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Today’s News: 46% of College Grads Not Interested in Insurance, New York #1 in Staged Auto Accident Fraud and Uninsured ICU Patients More Likely to Die

Posted in Health Insurance , Student Health Insurance

May 21st, 2010
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Health insurance is a hot topic today as we find that young people starting their lives are not interested in coverage, while we see that those who forgo coverage have an increased chance of death. And in auto insurance news, we see that the Big Apple has received an unwanted distinction after raking in the most staged auto accidents claims.

Nearly Half of College Grads Aren’t Interested in Health Insurance

A new survey from eHealthInsurance revealed that one-in-five (21 percent) recent college graduates are uninsured, while less than one-third are able to confidently define basic health insurance technology.

But even more interesting is that while health care reform legislation was partially designed to make sure younger people are healthy and insured, the study found that 46 percent of those surveyed would prefer to live on their own and without health insurance after graduation, rather than live with their parents and be insured. (Market Watch)

New York #1 in Staged Auto Accident Fraud

According to the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud, New York City has been named the nation’s number one municipality for staged auto accident claims. The stats come from a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) that found 1,304 claims involving staged auto accidents were generated in NYC from 2007 to 2009.

Tampa, Florida was known as the worst city for auto insurance fraud, but according to the NICB report, the city only had 562 staged claims. (Property-Casualty.com)

Study Finds Uninsured ICU Patients Are More Likely to Die

A new study released by the University of Pennsylvania has found that individuals who enter intensive care units (ICUs) in Pennsylvania without health insurance are 21 percent more likely to die within 30 days than patients with private insurance.

The study showed that critically ill patients without insurance were more likely to arrive to the ICU in advanced stages of an illness because they had not sought care previously. Also, those without insurance were found to not prefer being kept on life support as long as insured patients, decreasing their potential life span. (Reuters)

The ABC’s of Student Health Insurance

Posted in Health Insurance , Student Health Insurance

December 2nd, 2009
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Going off to college is an exciting time for most young people, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of these is proof of adequate health insurance, which most colleges and universities require.

Parent Health Insurance Plans

The great majority of college students will be covered by their parents’ health insurance plans, but other options, such as student health insurance plans, are extremely affordable and easily available. Since a parent’s plan has already paid for a child’s coverage, buying a student policy may seem like an unnecessary and redundant expense. Depending on your college or university, you may be able to opt out of the mandatory student health plan with proper proof of insurance. If your college automatically enrolls you in its student health plan you will see the charges in your student fees.

Student Health Care Considerations

There are, nonetheless, some important questions regarding student health insurance that both parents and students will want to explore. These include:

• Differences in Coverage
  An important plus to a student health insurance policy could be that it offers coverage that a parent’s policy doesn’t. This can be very important if, for example, a student has a preexisting condition that a parent’s insurance provider refuses to cover. Families will want to stick with their current family health insurance plan if it covers important treatment.
• Differences in Price
  A student health insurance policy can be quite affordable since students are, by and large, young and in good health. It’s conceivable that a student insurance premium could cost less than what the parents would be paying.
• HMO and PPO Network Availability
  Where a student goes to school could play a big roll in a family’s health insurance decision-making process. If a Los Angeles-area student is covered by her mother’s HMO, and she decides to go to school in Vermont, she may discover that there are no network physicians in that area for her to use. Using the school’s health insurance plan will be the most likely choice. If she decides to go to school in Los Angeles, she’ll have access to her mothers HMO network, making her school’s policy redundant.
• Portability
  Graduating students may want to enroll in their college or university’s plan if they can maintain it after they’ve graduated. Almost all college graduates will need it, seeing as their parents’ plan will no longer cover them once they’re on their own.

Best Ways to Save on Health Insurance: School Insurance Option

Posted in Health Insurance , Save on Health Insurance , Student Health Insurance

October 5th, 2009
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Return to the Save on Health Care Learning Center >>>

Health Insurance Tips for Recent College Grads

Posted in Health Insurance , Student Health Insurance

May 14th, 2009
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Finding employment is hard enough for recent college grads, but securing a job that offers health insurance seems to be downright impossible. At least, that’s what statistics show. According to a 2008 report from Commonwealth Fund, 34% of college grads will spend at least part of the year after graduation uninsured. And a large percentage who are insured are covered through their parents.

This can make life pretty difficult for the recent college grads who land dream jobs but can’t takethem because theydon’t offer health insurance.Iffinding employment that offers coverage seemsimpossible for you, there are still ways to get covered. Here are a few:

• Coverage Until 26. Many recent college grads are unaware that if they are covered by their parent’s policy, by law, some states require continued health insurance coverage until the age of 26. To find out if your state honors this rule, check with your state’s insurance commissioner.
• COBRAmay bean option. If you are covered by a parent who has recently lost coverage, or thecompany boots you from the plan, you may be able to take advantage of additional coverage under the COBRA law.
• Think about buying your own. Sometimes finding employment is successful and well paying, but leaves you without coverage. If this happens, you might consider shopping around for your own. Go Insurance Rates offers free quotes for affordable coverage in your area, so don’t rule this option out. We’ll find you the best health insurance rates available.
• Thinking about going to grad school? If grad school has been an option just as much as finding employment, then you might consider this choice because many companies will continue to cover dependents as long as they are students.

Also, the option of the short-term policy may have crossed your mind. But before agreeing to one of these policies, read all of the fine print so that a rule such as you becoming too expensive to insure won’t get you booted out of the plan prematurely.

Finding employment that comes with coverage may be difficult, but you do have other options for your health insurance. So if you find yourself in the ranks of other recent college grads in search of coverage, it’s good to consider the option that will prevent you fromforgoing needed medical attention because you’re not insured.

Are you a recent college grad? What are your experiences with companies health care plans?

Health Insurance for Students

Posted in Compare Health Insurance , Health Insurance , Save on Health Insurance , Student Health Insurance

January 22nd, 2009
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Many students who are entering college have the benefit of health insurance coverage through their parents health insurance policy. Most students are under the age of 25, and that usually entitles them to continue with their family health insurance coverage. Other plans allow a student to remain covered up to the age of 22, whether he or she is attending school or not. If this is not an option, there are many different ways that a student can receive health insurance coverage on their own.

Find Out Your Childs Options for Student Health Insurance on Your Familys Plan

Its easy to find out if your childs health insurance needs are covered while away at college. Check with your current health insurance provider to confirm that he or she may remain on the plan while attending school. Most plans allow for full-time students to remain as dependents on the familys plan. It is important, however, to make sure that the student is covered out of state as they may not have access to the plan once they leave home.

If your child is not eligible for student health insurance coverage through your family health insurance plan, it may be time to investigate a temporary solution. This will keep your childs health care needs covered until a permanent plan can be put in place after graduation.

Other Options for Student Health Insurance Coverage

If your child is not covered by your familys health insurance plan while attending college, there are many temporary solutions. One is taking out a temporary insurance policy for your child for the duration of their education. This way, they are covered in between your familys health insurance plan and one they may be eligible for once they enter the work force.

Another option is student health insurance offered through the school itself. Many colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans. This is generally a helpful option for students attending college out of state.