10 Ways to Get and Keep Healthcare Benefits in Retirement

lemyaskin rulezz

lemyaskin of TN 9:49PM September 22, 2009

+1

soundtracks of AL 7:35AM July 17, 2009

BN2EQM

Adehzpmr of AZ 4:05PM July 15, 2009

The Agent deserves to remain a part in whatever reform efforts develop. All studies point out that the Agent is a valuable resource in giving consumers guidance in all aspects of health insurance planning and help when needed with medical claims.

Despite the varying opinions, I hope that agent/advisors will join together and communicate these simple messages.

Oppose a government provided health plan option. Whether health reform should include a public plan option is being hotly debated. President Obama has endorsed the idea; many Democrats say health reform will fail unless a public plan option exists to force private insurance to be competitive—and they say their support for any plan depends on whether it includes a public plan option. Most GOP lawmakers oppose inclusion of a public plan option—and say it is a deal breaker issue for them. HHS Secretary Designee Kathleen Sebelius has testified that she supports a public option side-by-side with private insurers.

Support the tax-free status of employer-provided health insurance - No key player has yet insisted on including a health insurance tax cap in a health reform plan. But several have come close—it is an important part of the Senator Baucus’ proposal, for example. President Obama has not taken it off the table, but remains skeptical about it. Opponents are emerging—e.g., Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has come out against the idea, saying it could undermine employer-provided health insurance, especially in the small business sector.

Support the role of the agent/advisor in health care reform – Any reform effort must allow for personal service provided by a licensed, fairly compensated, insurance professional. When the role of the advisor is understood by lawmakers, there is usually agreement that consumers must have access to this.

Support Health Savings Accounts – Some lawmakers have questioned whether to continue current law’s self-directed health plans (e.g., high deductible health plans coupled with health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and health reimbursement arrangements). Members serving the small business health insurance market have found HSAs used in conjunction with high-deductible health plans offer an affordable health care solution.

Robelynn H. Abadie of LA 1:16PM May 04, 2009