first five years. Both life and health insurance are primarily sold by commissioned sales people, working independently or quasi-independently. Successful agents will be comfortable speaking with strangers…
CPT -- or Current Procedural Terminology -- codes such as 88271 are numbers assigned to represent a specific medical, surgical or diagnostic service. CPT 88271 refers to testing services used in neurology and other medical specialties. The protocol for the code is the way in which the service is carried out. The American Medical Association created the CPT code set in 1966 and updates them annually.
Within the health care industry, patient privacy is protected under the security measures put in place by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA. Certain HIPAA regulations apply to the electronic transmission of patient information carried out by a health care provider or organization. As patient information is required within various stages of the treatment process, electronic transmissions are classified according to the type of transactions being made.
All states offer some form of health insurance for low-income populations. Medicaid is a jointly state and federally funded health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. However, individual states determine Medicaid eligibility criteria and coverage (working within federal guidelines), so eligibility and benefits, including copays, approved procedures and prescriptions, vary greatly from state to state.
So you fall off a curb in Japan and break your foot. Will your health insurance cover you? The good news is that most insurers will. In Japan and some other countries, you will be asked to pay before being treated, and you must file your own insurance reimbursement claim. It is always a good idea to check your health insurance coverage and procedures before leaving the country.
Because of the high level of competition in the industry, marketing is crucial for health insurance agencies. Your marketing strategies must position you apart from the competition and establish you as a reasonable, reliable insurance provider. As you lay out a marketing strategy, consider ways that you can meet the needs of your customers and dispel common insurance fears.
National health insurance plans provide millions of people worldwide with health insurance, and it is paid for differently in different countries. For example, in a single-payer system of national health insurance, the government heavily subsidizes health care by substantially raising taxes on the nation. By contrast, the U.S. has a mixed health care system, where there are both public and private health insurance plans. Americans of retirement age and others too poor to afford health insurance benefit from Medicare and Medicaid, while those who are excluded from those criteria purchase private health insurance plans.
Because the Georgia Department of Insurance wants to ensure its health insurance agents are fully qualified to sell insurance on behalf of an insurance company, it requires its agents to gain extensive training and education. In addition to educational requirements, health insurance agents must pass a state exam and submit an application to the state.
Health insurance fraud occurs when a person or organization intentionally tries to fool a patient, health care provider or company for financial benefit. Health care fraud can be committed by doctors, insurance companies, chiropractors, health care professionals or hospitals. Health insurance fraud accounts for "between 3 and 10 percent of total health care expenditures," according to the Health Insurance Fraud website.
The human side of health care gets overlooked when people talk about money and statistics. Business owners look at spreadsheets of income and expenses; they can't afford to offer health insurance. The wages they pay employees won't cover the astronomical cost of health care. People without insurance get sicker before they see a doctor and are less likely to engage in preventive care. The ethics of providing medical care are lost in the insurance debate.
Effective management of the strategic issues facing a health insurance company can mean the difference between success and failure. These issues range from government regulatory requirements to questions involving the company's business model. Without planning, a health insurance company is unable to handle the ever-changing world of health care and stay afloat in it.
Most major health-insurance plans offer some type of disease management (DM) programs to their members. Specialty organizations that provide disease management services may contract with health plans to offer these programs. Employers may contract directly with a health management company to offer DM services to their employees, making it more of a benefit option than part of their health insurance plan. DM programs are designed, but not limited to, patients with chronic diseases and conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and back and joint pain.
Obese people tend to have more health issues than people with average weight. Conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, stroke and diabetes appear more often in obese people; on average, medical care costs $10,000 more over the lifetime of an obese person than an average size person. The potential for more costly medical care constitutes a core reason for conflict between the health insurance industry and people classified as obese.
Mental Health Liability, or Malpractice, insurance protects mental health professionals from damages claimed by clients in lawsuits. Standards of malpractice vary from one region to the next, but employers of mental health professionals often carry malpractice insurance for protection. Individual counselors may want to have their own insurance as well.
Health insurance companies may use arbitration as a dispute resolution process in place of the court of law. Arbitration involves the health plan, the health plan member and the arbitrator, who is an impartial third party. The arbitrator listens to both sides, reviews information about the dispute and makes a binding decision, which cannot be appealed or taken further in a lawsuit. Not all health plans use arbitration so check the details of your coverage carefully to determine your options. If the dispute involves denial of care, you may need to exhaust all levels of internal appeal within the health…
A health insurance plan is an insurance policy that pays for medical treatment and procedures. There are several types of plans that offer varying levels of coverage. Choosing a plan requires examining your needs and the needs of your employees.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was signed into law in 1996 and is designed to protect health insurance coverage for individuals and families. There are two parts to HIPAA.
The "face value" of a bond, life insurance policy, piece of currency or other financial instrument is the monetary value that is printed or stamped prominently on the item. Face value often isn't how much the item is actually worth, however.
In Ohio employers do not have to purchase health insurance plans from licensed insurance providers or authorized insurance corporations for their employees and dependants. Employers can elect to become self-insuring, covering health insurance claims from their own assets, or may group together to create group self-insurance programs. People who participate in employer programs may partially insure themselves by opening a medical savings account.
A health insurance PPO, or "preferred provider organization," is a network of health care providers who agree to accept the insurance plan's payments. Using a provider outside this network means paying more, often 50 percent of the bill instead of 20 percent (after the deductible).
As a female insurance agent, the best thing you can do to increase your client base is to market yourself. Marketing yourself is especially important if you're a new agent because building a strong client base is vital to success. You can reach potential clients by getting your name out and letting the public know the available health insurance options.
If your employees pay a portion of the cost of their health insurance premium, you normally deduct the employee’s share from his payroll check and record those payroll deductions in your accounting general ledger. Your business pays the total cost of coverage to the insurer once a month and posts the entire expense to the accounting general ledger. You need to create a journal entry for the payroll deductions to offset the total cost of the health insurance premium paid.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) includes provisions that set minimum standards of operation and conduct for employer health insurance plans. A health insurance plan must be operated in accordance with these standards, which are intended to protect participants in the plan. Awareness of these basic rules permits employers to establish systems that maintain compliance with ERISA.
Cinergy Health Incorporated is located in Sunrise, Florida. The company offers health insurance, life insurance, critical illness and dental insurance. Different plans are offered to meet an individual's health and financial needs.
Catastrophic insurance is an insurance policy with an extremely high deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute website, catastrophic policies are intended to protect the insured party financially against unlikely but severe events beyond his control. Catastrophic property coverage is available to individuals and businesses for rare but devastating events such as floods, wildfires and earthquakes, while individuals can buy insurance against catastrophic illness. Insurance companies buy catastrophic coverage in the reinsurance market to protect their own assets.
Health insurance is one of the most important types of policies available. The majority of insured Americans are covered by a plan sponsored by their own employer, or that of a spouse. To avoid potentially detrimental financial obligations arising from medical treatment received after an employee is terminated, the federal government passed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act in 1986, which is responsible for dictating how and when workers can retain medical insurance from former employers.
In its publication, "The General Explanation of the Tax Reform Act of 1986," the U.S. Congress touted the legislation as "one of the most sweeping revisions of the Federal income tax system since its inception." The Tax Reform Act of 1986 included the first health insurance deduction for self-employed persons. The deduction is one way that the tax code became fairer, one of the key reasons for the reform, along with becoming simpler and more efficient.
Choosing a group health insurance plan is a major decision for your business. You want to provide your workers with high quality coverage at a price that everyone can afford. Knowing the different aspects of group plans will help you make educated and informed decisions regarding the health insurance policies you make available to your practice.
If you are a health insurance agent or broker, you might already have realized that finding new business owners to whom you can solicit your products is the most difficult aspect of your career. To be successful selling health insurance, you need a steady flow of receptive prospects to talk with on a daily basis. Effectively advertising health insurance is no different than advertising other types of insurance. The most important aspect of your marketing plan is an organized and consistent process of getting exposure for your agency.
A health insurance agent is not necessary for finding and purchasing health insurance. If you have the option of participating in group insurance through an employer, you should, as you will not be subject to policy denial of coverage or excessive premiums. If you are unemployed or self-employed, or your employer does not offer health benefits, seeking an affordable plan for you and your family is achievable through insurers' websites and sites that feature multi plan comparisons. Additionally, your state department of insurance and several federal government resources can also assist in your health insurance quest.
With the right training and resources, you will be able to start your own health or life insurance agency. It is not necessarily the case that starting your own insurance company takes years of planning and requires millions of dollars in capital. As long as you plan carefully, obtain the proper licenses, and raise the necessary funds, owning your own insurance company may not be as hard as you think.
Maintaining organized files can prevent you from wasting your time searching through piles of paperwork. If you use a folder filing system, you may wonder what is the best way to put tabs on folders. Following these steps will help you organize your home or office and may prevent you from changing filing systems regularly.
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policies are designed to pay you or your beneficiaries a set amount of money if you are dismembered or killed in an accident. There are several benefits to purchasing an AD&D policy. As with any type of insurance, however, you should consult a professional to help you make an informed decision.
Customers are looking for the right health insurance plan in an increasingly complex marketplace. Developing a good marketing strategy for health insurance should include giving customers the tools they need to choose the right plan for their needs. This approach to marketing allows customers to choose your product while feeling knowledgeable and empowered by their choice.
Finding a steady stream of new prospects for your individual health insurance product will help your sales continue to grow and your earnings continue to rise. Prospecting for individual health insurance clients is not much different from prospecting for clients for life insurance or any other insurance products. There is no trick to marketing success, nor is there a secret formula that will yield constant results. A consistent marketing plan is the only way to maximize the possibility that your prospecting efforts will bring new customers.
Providing health insurance benefits for your employees can play a vital role in attracting and retaining the high-quality workers that your company needs to perform properly and stay competitive. By understanding how the health insurance application process works, you'll be better prepared to make an informed decision about your employees' benefit package.
Underwriting life insurance is a method of gauging an applicant's health status and life expectancy. Underwriting involves reviewing new insurance applications to measure the risk of insuring the applicant and set the premium according to that risk. The higher the risk, the higher the premium charged.
Organizations looking for ways to decrease expenditures must look at health care benefits. An optimal approach is to decrease the costs of benefits without alienating employees. Options such as wellness and stress management programs are no longer considered avante garde approaches to containing health care costs, and employers are increasingly asking employees to participate in managing costs.
For millions of families, health insurance is a major area of concern. This can be seen by looking no further than the fact that there are currently 47.5 million uninsured Americans. To ensure that you still have access to health care, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 has set various eligibility requirements.
There are any number of reasons why health insurance must be verified. Most providers, such as doctors and dentists, want to ensure that they will be compensated for services rendered. Some university programs verify health insurance before allowing students to participate in overseas programs. Regardless of the reasons for the verification, it is important to realize that insurance coverage is not indefinite. A patient might have changed jobs since you last verified his insurance. Even if the patient's health provider remains the same, member and group identification numbers will have changed.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) established consumer rights for the portability of insurance coverage and health information privacy. Following HIPAA regulations is the responsibility of medical personnel, insurance companies, employers and anyone else with access to health information.
When it's time to select new health insurance for your business, consider getting help from your employees. A health insurance committee offers a number of benefits to both your company and its employees. The committee of employees looks for plans that fit the needs of the workers and keeps the premiums as low as possible. They have an interest in the reduction of premiums if they pay a portion of the bill.
Form CMS-1500 is a U.S. health insurance claim form used to file claims made by a doctor or hospital service provider. All medical locations must fill out the form if they wish to be reimbursed for their services and supplies by the U.S. Medicare program. Learn how to fill out the form accurately, as some of the form entry boxes may seem confusing or ambiguous to individuals completing it for the first time.
Third-party insurance is a term that is referred to when the processing of payments for insurance and other duties are handled by a third-party administrator or TPA. A model law developed for third-party administrators was drafted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2001. A guideline was developed shorty thereafter, which replaced the model law. This guideline is available for states that want to develop their own laws for third-party administrators.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) are two types of managed healthcare systems that have many similarities and differences. Knowing and understanding these characteristics is crucial to making the important decision of what insurance policy is well suited for your family or employees.
Self-funded health insurance is one method to save dollars on insurance premiums if you have a healthy group, particularly if they're older. Insurance premiums increase each year due to rising health care costs and the aging population of employees. To reduce the cost, larger companies often self fund their health insurance. Often, there are plans available to smaller companies that reduce the cost of administration and make self-funding affordable. Self-funding has some drawbacks---your employer's claim history and present program need analysis before you make the decision.
If you've ever wondered why medical receptionists seem to constantly ask you to read and sign their office's privacy policy, the reason is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA. When the Congress wrote HIPAA, it provided a framework that resulted in the December 2000 implementation of the first-ever national standard designed to protect the privacy of an individual's personal health records. At the same time, Congress created a large and extremely complicated law that has had major impact on both citizens and the businesses that provide, or help manage, their health care.
TRICARE for Life (TFL) fulfills a promise made to those veterans, now retired, that the United States would provide for their health care after retirement for the duration of their lives. TFL health care serves approximately the same functions as other secondary health care policies, such as those provided by business and industry to retired employees. If you are a military retiree approaching age 65 and you do not thoroughly understand the transition you will make from TRICARE to TRICARE for Life, you should take time now to learn all you can about TFL and Medicare Parts A and B.
Litigation is often the result of the failure of two parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Insurance companies are the subject of much litigation due to the nature of the services offered. When consumers believe premiums were paid for resources that were not delivered, many resort to lawsuits. Policyholders can sue health insurance companies once a few tasks are performed.
The insurance industry is a highly regulated body. Each state makes its own laws to govern it, but most of the time, the laws are similar to other state's laws. The entity that upholds and enforces the insurance industry laws is the state's Department of Insurance headed by the state's insurance commissioner. The commissioner enforces the regulations with disciplinary actions that include probationary periods, written notice, loss of license and fines.
If you marketed health and life insurance in the '90s and before, you sometimes used a street directory, selected the area you wanted to work and began calling. Since the no-call list came into effect, this is no longer an option. There are, however, other methods to effectively market health and life insurance that show more professionalism and make a difficult task easier. The methods require more planning and often more education, but the results are worth the effort.
If you want to sell health, disability or long-term care insurance, then you must be properly licensed to do so legally. This article shows you what you need to do to become licensed.
Keeping your health benefits after a divorce can be of great concern. If you are in the midst of separating from your spouse, being able to continue to get your same medical insurance under their employment, or otherwise, depends on a few different factors.
According to its most recent annual report, UnitedHealthcare is the second-largest health insurance provider in the United States. It represents 30 million Americans and provides benefits to some of nation's largest companies, including General Motors and oil company Chevron. It says that it works with 560,000 doctors and 4,800 hospitals nationwide.
Few issues are more divisive than the merits of national health care, and whether America should follow its European cousins' lead in adopting such a system. Also known as single-payer or universal health care, the idea is to ensure that all people--regardless of income or status--gain access to basic care. But comprehensive solutions have proven to be elusive, and after more than half a century of debate, only one fact is certain--the devil lies in the details.
The state of Kansas has established health insurance laws to help its 2.7 million residents stay healthy year-round. In addition to minimum requirements for health insurance coverage, Kansas has created several programs to deal with the problem of underinsured residents. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the average Kansas resident earned about $3,000 less per year in 2007 than residents of the other 49 states. In order to get the best deal on health insurance in Kansas, residents need to know their rights and access the state's various health insurance programs.
These days, if you see a bulky envelope from the human resources department in your mailbox, you're liable to run the other way as fast as you can. Actually, that packet may not be bad news, but information about your end-of-the-year open enrollment for insurance and other company benefits. This is not something you should dread, but instead see as an opportunity to save yourself money and give yourself an important piece of financial security. To take full advantage of that opportunity, you need to arm yourself with a copy of your current benefits and, if possible, your financial records.…
There are a number of companies that offer low-cost health insurance in Iowa and it can be overwhemling to choose one that fits your needs. However, doing extensive research on these low-cost plans is the best way to find the one that fits your needs. Here are some tips to help get you started.
Health insurance allows you to seek out required medical treatment for unexpected illnesses without having to pay the full cost. Choosing the right type of health insurance from various companies may become a little confusing at times. However, you can make a simple list of your needs and how much you can afford to make the best decision for you and your family. Humana health insurance offers various plans for you to choose from and cover your medical services.
When the American Association for Retired People (AARP) was launched decades ago, it proposed an ambitious goal of supporting people over the age of 50 in every aspect of the aging process. That mission has grown exponentially over time and one of the most successful entrepreneurial endeavors AARP has undertaken is the role of health insurance broker. Formerly accessible only as a perk of membership, health coverage through AARP is now available to both members and those not affiliated with the nonprofit. Like all regulated industries, insurance laws are set by the state but Texas has the right to approve…
If your small business employs workers in different states, it may be hard to find group health insurance. Few carriers cover all 50 U.S. states. Many choices in terms of plans, rates, deductibles and coverage make it hard to find a plan on your own. Find a broker to help you find multi-state carriers offering coverage where you're based.
With the state of the healthcare system in the United States, health insurance sales can be a good gig to get into right now. Many companies and small businesses cannot offer employees insurance, leaving a large uninsured population to work. If you can find a good set of products, it can be lucrative once renewals kick in and you don't have to work so hard for every order.
A self funded health insurance plan can provide flexibility to both employers and employees. It allows employees to set aside cash for qualified purposes such as uninsured health care costs and the employees' share of premiums and co-pays for medical, dental, vision coverage and prescriptions. Such plans usually have tax benefits for employees. Administering such plans is now a normal function for most payroll services.
