Good, Bad, and Indifferent Healthcare Reform

By Clark A. Thomas

After working in the insurance field for several years and learning the curves, legal jargon, and attitudes of industry leaders nothing ever seems to amaze me. Under this new format and re-structuring of the affordable care act laws, known as Healthcare Reform, more than enough people are being helped. Though, the plan has many flaws that needs to be revised, overall many people who once were unable to have coverage can now have affordable health insurance and care thanks to this mandate. A plan that was introduced by Mitt Romney in the state of Massachusetts, has been implemented by our current President Barack Obama, although much mockery and the smearing by political leaders and tea parties to attempt to spoil something good for the American people, good always prevails over evil.

The best thing we can do as consumers is to educate ourselves and to realize that to control cost we must change our lifestyle and behaviors. Once, the rubber truly hits the road which is in this case our finances, then many of us will pay better attention to how our money is being spent and what is expected of us as consumers. The insurance industry is transferring the cost itself to consumers overall to help cover the cost due to the fact that everyone has to have coverage regardless of their health conditions; pre-existing conditions no longer matter. The industry is moving towards to having consumers pay higher deductibles and premiums thanks to no longer being able to rate or deny coverage altogether.

In all actuality insurers' have just hiked their prices higher to attempt to absorb the cost of healthcare not knowing who they will cover under the new healthcare reform law. As a whole the entire health insurance industry will experience higher cost, because more people than ever before who have been denied, will now be able to receive coverage no matter their economic situation.

If someone is economically challenged and are eligible for a tax credit also known as a subsidy, then, the federal government will help pay insurers, so every individual can have coverage if he or she chooses to take advantage of the tax credits that has been implemented from this current administration. This tax credit will help consumers who are unable to pay for insurance own their own, they will receive a certain amount of money monthly as a credit that will go directly to the insurer to offset the difference if they need financial assistance. For individuals who are living in poverty and has no income or money altogether; then they will receive state Medicaid to provide health insurance and care for themselves.

Overall, this will increase the cost of insurance for all. The government as a whole whether on local, state or federal levels controls every industry regardless of its kind. The politicians on every level of government should stop accusing the other with all the rhetoric, and begin to do their jobs for the American people especially those suffering in this country due to a lack of finances. The stupidity and arrogant ways of some politicians' who are in authoritative positions and abusing their authority as leaders in society is unacceptable.

All the bickering,backstabbing, and uncooperative spirit to work together for the common good of others must come to an end. We all will give an account of how we have lived in this life, the rewards will be limited or lost to those who are using their position of authority to abuse their status in society. Our current President Barack Obama has done a tremendous job with having a heart for people, his accomplishment of succeeding with Healthcare Reform, though it has many flaws and needs to be revised; is truly a blessing to many people who have never had the opportunity to be able to afford affordable healthcare. His efforts will not go unnoticed and he should be applauded for this massive undertaking and accomplishment.

Clark A. Thomas, author, he discusses practical life applications to make life less stressful. Writing articles has helped him become known online, more information available

Medical Device Reimbursement - Lean Startup Implementation

By Amir Inbar

A lot has been written about how Lean Startup methodology might help entrepreneurs build successful medical device companies. In this article we provide a real-life failure example of one of our clients and suggest a process to implement Lean Startup methodology to decrease the likelihood of such failures.

To get a broad understanding of Lean Startup, interested readers may access the website of Eric Ries, one of the originators of the Lean Startup methodology.

1. The Problem
Over the last 7 years, we provided consulting services to more than 150 different medical device startups. The sad truth is that most of them failed.

They failed because they did not manage to bring to market a commercially successful product before running out of money. Note they succeeded in bringing to market all sorts of very sophisticated products, but such that nobody was willing to pay for.

Developing a non-commercially successful product is called 'waste'. 'Waste' is defined as a product which may perfectly meet specification or demonstrate an engineering breakthrough, but still cannot be sold.

2. A Real Life Example
One of our clients developed an innovative product, which consisted of an array of electronic stethoscopes that passively monitor vibration energy from the lungs. The product enabled clinicians to monitor sites of airway obstruction without exposing the patient to radiation or invasive procedures. The company conducted a clinical study that demonstrated the accuracy of its system and received the FDA's clearance with the intended use of "monitoring lung sounds". At this point they approached us and asked that we help them develop their reimbursement strategy and implement it in the US.

After doing some homework we interviewed a couple of US payor representatives who immediately told us that: "It is going to be a cold day in hell before we pay for this technology!" Had the product helped clinicians differentiate between Asthma and COPD, they would consider it, but since they don't see what different clinical decisions could be made by "monitoring lung sounds", they won't pay for it. Such a product is an example of 'waste'.

Apparently, a lot of management and engineering time and efforts were spent on making decisions, designing, developing and testing features that one of their stakeholders (payors) were not willing to pay for. In order to develop a new version, differentiating between Asthma and COPD, a large chunk of the work was thrown away, not to mention conducting a new clinical study and applying for a new FDA clearance.

Lean Startup calls this change in the product's goals and design a 'Pivot'. Since this Pivot came at a relatively late stage, there was very little money left to support this change. Consequently, at this point, no one was willing to invest anymore money and the company shut down.

3. Implementing Lean Startup Methodology
Lean Startup offers a few basic tools, one of which suggests building a product incrementally and iteratively. Accordingly, instead of developing, testing, obtaining FDA clearance and only then obtaining payors' feedback, our client above should have sought payors' feedback a lot earlier.

But how could anyone obtain a payor's feedback before the product is complete? This is where Lean Startup introduces the concept of a minimum viable product (MVP). A MVP is the version of a new product which allows the collection of stakeholders' feedback with the least effort and as quickly as possible.

We call the MVP that we develop for our clients a 'Pseudo Dossier'. This 'Pseudo Dossier' includes most of the documentation the company expects to obtain in the future, once the product is fully developed and cleared/approved for marketing. However, it is based on the company's estimations, not actual data. The included pseudo data may indicate estimated clinical trial results, product price, etc.

Following the development of this 'Pseudo Dossier', payors may be approached at an early stage and asked to comment on the 'Pseudo Dossier', as if it was based on actual data (expected only within a year or two). Their feedback may be used to 'Pivot', i.e. make changes to the company's product, application or clinical plan at a very early stage, minimizing creation of waste and increasing the chances of developing a commercially successful product before running out of money.

4. Developing a 'Pseudo Dossier'
When we develop a 'Pseudo Dossier', we typically take the following Steps:

1) Draft a Value Story, indicating specific claims that explain how the use of the new device provides clinical and economic benefits compared to the existing alternatives.

2) Develop an Economic Model, quantifying the economic benefits and allowing for sensitivity analysis.

3) Verifying that existing clinical data supports the clinical and economic claims in the Value Story and Economic Model or adding reimbursement related aspects to any planned clinical study protocol, along with the company's estimated results.

The above Value Story, Economic Model and existing/planned clinical data (including the estimated results) are presented to relevant physicians and payors, seeking their feedback as if the product is complete and the estimated clinical study results represent the actual results that may be obtained within a year or two.

The completion of such a 'Pseudo Dossier' can be achieved within a couple of months, early enough to impact the product's specification, planned applications and clinical studies. In case of negative feedback the company should consider changing the Value Story, Economic Model, clinical data or product and then seek payors' feedback again until receiving positive feedback. Only upon receipt of positive feedback, it would make sense to continue with the development work and clinical studies. Otherwise, it is just an expensive gamble which may lead to the company's failure.

5. Summary
We have been implementing Lean Startup methodologies, including the development of MVPs (in our case 'Pseudo Dossiers') and using them for early validation with payors for more than 5 years (before we even knew about Lean Startup). This process was proven to be a success. It minimized the creation of waste and increased our clients' ability to bring to market a commercially successful product.

Amir Inbar is CEO, Mediclever Reimbursement Consultants , 27 Old Gloucester St., London, WC1N 3AX, UK; tel. +44 20 8099 7435.

Amir Inbar founded Mediclever Reimbursement Consultants, which provides end-to-end medical device reimbursement consulting services to life-science companies, selling pharmaceuticals and medical technology products in the US and Europe.

As an expert reimbursement consultant Amir has consulted for organizations ranging from incubator startups to large, publicly traded companies, assisting them to obtain reimbursement for their Drugs/Devices in the US and Europe.

Good, Bad, and Indifferent Healthcare Reform Part II

By Clark A. Thomas

The health insurance industry has changed rapidly since the new Affordable Care Act law has been introduced and implemented. The design and purpose for this arrangement has been implemented to accomplish several different scenarios. The first purpose is an attempt to control healthcare cost. Health Maintenance Organizations ( HMO) is a network designed to control healthcare cost; a person's primary physician is their gatekeeper to manage their health and provide low-cost maintenance for individuals in need of healthcare services. Within the network of providers care is provided from medical professionals within a tight knit unit consisting of: hospitals, outpatient surgery facilities, diagnostic centers, certain specialist, and general practitioners to name a few.

Insurers are automatically including preventative care as a feature which is by the way one of ten essential benefits that must be included with every plan sold today; this is an excellence marketing strategy to convince consumers they are getting something for free or at no cost to them. The second reason this new law is good for most people is that for those who were once unable to obtain any health insurance at all; are now able to get coverage. Also, if it was not for this new law, people with pre-existing conditions would have been rated or denied coverage altogether. Those days are over and the way insurance is purchase today is a package deal. Everyone need and deserves to be cared for when experiencing either physical or mental health challenges.

One thing I do not hear consumers acknowledging is the appreciation that their pre-existing conditions are no longer an issue and their medical history is a thing of the past. People want the benefit of being insured, but fail to recognize the good this new act has made possible; who otherwise would have never experienced the possibilities of enjoying affordable health care.

Every health insurance plan beginning in the year of 2014 will include a combination of ten essential benefits which includes the following but not limited to: ambulatory services, hospitalization, laboratory services, maternity, mental health services, prescription medicines, preventative care, and rehabilitative services just to name a few. Under the new law all plans must include all ten essential benefits. The way insurance was purchased in the past; is a thing of the past.

The third reason behind this ACA law is so that people in general would not go completely broke financially with surmounting medical expenses. There is an out of pocket maximum (OOPM) limitation insurers are including in their plans which is another good feature to persuade consumers again to purchase coverage. The way insurers are designing their plans under the new guidelines include: deductibles, co-insurance, and out of pocket maximums for each category of their plans. Any type of insurance helps reduce financial losses.

Going forward will be a one size fits all to a certain degree. For those of you who are financially wealthy, these changes in the law will not have much of an impact on you. However, the benefits of these guidelines will protect your wealth if and when you experience medical cost exceeding your savings and assets; mainly because of the outlay of money limiting your out of pocket maximums; meaning once you reach a certain limit financially out of your own pocket, then your insurer will cover 100% of your medical expenses. As consumers we have to ignore the negative press and realize how important this new law protects our finances and allows anyone regardless of their health conditions to be insured protecting his or her assets over the long haul.

Clark A. Thomas, author, he discusses practical life applications to make life less stressful. Writing articles has helped him become known online, more information available

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing an Online Health Insurance Plan

By Imma Sila

Consumers shopping for products in the online health insurance will find out the types of plans offered; how much it will cost and their annual deductibles. They will be able to determine whether their families qualify for government subsidies. The following are some of the factors you need to consider before purchasing a health plan, including:

· Is my hospital/doctor in the plan?

This is a very important consideration in light of the fact that some insurance companies have created local networks of hospitals and doctors to keep the premiums low. When you consider a particular website, you may not be able to tell the breadth of the network. However, many of the sites provide links to insurance provider directories. Some sites will describe insurance providers as having either a limited or a broad network. Other websites allow shoppers to key in doctors' names to find out about the plans they participate in. Considering directories are not always accurate or updated, it is important to double check by calling the service providers to determine whether they are participants in their plan.

· What drugs are covered?

The Medicare prescription drug website makes it possible for consumers to determine the drugs which have been covered by the program. With many of the other online plans, consumers shopping for insurance may not be in a position to enter the medications they take to determine the coverage provided by different plans. However, some of the websites feature links to insurance companies' sites. Here, important information pertaining to prescription drugs and coverage is provided.

· How much is expected to be paid?

The health law expects insurance companies to provide a summary of coverage and benefits to consumers. This includes information about the annual deductibles and the charges for hospital care, doctor visits and prescription drugs (i.e. co-payments for generic, specialty drugs and brand names). The health law provides an overall limit for out-of-pocket costs for an individual or a family, annually. When you shop for coverage and enroll in coverage you need to determine the benefits derived from the plan.

· What is the level of quality & customer satisfaction?

The government often places some restrictions on posting information on quality. Therefore, consumers have little or no information pertaining to quality and customer satisfaction. However, recently some states have been considering measures of quality and as a result, they have come up with quality ratings to gauge health plans. Information pertaining to drug costs, maternity care, emergency room use or hospitalization will be used to determine the degree of customer satisfaction.

We provide the best info about online health insurance on http://GETMEINSURANCERATES.COM. For further details please visit the provided links.

How to Get the Best Corporate and Company Medical Insurance

By Dean Ghavami

Nowadays, it has become quite common for companies, big or small, to offer private health insurance to their employees. There are several benefits that the company reaps in lieu of this comparatively small expense.

• Company health insurance helps to attract quality staff and in retaining them

• Employees get speedy private treatment and hence can return to work sooner

• Employees get more choice as far as hospitals, surgeons, and specialists are concerned

• It will ensure peace of mind for you and your employees

However, over the years, we have observed that at times companies can end up paying more for their premiums than they need to. It is quite natural that some insurance companies will not come in with their best possible rates right from the outset when they are providing quotations for your company. If companies were to spend some time on negotiating with the different insurers, they would in most cases be able to reduce the quoted premiums.

Needless to say, there is the hassle of matching your specific health insurance requirements and the products and services that most insurance companies in the market are offering. Every organization has different insurance needs, and sometimes it becomes difficult to find the right health insurance company that satisfies all your needs. However, if you wish to opt for company health insurance for your employees and wish to simplify the process, you can use a broker that specializes in private health insurance and is able to find the right cover at the right price.

Usually there is no fee charged to the client as these specialist brokers receive commission from the insurance companies once they have submitted an application. The brokers providing such specialist services do not shoot in the dark as far as your specific requirements are concerned. They in fact, perform a thorough analysis of your company private medical insurance requirements before making a recommendation based on your needs. Usually a detailed analysis of the products and services offered by the insurance companies are provided.

Using a specialist private medical insurance broker can in most cases save you time and money as they try hard to negotiate the best rates possible for your company. Therefore, you don't have to spend hours searching and comparing the different policies in the market for suitable insurance companies which will save you a lot of time and resources that can be put to better use elsewhere.

Dean Ghavami is the Director of DataHealth Consultancy Ltd which was founded back in 2000 and he has over 15 years of experience in the health insurance industry.

Healthcare Sharing Ministries Are Exempt From Obamacare

By Heather Peters

During one of the most confusing times in the history of our country's healthcare many Americans are facing the loss of their insurance plans. My family was one of those. We were sent a letter a few months ago saying our insurance policy wasn't ACA compliant and they offered us 11 options to choose from. Blue Cross was kind enough to recommend one of the eleven, but all 11 were absolutely horrible when compared to what we have. Not only that, new developments are showing that many doctors aren't included in Exchange based insurance plans, so if we chose to get subsidies we may not be able to see our regular doctors.

The plan they recommended was much more expensive, even as a Bronze plan, and the deductible was 350% higher. Actually needing to use the plan for just two health events would have caused us to spend well over $20,000 between deductibles and premiums. That's more than a lot of families make, and it was too high a cost for the value of what we receive. It basically became a very expensive major medical plan. It was time to find something else.

Obamacare changed the rules for our family, we had to do something else. Every insurance plan we had as an option was more expensive than we were willing to pay. After complaining on Facebook a friend recommended Samaritan Ministries, it's a healthcare sharing ministry for Christians. I'd never heard of it.

After two months of research our family decided to cancel our Blue Cross plan and join Samaritan. In addition to being a much better option for our family, the icing on the cake was the members of established healthcare sharing ministries are exempt from Obamacare. When members file their tax return in the Spring of 2015 we will fill out a short form listing this exemption. We will not pay a fine, penalty, tax, or whatever the government wants to call it. Either way, we are well protected from high healthcare expenses without using traditional insurance and with no fear of a government penalty.

If you are facing the same dilemma our family is and are a practicing Christian (meaning you attend church regularly) then I encourage you to check out a healthcare sharing ministry as a great alternative to traditional (expensive) insurance plans. There are three Christian healthcare sharing ministries to choose from, they are Samaritan Ministries, Christian Healthcare Ministries and Medi-Share.

For information about why the author chose Samaritan for their HCSM and to see herSamaritan Ministries review and cost comparisons please visithttp://samaritanministries.info/monthly-costs/

The 4 W's of the Obamacare Individual Mandate

By Victor E. Battles, M.D.

In shedding light on the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, what, who and when questions need to be answered. Answers to these all important questions explain not only what the mandate is, but to whom it applies, how it will be enforced, and when it will be enforced. Okay. Let's cut to the chase.

What is the Affordable Care Act individual mandate?

It is the requirement for most residents of the United States to purchase health insurance which provides the essential benefits as stated in the Affordable Care Act or face a penalty.

When will the mandate take effect?

Nonexempt individuals must be enrolled in an Affordable Care Act insurance plan by January 1, 2014.

Who must purchase ACC insurance so as to be in compliance with the mandate?

This question is best answered by designating who is exempt from complying with the mandate. Every citizen and legal resident must purchase health insurance except for the following:

• Individuals insured for a whole year through one or a combination of the following insurance plans: Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, TRICARE, the Veteran's Health Program, a plan offered by an employer, a previously purchased health plan of at least the bronze level, and a grandfathered health plan which was purchased on or before March 23, 2010.
• Undocumented immigrants
• Members of an Indian tribe
• Incarcerated individuals
• Individuals who belong to a religious group who are opposed to accepting benefits from a health insurance policy based on beliefs of that religion
• Individuals whose household income is less than the threshold for filing an income tax return ($10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for family and 2013)
• Individuals who would have to pay 8% or more of his or her income for health insurance, after taking into account contributions by an employer or tax credits

What is the penalty and assessment timetable?

In 2014 the penalty is a tax of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child up to a maximum of $285 for a family household or 1% of the family household income (whichever is greater). The penalty will go up to $325 per adult and $162.50 per child (up to a maximum of $975 per family household) or 2% of the family household income (whichever is greater) in 2015. In 2016 the penalty will increase to $695 per adult and $347 per child (up to $2085 for a family household) or 2.5% of the household income (whichever is greater). After 2016 the penalty will be increased annually based on increases in the cost of living.

The penalty is assessed once a nonexempt person has been without qualifying insurance for three months out of the year. The penalty assessment is prorated based on the number of months that insurance has been lacking. If for example, one has been without insurance for six months out of the year, which is 50% of the year, the tax penalty as applicable and specified above would be half the amount.

Victor E. Battles, M.D. is a board-certified internist with 30 + years of patient contact. He has been a principal investigator in several clinical research trials and is the founder of Proactive Health Outlet. Additionally, he has worked in the areas of quality assurance and utilization review. To learn more about health insurance visit his website at www.proactivehealthoutlet.com.

The Basic Types of Health Insurance in an Era of Healthcare Reform

By Victor E. Battles, M.D.

There are four basic types of health insurance from an operational standpoint, but with the advent of healthcare reform, their prevalence, popularity, and fates differ. In considering the types of health insurance it is important to not confuse insurance type with the metal level used for designating the actuarial value of Obamacare insurance plans. The type of insurance has more to do with the rules and regulations as stated in the policies and contracts with providers. Those regulations govern how and when the benefits can be accessed or utilized by the enrollees (plan members), the conditions and circumstances under which claims will be paid, how much healthcare providers will be paid, and how much the providers can bill the plan members.

The four major types of health insurance plans can be placed into major categories, managed care, and indemnity plan insurance. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and point of service (POS) plans are categorized as managed care, and as the name implies, regulate activities pertaining to benefit utilization and reimbursement to varying degrees depending upon the type of plan. Indemnity plan insurance on the other hand, regulates utilization of health benefits minimally in comparison to managed care plans, and don't regulate healthcare provider billing at all.

From a managed care standpoint, it is important to recognize the distinction between management of utilization of benefits and covered benefits. HMO, PPO, POS and indemnity plans all provide some common covered health benefits at varying levels, but accessibility to the benefits is what distinguishes the plan type. The legal authority of managed care plans to regulate members is stated in the policies, whereas legal authorization to regulate the healthcare providers is via signed contracts between the providers and the insurance companies which sell the plans.

In addition to a contractual relationship between insurance companies, enrollees, and healthcare providers, managed care is based on a network of providers and healthcare facilities such as hospitals, day surgery centers, laboratories and x-ray groups. The contractual requirement for plan members to receive their care through the network or the option for utilizing out of network benefits is the main distinguishing factor between HMO, PPO and POS plans.

HMO plans require utilization of in-network physicians and facilities (also known as preferred providers), in order for services to be covered, even if they are stated benefits in the insurance policies. Additionally, HMO members must select primary care physicians (PCPs), also known as gatekeepers, who coordinate most of their care, including the granting of referrals which are necessary to see specialists. Many HMO plans only require a set copayment for doctor office visits but some require coinsurance payments.

PPO plans provide the flexibility of allowing enrollees to obtain their care from network providers or outside of the network. If benefits are obtained within the network however, out-of-pocket expenses in the form of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are less, and usually considerably higher if services are obtained outside of the network. Additionally, PPOs do not require the members to choose a primary care physician, and don't require referrals to see specialists.

POS plans are a hybrid of HMO and PPO plans in that they have features of both. With POS coverage, enrollees can opt to receive in-network or out of network benefits. In-network benefits including specialist visits can be received with or without a PCP and referrals respectively, but with greater out-of-pocket expenses if a PCP is not directing the care. Services can also be obtained outside of the network at an even greater cost with respect to out-of-pocket expenses compared to in-network benefits.

Indemnity-plan health insurance is a policy contract with the enrollees, but is not a contractual relationship with providers. Therefore, it cannot regulate what providers charge. Although it does not require insured members to utilize any network provider, many of the plans do have regulations with respect to precertification or preauthorization for certain services such as nonemergency hospitalizations and expensive x-ray studies such as MRI scans. Although ordering physicians should obtain the precertification, the responsibility for making sure the precertification has been obtained rests with the policyholders.

Managed care plans have become much more prevalent and popular since the early 1990s because the cost containing measures they deploy allow the provision of a level of benefits much greater than what could be provided without them. With the advent of the Affordable Care Act and its requirement that qualifying plans provide certain basic coverage known as essential health benefits, the prevalence and popularity of managed care plans will most likely continue to increase.

Most of the Affordable-Care-Act health insurance plans also known as Obamacare health insurance plans which are being sold on the federal and state health insurance exchanges are PPO and HMO plans. A significantly smaller number of POS plans are being sold in select regions primarily on the East Coast.

Indemnity plan insurance has become much less popular and prevalent down through the years and this trend is likely to continue inasmuch as many of them don't provide the essential health benefits as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, they are not sold on the federal and state health insurance exchanges.

Victor E. Battles, M.D. is a board-certified internist with 30 + years of patient contact. He has been a principal investigator in several clinical research trials and is the founder of Proactive Health Outlet. Additionally, he has worked in the areas of quality assurance and utilization review. To learn more about health insurance visit his website at www.proactivehealthoutlet.com.

Choosing Family Health Insurance Wisely

By Cesar A Batres Mejia

Family health insurance can be a bit tricky, There are many options on the market available to you and choosing the right one can make a great difference. Each company has its own system and requirements to provide you with their services. It is very important that you read all the documents and information sent to you before deciding which policy or company will serve you better. You must also do your research and not buy the first policy offered to you, work with a reputed insurance company, make sure you get all the coverage you want and need, ask for quotes from different companies on the services you need and compare them. Buying insurance is a delicate matter which requires your full attention, get it right the first time.

Family health insurance is designed to provide medical attention to your immediate family in case of accident, disease or simple routine exams and services like dental, check-ups and the like. The coverage each policy and company offers, for the amount you will be paying monthly is what you have to compare and meditated thoroughly. Many companies will only allow you to visit certain doctors and hospitals with which they work directly, others will allow you to visit any doctor you want at a given time.

It is important to buy family health insurance even before you have any children. Coverage should begin as early as possible to take full advantage of it. In most cases when your first child is born, it is only necessary to add him or her to the existing policy. Coverage for the child will usually begin even before he or she is born as the mother comes to her regular pregnancy check-ups with her doctor. It is also possible to add your parents and your wife´s parents to your family health insurance policy if they are financially depended on you. Coverage will not include existing ailments, but it will cover any new ones.

Every family should have family health insurance coverage that includes dental and medical care. It should cover not only medical treatment but checkups too. Times are hard and money is difficult to come by, family health insurance will not only save you money but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that your family is protected in case of an emergency. Finding a good family health insurance policy for your family is not hard, but it may take time to get exactly one that will cover all the angles you need and want.

Affordable Care Act Subsidies and the KISS Principle

By Victor E. Battles, M.D.

By applying the KISS principle, Affordable-Care-Act subsidies, also known as premium tax credits, can be easily understood, easily calculated, and easily obtained. KISS is the acronym for Keep it Simple, Stupid. The expression was reportedly coined by Kelly Johnson, a lead engineer at Lockheed Shunk Works and has been used by many authors for decades. It was a slogan and apparently one of the driving forces behind the success of the late Vince Lombardi, legendary Hall-of-Fame coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Simply stated, a premium tax credit is a percentage of one's health insurance premium paid by the federal government for the purchase of ObamaCare health insurance by low-income and middle-income individuals and families. It is predicated on the premise that no household should have to spend more than a specified percentage of its income on health insurance premiums. To be eligible for the credit beginning in 2014 individual or household incomes must fall between less than 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level. The premium tax credit or subsidy paid by the government is the difference between the cost of the second cheapest silver-level insurance plan in a given state (known as the benchmark plan) and the percentage of the premium which the enrollee is responsible for based on where the enrollee's income ranks on the federal poverty level scale.

Individual responsibility for premium cost is 2% for income at a federal poverty level of less than 133%; 3% - 4% for income at a poverty level of at least 133% but less than 150%; 4% - 6.3% for income at a poverty level of at least 150% but less than 200%; 6.3% - 8.5% for income at a poverty level of at least 200% but less than 250%; 8.05% - 9.5% for income at a poverty level of at least 250% but less than 300%; and 9.5% for income at a poverty level of at least 300% but less than 400%.

The federal poverty level of a household's income varies depending on the size of the household, and the cost of benchmark insurance plans vary from state to state, but the formula used to calculate tax subsidies is uniform and is as follows: Tax subsidy or premium tax credit = (the cost of the second-lowest-price silver plan) minus (x% of income). If for example a five-member household with an income of $82,710 which is at the 300% federal poverty level, purchases a benchmark silver-level health insurance policy with an annual cost of $13,000, the annual subsidy would be $13,000 - ($82,710 x 9.5%). ($82,710 x 9.5%) = $7857.45. Therefore the final calculation is $13,000 - $7857.45 = $5142.55. This annual subsidy of $5142.55 divided by 12 equals a monthly subsidy of $654.79.

Rather than going through this manual calculation however, the KISS principle can be applied by accessing the premium tax credit calculator on the website of the federal health insurance exchange or the private health exchange alternative if there are login problems with the federal one. In using the calculator to determine eligibility for a premium tax credit in 2014, it will be necessary to enter the number of individuals including yourself, which you will be claiming on your 2014 income tax return, your estimated household income for 2014, the number of people in the household who will be applying for the subsidy, your zip code, county of residence, and your date of birth.

If the calculation shows that you are eligible for a subsidy, it will be applied to the plan that you purchase at the time through the health insurance exchange, and will show up as a monthly premium discount adjustment from that plan. Using the above example, if you select the benchmark plan which costs $1300 per month, your monthly premium would be $1300 minus the $654.79 subsidy, or $645.21. Although the subsidy is based on the second lowest cost silver-level plan in your state, you do have the option of purchasing a higher level plan and paying a higher premium or a lower level plan and saving more since the actual subsidy will be the same.

Victor E. Battles, M.D. is a board-certified internist with 30 + years of patient contact. He has been a principal investigator in several clinical research trials and is the founder of Proactive Health Outlet. Additionally, he has worked in the areas of quality assurance and utilization review. To learn more about health insurance visit his website at www.proactivehealthoutlet.com.

Protective Aspects of the Affordable Care Act Visited

By Victor E. Battles, M.D.

It is commonplace to either not know or forget that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the shortened name for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law on March 23, 2010. Lest anyone believe the full name of the law is a misnomer, some of the key patient protective aspects of the law are worth reviewing and understanding.

Probably the most heralded and conspicuous patient-protection provision of the ACC is the abolition of the pre-existing-condition concept which insurance companies have used as a pretext to deny, exclude, cancel, or inflate coverage. It has long been the financial Achilles' heel of many individuals and families, but it will see its total demise by virtue of Obamacare as of January 1, 2014. The first deathblow was delivered with the passage of the law on March 23, 2010 which, beginning on September 23, 2010, prohibited insurance companies from denying or excluding coverage of children under 19 due to pre-existing conditions in all individual policies except those that are grandfathered or were purchased before March 23, 2010.

A related provision of the law which has received much less press and fanfare is the prohibiting of insurance companies from canceling coverage because of honest application mistakes. This change is reminiscent of the days when almost immediately after submitting a claim for services provided to a new patient I would receive a request for old records from the insurance company, only to later find out that they were denying payment of the claim based on a pre-existing illness. The decision would be the result of a self-serving conclusion on the part of the insurance company in response to a question or questions on the application which the patient had answered "no" to, regarding having ever experienced signs or symptoms of certain disease(s). After reviewing the medical history and physical which I submitted, the insurance carrier then assumed that based on documented signs and symptoms in the report, the patient obviously had the condition prior to the date of coverage, when in fact it could not be proven, nor did the patient even know that those signs and symptoms can be associated with the condition(s) for which coverage was denied.

Another major area of patient protection afforded by the ACA is a limit on patients' cost-sharing responsibility, known as annual out-of-pocket expenses, or the amount that patients have to pay for covered services and drugs in a calendar year before the insurance company picks up 100% of the charges. Out-of-pocket costs are generally perceived to be copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or a combination of either, but some companies down through the years have excluded deductibles, which have increased out-of-pocket costs considerably. That practice will no longer be permitted, beginning in January 2014 because of the Affordable Care Act. The limit on out-of-pocket expenses for all healthcare plans sold in the United States beginning in 2014 will be $6350. Additionally, individuals whose incomes fall in the 100% to 200% of the federal poverty levels and those whose incomes are between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level will have reduced annual cost-sharing responsibilities of $2225 and $5200 respectively beginning in 2014. Grandfathered plans, which are those that were in existence before March 23, 2010, and which have not substantially reduced benefits or raised premiums, are exempt from patient cost-sharing limits however.

The imposition of lifetime and annual dollar limits on covered benefits by insurance companies has been detrimental to many patients in the past, leaving many in positions of bankruptcy because of spiraling healthcare costs no longer covered by their policies. The Affordable Care Act made it illegal however, for insurance companies to permanently stop paying for most covered services because they had reached their spending limit for a policyholder. That aspect of the law took effect on September 23, 2010. The ACC currently limits the annual spending restriction that some companies still impose, but will do away with the limit altogether beginning in 2014.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes it mandatory that health plans provide certain categorized basic coverage also known as essential health benefits. Those include outpatient services such as doctor visits, emergency services, laboratory testing services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, maternity and newborn services, prescription drug coverage, rehabilitation, pediatric services and some preventive and wellness services. The law specifies that the preventive services must be free of charge and not subject to copayments, deductibles or coinsurance.

Given the complexity of health insurance, the meager health and health-insurance literacy of the population in general, and the unscrupulous precedent set by many in the insurance industry, several of the provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are a breath of fresh air to many.

Victor E. Battles, M.D. is a board-certified internist with 30 + years of patient contact. He has been a principal investigator in several clinical research trials and is the founder of Proactive Health Outlet. Additionally, he has worked in the areas of quality assurance and utilization review. To learn more about health insurance visit his website at www.proactivehealthoutlet.com.

Protective Aspects of the Affordable Care Act Visited

By Victor E. Battles, M.D.

It is commonplace to either not know or forget that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the shortened name for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law on March 23, 2010. Lest anyone believe the full name of the law is a misnomer, some of the key patient protective aspects of the law are worth reviewing and understanding.

Probably the most heralded and conspicuous patient-protection provision of the ACC is the abolition of the pre-existing-condition concept which insurance companies have used as a pretext to deny, exclude, cancel, or inflate coverage. It has long been the financial Achilles' heel of many individuals and families, but it will see its total demise by virtue of Obamacare as of January 1, 2014. The first deathblow was delivered with the passage of the law on March 23, 2010 which, beginning on September 23, 2010, prohibited insurance companies from denying or excluding coverage of children under 19 due to pre-existing conditions in all individual policies except those that are grandfathered or were purchased before March 23, 2010.

A related provision of the law which has received much less press and fanfare is the prohibiting of insurance companies from canceling coverage because of honest application mistakes. This change is reminiscent of the days when almost immediately after submitting a claim for services provided to a new patient I would receive a request for old records from the insurance company, only to later find out that they were denying payment of the claim based on a pre-existing illness. The decision would be the result of a self-serving conclusion on the part of the insurance company in response to a question or questions on the application which the patient had answered "no" to, regarding having ever experienced signs or symptoms of certain disease(s). After reviewing the medical history and physical which I submitted, the insurance carrier then assumed that based on documented signs and symptoms in the report, the patient obviously had the condition prior to the date of coverage, when in fact it could not be proven, nor did the patient even know that those signs and symptoms can be associated with the condition(s) for which coverage was denied.

Another major area of patient protection afforded by the ACA is a limit on patients' cost-sharing responsibility, known as annual out-of-pocket expenses, or the amount that patients have to pay for covered services and drugs in a calendar year before the insurance company picks up 100% of the charges. Out-of-pocket costs are generally perceived to be copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or a combination of either, but some companies down through the years have excluded deductibles, which have increased out-of-pocket costs considerably. That practice will no longer be permitted, beginning in January 2014 because of the Affordable Care Act. The limit on out-of-pocket expenses for all healthcare plans sold in the United States beginning in 2014 will be $6350. Additionally, individuals whose incomes fall in the 100% to 200% of the federal poverty levels and those whose incomes are between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level will have reduced annual cost-sharing responsibilities of $2225 and $5200 respectively beginning in 2014. Grandfathered plans, which are those that were in existence before March 23, 2010, and which have not substantially reduced benefits or raised premiums, are exempt from patient cost-sharing limits however.

The imposition of lifetime and annual dollar limits on covered benefits by insurance companies has been detrimental to many patients in the past, leaving many in positions of bankruptcy because of spiraling healthcare costs no longer covered by their policies. The Affordable Care Act made it illegal however, for insurance companies to permanently stop paying for most covered services because they had reached their spending limit for a policyholder. That aspect of the law took effect on September 23, 2010. The ACC currently limits the annual spending restriction that some companies still impose, but will do away with the limit altogether beginning in 2014.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes it mandatory that health plans provide certain categorized basic coverage also known as essential health benefits. Those include outpatient services such as doctor visits, emergency services, laboratory testing services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, maternity and newborn services, prescription drug coverage, rehabilitation, pediatric services and some preventive and wellness services. The law specifies that the preventive services must be free of charge and not subject to copayments, deductibles or coinsurance.

Given the complexity of health insurance, the meager health and health-insurance literacy of the population in general, and the unscrupulous precedent set by many in the insurance industry, several of the provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are a breath of fresh air to many.

Victor E. Battles, M.D. is a board-certified internist with 30 + years of patient contact. He has been a principal investigator in several clinical research trials and is the founder of Proactive Health Outlet. Additionally, he has worked in the areas of quality assurance and utilization review. To learn more about health insurance visit his website at www.proactivehealthoutlet.com.

Have You Signed Up For Marketplace Health Insurance Yet?

By Marilyn Katz

What Is The Health Insurance Marketplace?

If you visit HealthCare.gov, you will find the portal to the new marketplace for individual, family, and small business health insurance plans. There is not actually only one marketplace. Several states run their own exchanges, but the website will direct you to the right solution for your location.

Yes, there was certainly a lot of frustration, and a few I-told-you-so's, when the Affordable Care Act's site failed to function properly. It is possible that Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, famous Republican supporters of health reform, were spinning in their graves. Of course, it is possible that they never really knew what a website was.

The U.S. Healthcare Marketplace Is Open

While somebody should probably look into that particular issue, other people might be very wise to take advantage of the functioning website to consider their options. The site is fairly simple and intuitive. It walks the user through a series of basic questions that are much less intrusive than old health insurance applications ever were.

Set aside an hour or more to answer the questions and browse different marketplace health insurance options. You can stop at any time and resume your session. You might even want to call the private companies that offer exchange plans to ask questions. You are also free to call the toll-free government help line at any time for assistance.

Also, give the system a few minutes to send out your confirmation email after you register. Some users were confused by the fact that they did not get that email for almost 30 minutes, and they wondered if they had done something wrong.

Who Can Find Coverage Under The New Exchanges?

This site is mostly for people who are not covered by employer-based group plans and small businesses. People with any income level can apply for medical coverage here, as long as they satisfy the other criteria. However, the system will automatically calculate tax credits or other subsidies. If you want, you can even automatically apply those credits to the premium of your plan.

What Type Of Medical Insurance Plans Are offered?

Remember that these are private health insurers. However, all plans have to conform to established Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels. Bronze plans are cheapest, and they provide lower levels of coverage. Platinum plans are more expensive, and they provide the most generous coverage. You can still find a lot of variation within those levels.

There are typical types of U.S. medical policies. These include HSAs, PPOs, and HMOs. It might be prudent to research these different types of plans before you simply select one based upon the price.

Here's the short summary of the differences between these types of health policies. PPOs and HMOs are both network plans. Typically, you will find that PPO plans are less restrictive, but they may be more expensive and provide less coverage than HMO plans. HSAs might be good for people who can take advantage of tax deductions.

Why Not Consider Your Marketplace Options?

As long as the website is functioning, this is a good time to register for free and find out what your own options are. If Teddy Roosevelt is aware of our current problems, it seems likely that is what he would expect out of Americans.

Are you closer to understanding the health insurance marketplace? Visit BestRatesUS.com for lots of information about how to find the best insurance rates.

Secret Insurance Coverage - Bypass Expensive Obamacare

By Brian W. Thacker

The Affordable Care Act has a variety options designed to meet a variety of needs. For some people they are a blessing. They cover pre-existing conditions as well as preventive care. The subsidy from the government will help offset some of the increased expenses associated with having more benefits. For people who are above the 400% of poverty line, the choices in the new medical insurance exchange might be too expensive. The benefits will be comprehensive, but they may cost too much for your family's budget. Some people take very good care of their health by eating and exercising. It is possible that they will need medical care at some point. However, their lifestyles will ensure that they won't have to worry aobut major expenses for doctor visits and hospital stays.

For people that don't have pre-existing conditions and do not need the extra benefits required by the health care law, some alternative and much more affordable options might be available. Short term health insurance has been available for a long time. These plans are comprehensive major medical programs that are approved by the departments of insurance in each state that they are available. If the state governments do not approve of the premiums and benefits of these plans then they are not issued. Since the benefits are more limited than the Affordable Care Act they are much less expensive. Clients do have to complete an enrollment application with health questions. But most of the temporary medical insurance programs are instant issue. This means you can get coverage as early as midnight of the night you apply without having to wait for approval from a separate underwriter. If you answer the 5 health questions appropraitely then you will have your coverage that can start by midnight of the time you first apply. Some people with health problems may be turned down. So this is not an option for everyone, but it is going to be a budget saver to many.

These plans do not fall under the guidelines of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) because they are designed to cover people for only a short period of time. If people only need coverage because they are between jobs or waiting for Medicare to begin, this is a good option. Usually these plans are designed to cover for new illnesses or injuries for up 6 - 11 months. Temporary insurance does not have co payments for doctor visits and no prescription drug coverage for most of them. All medical expenses are covered subject to a deductible that you choose and then co insurance after that. There are many websites that have access to quotes for these plans. If you have gotten a quote for the Obamacare then getting quotes and information for these short term contracts is going to be easy. Make sure you speak with an agent even though the plans are straight forward. In a good website you should be able to do the research you need on good companies and then apply without needing to call or talk to anyone else. Do your research and get the best plan for your situation. Just understand that Obamacare is not the only plan for everyone. There are ways to save money and be covered for major illnesses and surgeries.

Brian W. Thacker has been working with individuals and their families to meet their medical insurance needs since 1996. He brought the agent appointment and application process to the web in 1998 with his website. He has clients all over the world who have used his websites to get quotes and information about a variety of options from individual health insurance plans to Medicare and Family plans. Get a quote and apply online in minutes at http://www.short-termhealthinsurance.com. Your coverage can be in place by midnight and you get your cards sooner than that. 336-880-8337 (cell) or 866-373-4948 office

Impact of the No Medical Exam Life Insurance

By Sila Rodney

It is important to seek security and make sure of protection for your loved ones by finding dependable quality insurance. In the past, it was not uncommon for insurance companies to request for a medical exam before issuing an insurance cover.

The exam was performed by your doctor or a doctor chosen by the carrier. Today, many of the leading companies are providing no medical exam life insurance. Such products are tailored for people who may not be in a position to undergo a medical exam. The impact of the policy includes:

· Buy insurance online

Most of the people live a busy life. Therefore, anything that can be shopped online seems to be making life easier. The no-medical exam cover makes it possible for people who prefer to shop online to find the right products.

· Quick application process

The no exam policy allows shoppers to make their applications quickly and easily. They do not have to wait to get a doctor's appointment and for the results to come.

The application can be completed by telephone or over the internet within minutes. On the other hand, the traditional policy could take up to 6 weeks to get implemented. This time difference is very important particularly when you need insurance to successfully get a mortgage or a large loan.

· Affordable

The traditional policy is usually much cheaper because the insurance carrier gets the opportunity to determine the risk they are undertaking before recommending a policy. Therefore, when a company accepts an application without a medical exam, they often use the law of averages.

However, there are many service providers who seek to serve the needs of insurance shoppers who are unwilling to undergo an exam. This competition has resulted in more affordable products.

· All inclusive

In the past, insurance companies accepted applications from young people without requesting for an exam. However, it was very difficult for older applicants to receive the same privileges.

Furthermore, it was noticeably harder for male over the age of 35 to receive insurance without an exam. The policy is an all inclusive product that caters for the needs of all people regardless of their age, gender and health status.

· Different options to choose

There are different policies offered to applicants as no-medical insurance. These includes: the Guaranteed Acceptance Policy, Simplified Issue Policy and Graded Benefit Policy.

The Guaranteed Acceptance Policy is obtained without any exam or medical questions being asked while the Simplified Issue Policy requires the applicant to respond to several health questions on the online form or verbally without a medical exam. The Graded Benefit Policy does not need an exam. Furthermore, health questions are not asked.

We provide the best info about no medical exam life insurance. For further information on life insurance, visit us atwww.NOEXAMLIFEINSURANCE.US.

Mistakes Made Shopping For Life Insurance for Seniors

By Sila Rodney

A common mistake made by many insurance shoppers is waiting for too long or procrastinating to get coverage. Delay often leaves your loved ones exposed to many risks in the event that something happens to you.

Furthermore, the more you delay getting an affordable cover becomes more challenging. You could easily fall sick, meaning you would have to pay higher premiums.

Procrastinating is risky financially because this could result in limited coverage or no cover at all. The other mistakes made by shoppers looking for life insurance for seniors include:

· Relying on quick online quotes alone

Shoppers often make the mistake of relying solely on quick online quotes. These tools come handy in providing an estimate of the premium you will be expected to pay. But the real rate is determined by taking into consideration several factors, including age, medical history, health, needs and budget.

An item that is as important as insurance should not be purchased from a stranger. It is important to buy insurance from a company you can contact and are comfortable with. Furthermore, the insurance company you choose should have been in operation for many years.

· Assuming people with pre-existing medical condition cannot get insurance

There are policies available for people with health problems. However, it is important to give exact information about your health. This will help the insurance agent to recommend the most right policy.

A medical exam may be required by some of the insurance carriers. If you prove you regularly visit your doctor and you are on medication to control the problem, the insurance company can review your premium downwards, qualifying you for lower rates.

· Choosing term life only

Term insurance is temporary. It is issued to cater for a period time. The life expectancy is improving today and as a result more people are opting for the 20, 25 and 30 year term policies. The choice for these types of insurance is influenced by the fact that they are cheaper now more than ever.

However, people need the life-long coverage because needs are long-term. Therefore, if you want to make sure your loved ones do not lose their home or if you want to protect your children from paying estate taxes, you need permanent protection. A good company will be ready to show you the benefits attributable to different choices.

· Neglecting to review your needs and/or policy

It is important to review your insurance needs and coverage, the same way you review other financial decisions, such as your retirement plan. It is important to review your policy after three years because your needs could have changed during this period. This will help you decide whether you need more or less cover.

We provide the best info about life insurance for seniors. For further information on life insurance Click here to visit! the relevant sources.

Ways of Maximizing Benefits From the No Exam Life Insurance

By Sila Rodney

Life insurance provided by an employer is a fantastic benefit. However it should not be the only coverage because in most cases the policy does not provide enough protection.

Furthermore, the employer-provided insurance is often not based on the specific needs of the insured. Therefore, it is advisable to consider a personal non-employer paid policy.

This will help you secure more coverage to help protect loved ones. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are unable to undergo a medical check you may consider the no-exam life insurance. To maximize the benefits of the no-medical exam policy, consider the following:

· Insure secondary breadwinner

Many people limit the benefits of insurance by insuring the primary breadwinner alone. If a family has several members who give income to the family they should all be considered for insurance.

Furthermore, it is equally important to recognize the input of members responsible for caring and maintaining the home, for example in the form of child care. Their contribution offers significant financial value. Indeed, if such a person died the family would have to incur large expenses for child care, housekeeping, looking after elderly parents, etc.

· Apply at any stage of life

Many people assume insurance is ideal for married people or people with families. However, the right coverage can offer significant benefits, regardless of your status, in the event that something unexpected happened.

Insurance is recommended as long as you have dependents including siblings and other relatives. Furthermore, the benefits derived from insurance can be channeled towards closely held business interest, buying & selling business partnerships, debt obligations, philanthropic projects & charities, medical bills and funeral bills, charities/Philanthropic projects.

· Purchase enough coverage

Insurance shoppers often make the mistake of buying policies that do not offer enough coverage. When buying insurance it is important to take into consideration your needs.

This will help you decide the amount of coverage you need. However, when choosing insurance do not focus on your most obvious expenses- to choose the right cover you need to decide how your loved ones need help to support the household.

You need to determine whether additional childcare costs, children's college education, mortgage and medical needs will be properly covered. This will avoid being drastically underinsured.

A good company seeks to know your unique situation in order to recommend the most appropriate plan. Coverage of $500,000 or $1 million by sound colossal, however if you are young and have a family this amount is not too much, in the event of your untimely death.

We provide the best info about no exam life insurance. For further information on life insurance Visit our website!.

Make a Decision Before the Deadline: Another Obamacare Delay

By Butch Zemar

Many things have happened since the government started the open enrollment on October 1st, 2013. The website started off really rough with glitches and account problems. They even quoted the wrong premiums and gave false tax credits. All of which is outside of your control as the policyholder. If you still have to decide on a new plan, there is still time, but not much, before the deadline.

The original deadline for the first open enrollment was December 15, 2013. Due to continued problems with the program and website issues, they extended it to December 23, 2013. As policyholders continue to receive their cancellation letters, the government, or HHS, has extended the deadline to December 31, 2013.

Even those who had pre-existing conditions and were on a separate plan because they were not able to get insurance from the open market, have been extended coverage by another 30 days. For those who had switched already, this created a financial problem if they were on auto debit with the insurance plan. Nonetheless, they extended coverage to give you a little more time. If you take advantage of this 30-day extension, you cannot request a January 1, 2014 start date. The second open enrollment opens when the first one finally ends - December 31, 2013 - and ends March 31, 2014.

Please note: The only reason someone should go to the state or federal website to enroll is if you, the policyholder, qualify AND want to receive a tax credit to reduce your insurance premiums. That is it. Period. There is no other reason to be questioned intensely about your family and income and share more information that is what is needed to apply for the health plan.

Also note: Many insurance agents, that were motivated enough, had gone through the federal training to assist, consult and help you implement a health insurance plan for you and your family. At the time of this writing, there has not been an insurance agent that has charged for their services on an individual or family basis. Insurance agents are compensated by the insurance companies for assisting you and being there to consult, advise and answer questions. It's a Win-Win for you and the insurance company.

With the recent extension, it gives you more time to review your options. But the clock is ticking; tick, tock...

The holidays are a time for family and friends. It will be hard to get back to something that is confusing and not the first thing on your list for the holiday season. This is a good reason to find a good insurance agent to help you take care of those details that you are not sure about or do not want to handle. After all, it will give you more time enjoy the holidays.

The law is definitely forcing you to move and make a change. No one likes change. We can buck the system all we want. The law is the law of the land and we need to make an informed decision. But we do not have much time. At the time of this writing, the deadline is December 31, 2013 for a January 1, 2014 start date.

Since there is not a whole lot of time, you must note that your first month's premium is due on or before December 31, 2013 to activate your new policy for January 1, 2014. This is important so there is no gap in coverage.

After the dust settles, we can move on in 2014 with our new health insurance plans. But just like the holidays, we have to get through the planning and visiting in order to get to the New Year. Do not delay; the end of the year is just around the corner.

Arthur "Butch" Zemar is an insurance specialist and author at Elite Benefits of America. Elite Benefits of America are insurance Gurus to handle the details about insurance so business owners can focus on their passion. For more information please visit http://www.EliteBenefits.net