People undergoing treatment for chronic conditions—like depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer—need to be careful to avoid triggering what’s known as a “preexisting condition” exclusion.
Once you trigger this clause, most carriers will try to deny paying any claims for that condition for a period of time. Karen Pollitz, project director at the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, explains how to keep yourself covered. Read the rest of this entry »
Nearly two million American jobs have been lost in the past year, and hundred of thousands of people will likely be laid off or have their hours scaled back in 2009.
If you think you might be one of them, know this: You’re almost certain to lose your employer-sponsored benefits with your full-time job. That’s why you need an action plan, stat. Make sure you know your health-insurance rights and options, because once you get that pink slip you have no time to lose. Here’s what you need to do within… Read the rest of this entry »
As we get closer to the end of the year and your business is looking for tax savings, remember that certain insurance premiums are tax deductible as a business expense. I have posted an article on that issue that explains the most common premium deductions.
It is often worthwhile, especially if you are a small business on a cash accounting system, to review those liability policies that have renewal dates close to the new year. For example, a professional liability policy may have a six-month premium of $1000 due on February 1, 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
When we hear discussion about the problems facing the U.S. health care system, we’re often told that not enough people have access to affordable health care.
And that’s absolutely true–over 46 million Americans were without health insurance in 2006, a number that is almost certainly higher today.
But there’s an important factor contributing to the health care crisis that isn’t as widely discussed: too much health care. Read the rest of this entry »
