Kentucky Health Insurance

Kentucky Health Insurance

There’s one thing everybody agrees on – America has a healthcare crisis. As for how to deal with it, opinions are divided. A new Gallup poll revealed that 47 percent of Americans want the health care law repealed and 42 percent want it to stay. Whether the law is repealed or retained, it’s risky to go without health insurance. If you live in Kentucky, make sure you find an affordable Kentucky health insurance plan before it’s too late.

Rising Proportion of Uninsured

The U.S. Census Bureau announced in September that number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 49.0 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010, though the national average of 16.3 percent was the same for both years. A recent Gallup poll measuring the extent of the uninsured in the third quarter also shows 17.3 percent of the population did not have health insurance, a rate that is the highest on record. Gallup found that the percentage of Americans who are uninsured is rising in 2011 after remaining “fairly steady’ in 2010.

The new census data puts the number of uninsured Kentuckians in 2010 at 640,000, which is 14.9% of the state’s population. Over the past decade, 131,000 people have joined the ranks of the uninsured in Kentucky. Further, according to the census report, 56.6% of Kentuckians had employer-sponsored health insurance in 2010, compared to the national average of 55.3 percent. Over the past decade, the number of Kentuckians with employer-based coverage declined by more than 170,000.

Major Health Care Issues

One of the major health care issues that the nation is facing relates to the rising cost of health care. Increase in the spending on new technology and prescription drugs, the demands placed on the health care system by the higher incidence of chronic diseases, an aging population and rise in administrative costs are some of the factors responsible for the rise in health care spending.

In Kentucky, as in may other states, more and more employers are passing on a larger proportion of the cost of health care to employees. Some small businesses do not provide their employees with Kentucky health insurance. Over the past few years, millions – both individuals and companies – have filed for bankruptcy due to rising health care cost.

Finding Affordable Health Insurance is Important

Given this scenario, nothing can be more risky than going without health insurance. Whether you live in Kentucky or any other U.S. state, you have an extensive choice when it comes to private health insurance. Kentucky health insurance companies vie with each other to offer a multitude of health insurance policies for individuals, families and businesses, all with varying deductibles. However, it’s usually not easy to read the fine print and understand your options. So the best way to find an affordable KY health insurance plan is to contact a licensed health insurance broker, explain your requirements and benefit from professional guidance.

As for the future of health care in America, the effort should be to build a system that makes health care easy to access and affordable for all.

References:

U.S. Heath Care Costs, Kaiser Family Foundation, March 2010

Analysis: Why a Health Care Law, Anyway?AgentNavigator, November 16, 2011

http://agentnavigator.com/2011/11/analysis-why-a-health-care-law-anyway/

Health Care Law Repeal favored by nearly half of Americans, AgentNavigator, November 16, 2011, http://agentnavigator.com/2011/11/health-care-law-repeal-favored-by-nearly-half-of-americans/

New Census Data On Uninsured in Kentucky, Kentucky Voices for Health, September 15, 2011, http://kyvoicesforhealth.com/news/newcensusdataonuninsuredinkentucky.html

Kentucky Health Insurance

When looking for a Kentucky health insurance plan that fits you and your current status in life the best, you will soon realize that there are many plans to choose from. How are you supposed to know which one to choose? A helpful tool in any situation regarding insurance questions is to find a trustworthy broker who you feel comfortable talking to and who helps you understand insurance. One Source Benefits insurance company is here to help anyone living in Kentucky including all the major cities such as Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro and Covington.

We work with many companies here in Kentucky such as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, and United Healthcare. Regardless of which Kentucky health insurance company you decide to go with, here are four tips to help guide you in your decision-making:

1. Think of your current situation, are you or your wife pregnant? Do you hope to get pregnant in the near future? Does your family really need dental on the plan? Are you a family who unfortunately seem to find themselves in the hospital more than they would like to? By looking at all the plans in front of you, eliminate the extra benefits if you do not need them.

2. Look at the costs of the health plans: can you afford one with a higher premium so that the deductible is lower, or is it better to pay a lower premium monthly? Looking honestly at what you can and cannot afford will help you determine the plans that fit into your budget. Every year when it is time to renew your plan and rates are changing, you can re-evaluate how the plan you chose worked for you and then change accordingly.

3. Certain doctors only accept certain plans. Check with your current doctor before choosing a Kentucky health insurance plan to see if they accept it. If not, are you willing to look for a new doctor or should you choose a plan you know your doctor accepts?

4. “Are there brand-name carriers that you prefer? Are there any you want to avoid?” Let your broker know this when you are searching for health insurance, so you can avoid as much hassle as possible.

After answering each of these questions as they pertain to your lifestyle you will be more confident in making a decision about health insurance. Learn more about how One Source Benefits can assist you today by visiting www.kyfreehealthquotes.com. If you are looking for affordable health insurance in Kentucky, you have come to the right place. One Source Benefits is the most comprehensive website on Kentucky Health Insurance. With our many years of experience and commendable reputation, we help you understand health insurance and find the health insurance plan that ideally meets your needs. Our site is the best place to get free Kentucky health insurance quotes. We link you to major Kentucky health insurance companies offering affordable individual and family health insurance, help you compare plans and guide you through the entire process of finding the one that’s best for you. You can also contact us by e-mail at tmcmanamon@kyfreehealthquotes.com or call us at 877-549-1212.

Individual Health Insurance Kentucky

Most Kentucky residents are covered by an employer-sponsored group health plan. If you are not covered by such a plan, you can buy health insurance from a private health insurance company. In this case, your health status could determine your ability to purchase individual health insurance Kentucky. In other words, private companies selling health plans could turn you down because of your existing and past health status. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.

When You Cannot Be Refused KY Individual Health Insurance

• You cannot be refused coverage because of genetic conditions or because of the results of a genetic test and your family’s health history.
• If you are HIPAA eligible, you are guaranteed the right to buy individual health insurance Kentucky coverage of some kind only from Kentucky Access with no pre-existing condition exclusion periods. Under Kentucky Access you have three plan options – one fee-for-service (FFS) plan and two preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, all with varying deductible choices. Coverage includes hospitalization, surgical expenses, doctor visits, preventive care, maternity services, and home health care. You can add on enhanced coverage for prescription drugs and mental health/substance abuse for an additional premium.
• In KY, a newborn baby is automatically covered under the parents’ individual health insurance Kentucky plan for the first 31 days. To extend this coverage, the parents may have to enroll the newborn in the plan and pay the premium within the 31 day period.
• Kentucky health insurance law allows mentally retarded and physically disabled dependents to stay on their parents’ health plan after they reach the age at which dependent coverage is usually terminated, if certain conditions are met.

Kentucky Health Care Coverage through the PCIP Program

Kentucky residents with pre-existing conditions are eligible to apply for coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Conditions to qualify for coverage:

• You are a citizen or national of the United States or lawfully present in the United States.
• You must have been uninsured for at least the last six months before you submit your application.
• You must have a pre-existing condition or have been denied coverage because of your health condition.

Under the PCIP program, you are eligible for several health benefits such as primary and specialty care, hospital care, and prescription drugs, which are available to treat even preexisting conditions. Monthly premiums vary according to age and options which come under three heads – ‘Standard’, ‘Extended’, and HSA.

Individual Health Insurance Kentucky – Other Costs for Individuals with Pre-existing Conditions:

During the year 2011, you have to pay other costs too, such as a $1,000 to $3,000 deductible, which varies by plan. The deductible pays for your covered health benefits (excluding preventive care) before you plan begins to pay. Your plan could have a separate drug deductible option.

After your deductible, other payments would include: a $25 copayment for doctor visits, $4 to $40 for most prescription drugs, and 20 percent of the costs of any the benefits your plan covers. The maximum amount of your out-of-pocket costs is $5,950 per year. If you opt for out-of-network care, you could end up paying more for all these services.