Best Health Quotes

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Affordable Care Act) requires that individual health policies sold Sept. 23, 2010 or later include all consumer protections as detailed in the Affordable Care Act.  The Affordable Care Act allows policies sold prior to Sept. 23, 2010 to transition to the new consumer protections at the beginning of the next policy year.  Policies effective on or before Mar. 23, 2010 could be classified as “grandfathered” policies; meaning that the policy may not include certain protections of the Affordable Care Act that apply to other individual health policies.

These are the four new changes being implemented on 09/23/2010

• Elimination of annual and lifetime dollar limits on benefits
• Extension of the dependent age limit to age 26
• Elimination of preexisting condition exclusions for individuals under the age of 19
• 100% coverage for certain preventive and well care services

Between the White House, the House of Representative and the Congress, the average American is very confused about the future of their healthcare system as we know it now. The final design of the bill should be completed upon "reconciliation" between the House and the Senate around the latter part of January or possible into February. One of the biggest features of the bill was originally intended to lower the cost of health insurance. The final outcome will actually raise the American's premium to a point where they are higher that they already are. This is normally standard procedure when politicians get involved with anything that has to do with expenses or taxes so this should not be a surprise to any one. We should be seeing a provision in the insurance plans where no one with pre-existing conditions should be denied coverage, which is a great feature. It appears that all forms of socialist type government run insurance has been declared dead in the water, which is the best part of the new bill. All we can do now is wait for the bill to be completed and see what the politicians are currently forcing on us again. Be it good or evil.

The health insurance agent/broker is very instrumental in helping you find the best plan for the premium that will fit your budget. Your broker’s job consists of many different tasks.

1. Helping you choose the most appropriate company to apply to.

2. Helping you find the most effective plan design.

3. Pre-Screening any medical conditions you might have.

4. Walking you through the health insurance application process.

5. Answering any and all questions you might have in order for you to make the best buying decision.

6. Being there to help you well after your insurance plan has been placed into force for any customer service related issues or problems. Keep in mind that insurance company employees have no personal or financial interest in making sure you are happy with your plan or getting your problem resolved like your agent/broker.

Keep in mind that the brokers help is at no cost to you period. The insurance company compensates them for all their time and effort.

The premiums charged by the carriers are regulated in the state of Illinois which means the premiums are the same if you purchase from an agent or broker or buy direct from the company itself.