Mr. Health Insurance of Maryland

Submitted by: Steve Klein

Insurance companies are in business to make a profit which is common knowledge and common sense.  As a result, they are not interested in providing health insurance coverage to someone who has an existing health problem or preexisting condition.  They protect their profits by creating a barrier to new applicants who might have a serious health issue like cancer, diabetes, previous heart attack, HIV, etc.  Often, these are the people who are in desperate need of health insurance to afford treatment of their illness.

There are ways that a person can obtain health insurance regardless of their medical condition or health history.  Let me take a moment to highlight several of the most popular and effective way to obtain coverage should you fall into the high risk category.

Many Americans get their insurance through their employer.  Under the federal HIPAA laws, group plans offered by employers are guaranteed issue which means they can not turn you down because of your medical condition or health history.  If you are a full time employee, regardless of your health, you must be allowed to enroll into the company’s health plan.
The disadvantage to having an employer sponsored health plan is that you lose your insurance when you leave your job.  COBRA continuation laws allow you to keep the plan in force for 18 to 36 months when you leave a job, but it will eventually terminate.

Several states offer guaranteed issue plans that were mandated by state law.  These plans are offered here in Maryland and also Virginia.  These plans vary from state to state but you will be accepted for coverage no matter what kind of health you are in.  Preexisting health issues are often covered from the start and they will always be covered after a 12 month waiver period has been completed.  These plans can be pricey and are often the plan of last resort, but they are effective at limiting your exposure to financial risk should you need to go this way.

Most people are not aware that there are also plans called mini med plans that will defray some of your health costs.  They are less comprehensive than a traditional plan but they also offer an affordable solution to a wide spread problem.  Most plans of his nature offer reimbursement for a limited number of doctor visits, a fixed amount of days for hospitalization, and a discount on prescriptions.  The real key to these plans is that the insurer will always guarantee you will never pay more than the contracted rate.  This is huge and can save the consumer thousands and thousands of dollars should a catastrophic illness occur.

Additional options are available for military veterans through the VA and there are numerous group plans that have been developed and marketed by trade associations.  A word to the wise is that not all of these health plans are the same so make sure you thoroughly understand what you are buying.

We are a full service brokerage and there is no charge for what we do.  The monthly premium will be the same whether you go direct to the carrier or use me.  We offer added value to our clients by handling all claims issues for them plus we have access to support people at the carriers who can answer questions and solve problems.  Our goal is to educate you so you choose the best plan for you and your family.  Visit us on the web at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland or call us at 866-654-4844.

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Submitted by: Steve Klein

Baby boomers are aging more rapidly that we would like to admit so what can we do to slow the process and increase out odds of living longer?  It seems that physical activity not only improves health but cognitive skills as well.

A recent study was conducted involving close to 200 men and women with memory problems who were an average age of 69 years old.  These people were not seriously impaired enough to be classified as having dementia.  They were assigned randomly to two groups.  One group was provided with educational information about memory loss, stress management, and healthy living including facts about dieting and drinking, but nothing about exercise.  The second group received identical information plus they also exercised by walking for 50 minutes at least 3 times a week.  Periodically, all of the participants were given cognitive tests.

After six months, the group that exercised showed a slight improvement on average in cognitive abilities.  The other group showed a slight decline in cognitive scores.  As the duration of the study was extended to a full year, this difference remained.

Older people are most often affected by declining cognitive skills.  For example, they are more often to forget someone’s name even if that person is a long time friend.  Often more serious memory problems occur such as asking the same question repeatedly or becoming confused about people and places.  These are possible symptoms of a more serious problem.

The longer you live the more likely you will be susceptible to a decline in your cognitive skills.  However, as the study shows, those of us who remain active and exercise regularly will fare far better than those of us who don’t.  So get up and give me 20!

For more health related information, visit us at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com.  We are your full service health insurance broker and our service is free!  We represent you, not the carrier, but we work with all the major carriers in our state.  Visit us on the web or call 866-654-4844 today.  Remember…your health is our business!

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Submitted by: Steve Klein

We live in a high stress society…there is no question about that!  In a perfect world, we would lie back on our pillow, close our eyes, and drift off into a relaxing uninterrupted sleep every night.  Unfortunately that is not the reality.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), just one out of three Americans feel they get enough sleep and to make matters worse, over 50 million of us suffer from sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.

What is the impact of all of these sleepless nights?  It is now known that a lack of sleep may contribute to weight issues.  It raises the level of a hormone called ghrelin which causes hunger and decreases the level of the hormone leptin which indicated fullness to the body.  You are hungrier and craving calorie laden foods and don’t fall asleep as readily.  Lack of sleep also drives up the level of the stress hormone cortisol which can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.  All of this means we need to protect our health by getting a good night’s sleep.

Here are a few tips that might help:

1. Wake up at the same time every day.
2. Let in natural light.
3. Eat a good breakfast every day.
4. Get outside in the early afternoon to perk up and eliminate the afternoon blahs.
5. Exercise in the late afternoon.  Aerobic exercise will help you sleep better.
6. Eat dinner four hours before bedtime.
7. Wind down at least one hour before go to sleep.

According to a University of Michigan study, people who have personality conflicts at work with their boss or coworkers are nearly twice as likely to have sleep problems.  People who work more than one job get the least amount of sleep while temps and part time workers seem to do best.  All of this makes it clear that high stress levels make it hard to sleep and you end up in a vicious cycle.

While a glass of wine may help you fall asleep, it usually isn’t the kind of sleep you need to wake up refreshed and raring to go.  I recommend following the tips I have listed to get a better night of sleep and improve your health.  Your life depends on it.

For more information on this topic or any other health related issue, contact us at 866-654-4844 or visit us on the web at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com

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Submitted by: Steve Klein

I am an independent health insurance broker representing all the carriers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.   Allow me to share my experience and insights with you and if it helps you to make “a best decision” when shopping for health insurance, then I have accomplished my goal.

* SERVICE
I believe that having a full time health insurance broker who works on your behalf is best.  Brokers represent more than one company and come free of charge so they do not affect your monthly premium.  The key is finding the right person who you feel comfortable with and one who completely has your best interest at heart. Similar to in life, “good people can be hard to find”.  There are average, good and great brokers.  You deserve a great broker so let’s focus on what makes a great broker GREAT.  A great broker understands that building a relationship with you is their top priority.  A great broker understands the right questions to ask to make sure that you are getting what you want and what you need.  A great broker means you should only have to make one phone call to get any answers you need or problems solved concerning your health plan.  Anyone with a license can “take an order” … it is what the GREAT broker does after taking the application that makes them GREAT and separates them from the rest.  The answer is service, service, and more service!

* VALUE
The second ingredient is for your broker to help you find the best value.  Value as it relates to your budget, needs and existing health condition.  Your broker should be able to isolate the plan that best meets these criteria. For instance a great broker understands that a wife, husband and children from the same family do not all have to be on the same health plan.  Each person in a family has different needs and each person’s needs must be met with the right plan. For example, adults do not go to the doctor as often as their children in most families. Children do not need preventative components in their health plan although adults do.  If a woman wants maternity as a health option, it doesn’t make sense to have additional family members on a maternity plan as this would only inflate the premium.  If someone in the family needs comprehensive testing for example, then that person should be on a lower deductible than the person in the family who do not.  That is how you save money and create the best value or lowest premium. The goal has to be saving money and making sure that you have set up your health insurance whereas out of pocket expenses are as low as they can be whether you are paying the insurance company or the doctor.  Low deductibles are for people who need more care and higher deductibles are for people who need a safety net for the unexpected.  The key to finding the best value is to understand what the needs are for you and your family.  A great broker will find this through asking the right questions and, in doing so, will save you countless dollars by making sure each person is positioned to save money based on their individual needs.

* COMPANY
Nothing that has been written so far means much if you do not get your health insurance with a top tier company.  Your broker should only deal with the cream of insurance companies.  This means names you have heard of or “household names” in your market.  Top insurance companies are multi billion dollar giants that can do what you need them to do and that is to pay the bill.  A great broker will only align themselves with top flight tier one health insurance companies because they know that all the relationship building, service, and value means little unless you are with a power house insurance carrier.  Do not buy discount programs; do not buy your health insurance from a company if the premium sounds too good to be true and you do not know who they are. There is tremendous value among the top companies and that is where you belong.  We buy health insurance for the same reason we buy auto insurance … we hope we do not ever need it, but, if we do, we want to be 100% sure we are covered.  Not having health insurance is very risky.  It can wipe you out financially and it can prevent you from getting the best medical care you need.  I hope these three points; service, value and company help you make the best decision concerning health insurance for you, your family and your company.

To obtain a free rate quote visit my website at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com or call 866-654-4844.

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Written by: Steve Klein

The rising cost of health insurance has resulting in over 47 million Americans choosing to take their chances and go without health insurance.  Unfortunately, the cost of health care can be very expensive should you need to be treated in a hospital or be diagnosed with a serious ailment.  Over 50% of all bankruptcies here in the United States are caused due to health issues and uninsured Americans.

When you have health insurance, you are suddenly able to visit the doctor when you are sick without having to worry about uncontrollable expenses just to treat a sore throat.  You are in essence limiting your exposure to risk.  Affordable health insurance in Maryland and Virginia can be found; you simply have to know where to look and what to expect.  Every individual should have basic medical coverage, but as many of us know it’s not as simple as this.  Private health insurance can be very costly, yet there are health insurance companies in our state that can make medical coverage a reality for you. You can obtain the affordable health insurance you need to be sure that you can get to a doctor every time you need to be seen.

I was watching MSNBC the other night and heard this story.  Kellie Brown had rarely suffered from an ailment worse than a runny nose when she let her health insurance lapse in August of last year. Brown, 23, had always been covered by her father’s plan. But when he retired in July 2007, she lost her coverage, and “it just seemed like an expense that I didn’t really need.”  Big mistake.  Less than two months later, Brown ended up making two very costly trips to hospitals: one to have her appendix removed and another, a few days later, to be treated for an infection resulting from the surgery. Altogether, her tab came to $40,000.

The point is that even if you are in perfect health today, there is no way to know what lies around the next corner,  Health insurance, even a plan that has a high deductible, is designed to limit your exposure and puts a limit on your financial risk.   One incident can wipe out all of your assets and put you on the brink of financial ruin or even force you into bankruptcy.

At www.mrhealthinsuranceofmaryland you will have a resource ready and willing to help you understand the choices that are available to you.  Together we will choose an affordable plan without compromising quality.  Your health is our business!  Call us today at 866-654-4844 for your free quote.

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Submitted by: Steve Klein

Osteoporosis is a condition that is very common in women over the age of 50 which makes bones brittle and thin. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that nearly 44 million people in the United States either have osteoporosis or are at risk of contracting this disease. However, measures can be taken early in life to reduce your risk.

If you are a teenager under the age of 19, a diet that includes lots of produce and provides adequate protein which includes at least 1,300 mg. of calcium would be a good start. Good choices would include low fat or non fat dairy products as well as calcium enriched foods. You should also take a 200 IU Vitamin D supplement to help your body absorb the calcium.

Exercise is also a very important factor in maintaining good health and. Walking or running for 30 minutes at least three times a week helps build bone density in young women. Bigger bones are stronger and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Women from 20 to 49 years old should include at least 1,000 mg of calcium tin their diet along with a Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU if you feel you are not getting enough through your diet. Continue to build and maintain your bone density with 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and add in a little strength training for tone. All of these steps will help you maintain strong bones and keep osteoporosis at bay.

Are you already over 50? If so, you need to continue to exercise regularly, increase your daily calcium intake to 1,200 mg. and make sure you are taking in 800 to 1,000 IU of Vitamin D daily.

Here are some additional steps you can take to lower your risk:
• Always eat a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day three times a week or more
• Limit the amount of salt in your diet
• Don’t drink more than one soft drink, particularly a cola drink, each day
• Don’t smoke
• Limit your alcohol consumption to no more than 1 or 2 drinks a day

When you reach age 50, ask your doctor to do a bone density screening, especially when you reach menopause. You will know where you stand with regard to your risk of getting osteoporosis.

At www.mrinsuranceofmaryland, we offer many health tips to assist our clients in their quest to maintain their good health. We are full service, no charge, and we represent you…not the carrier. For a free quote visit us on the web or call us at 866-654-4844.

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Submitted by Steve Klein

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are fairly new to the health care scene and they are growing in popularity.  HSAs are tax favoring savings accounts that work in tandem with high deductible health insurance plans.  With rising health care costs and rising health insurance premiums, the HSAs offer an excellent opportunity to get quality health care with an affordable premium and an amazingly attractive tax advantage!

The objective of any insurance plan, whether it is health insurance, auto insurance, or any other insurance plan is to limit your exposure to risk.  HSAs accomplish this efficiently and at a significant savings in comparison to other health plans.  Plans are available for self employed as well as salaried individuals and families.  Here is how it works.

The client purchases a low premium high deductible major medical health plan with a minimum deductible of $1,100 for individuals and $2,200 for families.  Next, the client opens an account that is designated as the HSA savings account.  Money is deposited in this account which is 100% tax deductible.  The funds can be spent to pay for dour deductible, co-insurance, and any other health related expenses including over the counter medications.

The tax benefits are amazing because contributions are tax deductible going in and coming out.  Interest earned on the account is tax free.  All qualified withdrawals are tax free.  As you accrue savings from year to year, you are building a tax sheltered nest egg for future long term health care.

I make the analogy that the HSA is basically an IRA for health care but better!  According to USA Today, “HSAs offer tax benefits that are SUPERIOR even to IRAs.  With IRAs the money is taxed either before going into the account or taken out.”  In fact, consumers are allowed to make a one time tax free transfer of funds from their IRA to their HSA account.

Here is the bottom line.  If you are not participating in a Health Savings Account (HSAs), you are paying too much for your health insurance!  We are full service, no charge at www.mrhealthinsuranceofmaryland.com.  Contact us on the web or at 866-654-4844 to find out more about these outstanding plans.

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Many Americans get their health insurance through their employer but millions of us are on our own because we are self employed or our employer does not offer a health plan.  Those of us in this category have to go to an agent to purchase an individual health plan for ourselves and our family.

It is difficult to compare employer provided health plans with individual plans for a variety of reasons.  Those of us who end up changing or losing jobs soon realize how expensive this coverage can be when we are stuck paying for COBRA.  One of the primary reasons for the high cost of group plans is that these plans are guaranteed issue in most states.  That means no one can be denied coverage and the insurance company is accepting more risk of having to pay expensive claims.

Individual health insurance is often less expensive and a better value than group insurance.  You can choose a deductible that is comfortable and affordable so that you limit your exposure to financial risk should a devastating illness or injury occur.  If you are young and healthy, your premium will be low so it is easier to choose a lower deductible.  Older individuals will pay a higher premium but this demographic is usually more established financially and able to choose a higher deductible because they have the financial resources to absorb the potential risk.

There are many advantages to owning your own health plan.  Once you are covered, the insurance carrier can not cancel your plan if you become sick.  In addition, the plan is portable because you own it, not your employer.  The best time to get your own health plan is when you are in good health because you will be protected against any future illness or health issue than can occur.

A recent plan that has become a very attractive option is the health savings account.  This plan will always have a high deductible of at least $1,150 for an individual and $2,300 for a family but it limits your exposure and gives you the option of taking a tax write off for medical expenses incurred.  You can also write off money saved in your health savings account to pay for future medical expenses.  This plan is growing rapidly in popularity and it is a great choice for individuals and families who are looking for a cost effective way to limit their health care costs.

At www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com you will find a full service health insurance brokerage ready and willing to help you navigate the health care system and make the best choice.  As your broker we work with all of the major carriers in Maryland and Virginia so our loyalty is to you.  Please feel free to email us at info@mrinsuranceofmaryland.com or call us at 866-654-4844 for a free quote.

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Posted by: Steve Klein

Did you know that many pharmaceutical companies provide free continuing medical education (CME) classes which doctors are required to take in order to maintain their medical license?  Not only does this create a perception of bias, I believe that is a reality.  Physicians will prescribe a drug more often from a company that is providing them with free training and free samples among other things.

The pharmaceutical companies try to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest by hiring what are known as medical communication companies to do the training but it is a known fact and up until recently a well kept secret that these firms were paid to promote the pharmaceutical company’s products through out the training.  Pfizer has become the first company to decide it will no longer pay communications companies to arrange CME classes.  Pfizer will only support medical education when it is sponsored and put on by hospitals and professional medical associations.

According to the Accreditation Council for Medical Education, annual funding in 2007 for continuing medical education provided by drug and medical device companies exceeded $1.2 billion.  At least a portion of these courses were designed to promote the sponsoring company’s products.  Can you think of a better deal?  The doctor gets free CME credits along with a free lunch at a nice restaurant and receives an abundance of promotional material and training about the sponsors products.  It is easy to see how doctors can be easily swayed to recommend one prescription or procedure over another that might be more beneficial to the patient.

I believe doctors should be required to disclose these relationships when prescribing a drug or recommending a product from a vendor that has paid for their training and CME credits.  It is the health and well being of the consumer that is at risk.  Furthermore, the cost factor goes out the window as well and insurance carriers are often forced to pay for a more expensive drug when a generic or less expensive product that would do just as well is available.

I am a health insurance specialist and I conduct my business by educating my clients so they can make the decision that is in their own best interest.  Premiums are rising, health care costs as well, and we as consumers need to do our part to control these expenses.  Most of us are not very knowledgeable when it comes to the medical field and it is more important to ask questions of your doctor when you are seeking or receiving medical treatment.  You must serve as your own advocate and protect your health.

For more information on health insurance in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, contact us at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com Our goal is to educate our clients while providing affordable health care without compromising quality.

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Robots are Coming to a Hospital Near You!

Human physicians are still in charge of the operating rooms but many of them are using robots as tools to perform surgical procedures.  No…the robot doesn’t “scrub in” and operate on patients.  Your physician is in control and capable of performing less invasive surgery by keeping incisions smaller and more precise.

Robotic surgical systems allow the surgeon to operate in real time without ever touching the patient.  There are many advantages to the hands off approach:

1. Doctors have a better view.  Cameras used in a normal endoscopy provide 2-D images while robotic scan provide 3-D images that can be magnified many times over.

1. Surgeons gain a steady grip.  Yes, surgeons are known for having steady hands but their fine motor control over their surgical instruments is even stronger and steadier when they use robotic technology.  This provides a tremendous advantage when operating in tight, small areas.

1. Size counts and robotic instruments are smaller.  This makes them more maneuverable and much easier to use.

1. Patients’ recovery time is much faster.  Studies and tests have shown that robotic surgery greatly reduces pain and trauma to the body.  This allows patients to recover more rapidly so they can return to their normal activities much sooner than with traditional surgery.

This revolutionary technique is still in its infancy, but the use of robotics is spreading rapidly in the medical community.  As a health care specialist and independent broker I see premiums and medical costs rising.  However, robotics has the ability to reverse that trend because it is less invasive and allows for a faster recovery.  This in turn should lower costs over time as the technology spreads through the medical community.

For more information on affordable health plans without compromising quality contact us at 866-654-4844 or visit www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com for an instant quote.

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