Category Archives: Healthcare

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Will Patients Have More Choices in ObamaCare Insurance?

Insurance PlansThe answer is YES. Insurance companies are flocking to the ObamaCare exchanges as they now see it as a money-making opportunity.

In 10 states, there are 27 new insurance companies that will offer ObamaCare plans.  This is a significant improvement from 2014.  Major insurers simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when 8 million Americans signed up for ObamaCare.

What does that mean for patients?  

More choices in where they can get their healthcare.

In the past, patients got referrals from their primary care doctors or their local hospitals.  They often just went to the closest physician or hospital.  OR the doctor who was referred to them.  Patients did very little research in selecting their doctor or hospital.

With more insurance options, patients will have more choices.  Additionally, patients are getting more tools to research their doctors to determine which one is best for them.

With healthcare reform, doctors and other healthcare providers must  “win” the patient and “keep them.”  As a patient, make sure your healthcare provider is offering the following:

  1. Great customer service
  2. Convenient evening and weekend hours
  3. Availability for questions via new forms of technology
  4. A patient portal where patients can get information about their care; and
  5. Compliance with current laws and regulations!

If your doctor doesn’t meet your standards, it’s never too late to find another provider who will better suit your needs.

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Healthcare has changed radically. Gone are the days when the only medical professional a patient saw was their trusted local doctor. MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Healthcare Privacy walks you through the practical steps you can take to safeguard your healthcare privacy as a patient.

Available for download NOW!

 

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Choosing An Assisted Living Facility: Part 1 VIDEO

What led Lori-Ann Rickard to start writing ebooks about healthcare? It all started when her father, who was living independently his whole life, underwent surgery causing him to lose his independence. Lori-Ann learned at every turn that choosing an assisted living facility takes a lot of work, communication, and coordination. Most importantly, she found out that there is no perfect answer. This video is for anyone who needs a “roadmap” like Lori-Ann did; a tool to consider much more than the obvious questions of location and cost.

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How do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

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Available for download NOW!

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Obamacare Annual Enrollment – Should I Care?

ObamaCare enrollment started November 15th.  The question is, who should care?  Health Care site 2014

ObamaCare is mainly for people and small groups who purchase their own health insurance.  If you are uninsured and do not have an employer-sponsored health plan, Medicare, or Medicaid, ObamaCare is for you.

But, the fact is that most people will never apply for ObamaCare.

Forty-Eight (48%) percent of people in the US have employer-sponsored health insurance. Medicare, government health insurance for the elderly, covers another 15 percent of the US population. Medicaid, government health insurance for the poor, covers an additional 15 percent. Other government health insurance programs cover 2 percent of the population. Another 5 percent of the population is covered by non-group plans. So, only 15 percent of the US population is currently uninsured. Therefore, most people will never need the insurance plans created as a result of ObamaCare.

Often, people with Medicare are confused about the Medicare enrollment period v. the ObamaCare enrollment period.

The Medicare enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7, 2014.  This enrollment period is different than ObamaCare.  If you have Medicare, remember that the ObamaCare enrollment period does not affect Medicare.  Also, if you have Medicare Advantage, you do not need to do anything related to ObamaCare.  Medicare Advantage is not the same as ObamaCare.

The cost of coverage for an ObamaCare health plan will vary widely depending on three major factors: your age, your income and where you live. ObamaCare allows health insurance companies to charge significantly more for an older shopper compared to a young shopper. For example, a health plan for a 58-year-old can cost three times more then the same health plan for a 23-year-old. The reason for this is that the health insurance company expects to pay far more for the 58-year-old’s healthcare then for a young, healthy 23-year-old. It’s also true that in certain parts of the country healthcare costs more than in other parts of the country. Additionally, for people who earn less than four times the poverty level (about $45,000 for an individual or $96,000 for a family of 4), they will be entitled to subsidies, which may pay for the entire cost of the monthly premium.

Also, if you do not have health insurance you will have to pay a penalty.  So, if you are uninsured, check out  healthcare.gov and enroll in your plan of choice. You  have until February 15, 2015 to apply.

 

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Are you looking to cut through all the noise and find out what ObamaCare really is, what it does, and, most importantly, what it means to you? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: ObamaCare” ebook guide leaves the politics behind and gives you a straightforward, timely rundown of the changes the law made and whether or not they impact YOU.

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Available for download NOW!