Consumers Look for a Healthier Outcome

As more and more Americans face financial challenges, a mix of new laws and old programs may help a percentage of them when it comes to their health insurance needs.

When consumers turn to 2insure4less.com for their health insurance needs, they not only are able to access quality and affordable insurance quotes, but also educate themselves on a number of issues involving the health insurance arena.

According to the Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE), reports note that approximately 25 million Americans are unable to attain health insurance due to pre-existing health conditions.

A spokesperson for FHCE noted, “It’s a shame that while many Americans go without insurance, we know from the calls our counselors take monthly, that very few people are aware of at least three important coverage options that may be available to them.”

FHCE identifies the three most commonly under-utilized health coverage options:

First, all 50 states presently operate PPACA-required federal high risk pools, typically known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP). As the FHCE spokesperson added, “The biggest puzzlement is the people’s response to the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), a tenet of health care reform which started last fall. Only 12,000 people have signed up for this to date, yet it’s available in every state.

“Of course, the government has had to put in place adverse selection policies similar to private insurers, including premiums higher than traditional insurance and a six-month waiting period. Still these programs, once non-existent in 12 states, do give people a place to go where they won’t get turned down.”

Secondly, small business coverage (necessitating only 1 or 2 employees) is overlooked by entrepreneurs.

As FHCE sees it, the avenue least explored, but more useful than in the past is the option for entrepreneurs to qualify themselves when it comes to small business coverage. The FHCE’s counselors oftentimes encourage laid-off people, who are consulting or who have begun a small company, to go after health coverage as a small business.

Nationwide, companies with two or more employees can go after group health coverage, making use of protections offered only to employers. In 14 states, group coverage is an option for businesses of one or more. Additionally, new tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums are an option for small businesses with 25 employees or less for tax years 2010-13, as long as the employer contributes at least half of the premium.

Lastly, only one in three eligible Americans use the government gap coverage options to their advantage.

Oftentimes overlooked is the fact that this new income level could make the family eligible when it comes to low-cost or no-cost public coverage options. Medicaid is an option nationwide for low-income families, and in 2014, the PPACA will reduce the income eligibility guidelines to include all adults with or without dependents who make 133 percent of the FPL.

As of now, income eligibility requirements differ around the country, so it proves important for families to research what their state has available.

As the FHCE points out, there are options that can help individuals who have pre-existing conditions, as all public programs cover pre-existing conditions.

Oftentimes, however, the goal is to meet all eligibility requirements, which can be difficult and very challenging for the average American to enroll.