Mr. Health Insurance of Maryland

Medical debt is accumulating at a rapid rate and many Americans are struggling mightily to pay their medical bills.  This is confirmed by a recent study performed by a private foundation that supports independent research on health care called the Commonwealth Fund.

Health care costs are increasing much quicker than incomes, gas prices have soared, food costs are higher, and the average American is strapped more than ever before.  In fact, these problems are reaching deep into the pockets of the middle class and even beyond.  The adverse economic situation is hitting hard across all walks of life and rapidly spreading up the income scale with even middle and high income groups going without health insurance at times during the year.

The Commonwealth Survey found that over 28 per cent of working age adults went without health insurance at some point during 2007 which is the most recent year for which statistics are available.  Furthermore, over 60 per cent of those with medical debt were insured when they needed medical attention but were underinsured resulting in bills to pay.

Any health care plan is better than none.  Why?  The key to a health plan is limiting your exposure and becoming eligible for the contracted rate that your carrier has negotiated with the providers.  No one wants to pay for auto insurance either, but we do because it limits our financial exposure in the event of an accident.  Health insurance is even more important and the same logic should apply.

The high cost of health care is limiting expenditures by many consumers on a daily basis.  Many Americans who face mounting medical bills have been forced to dig deep into their savings accounts and often have built large credit card debt to get through the crisis.  This is a very dangerous trend that will continue to have a long term negative affect on our nation’s economy.

Many nations have gone to Universal Health Care including England, Canada, Australia, Germany and others.  While this may or may not be a solution to the heath care crisis, we do need to focus on ways to improve the system and provide quality health care for our citizens.  The United States stands out among developed nations as the only country to report health care is being denied or inaccessible to such a significant percentage of our population.

Now that the gap between poor and moderate to middle income people is narrowing, maybe something will get done.  If we can fund wars and send aid to foreign nations, including many who vote against us in the United Nations, we can certainly find a way to provide affordable health care to the citizens of our nation.

Additional information on health plans in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC can be found at www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com or call 866-654-4844 for a free quote.

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According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC), herbs and spices are good for our health! In addition to flavoring food, herbs and spices have been used historically as preservatives and now it is believed they can also preserve our health.

What is the difference between an herb and a spice? An herb comes from the leaf of a plant and is used for its aromatic properties. A spice is a seasoning that comes from other parts of the plant such as ginger root, cinnamon bark, and cumin seeds.

Diabetes is becoming rampant here in the U.S. While studies disagree on the benefits of cinnamon, some studies have shown cinnamon to improve blood cholesterol levels and possibly lower blood glucose levels. As for me, I don’t mind having a little sprinkle added to my morning coffee to enhance the taste.

My grandmother used to have all kinds of recipes for ailments. One of them was the use of ginger or more specifically ginger ale. Tummy aches? “Here, drink some ginger ale and you will feel better.” More often than not, it worked! According to the IFIC ginger has been proven to help treat nausea so for you pregnant ladies out there, keep a glass of ginger ale with you at all times!

Ginger’s main ingredient is gingerol and other medical and health benefits have been linked to its use. Studies on animals have found possible benefits in the treatment of cancer and other studies have shown ginger can reduce inflammations from arthritis.

Another spice with health benefits among its many uses is cumin. It can be used as a spice, it is a preservative, and it can also be used as a coloring in food. Health wise, it is a powerful antioxidant and today it is being looked at as a potential preventative measure for Alzheimer’s disease.

I could go on and on. Red peppers not only make food hot, they make you burn more calories and make you feel more satisfied after eating. Other spices protect against bacteria such as rosemary, oregano, thyme and others.

So, here’s to good eating! May your next meal have the right blend of herbs and spices so that it will not only taste great but you will enhance your health!

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The economy is struggling, gas prices are killing your pocketbook, health care continues to get more expensive every year with the cost of monthly health insurance premiums often rising by double digits percentages.   It’s a no win situation but here are a few tips to save money on healthcare.  In many parts of the country, doctors are providing everyday care in Wal-marts, drug stores like CVS, grocery stores, etc. In many places it has even come to where doctors are competing for your business by stating what they charge.  This new phenomenon of providers competin for your business has the potential to cause the cost of health procedures to go down.  IWith everything else we buy, there is competition for your business and price is often a major consideration.  Why should health care be any different?
A new type of health plan called a health savings account (HSAs) began to reach consumers in 2003 and continues to earn a bigger share of the health market every year.  A health savings account medical insurance (HSA) places you in more control of your healthcare.   There is a great deal more flexibility  because you can pick and choose where you go to get your services  Since you are less restricted than with other types of plans,  you can have the doctors compete for your business.  John Stossel does an exceptional report on on ABC’s Primetime’s Sick in America part 6 where he talks extensively about these issues.This report is readily available on YouTube.
HSAs offer more advantages than the flexibility to choose your doctor.  You can take a tax deduction of almost $6,000 for medical expenses including but not limited to deductibles, copays, eyeglasses, over the counter medications, and more.  The health savings account is a tremendous opportunity for the American consumer to lower your insurance premium while still limiting your exposure to risk.  Add in the tax savings and it makes sense for many consumers.  If you would like great affordable premiums on hsa medical insurance visit www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com.   We are full service, no charge, and our goal is to earn your business by providing you with the information you need to make the best decision.

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Many people are unable to access health insurance coverage because it is not offered by their employer or because they are self-employed. Group insurance is almost always more expensive than individual coverage so if the employer is only paying part or even all of the premium for the employee only, it is often less expensive to insure family members separately.

What is individual health insurance? Individual health insurance is a type of health insurance coverage that is made available to individuals and families rather than to employer groups or organizations. You will be pleasantly surprised by the affordability and the variety of insurance options that are available to individuals and families.

The best way to start your search for an individual health plan is to contact a local independent agent. Independent insurance agents such as Mr. Insurance of Maryland are registered with the state department of insurance. In addition, you can begin your search for an affordable plan without compromising quality right here on this web site. There is a wide range of coverage levels available under individual health plans and you will have numerous options available to choose from because your employer is not pre selecting certain plans and limiting your options. As a result, it is important that you choose a broker who will help you understand the terms of your individual policy and explain them to you clearly. You don’t want to wait until you are sick to discover that your policy does not cover the services you need!

Here are a few things to look for in an individual/family policy:

• Guaranteed Renewable: Your health insurance can not be cancelled if you become sick as long as you continue to pay the premiums.
• Clearly Defined Terms: You want to know what is covered, what is not covered, and when the coverage starts.
• Portability: You can carry the plan with you even if you make a job change, relocate within your state, etc. No new application is needed!

There are many choices available to you and Mr. Insurance of Maryland will help you make the right choice. We are educators first so you will be well informed of your options and we are your advocate once you become our client. Serving as your broker, Mr. Insurance of Maryland will make sure you have a clear understanding of the terms of your policy and we will assist you further by handling all claims for you.

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Understanding health insurance plans and choosing the right one can be very challenging to most people. Complicating matters is the fact that health insurance carriers not only have access to your medical records, they also can obtain a detailed history of your prescription usage.

The two companies that dominate the field of selling prescription information to insurance companies are Medpoint and Intelliscript. Both will provide a five year history of prescription drug purchases, dosages, refills, and more. Insurance companies can obtain this information for as little as $15 per search. The original intent of these data bases was to help inform doctors treating patients, especially in emergencies, but that use did not really catch on. Instead, insurance carriers are using the data to help identify potentially high risk applicants.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated Medpoint and Intelliscript and found their practices violated federal law by keeping the system under the radar and hidden from consumers. Full disclosure is required and both companies insist they are in full compliance with the law. However, very few consumers are aware of the existence of these companies and their use by the insurance industry.

Insurance companies insist that they are being responsible in their use of this information. Most health insurance carriers will call the applicant if there is a discrepancy on their application and the information they receive from these data sources. However, there is so much data out there in today’s world that you must be proactive and serve as your own advocate to make sure your information is accurate.

With the rising cost of group health plans, more and more Americans will be purchasing their own individual health plans. In most cases, these plans are far less expensive than group plans because they are underwritten while group plans typically are not. Individual plans are portable which means that you take the plan with you even when you change jobs.

As an independent broker, I represent all the major carriers in my state of Maryland which means I am able to help my clients navigate the system and choose the plan that will best meet their needs. Your broker comes to you free of charge and using a broker will not have any affect on your premium. Contact an independent health insurance broker to learn about the plans that are available in your market so that you and your family are protected.

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New IRS Regulation Drives HSA Procedural Change

New IRS regulations will affect both Employees and Employers in the establishment, funding and administration of HSA accounts. The IRS has clarified when an HSA account is effective: An HSA account must be funded in order to be effective and an account cannot legally exist before the effective date of the HSA qualifying plan coverage.  If HSA paperwork is received after the first day of the month, the HSA account cannot be effective any sooner than the first day of the following month. For example, your client’s HSA compatible plan coverage begins on July 1, 2008 and you submit the paperwork to the HSA bank custodian on July 10th an HSA account can be opened and made effective on August 1st. This means that the accountholder cannot use the HSA funds for any expense incurred prior to the effective date of the HSA bank account. Check with your HSA Bank Custodian to find out their administrative procedure to determine their definition of what constitutes having the HSA account open.

Please note that in the past, HSA Bank Custodians may have been able to retro the HSA account effective date to the start date of the HSA compatible HDHP coverage, but will no longer be able to do this based on these new regulations.

For additional information on HSA accounts and all of your health and life insurance needs, call Steve Klein at 866-654-4844 or visit www.mrinsuranceofmaryland.com.

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The following video is very valuable to individuals who are looking to purchase health insurance.

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