Girl to Get Heart Surgery After Insurance Denial

A California couple is celebrating today after winning a battle over insurance coverage for their toddler’s heart surgery. Briggette and Johan Schilling’s 14-month-old daughter, Aria, was born with a hole in her heart and a deformed valve. The girl was scheduled to have open-heart surgery Oct. 11 at Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland. But Western Health Advantage, the family’s insurance provider, denied coverage for the surgery since the hospital and cardiologist were out of network.

Read more about the Schilling’s battle for their daughter’s heart surgery.

Briggette Schilling said she was shocked by the last-minute denial since Aria’s case manager, assigned to her by Western Health Advantage, knew she was being tested at the Oakland hospital and never mentioned that it was out of network. “I said, ‘I don’t think you realize who I am or how I am, and I will fight this ’til the end,’” Briggette Schilling told ABC affiliate KXTV.

The Schillings tried to appeal the insurance company’s decision but were denied. So they took their case to California’s Department of Managed Health Care, KXTV reported, and found out Friday that an independent review panel took their side and overturned the denial. “It was surreal,” Johan Schilling told KXTV of the moment he heard the news. “I actually had to pull off on the side of the freeway, and I was crying because it was a tremendous sense of relief.”

Read about a baby born with her heart outside her chest.

A surgery date has yet to be set, KXTV reported. But Aria is expected to have several weeks of recovery after the operation, and she might even need additional procedures. For now though, her parents are glad the insurance battle is over. “It was a tough road, a long, tough road,” Briggette Schilling told KXTV. ”But it made me realize that we shouldn’t have stopped.”

Melinda Krigel, a spokeswoman for Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, confirmed that the insurance company had denied the procedure the week before the surgery was scheduled. Krigel said that Aria’s cardiologist, Dr. Alok Bose, worked with the hospital to offer an in-network price for Western Health Advantage for the surgery, but that the insurance company still wanted the family to take Aria to an in-network specialist.

View the original article here

Health Insurance CompuCram Exam Prep Software Version

CD is in perfect condition. Still in the case and the case is still wrapped with plastic. Purchased it and just never used it. See other items that were perchased at the same time: Prop & Casualty CD 978-1-59844-117-4 OH Prop & Casualty Book 978-1-59844-196-3 OH Life & Health Book 978-1-59844-191-8 Buy at the same time and save on shipping.

Price: $ 35

Click here to buy from Amazon

Licensed Insurance Agent Kent Pike see’s massive growth in 2012. Sets stage for even more in 2013.

Kent Pike Licensed Insurance Agent and Sales Leader with Insphere Insurance Solutions announced today that he has hired the talents of Mariana Ortega as Executive Assistant. Mariana comes to Kent Pike’s office with administrative experience, involvement in legal and government translating and is translator for many insurance carriers in North Carolina.

“I am pleased to have Mariana join my office; she brings excitement and enthusiasm to help people. Being bilingual is another advantage, as the Hispanic population in North Carolina has been under served” said Pike.

“The Hispanic population is underserved in the insurance market, being bilingual will enable Kent to market to the Hispanic population and help them understand the products and benefit options available to them. This will allow them to make an informed decision about their insurance coverage” said Ortega.

Insphere Insurance Solutions is a distribution company that specializes in meeting the life, health, Medicare, long-term care and retirement insurance needs of small business and middle-income individual and families through its portfolio of products from nationally recognized insurance carriers.

Kent Pike or Mariana can be reached at 704-437-4038 or by email at kpike@insphereis.com you can also visit Kent on his website at www.insphereis.com/kpike or like his Facebook page for the latest Health Care Information.

View the original article here

How to save money on health insurance?

Health insurance plans are available with several health benefits for the insured person. But if you choose a plan without reviewing the terms, coverage and premium cost then you may find it costly. You might be end up by paying more. So it is important to shop carefully to get maximum health coverage at minimum spending costs. Here, you that wants to get some tips will help you to get affordable health care at low premium.

• Choose larger out of pocket expenses: majority of companies offers low-premium health insurance plan for those who agree to make larger out of pocket expenses. If you have good health situation and there is low chances of falling ill on frequent basis then this option can be useful for you. You can chose to pay more on yearly deductable and copayments for services and prescriptions. This is sensitive choice.
• Compare private health insurance plans: getting health care coverage from private insurance coverage can be better deal even for those who are already secured with employer's health security plan. Company's health insurance plan may not be the best deal in every situation as cost of premiums are increasing day by day and company is contributing more cost towards the health cost.
• Employer health insurance (http://www.privatehealthinsurance247.co.uk/) options should be reviewed each year: If you and your partner both are eligible to get company's health insurance benefit then better to review the plan of both companies to see which is offering better coverage. If one's company is offering better coverage then it is sensible to switch another one to that company.
• Carefully review COBRA Law to get health benefit from your company: If you are eligible to get private health insurance benefit from your company according to COBRA law then apply for the same. But remember that it can be expensive in certain situations to enroll into the same only if you can afford the deal and beneficial for your health.

These are some important tips that will help to find a fair deal. At the end of the plan, it is so important to take care of your health to avoid viral infections. Be careful while driving and follow the driving rules to avoid accidents.

View the original article here

iPMI Magazine In Major Health and Medical Insurance Broker and Intermediary Recruitment Drive

International Private Medical Insurance (iPMI) is a Free Online Information Service Provided by Leading Health Insurance Magazine International Private Medical Insurance Magazine (iPMIM). International Private Medical Insurance brings Underwriters, Providers, Brokers, Intermediaries and End Users Together, Under 1 Roof. Working Hand-in-Hand with iPMI Magazine, International Private Medical Insurance aims to provide the latest and most up-to-speed product and solution information available, for leading health, medical and travel insurance brands.

The Aim of International Private Medical Insurance (iPMI) is to Provide Worldwide Health, Medical and Travel Insurance Underwriters, Brokers and Intermediaries, a Dedicated and Comprehensive Online Platform to Share Information, Best Practice and Industry Trends and News. International Private Medical Insurance Provides Underwriters and Brokers the Opportunity to Network Virtually and Provide all the Correct Information Required, to Manage a Health, Medical, and Travel Insurance Business.

For Medical and Health Insurance Brokers and Intermediaries

The Great Worldwide Health and Medical Insurance Broker Search, a Marketing Campaign by iPMIM, Will Capture More of the Market and Deliver More Introductions for Those Involved. As an Independent Authority, International Private Medical Insurance Will Provide Everything a Health Insurance Broker and Intermediary May Need, to Manage Their Health and Medical Insurance Broker Business Worldwide.

For Insurance Companies

For Health, Medical and Travel Insurance Brokers Seeking To Expand Their International Health Insurance Broker and Intermediary Network, International Private Medical Insurance Provides A Professional Suite of Online Applications and Tools To Increase and Accelerate the Development of your Company's Worldwide Reach, and Network.

Click here to express interest: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Expatriate-Health-Medical-...

View the original article here

Life insurance NZ brokers offers advice on health and health insurance

You can handle financially, if you a health problem and not for a certain time work while waiting for medical treatment? In today's ever-changing world, more and more are health insurance and life insurance will find very valuable investment. NZ life insurance broker is an independent New Zealand
Insurance broker offers advice on any kind of insurance.

Visit us @ http://www.insurancehelpline.co.nz

Everyone at some time in their lives, a often many cases need a kind of medical treatment. Ongoing health issues can interfere with your financial and physical well-being. Being able to get medical attention, if it is needed can help to prevent that further complications and minimize the impact on your career and lifestyle. If medical care is required, ideally the patient can focus on getting better, rather than to ask whether he or she has sufficient resources to pay all bills. Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs for an insured person depending on the type of health insurance medical and surgical costs.

Health insurance - provides for you if you are not good! Each person different circumstances and health to the next, so that personal advice is the key that you have the best possible plan. On the whole, there are two types of health insurance. For hospital and specialist is only to cover. This plan includes usually large medical expenses but not everyday health costs cover. Overall plan is for a wider range of coverage. This plan includes the most important medical costs plus everyday healthcare costs such as doctor visits, recipes, dental and optometry. Health insurance can compare to cover your costs in two ways. One possibility is to give a long list of various medical treatments and procedures and each assign a value to. The value is the maximum pay for the plan. The other option is to give a total, the plan numbers.

Benefits, health insurance/ medical insurance,.

·         faster access to treatment by avoiding public hospital wait

·         provides access to private treatment

·         reduces the financial burden

Medical insurance industry is increasingly playing an important role in the critical and chronic disease management and health of patients take positive conclusions. Critical diseases plan pays a single lump sum a financial boost to give if you are diagnosed with a qualified critical illness event.

For more information: Http://www.insurancehelpline.co.nz

Take care of your family and make your life in the present to. Life is for life, so that you do not want that to spend it is thoughts on what is happening on your love after you're gone. For the people, the left on the rear of the unexpected death of a family member can mean financial hardship. Life insurance NZ Broker pays a lump sum in the unfortunate event of death of the insured person. Insurance helpline introduces online life insurance NZ broker with its always low premiums, helping to find best life insurance NZ quotes. As the largest life insurance NZ, broker has insurance helpline the ability to negotiate with insurance companies for policies and benefits that are unique to customers.

View the original article here

Lower Health Insurance Coverage for Young Retirees

The Employer Benefit Research Institute has released latest evidences which show the reality of retiree health benefits and its present state. Many workers still dream about early retirement but it is not that employers also share the same. Employees are not getting efficient benefit on early retirement and it reveals about research work.

The results revealed on such issued are mixed of bad and worst news. According to reports revealed by a non profit company in Washington D.C. only 17.7% of employees worked for a private-sector business in 2010 that offered health insurance (http://www.privatehealthinsurance247.co.uk/) coverage to early retirees. The report is showing downturn in the sector with almost 29% in 1997. In the same vein, in 2010 15.9% of employees were engaged in a business that offered health coverage to Medicare-eligible retirees, which was recorded as 25.4% in 1997.

What is the worse news?

There are very few companies are still offering retiree health benefits and such companies are raising cost of premiums with reduced coverage and tough eligibility criteria. When employers were asked about the steps they might take in 2013 with regard to retiree health benefits then 43% of surveyed employers who offered such benefits replied that very likely they will increase retirees’ portion of premiums and 35% said they are somewhat likely to increase it. Only 21% of surveyed employers said they are very likely to increase cost sharing in 2013, and 32% said they are somewhat likely to do so.

EBRI’s findings released that workers are accepting the modern change in retiree health benefit trend and any cause for optimism in EBRI’s findings are about their prospects. Almost half of workers (45%) in 1997 workers expected retiree health benefits, while only 27% of early retirees were offered health benefits and 20% of Medicare-eligible retirees actually had such coverage. The figures have changed dramatically in 2010; about 32% workers were expecting retiree health benefits while just 25% of early retirees and 16% of Medicare-eligible retirees actually had benefits.

Past records have strengthened the new figures in 2012. The availability of such exchanges were not surprising in 2012 where Health survey reports by Towers Watson/National Business group has revealed that many employers to exit sponsorship of retiree medical insurance programs.

View the original article here

Report insurance fraud, to meet your loss

Report insurance fraud to your Loss.PRLog (press release) - 17October 2012 - health insurance fraud is not a foreign Word. Several times, the reports with such scams and fraud to get notifications. If a person uses someone else only to the value of coverage, and support services to increase personal and health information, then comes under scam or medical insurance fraud. Insurance fraud has also noticed increasing in sales of non-existent insurance policies or fake medical tests to reach. Such fraud results in millions of unpaid debts every year. There are several ways to report such scams.

Instructions for this kind of fraud in the correct way to report:

• Contact health insurance provider company to find report filing forms. Majority of companies offer such forms on the parent site.
• Explain in detail was you about the kind of health insurance, that has taken place. It may be related with the payment of services that were not performed or suspicion on some policyholders with an expired health card or registration for unnecessary tests.
• If you suspect someone that puts health claims with fraud under your insurance policy then, call the number in the health insurance card.

• Keep copy of all medical claims, such as invoices, test results, prescription records and other statements. These things are required as evidence in the report.
• Find insurance control Office in your state. Each State has to make their own arrangements for private health insurance fraud. This will make your reports to restructure. Here you can find information online for public offices.
• Office of Inspector General for Medicare fraud it is also health care fraud claim restructure. You can register there after the call to assess and to find out whether your claim in proper jurisdiction falls.

Health insurance fraud prevention:

• During the provision of your personal data, make sure that you talk to an official doctor. Keep our data secure to and to avoid, share, with summaries, etc. or who come.
• Visit the BBB (better Business Bureau), to obtain information and resources for current health insurance (http://www.privatehealthinsurance247.co.uk/) activity. You should be careful about prescription drug of scams.
These are some important things to keep in mind to avoid insurance scams.


View the original article here

Private Medical Insurance Magazine Launches New Press Kit

Private Medical Insurance and Expatriate Healthcare News iPMI Magazine.
As Obama is voted in for the 2nd time, as the President of the United States, International Private Medical Insurance Magazine http://ipmimagazine.com/ is pleased to announce the release of the V3 iPMIM Press Kit.

Produced hand-in-hand with our clients from the private medical insurance market, the iPMI Magazine Press Kit provides detailed information on readership, advertising ops, marketing formats and more.

Get all the latest readership and traffic statistics for iPMI Magazine. iPMIM is ranked and respected by leading worldwide payors, patients and providers and is a definitive source of Expat, Travel and Health Insurance and Assistance News.

The iPMI Magazine Private Medical Insurance Press Kit is available to download now, click here http://ipmimagazine.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view...

iPMIM Press Kit Features.

iPMIM is the Leading Expatriate Insurance & Assistance Magazine

Daily Content = Daily Readers
30,000+ Readers October 2012
40,000+ Reader Email Address’ Captured
1 Website = All the Industry News Under 1 Roof
Anyone with a Net Connection May Access iPMIM
Free Access to Info with a Few Clicks
Detailed news covering all aspects of international healthcare
The Only DAILY News Platform for International Healthcare
Dedicated and Respected Following
Established since June 2011
Over 80 Worldwide Clients
Readers Reached via Linkedin and Twitter, and Email Blasts
Readers Return by Habit

Content is king and allows you to advertise your company, to your customers, alongside the most relevant, up-to-speed industry content. Readers keep returning  based on regular updates that they may receive via Email Newsletter, a LinkedIn group, Twitter or Google Search. As an established and trusted media, iPMI Magazine readers also return based on habbit. They do not wish to visit 500 websites when they may visit 1. The entire process makes iPMI Magazine one of a kind and the only worldwide platform delivering the best information and market data.

“...In just 1 year iPMI Magazine has generated over 70 new contacts and connections for Medic Assistance International. We have leads from all over the world including Australia, Greece, Seychelles, UK, Canada, France, UAE, Saudi, Libya, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Germany, Russia, Brazil, India, Indonesia and more! ...” Dr. Siddick Maudarbocus CEO Medic Assistance International

-Latest Health Insurance Headlines @ International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-Integra Global Renews Advertising and Marketing Deal with International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-Morgan Price Renews Advertising and Marketing Deal with International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-ALC Health Renews Advertising and Marketing Deal with International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-SJA International Renews Advertising and Marketing Deal with International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-Expatriate Healthcare Renews Advertising and Marketing Deal with International Private Medical Insurance Magazine
-European Air Ambulance Officially Joins Air Ambulance Directory

Explore the iPMI Magazine Press Kit

STATS: Get all the traffic stats and latest reader info on iPMIM
FORMATS: Explore the varied media formats  available @ iPMIM
COUNTRIES: Discover the Geographics of the iPMIM audience
SPONSORS: Learn why and how the industry is working with iPMIM
RATE CARD: Find a suitable rate and marketing program

Our contributors help drive the direction, expansion and content of iPMIM; by delivering a wealth of health, travel, air ambulance, medical and expatriate insurance industry information and knowledge.

Mr. Patrick Leeroy CEO Aria Assistance
Mr. Rupert Dent CEO AirMed
Mr Karsten Steffgan Marketing Manager Globality Health
Mr. Adriano Rocha, Director, You Are Global
Mrs. Alison Massey Marketing Director Now Health
Mr. Andrew Apps Director ALC Health
Mr. Andrew Wilson Independent iPMI Professional
Mr. Angelo Masciantonio CEO HTH Worldwide
Mr. Brian Piper Head BD Integra Global
Mr. Carl Carter MD IMG Europe
Mr. Christopher Percival Director HealthCare International
Mr. Frank Reuter Director REUTER Consulting
Mr. Hamish Millar Director 108 Medical Harley St
Mr. Hans Biekmann CEO Marm Assistance
Mr. James Simpson Director TMCC
Mr. Jon Carpenter MD Morgan Price
Mr. Philip Catterton MD Integra Global
Dr. Premhar Shah CEO The Medical Tourist Company
Dr. Remon Farouk, CEO Egypt In-Touch Assistance
Mrs. Sarah Jewell MD ALC Health
Mr. Steve Nelson Sales Manager April Medibroker
Mr. Chris Connor Director LifeFlight International

iPMI Magazine Readership by Industry.

Due to the complex service based nature of the cross border healthcare business the readership and reach of iPMIM is constantly growing, developing and evolving.  iPMIM targets a worldwide audience of cross border healthcare  buyers and executive decision makers.

Air Ambulance
Assistance
Aviation
Automotive
Banking and Finance
Brokers
Construction
Cost Containment
Defence & Security
Education
Embassies
Emergency Services
Energy
Funeral Directors
Government
Hospitals
Hospitality
Insurance
Law and Legal
Maritime & Shipping
Media & PR
Medical Transport Providers
Medical Tourism
Military & Armed Forces
Mining
NGO’s
Oil and Gas
Power
Retail
Student Travel Providers
Telecoms
TPA
Technology
Translation Providers
Travel Agents
Travel & Tourism
Wastewater

If you are planning your marketing budget and strategy for 2013, log on to Leading Health Insurance Magazine iPMI Magazine, to download the most recent press kit.

About Private Medical Insurance Magazine

International Private Medical Insurance Magazine (iPMIM) is the ultimate Private Medical Insurance online platform and health insurance magazine, serving expatriate, corporate, health and travel insurance markets. Due to the nomadic nature of the international healthcare industry iPMI Magazine is an internet based news service for worldwide healthcare professionals, who need to understand the impacts of healthcare and insurance policy, regulatory, and legislative developments.

iPMI Magazine is the leading international industry voice, of the international travel,health, expat,assistance and private medical insurance market.

iPMI Magazine details private medical insurance providers; the advantages and disadvantages of private medical insurance; international private medical insurance Vs travel insurance; private medical insurance comparison; iPMI Magazine acts as a worldwide guide to private medical insurance, with the most up-to-date news and views from leading providers of private medical insurance plans, including private medical insurance companies like Aviva, Cigna, AXA PPP, HTH Worldwide, ARIA Assistance, ALC Healthcare, Morgan Price International Healthcare, APRIL Medibroker, Integra Global, SJA International, Expatriate Insurance Services, Expatriate Healthcare, Strategic Insurance Services and Strategic Insurance Services.

International Private Medical Insurance Magazine covers many topics on a daily basis and delivers a wealth of information and articles about private medical insurance including medical insurance for pre existing conditions, travel medical insurance, private medical insurance from a canadian insurance company, aviva private medical insurance and private medical insurance for pregnancy. IPMI Magazine: A Definitive Online Guide to Private Medical and Health Insurance.



View the original article here

Rising Interest in Health Insurance in the Under 40s

ActiveQuote analysed 84,801 people who had found health insurance quotes online at www.activequote.com between January 2010 and November 2012. Their figures show that since January 2010 there has been a 22% rise in people under the age of 40 enquiring about the product.
In 2010, 29% of people getting health insurance quotes were aged below 40. However, this figure had increased to 43% by 2011, and 51% by 2012.

Dr Richard Theo, Managing Director of ActiveQuote, believes there are a number of reasons why younger people are showing more of an interest in health insurance.He said: “Over the past year the NHS has come under heavy scrutiny from the media. It is possible that the press is raising awareness of the benefits of having private medical cover among people who may not have considered it before.”

ActiveQuote found that people in their late twenties showed the biggest rise in interest in the product. In 2010, people aged 25 to 29 made up just 6% of health insurance enquiries online. By 2012, the figure had more than doubled to 13%.

Dr Theo pointed out that people of this age are more likely to use an online comparison website like ActiveQuote to find an insurance policy. He said: “Whilst the traditional method of buying medical insurance is to speak to an insurer direct or talk to an IFA, younger people prefer to compare insurance quotes online to find the right policy at the best price.”

ActiveQuote's research also showed a wide disparity between average health insurance premiums in different areas of the UK.

Looking at 4,911 people who bought a private health insurance policy between January 2010 and August 2012, they found that health insurance premiums are generally highest in the North West of England, and lowest in Scotland.

Wigan has the highest average annual premium at £1,450 a year, closely followed by Stockport at £1,390 and Blackburn at £1,309. In contrast, Perth has the lowest average annual premium at £665 a year, followed by Aberdeen at £604 a year and Dundee at £609 a year.

Dr Theo believes this data shows the importance of shopping around for medical insurance. He said: “Insurers look at claims statistics in the local area when calculating premiums, which means that where you live may affect the cost of your health insurance.

“However, this does not mean you will be unable to find a policy within your budget. There are a number of ways you can lower your premiums without sacrificing on cover, and using a comparison website or an insurance broker is a great way to do this.”

View the original article here

Short term health insurance: what are the basics?

In the short term health insurance plans are designed to make available to the health safety for a short time. This insurance is available for individuals, groups, family, children and couples. If you have no basic health plan helps to provide affordable health benefits. According to the plan that you access to up to $5 million individual coverage can. It is for a short time, and most of the plan will end in one to six months, but the plan for a maximum 36 months extend.

However, the collection demand interval depends on the State regulations. You should answer else on health issues in the application, not the treatment for pre-existing illnesses to get you. Keep in mind that in the short term are health insurance with some limitations, so it is important to know about the terms fully before applying for the same. Temporarily unemployed, recent college graduates, new employee, early retirees, military relief and waiting for standard plans are cover candidates will receive health insurance through this option.

With this option, you get treatment from doctor or hospital that you like. Certification you need from your insurance provider before the hospitalization. Short term assistance policy include surgery, costs, emergency services, diagnostic tests, hospital treatment and also limited mental care are included in the reporting. Most short-term medical plans provide renewal for 36 months, but can deny file prior to renewal and insurance provider then, if the plan to renew. You can offer you a different plan for your disease.

Short term health insurance (http://www.privatehealthinsurance247.co.uk/) plans are available with low premium cost, but it is important to compare the quotes to find the best available option. Majority of insurers want premiums in advance. Some important things are described in connection with a short health insurance plans. You can access further information from experts, before making the final decision.

View the original article here

Smokers Charged 14% More – Soon 50% More – For Health Insurance

Smokers are already being charged 14%-22% more for their health insurance than comparable nonsmokers, a figure likely to rise to 50% as provided for under Obamacare as companies try to avoid unhealthy clients, suggests the Associated Press.
   
An ehealth survey shows that smokers pay an average monthly premium of  $213, which is 14% higher than nonsmokers, and that female smokers pay a monthly premium of $247, which is fully 22% higher than a comparable premium for nonsmoking women, notes public interest law professor John Banzhaf.

Under the Obamacare statute, smokers may be charged a premium which is 50% higher – over $5,000 a year more in some cases – than a comparable one for nonsmokers; a provision many point out will help companies to avoid insuring – and then being forced to pay for – those most likely to have very high health care costs.  As an Associated Press [AP] article explains:

"Millions of smokers could be priced out of health insurance because of tobacco penalties in President Barack Obama's health care law, according to experts who are just now teasing out the potential impact of a little-noted provision in the massive legislation.  Although the law prohibits insurance companies from turning away the sick, the penalties for smokers could have the same effect in many cases, keeping out potentially costly patients.

‘If you are an insurer and there is a group of smokers you don't want in your pool, the ones you really don't want are the ones who have been smoking for 20 or 30 years,' said Karen Pollitz, an expert on individual health insurance markets with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. 'You would have the flexibility to discourage them.'"

Clearly and quite properly, smoking has being singled out over other health concerns, says Banzhaf, who lobbied for the “little-noted provision in the massive legislation.”As the AP reports: "Insurers won't be allowed to charge more under the overhaul for people who are overweight, or have a health condition like a bad back or a heart that skips beats, but they can charge [up to 50%] more if a person smokes."

That's because, says Banzhaf, according to a major federal ruling he obtained in 2004, obesity is a "health status" which is protected by law, whereas being a smoking is only a “behavior” entitled to no legal protection. Interestingly, there will be strong economic pressure for companies to impose the full 50% smoker surcharge: "Robert Laszewski, a consultant who previously worked in the insurance industry, says there's a good reason to charge the maximum. 'If you don't charge the 50 percent, your competitor is going to do it, and you are going to get a disproportionate share of the less-healthy older smokers,' said Laszewski. "They [the insurance companies] are going to have to play defense.'"
       
In lobbying for the smoker surcharge, Banzhaf argued to Congress that it is only fair to charge smokers more than nonsmokers for health insurance because they and their smoking create huge and totally unnecessary costs for our health care system and our economy – over $300 billion a year. So, he says, it's simply a matter of imposing personal responsibility on adults for their own health, something both President Obama and opponents of his reforms argued was necessary to begin bringing down the huge and unnecessary costs of medical care in this country.

Indeed, failing to charge different rates forces the overwhelming majority of the insured to subsidize the bad choices made by the small minority who exercise their personal responsibility by remaining smokers, Banzhaf argues. If, under the Obamacare legislation, insurers can charge older people more for a condition (their age) which they can neither change nor avoid, it's certainly fair to charge smokers more for a condition (smoking) which they can both change and avoid, he says.
       
In addition Banzhaf argued to Congress, making smoking more expensive is one of the most effective ways  – and certainly the least expensive way – to reduce ballooning health care costs, since it provides a very powerful and immediate incentive to help smokers do what most already want to do: quit, and thereby slash the health care costs they impose on their insurance company,

Public education campaigns, cessation programs, and other interventions may help people to quit but cost lots of money, whereas smoker surcharges – like higher cigarette taxes and smoking bans in workplaces and public places – are both more effective at reducing smoking, and cost taxpayers nothing.

It's also becoming clear, he notes, that trying to reduce health care costs by just tinkering around the margins – e.g., by digitizing medical records, or using novel reimbursement schemes or better protocols for treating diseases, etc. –  can bring down medical care costs only marginally, and that the only significant savings come from preventing diseases.

It's always much less expensive to prevent diseases like heart attacks, strokes, cancers, etc. in the first place than to find slightly more efficient ways to treat them once they have occurred, he notes.
In short, if we wish to reduce the largest single preventable and unnecessary expense and drain on our entire entitlement system, we have to start getting serious about smoking and smokers.

JOHN F. BANZHAF III, B.S.E.E., J.D., Sc.D.
Professor of Public Interest Law
George Washington University Law School,
FAMRI Dr. William Cahan Distinguished Professor,
Fellow, World Technology Network,
Founder, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
2000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052, USA
(202) 994-7229 // (703) 527-8418
http://banzhaf.net/ @profbanzhaf

View the original article here