pzeEARuxxTVVa1fQb7vPZS9EmikWO: 2012

Thursday, November 29, 2012

How to Find Alternative Health Insurance

Health insurance premiums have nearly doubled in the last ten years. Everyone talks about trying to lower costs of health care, but the reality is medical insurance is something we just expect to work without our thinking about it too much. Most people get coverage through their employer. Usually this is the best option for people because the employer pays for a majority of the insurance coverage. However if you are between jobs or waiting for your benefits start, your monthly premium could be prohibitive.

Short term health insurance plans are available to cover major medical issues without costing so much. COBRA plans are based on the insurance plans offered by an employer. These plans can be more expensive for several reasons. Employer based plans are deducted from the taxes of the company. This is a part of the reason that the plans have more benefits and cost more each month. People don't realize how expensive it is until they are between jobs and are asked pay for it themselves. If you are healthy, short term health insurance plans can help bridge the gap at a fraction of the cost. Information is widely available on the internet and you can get a plan in a few minutes with coverage starting as early as midnight of the night you apply.

Some individual plans can take a little while to underwrite for the company to look at your medical history. In these cases you would complete an application online and pick the benefits and premium that suits your needs. At that point, the insurance company will request a telephone interview or getting doctors records to finally approve the cost and benefit of the program. While this process can take a few days, it can be worth it. Short term health insurance plans are instant issue generally. Instant issue means that you answer a brief questionnaire and they determine whether you qualify for the policy or not based on the information you provide. They will ask you if you have certain health diseases and conditions. If you answer that you have some of the issues then you do not qualify. If you answer that you do not have the health problems, then the policy can be issued within five minutes and your cards emailed to you instantly.

It is important to consider this underwriting issue because everyone can not qualify for these less expensive plans. Employer health plans cover everyone regardless of their health history. There are plans for everyone but the least expensive plans will be available to the people who do not have health problems outside of an employer. Don't pay for COBRA if you qualify for short term health insurance plans. You will save a substantial amount of money on alternative health insurance plans.

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How to Find Great Medical Health Insurance

The first factor which will influence your health insurance medical quote, is the state of your overall fitness. If you are in good shape for your age, and have no preexisting conditions, you will have no problem finding coverage. However, you may have some serious medical issues, and are finding it a challenge to locate a company who will offer you a policy. While there are many discount plans available, these are not major medical coverage. They simply bring down your out of pocket costs for procedures, doctor visits and tests. Most often you must pay a certain percentage, and there is no cap to the expenses you can incur. In contrast, proper medical health insurance has a preset deductible, and once you meet this you won't have any other fees to pay for the rest of the year.

Did you know that most states offer a period called open enrollment? If you are having no luck due to a preexisting condition, this information can greatly assist you. These open enrollment windows occur at set times of the year, and are limited to a certain number of customers. Once the available spots are filled, the company no longer has to offer any more high risk policies. So, it is important to do your homework, at find out exactly when open enrollment occurs in your state. If you get to the health insurance medical companies soon enough, then by law they can't deny you coverage! This is great news, and is a tremendous option if you've been having trouble finding reputable insurance for you or your family. Expect to pay more because of the high risk you present to the underwriter. However, this type of more expensive coverage is still worth the investment, as medical bills can be run into the thousands or more.

Another great tip when shopping for medical health insurance, is to participate in a voluntary wellness program. This will lower your risk to the company, and can reduce your monthly premiums as a result. What can you expect from such a program? Often they will coach you on diet and nutrition, and many have tobacco cessation support as well. If you are struggling to pay your high premium, this can be an excellent solution.

So, now you have some great tips to keep in mind, which can help you in your search for medical health insurance! Remember that the more you compare policies, the better coverage and prices you can expect to receive. Take your time and find the right insurance for you, and it will pay you large dividends in the end!

Why a Health Savings Account Is Right!

The health insurance industry is very unique. When you compare it to other types of insurance, you will find that most types of insurances are based on the catastrophe.

Your auto insurance does not cover new tires or oil changes. Your home owners insurance does not pay for a new paint job or if your oven breaks down.

Somehow, health insurance pays for doctor visits (new tires) and prescription drugs (oil changes). These two benefits are what add most of the cost to a health care plan.

With health insurance you pay for these benefits whether you use them or not.

This is why health savings accounts (HSA) make a lot of sense. The HSA, is used in conjunction with, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The deductible, as you might guess, is higher and only covers the doctor visits and prescriptions after you meet that deductible. It protects you from the catastrophic loss and kind of puts you in control of your health care dollars. They often times cost half as much as a co-pay plan would cost.

H.S.A plans were we created in Medicare legislation and signed in to law by President, George W. Bush, on December 8, 2003. They were originally called Medical Savings Accounts (MSA). They were created by Senator Bill Archer, R-Texas.

Mr. Archer's project was to reduce the cost of health insurance for the self-employed without sacrificing coverage for a major illness. Mr. Archer's brilliant idea was to eliminate the part of the traditional health plan that cost the most money. These expensive benefits include doctor visit "co-pays" and outpatient prescription drug "co-pays". Archer proposed to congress that if you eliminated these features from the health plan it was conceivable to cut your health premiums considerably. He was absolutely right!

Here is an Illinois example. A family of four with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois parents in the Chicago Area 40 years old with two children $2500 deductible individual deductible $7500 family deductible is $683 per month. That plan has co-pays, Rx coverage and an annual out of pocket maximum of $9000 ( 80% paid by insurance 20% paid by insured until they have spent $9000). That is significant because it is a high out of pocket maximum plus your premiums. And how often do you see a doctor in a given year?

Now let's look at the same situation, same carrier with an H.S.A plan. This we will choose a $5200 family deductible. This plan is 100% coverage after the deductible, so my out of pocket maximum is lower as well. It is better coverage for the big, more catastrophic things that can happen. This plans premium $473.

It costs this family $200 more per month for the privilege of having a co-pay and prescription coverage. Now, if you are on some significant medications, or go to the doctor twice per month, this type of plan might not be right, but I do not believe that most Americans do go to the doctor that frequently.

Then, if you choose too you can, the $200 per month savings and set up the "saving account" portion of the plan, in which, you can fund it like an IRA, in which money you put it tax deferred and goes out tax free if you use it for medical expenses. In two years, you would have $4800 saved in your account. That is almost enough to cover your entire deductible.

In 2012, the maximum you can put into the savings account is $3100 for an individual and $6250 for a family. If you are over age 55 you can put an additional $1000 per year into the account as a "catch up" contribution.

You can pull this money from your account, for qualified medical expenses if you should incur them through the year. Unlike the FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA) that many have had through their employment, the money you put into the account can carry over from year to year. So if you were to put $5000 in your account this year and you do not use any of it, you have $5000 to start next year. Remember, most or all of this money is money that you would have given to the insurance company for the privilege of having a "co-pay".

Why Supplemental Health Insurance May Be a Good Idea For Senior Citizens

Medicare is good insurance but it does not cover all the expenses if you are hospitalized or need to go to a doctor. It is better than many plans available and good by itself. However if you get health care you will probably have a portion of the bill left to pay after Medicare pays what it owes. There are two sides of Medicare which are labeled part A and part B. Part A pays the bills if you are hospitalized and part B handles any doctor office visits that you might have. While you will not have to pay much you will have to pay some if you do not have a supplemental plan.

These rates are current for 2012. If you are hospitalized on Medicare without a supplement, you will have to pay a deductible of $1,156 for the first 60 days in a hospital. You will owe $289/day for days 61-90 in a hospital, and $578/day for days 91-150. After that point you will be responsible for all expenses if you do not have a supplemental plan. For doctors visits you will be required to pay an annual deductible of $140/year until Medicare pays 80% of your bill. You will have to pay 20% of the doctor's bill without a limit if you do not have a supplement.

There are a couple of options for senior citizens to choose from. They can choose to go with a traditional supplement which will pay everything that Medicare does not pay. These plans will cost an extra amount each month and may not be affordable to some people. However if you have a medical expense you will not have to pay anything extra to either the doctor or the hospital. Essentially with this supplement you go anywhere you want to and don't pay a copayment, deductible, or a coinsurance amount. You focus on getting well and the insurance will take care of everything.

The other option for senior citizens is the Medicare Advantage type of programs. These programs are good because they include extra benefits and they do not cost any more than you currently pay for part B. With the Advantage plans you can go to doctors in a network and pay a copayment. The problem is that you do have to go to a network of doctors or you don't have any coverage. But for people on a tight budget this program can be good. It also includes the part D or prescription drug benefit at no extra charge.

What You Need To Know About Web Based HIPAA Training

All medical information of patients is processed and stored electronically and this confidential information needs to be safeguarded and protected. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures that such important information stays protected by having several safeguards in this regard. It strictly prohibits any unauthorized access and patient would need to give a written permission to covered entities to access their records. The heath care providers would not require any written permission from the patients if the purpose of accessing the records is for treatment.

Before the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed in 1996 there have been several instances when the information of patients had been used for commercial purposes. Employees of health care providers are most likely to have access to protected information and they would need to be trained on how to handle and safeguard this information.

Web Based HIPAA Training Procedure

* All aspects of privacy and security rules that have been specified by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act would need to be covered in these courses. Apart from this processing and storage of protected information of patients in the electronic medium (computers and other storage devices) should also be learned.

* The various changes that have taken place in HIPAA legislation should be adequately covered in the course. The course can also provide a brief history about Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and how it benefits patients and employees.

* There are various certification programs that are offered online and depending on the needs of the specific employee who will be accessing the records the courses can be chosen. The certification options that are available to employees include Certified HIPAA Professional, Certified HIPAA Security Specialist and Certified HIPAA Administrator.

* Depending on the level of certification and the duration of the course the cost could vary significantly. If the employee wants to gain specialized knowledge they would need to pay an extra fee. There are many universities and hospitals that are offering these certification programs through the online medium. They also provide free support during the duration of the course.

* The training material that will be required for the course can be downloaded easily from the website. The online programs can be completed as per the convenience of the individual in the comfort of their home. There are some universities and hospitals that also provide an instructor for the course and you will have to pay extra to avail of these services.

* After you have completed the online program you would be required to appear for an online examination that will test your skills and knowledge in understanding the various rules and regulations of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. After successful completion of the examination you will be awarded a certification.

There are very stringent penalties for not following the rules and regulations of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. You would be able to avoid these penalties if you are aware of the various provisions of the Act and the online programs will help you gain knowledge about HIPAA in an effective way.

The Various HIPAA Regulations For Laboratories

Laboratories are classified as covered entities as per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They would need to ensure that all protected information of the patients is stored and safeguarded in the best possible way. Laboratory assistants and other individuals who are working in laboratories would need to be trained in handling sensitive information of patients according to the guidelines specified by HIPAA.

The confidentiality of the test results will need to be maintained by all laboratories and they must take adequate safeguards to help protect it. All the staff working there must be aware of the various Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules and regulations pertaining to protected information of patients.

What Are The Top 4 Things You Need To Know About HIPAA Regulations For Laboratories?

1. Test results of the various treatment processes that are done by patients are the primary source of information that is available at laboratories. Apart from this there can also be information relating to insurance claims and visits to the physician's office. All this information can be stored electronically or on paper and it is important that only people who are authorized are able to access it easily.

2. There are various ways in which laboratories deliver the test results to other covered entities. This can include physicians, nurses, hospitals and clinics.When the test-results are delivered to the physician's office the laboratories usually trusts them and assumes that the doctor will have enough safeguards in place to ensure that the protected information is not misused. There is usually a lot of risk involved in delivering the results this way.

3. The other method in which the results of the patients are delivered involves acceptance of total responsibility by the laboratory. In this method the laboratory will assume total responsibility of delivering the results from one point to the other. This will ensure that the confidential results are safe and secure. The next method of delivering test results would involve sharing of responsibility between the laboratory and other health care providers (doctors and nurses).

4. The laboratory cannot be sharing the results with the patients too unless it has been specifically authorized to do so. The laboratories would be able to share the results only with physicians. It is also the responsibility of the laboratory staff to inform patients about their HIPAA rights so that they are aware about it.

There are various forms that the patient might be required to sign when they visit the laboratory for different tests. This will provide the laboratory with the requisite permission that it needs to access the results for the propose of treatment.

The patient can also request the laboratory for information pertaining to their results and if the state laws permit they should be provided with this information within a period of thirty days from the date on which the results were made. If the protected information is to be provided to any other health care provider it is important to take authorization from the patient.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Voluntary or Private Health Insurance?

We all want to live a healthy life and to remain healthy for as long as possible. Unfortunately there are only two sure things in life and to put it rather bluntly these are the tax man and death, we would just rather the latter be later in life than earlier.

Living a health life - national health insurance

The majority of people live a long, prosperous and healthy life, however some of us are not quite so lucky and fall victim to ill health, accidents and sometimes terminal illnesses. In countries which have national health services and insurances, private health insurance is always going to be viewed as a luxury item or 'nice to have'. The question is why should people take out an additional life insurance policy when they already pay in to their national health scheme?

There is no straight forward answer to this question, you have got to weigh up the pros and cons to decide whether or not you think a private health insurance plan is for you. Take seriously in to consideration the cost of such a plan, although private insurance does not cost the earth it certainly is not cheap especially if you have children and you want to include them on your policy.

Pros of taking out a private health insurance policy

One of the greatest benefits of having private health insurance is that depending on your plan you are not required to join a huge waiting list which, forgive my expression are sometimes be as long as a toilet roll. If you urgently require a life saving operation or you need to resolve a health problem which is causing you a lot of pain and discomfort, receiving urgent treatment can be the difference between life and death or living comfortably and living in pain and discomfort for a long period of time. A private health insurance policy usually means you will be admitted to a private hospital within a matter of days instead of months or even years in some cases, this can be life saving, at which point your decision to invest in private health insurance was a very wise one and well worth the investment.

Cons of taking out a private health insurance policy

Taking out a private health insurance policy usually comes down to cost. Paying a monthly premium for something which you may or may never use throughout your life can be difficult to justify and the thing which niggles you most is that you will never know whether or not you will need it or have to make a claim. A private health policy can cost you and your family thousands of pounds or dollars throughout your lifetime, this money could be put to other good use, especially considering that some of you may already pay in to a national health scheme, however do not let this article persuade you either way, you need to make your own decision.

Private insurance premiums also have a tendency to increase as you get older, this is because statistically as you get older you are more likely to need to make a claim so the older you get the more you pay.

Summary

In my personal opinion there are very few things in life more important than our health so there are few better investments than a good private health insurance plan that has been designed to maintain your health.

Provider Choice in International Medical Insurance

Private international medical insurance is hugely important for providers, particularly around the end of the year - those who do not provide this option are encouraged to read ahead and research this option further.

Why IPMI?

If you already represent a number of sectors, you might wonder how the addition IPMI could make any kind of impact on your existing numbers.

The IPMI market, especially in Asia, is one of the last growth areas for health insurance. With five out of the top 10 countries in the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2011 located in Asia, there is a clear signal that Asia continues to be a favoured location for IPMI's classic target audience. Many providers are now also able to offer cover to local nationals as well as expats, which widens the target base even further.

The products and regulatory framework are relatively simple, which means that it's a quick process to learn and get any of the necessary approvals.

Retention rates for this market remain high, with the market average around the mid-to-high 80% range, so customers are likely to stay once they've bought.

Commission rates start at around 15% for new business and are also payable on renewal, so a USD 100,000 book could earn USD 60,000 in four years.

Assessing your customer's needs

So with an existing book of customers to review, what's the best way to assess if your customers have a need and what kind of plan would fit the bill?

There are three simple steps to take:

Review any existing cover already in place It's likely that many of your clients will already have some kind of health insurance in place and it's important to start with an assessment of the current cover.

If your client has a local plan in place, a review of the annual maximum benefit limit, the sub-limits and any excess or deductible, against their current lifestyle and expectations is the best place to start.

Expat or local national?

Expat clients often have a clear need for IPMI because they want the option to return to their home country for treatment.

The most recent development within the IPMI customer base is the addition of local nationals to the mix. Many providers are now able to offer customers resident in selected locations the opportunity to buy. Assessing the demand for this segment is not as clear-cut, since the desire to seek treatment internationally is driven by more emotional needs such as wanting better quality care and more choice and control over treatment plans. A good way to start with this segment is reviewing any second homes or international business travel.

What kind of product?

There are three basic elements in assessing your clients' needs:

• Do they need access to out-patient care or is in/day-patient care sufficient? • Do they need access to routine and complex dental care? • Do they need access to routine maternity care?

It's worth noting that dental and maternity benefits are always subject to waiting periods before the benefits can be accessed. If you have a client on a similar plan however, they may be transferred onto a new plan with no break in cover and all waiting periods removed.

Budget

Of course, your client can tell you that they need top-end out-patient, dental and maternity benefits but if the premium is out of their range, there are a number of things you can do to maintain the levels of cover without breaking the bank.

Many providers provide a wide range of excesses on plans to reduce the premium. These can be anything from zero to USD 15,000 or more.

There are also co-insurance options, where clients pay a portion of costs with the insurance provider, which can also provide significant cost savings.

Some providers also offer significant discounts if they are prepared to seek treatment in a semi-private hospital room as opposed to a private one.

Choosing a provider

So once a full assessment of the client's needs has been completed, who are the best providers in the market and what's the best way to choose them.

Making sure that you ask the right questions is key. Common complaints in this market are mostly claim-related. The time it takes to reimburse claims, the instance of declined claims, getting underwritten at the point of claim, are some of the most common.

A checklist for finding the right provider could be:

- Are they a big insurer with an international division or a specialist? - What are the maximum limits on their plans, especially the sub limits? - How do they underwrite customers? Full medical underwriting or moratorium? - What are their turnaround times? i.e. how quickly do they pay claims and make decisions? - What claim tracking tools do they have in place? - How extensive is their medical provider list? - Do they manage claims from one location or are there on-the-ground experts?

Massive opportunity

What is true about the IPMI market is that it is one of the last insurance segments that can demonstrate continued and sustained growth with solid retention rates and margin-rich commission levels.

You could make important gains with IPMI with relatively little effort - why wait?

Lack of Florida Health Insurance Is A Growing Problem For Workers

According to the most recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau, a quarter of Florida's working adults didn't have health insurance in 2010. That was true even among those with full-time jobs. Out of all 50 states, Florida was ranked as 49th for the percentage of workers with employer-funded FL health insurance.

By 2014, Florida health plans should be available through the state exchange. Those plans are also expected to be less expensive than many of the options available today. Until then, Floridians have to do their own comparison-shopping to find low-cost coverage.

Get The Scoop On Florida Health Insurance

The first rule of health insurance shopping is to learn how different types of policies work. You can't find the least expensive option by comparing "apples to oranges." There are limited coverage plans, but these can expose you to major medical out-of-pocket costs.

The next least expensive option is called catastrophic coverage. These plans typically have high deductibles. That means you have to spend the amount of the deductible on your own health care before coverage begins. Once Florida conforms to the health care reform law, even these plans will provide preventive health care before you have met the deductible. The Affordable Care Act requires all plans to provide recommended health care that's been linked to helping people stay well and/or catching problems early when they are most treatable.

Right now, certain high-deductible Florida health plans allow you to start a Health Savings Account (HSA) that comes with tax advantages. With an HSA plan, you get to deduct the money you place in your savings account from your annual taxable income, even if you don't itemize. High-deductible plans typically have some of the lowest premiums, and when you combine that with paying less in taxes, the savings can be significant.

Are Co-pay Plans Less Expensive Than High-deductible Plans?

There are also co-pay plans, which sound like a good investment on the surface. Co-pay plans sometimes also incorporate deductibles, but you typically have to pay a pre-determined amount (your co-pay) to see a doctor or fill a prescription. The Florida health insurance coverage picks up the rest. This type of coverage can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The catch is that the premiums are among the highest. Many people who don't need to see a doctor often actually come out ahead with high-deductible plans.

Now that employers are dropping health insurance as a benefit, or passing more out-of-pocket costs back to those employees who still have health benefits, group coverage may not be the least costly way to get health insurance. Individual health coverage for Florida often has less expensive premiums than group options.

Comparison-shopping Is The Key To Finding The Best Value

Regardless of which form of FL health plan will best serve your needs, comparing plans from several different leading Florida health insurance companies is the only way to be sure you've found the lowest rate. Insurers do charge very different rates for plans that offer similar benefits. Independent brokers who can help you compare what different companies are offering can be a great time-saver because there are literally hundreds of choices.

The Demise of the CLASS Act and the Need for Long Term Care

The CLASS act (Community Living Assistance Services and Support) was another poorly designed and grossly inadequate government program. As a part of the Health Care Reform Act, it was to pay you a paltry lifetime benefit of about $50 per day when you became elderly or disabled and needed long term care. But, to receive this benefit in the future, it would have been necessary for you to voluntarily allow your employer take an undetermined amount out of your regular paycheck along with the Social Security, Medicare, and Income taxes that's already being withheld. It is good that the CLASS act no longer exist. May it rest in peace.

Still, with the elderly being the most rapidly growing segment of our population, it once again elevates the need for Long Term Care insurance (LTCi). This type of insurance begins when your doctor certifies that you are unable to perform at least two of the six activities of daily living without assistance and that this disability is expected to last at least 90 days. These activities include:

Eating Toileting Transferring Bathing Dressing Continence

For you and your family, the amount of benefits per day, the waiting period, and the length of the benefits becomes essential information. As an example, you can choose a daily benefit of $200 per day, a waiting period of 60 days, and benefits to last for a lifetime. The age in which you apply, your state of health, and the above essentially determine the premium that you will have to pay.

Although the cost of long-term care may vary from state to state, across the country the cost of long term care, specifically assisted living and nursing home care, can easily exceed $50,000 a year. Recently in Illinois, an Assisted Living Facility (private, one bedroom) costs $41,880 and Nursing Home Care (private room) $63,875 or a (semi-private room) $54,750. Check out these costs in your state.

It is clear this that for most families it would be financially devastating to have to personally pay the cost of a family member's long term care in one of these types of facilities. The family may try to care for the beloved member at home, but often, for variety of reasons, it just can't be done.

The end of the CLASS Act once again leaves LTCi as the only way to get the benefits you need if you become elderly and disabled or just disabled. As a conscientious family member, you do not want to become a burden of other family members when it can be prevented. After all fitting it into a financial plan may just require some forethought and sincerity.

What Are The HIPAA Guidelines That You Need To Be Aware Of?

Health care providers would need to follow guidelines that have been stipulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Patient health information that is protected would need to be accessed and stored by authorized and trained individuals only. It would be advisable to have a checklist that will ensure that all the guidelines of HIPAA are complied with.

Individuals and organizations that are classified as covered entities as per HIPAA would need to have various processes and safeguards in place to ensure that the protected information of patients is safe.

Top 6 HIPAA Guidelines That Need To Be Followed

Organizations that will have access to confidential information of patients will need to have a process in place that will ensure that they are HIPAA compliant. Most organizations appoint a compliance officer who will incorporate the necessary changes that will be needed to store and safeguard the protected information. Employees who would be handling the sensitive medical information of patients would need to be aware of the privacy and security rules of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. There can be an ongoing training program process implemented in the organization so that the employees are aware of any new changes that take place in HIPAA. There are various online training programs that can be used for this purpose. Apart from this employees must also be aware of the penalties that are imposed for non compliance of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. There can be civil and criminal penalties imposed on the employees and the organization depending on the nature and extent of the violation. The most basic guidelines of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act specify that access to the patients records can only be authorized by the patients or anyone else approved by them. Authorizations can be given for a specific purpose and on fulfillment of that purpose, it will expire. If the employees need to access the protected information again they would need a fresh authorization from the patient. Any individual who will be gathering, storing and destroying records of patients would need to be aware of the various provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act so that all proper safeguards are followed and there is no misuse of this confidential information. As the protected information would be stored electronically, it is important that there are enough security measures like password protection and firewalls to stop unauthorized access. There are various mediums through which the information can be stored and accessed and electronic safeguards will ensure that the health information is handled in a safe way.

The compliance officer must also identify areas of risk and this will help to have counter measures in place. There can also be audits conducted at regular intervals and this will ensure that all the provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are followed. The audit can be done internally by the health care providers and this will help them check all the processes that are in place for HIPAA compliance.

What Are The Various Technical Requirements Of HIPAA?

As most of the protected information of patients is stored electronically the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has stipulated that all technical requirements pertaining to safeguarding the information needs to be complied with. There have been tremendous technological advancements in the way patient records are stored and safeguarded and there should be checks and counter checks in place to ensure that this information is not misused.

Top 6 Technical Requirements Of HIPAA

1. The protected information of patients must only be accessed by authorized individuals and it must be protected using passwords. If there is more than one employee who will be accessing the records of patients they would need to be provided with unique individual passwords.

2. The records of patients would be accessed for specific purposes by employees and it would be advisable to identify the various situations in which access would be required. The computer monitors where the information is being accessed should be positioned in such a way that the screen is not visible to others.

3. When the confidential information is transmitted using emails, fax, Internet or Intranet, it is important to ensure that all safety procedures are followed. The various processes that are in place must ensure that the transmission is safe and secure.

4. There are various Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act security guidelines that need to be complied with. This will ensure that the data is not compromised and its integrity is maintained. There can be many human errors that could put this important piece of information at risk and when you have proper security processes in place, it will help in safeguarding it better.

5. If anyone tries to access the information without proper authorization there should be enough safeguards in place that will help in sending an alert to the compliance officer or anyone else who is authorized to check it. If the screen is inactive for a specified period of time, it must again request a password to log in. This will ensure that only individuals who are authorized will be able to access it.

6. There can also be various encryption tools used for the purpose of safeguarding the confidential information of patients. The encrypted data can only be accessed by individuals who will have passwords for decrypting it. So even if an unauthorized person has managed to access the information they would not be able to read it.

All these simple measures will ensure that the confidential patient information is safeguarded and protected. Apart from storing and accessing the protected information the authorized employees would also be required to destroy records in a phased manner. All the electronic records would need to be destroyed in a proper way so that no one is able to access and misuse them.

The policies that need to be implemented by the health care providers in their organizations would need to comply with all the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. There should also be anti-virus software installed in all the computers to help safeguard the protected information of patients.

What Are The HIPAA Compliance Rules For Employers

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed as a federal law in 1996 and it was basically to facilitate protection of confidential information of patients. It will greatly help reduce the administrative costs in the health care industry. The HIPAA rules will need to be strictly adhered to by all employers who provide group insurance to their employees.

Organizations that are part of the health care industry will need to first ascertain whether they are part of the covered entities that have been specified by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. If an organization is part of the covered entities that have been specified by HIPAA they would need to provide adequate training to all employees who will be handling the protected information of patients.

Top 4 HIPAA Compliance Rules For Employers

1. All employees who will be accessing the protected information of patients will need to be trained so that any misuse of information is prevented. There should be an ongoing training program for employees that will help them stay up to date with the various rules and procedures of HIPAA.

2. The employers are not permitted to discriminate against any employee if they have a pre existing medical condition. As per the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act all employees and their family members will be entitled to health insurance as assured by the employer.

3. A privacy policy notice should be issued to all participants of the health insurance plan. If any changes are made to the policies and procedures a separate notification in this regard should also be sent so that everyone is aware of the changes.

4. The protected information of patients would need to be safeguarded as per the security rules of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Access should be restricted only to authorized people and all computers and other storage devices should be password protected to help prevent any unauthorized access.

When all the rule and procedures of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act would be strictly adhered to it will help prevent frauds and abuse of protected information in the health care industry. As all the information is processed and stored electronically it will help improve the efficiency of storing these records.

If a covered entity wants to be HIPAA compliant and avoid any sort of penalties it would need to follow all the standards and regulations that have been specified by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

All the health care providers that have been specified as covered entities would need to have internal controls and policies that will help keep a check on any violation. It is important that the policies and procedures are checked at regular intervals. This will help keep track of any new policies and procedures that are been implemented and employees can be trained adequately in all these new policies and procedures. The primary goal of the employer should be to help prevent any misuse of protected information and provide health insurance of all employees who are covered by the group health insurance.

How to Find an Affordable Health Insurance Quote

When you are considering health insurance policies, whether you are a single individual, or for an entire family, choosing the right insurance company will ensure that you find the best policy, and the lowest prices on your quote. When you are considering various insurance companies, the only way for you to save on the policy price, is to take the time to get a health insurance quote from all insurance companies that you are interested in obtaining a policy from. As an uninsured individual, you will find that the more quotes you obtain during the process, and the more company policies you compare, the better the insurance coverage, and the lower the prices are going to be as well.

It is possible for one to find affordable insurance. But, the uninsured has to be willing to take the time to get a health insurance quote from various insurers, in order to ensure that they are getting the best rates on the policy coverage. In many cases, you will find that you can find a great price disparity from one company to the next, for the slightest change in the policy. Depending on the levels of coverage you are seeking, the amount you are going to pay on the policy will also vary. So, when you are deciding whether you need insurance for yourself, a family, or just you and a spouse, the health insurance quote you obtain is going to give you the policy coverage price, and what is covered under that quoted price.

When you are trying to obtain multiple quotes at once, in order to save time in the quote generating process, the best way to do so is to turn to the internet. There are dozens of sites that you can use, in order to run a health insurance quote, via several insurance companies. You will fill out a basic questionnaire about the coverage you need, age, medical history (brief), and how many people are being insured under the policy. On this form, you will be able to choose the companies that you are interested in obtaining a health insurance quote from, and in turn, these companies will contact you with the information that you are seeking. They will be able to call you via the phone number you enter on the form, and will contact you (typically in 24 to 72 hours), giving you different policies, and different prices on insurance premiums.

For those who do not have insurance, if you are looking to get the best policy, the highest levels of coverage, and are looking to save money, the only way to ensure you get all of these things, is to take the time going through the health insurance quote process. The more time you compare rates, policies, and insurance providers, the more money you are going to save, and the better the coverage options you are going to find. So, taking the time to get the quotes, will ensure you find the coverage, and the savings that you seek.

Average Cost of Health Insurance

The cost of health insurance varies depending on your benefits and your situation. If you get an insurance plan through your employer, your employer will usually pay for the entire cost of your medical benefits. This is the best way to get coverage and how the American health care system is set up. The employers get a tax break and everyone employed gets coverage regardless of their health history. Sometimes small employers will only pay a portion of the monthly premium. But they will always be required to pay a portion of the employees insurance premium. They may pay for coverage for the entire family. However, they may offer to the entire family without paying for the costs of the insurance. Sometimes adding dependents can be as much as 200 - 400 dollars per dependent. If you have health issues, this is probably going to be the best option. However if your spouse and children are healthy, you may be able to find a less expensive plan on the individual and family insurance market.

The individual and family health insurance market is for people who don't get insurance through an employer. This market is currently underwritten so if you have health conditions, you may not be eligible for coverage at any price in this market. There are government high risk pools that are available for people who might fall through the cracks in the system. The individual and family medical insurance plans are typically 100 - 300 dollars each month depending on age and benefits. The older you get the more expensive it is. The more benefits you get the more expensive it is too. High Risk Pools for people who do not qualify for individual and family medical insurance plans are typically capped at 200% of what the price of insurance for a healthy individual would cost. If you qualify this is a good option.

If you want the most affordable type of plan you will need to eliminate some of the benefits such as co payments for prescriptions and doctor visits. Short term health insurance plans are the most affordable medical plans because all new illnesses or injuries are covered subject to a deductible and co insurance. You have to qualify but there is a brief medical history survey. Generally you have to answer yes or no to a health question. If you answer that you do not have the health issues then you automatically get cards for coverage as early as midnight. The best plan for you depends on your situation. If you have questions, research online or call a local insurance agent.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

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