How do I get an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)?

The quickest and easiest way is to apply online. Your card will normally arrive within seven days. Some people can only apply for an EHIC by post but this method will take longer.

• To apply by phone, call 0845 606 2030.
• To apply by post, get a form from your local post office. Send the completed form to EHIC Applications, PO Box 1114, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2TL.

For information, see Applying and renewing your EHIC. There is no charge for an EHIC.

Does each person need their own card?

Yes. You can apply for more than one EHIC at the same time. You can apply for EHICs for:

• yourself,
• your partner, and
• any children under 18 who are in full-time education.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide these details for each person:

• National Insurance number or NHS number (CHI in Scotland or Health and Care Number in Northern Ireland),
• first names and surname (family name), and
• date of birth.

If you’re under 16, your parent or guardian will need to apply for you.

Where can I use an EHIC?

The EHIC is valid when you temporarily visit a country in the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland, e.g. for a holiday or a business trip. For more information, go to Which countries offer reduced cost or free medical treatment for visitors from the UK?
Different rules apply if you’re moving abroad to live, work or study. See What services can I get through the NHS if I move abroad?

What treatment does an EHIC cover?

The EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment at reduced cost or sometimes free, if you become ill or have an accident during your stay.
The EHIC also covers:

• treatment for long-term and existing illnesses, such as dialysis for kidney disease, and
• routine maternity care.

Each country’s healthcare system is slightly different so your EHIC may not cover everything that would be free on the NHS. Many countries expect patients to pay towards their treatment. You may be able to claim the money back in the other country or when you return to the UK.
Private treatment is not covered by the EHIC. Neither are privately run services. For example, some state-run hospitals in other countries have private ambulance services.
The EHIC does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatmentor to give birth to your baby. For more information, see Going abroad for planned treatment.

Renewing your EHIC

Your EHIC will be valid for up to five years. You need to apply for a new EHIC before the expiry date. You can renew your EHIC up to six months before the expiry date.
The quickest way to renew your EHIC is online. You can also renew it by phone or post, as described above, but this takes longer.

About HSA Insurance

HSA is Health Savings Account. Health Savings Account or HSA is a bank account which owns special tax benefits. This can be used in conjunction with specifically planned health insurance plans. It is available to anybody in the United States who takes part in a high deductible health care plan.

In this plan, people are permitted to pose a percentage of their pre-tax income into an interest bearing account for the only use of health care expenses. Several people can be complicated to administrate and keep these plans, but in commonly these plans are fiscally responsible for several people.

HSA has qualification that a person must be enrolled in a high deductible health plan. These users prefer to shelter a percentage of their income in the case of a medical emergency. Their sum of tax savings can be significant. This Health savings account lets its users to roll over the total in the account from year to year.
The health savings account money does not have to be as accurately calculated. HSA typically propose savings over a copay placed plan with lower total premiums and sum annual costs. If the policyholder requires the money, the health savings account will be there, accumulated overtime. These accounts encourage small business owners to supply health insurance for themselves and their employees. The self employed often enjoy health insurance with only extremely limited coverage and high deductibles. Placed on that, The Health Savings Accounts are really beneficial for them.

In HSA, health care providers can be switched. You too can exchange health care plans without any penalization. It means you can keep your money. You can use funds in these accounts to buy any items related to medical expense without paying income tax, social security or Medicare tax on money spent. Your money in HSA will rise with untaxed. This has the potential to keep thousands of dollars on members taxes every year. If you want to remove your funds before age 65(waved for death or disability), you will get 10% tax penalization. If you remove your account after age 65, your funds will be taxed as normal income.
Fund in HSA account can be spent to pay for any medical expenses, vision expenses and permitted dental expenses. These funds too can be used to purchase securities, bonds, stocks or other investments depending on the account service officer. All earnings from this are interest free.

HSA accounts are proposed by most local banks. But the benefits of those accounts are frequently not as good as online only account offerings. They have no fees over 3000 dollars in account. They have a fine rank structure. They permit trading with TD Waterhouse inside the account.

Bao Viet Health insurance

Comprehensive health care according to international health standards would not be out of reach your dreams. Health insurance provides a high quality of life, giving you absolute peace of mind whether you anywhere

Attend senior health insurance benefits you will have the following:

- Main benefits: inpatient treatment and emergency
- Additional benefits (to be purchased with major interests) include: outpatient care, dental care, maternity care, personal accident.
Specifically as follows:

I. Main benefits

Inpatient treatment and emergency expenses include:
- Cost of hospitalization
- Cost of medical examination before and after hospitalization
- Costs of surgery
- Cost of organ transplants
- Emergency Treatment
- Shipping of medical emergency and repatriation
- Inpatient treatment for diseases associated with acute psychosis
- Hospitalisation Benefit

II. Additional Benefits

- Outpatient treatment: Cost of medical examination, testing, diagnostics, medical equipment, pre-medicine, physical therapy doctor’s prescription list
- Dental care: regular dental care and dental care special (self-insurance 20%), dentures (50% self-insurance)
- Pregnancy: normal birth, birth complications and difficult
- The exemption generally: Participants can choose the level normally free of charge to be reduced
- Personal accident

What Is The Cancer?

Cancer is the general name used to call a group of 200 different types of cell origin, causes, prognosis and treatment but there are common features, such as the uncontrol division of cell, viability and development in strange organs and organizations.

The cancer usually develops from an initial cell and take years until there is a size large enough to be noticeable. The process of development from a single cell into a cancerous mass through several stages.
Normally, healthy cells have a certain life and follow a general rule is to develop – old – died. The death cells was replaced by new cells. The body has a mechanism for controlling these rules closely and maintain the number of cells in each agency or organization stably. Cancer begins when cells break through this control mechanism and begin to develop and grow restless, form into a cluster of cells with a common features that are disorganized development, invasion and pinching other organizations around. The cancer cells are loosely linked, easy pen out of her tumor, the lymphatic vessels and migrate to the new organs, continues to cling and grow (the process of this process called “metastasis”). When cancer tumor pinch or metastasize in the important organs of body such as brain, lung, liver, kidney then patients will die ….

Today, it was known that the development of normal cell is controlled by three group of genes:
Growth gene group (oncogenes) is responsible for the development and differentiation of cells. If this group is genetic damaged (mutation), it does not follow proper rules and will cause the cells continuously divide and develop in uncontrolled way.

Inhibitor gene group (oncogene supressors) is responsible for inhibitory growth genes, do not allow cells to participate arbitrary in growth cycles. If this gene is lost or damaged, then growth genes will be uncontrolled and have abnormal activities that causes the cells to reproduce abnormally.
Repair genes group is responsible for adjusting errors in operation of two above genes. If this gene is damaged, the genetic variation of the two categories above cannot be adjusted and will lead to abnormal growth of cells.

Benefit of the Papaya

Papaya fruit is not only a tasty sweet, cool, complementary, but also includes many carotin than other fruits such as apples, guavas, bananas.
In addition, the papaya has a large amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Vitamin A, calcium, iron, vitamin B, B2. Besides, the ladies also use papaya as a natural cosmetics.
“Support” digestion
Research has shown that papaya contains an enzyme digest called “papain”, very good for digestion. Because of this, the juice of green papaya fruit has been used in the manufacture of drugs for the purpose of treatment and support digestive system.
Medicine of The Lady
Of papaya fruit juice and dried resin is the main ingredient in the manufacture of anti-acne creams and hair shampoos.
The skin is left green papaya can be refrigerated in the refrigerator and used to create masks. This is also why people always belonged Island “ownership” of a fine white skin, and is never afraid to attack acne.
Having the ability to fight cancer
The researchers showed that, in contravention papaya containing anti-cancer and help prevent gallstones. So you go “feature” eat papaya with the aim to prevent cancer.
Effect of weight loss
In 100 grams of papaya only contain very little caloric content of about 32kcal. Thus, if you intend to lose weight, do not forget adding papaya on their menu.
Suitable for diabetes patients
Papaya is sweet though, but the studies have shown that diabetic patients have complete peace of mind when eating papaya without worry anything.
Treatment of wounds and warts bottle
You confused, embarrassed to see the appearance of burns or wounds bottle notes ugly warts on the skin. Simple way will help you quickly troubleshoot “and” return “for your confidence.
Just sap from the leaves of papaya trees were applied to the skin grows bottle or acne. You’ll quickly realize incredible efficiency.
Overcoming disorder “monthly”
Raw coral disorder is not rare disease with a girlfriend. Not necessarily used to the new drug can treat. Only just ate green leaves of the papaya tree can also improve the situation. Also, can drink syrup made from aloe vera plant (home crowd) also provide similar benefits.
Prevent infection and pus celebrate
Swelling always cause you pain, burning, very annoying even lead to infection. In that case, get a fruit juice of green papaya, swelling up a wound to prevent infection and pus celebrate.
Treatment of ulcers on the skin
To heal the sores on the skin, get a bit of butter mixed with water and applied to papaya ulcers. This approach will work as fast as the surface and associated injuries.
Dose of antihypertensive drugs
Because of papaya fruit contains large amounts of potassium therefore papaya is considered an extremely useful medicine for patients with high blood pressure and also helps you keep the spirit of balance and comfort. So do not forget to regularly eat papaya.
Prevent cardiovascular disease
Found “dozens” of studies have said, is in papaya nutrients can prevent oxidation of cholesterol (Cholesterl only able to affect the heart when oxidized). This is evidence that papaya can help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Helps eyesight
You (especially the elderly) should be sufficient enough to eat about 3 servings per day or more to prevent the aging process as well as loss of vision
Very good for skin
Needless to spend all kinds of expensive cosmetics, make homemade masks the skin with papaya fruit. The effect is so great that no skin irritation.
You can combine papaya some other materials to create masks like fresh milk, yogurt or simply mashed ripe papaya on your face and wash up in about 15-20 minutes to work soft, smooth skin, prevent acne, pigmentation spots and especially effective in treating skin roughness.

Health Wonk Review: In the Here and Now

I continue to be impressed with the quality of wonkery displayed by the folks whose submissions you'll see below. Looking back at the first 'Review I ever hosted, I was struck by how many wonk-bloggers [ed: is that even a word?] have left the 'sphere, but quite pleased to see names I recognize as still active: the Health Business Blog's David Williams, my favorite econ-blogger Jason Shafrin, and Workers Comp guru Jon Coppelman (all of whom appear in this edition, as well). I also noticed how short that review really was. I'm all for brevity when appropriate, but there's also no shame in piling on, especially when you read this week's entries.

In keeping with my newfound penchant for minimalism, posts appear in order of submission:

■ Rita Schwab has the sad tale - and important lesson - of little Taylee Blischke, who died at the hands of survived despite the efforts of incompetent, and unrepentant, physicians.

■ Bradley Flansbaum (aka The Hospitalist Leader) shares his comparison of The Great Emancipator and (what we at IB call) ObamaCare©. Guess who wins?

■ Peggy Salvatore uses an old (but timely!) joke to demonstrate the folly of government-supported EHR initiatives.

■ Rich Elmore at Healthcare Technology News reports on the Tiger Team on security and privacy recommendations on handling of personally identifiable health information. Important stuff.

■ Joanne Kenen's post is about how CareOregon, a medicaid managed care plan, has created patient-centered medical homes and adapted to its own population a successful care coordination program for patients with multiple and/or complex chronic disease. Interesting.

■ HWR co-founder Joe Paduda weighs in on the cost of voluntarily forgoing necessary health care. While I disagree with his reasoning (high deductibles and/or co-pays ate to blame), he makes a valid point:: delaying or forgoing primary care will increase future health care costs

■ Uber-wonk Dr Roy Poses posits that maybe - just maybe - having health care leaders' incentives actually aligned with patients' and the public's needs, and not so large as to elevate the leaders into the "Superclass" might work out better in the long run.

■ My favorite health care economist - Jason Shafrin - examines key provisions of ObamaCare@ from (you guessed it!) an economist's viewpoint.

■ Boston's Tinker Ready talks about "e-patient" Dave, and the contrarian's view of "positive thinking."

■ What does Joe's suddenly accelerating Camry have to do with HWR? Well, you'll have to click through to newcomer Michelle Woods' post on HIT (Health Information tech).

■ Austin Frakt, The Incidental Economist, believes that Rep. Ryan's plan for Medicare is unlikely to control costs because it is too much like the current [ed: but soon to be "late"] Medicare Advantage program.

■ Maggie Mahar takes a look at former HCA honcho - and current Florida gubernatorial candidate - Rick Scott and finds him wanting.

■ Ken Terry sings the Motown Blues, taking to task the waste of dollars being thrown at Detroit's hospitals. Stop, in the name of...common sense!

■ Workers Comp Insider's Jon Coppelman reports on the case of Americans with Disabilities versus the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Who wins? Guess you'll have to read the post.

■ Jay Norris, of the Colorado Health Insurance Insider blog, writes about the newly-created Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, which enables federal funding to help pay for retirees’ health insurance.

■ Avik Roy, of The Apothecary (and a featured NRO blogger, as well), takes the contrarian viewpoint in defending the FDA's position i the recent Avastin kerfluffle.

■ Over at the Health Access Blog, Anthony Wright points out that California was the first state in the nation to have its legislature pass a bill to set up a health insurance exchange under health reform.

■ Dr Jaans Sidorov compares and contrasts this Administration's most recent spins with academic writings that "say it ain't so."

■ The eponymous John Goodman's Health Policy Blog reports that the The NCPA [ed: National Center for Policy Analysis] has released an evenhanded consumer’s guide to health care reform, focusing on both new benefits and costs, in a helpful Q&A format.

■ At the Health Affairs Blog, Michael O’Grady and Jennifer Baxendell Young propose an automatic adjustment mechanism in which federal Medicaid financing would increase for states suffering economic hardship, without the need for special Congressional legislation. Left unanswered: why only Michael's picture is on the post.

■ The Health Business Blog's David Williams interviews one of my favorite med-bloggers: Dr Evan Falchuk. What makes him a fave? Here's a sample: "We connect with people because we’re talking about real stuff." Trust me, this guy is important.

■ And finally, our own Bob Vineyard puts the smackdown on all the "wonderful" changes promised by ObamaCare©, including the fact that we now have fewer choices at higher costs.

That wraps up this week's episode of Health Wonkery. Please be sure to tune in again on the 16th when Jay's better half, Louise Norris, hosts the next edition.

Mid-Week ObamaCare© Implementation Update

First up (and as previously noted but now confirmed), Aetna will no longer write so-called "child-only" plans. These have been useful in, for example, divorce situations and some group-based scenarios, and are now off the table insofar as Aetna's individual medical plans are concerned. While this may not seem to be a big deal, it's a further erosion in the choices available in the (previously) open market.

This change is effective October 1st for Kentucky and Indiana, and November 1st for Ohio.

If you're tuning in late, these changes are a direct result of ObamaCare©'s careless and destructive assaults on basic risk management principles. For example, the new regs prohibit underwriting on "children" 19 years and under, which, according to the folks at Aetna, "have the potential to significantly increase the cost of premiums and make coverage unaffordable." Quite so.

On the other hand, Medical Mutual is poised to pick up at least a few of Aetna's minors:

"Medical Mutual will continue to accept applications and provide quotes for plans with effective dates of September 23, 2010, through October 31, 2010, for children under the age of 19 (either as a stand-alone product or as part of a family)."

Of course, no one really knows what's going to happen going forward from October. As the folks at MMO told us in email, "the Company reserves the right to withhold final approval based on clarification of state and federal regulations on individual plans or not issue a policy at all."

How's that for Hope and Change?

UPDATE: And this just in from United Healthcare's Golden Rule:

"In previous communications, we had informed you of an impending change to the coverage effective date that would take place on September 1, 2010. Due to broker feedback, this date has been moved to September 6, 2010."

Interesting that they received, and acceded to, what must have been fairly intense pressure from agents.

So beginning with new applications received on or after next Monday:

"Coverage effective dates for Golden Rule renewable health plans will be the later of 30 days after an application is received or the date requested by the customer (but no greater than 60 days)."

Glad they cleared that up.

Oh No She Din't!

(That's not a typo - it's yours truly trying to be "hip")

Maybe she just can't help it, but HHS Secretary Shecantbeserious just doesn't quite "get" why those of us who oppose the train-wreck that is ObamaCare© might take some slight umbrage at this:

"So, we have a lot of reeducation to do" [emphasis added]

For those historically-challenged readers, here's why it's so offensive, and telling:

"The re-education camp remained the predominant device of social "control" in the late 1980s. It was used to incarcerate members of certain social classes in order to coerce them to accept and conform to the new social norms."

Looks like Kathy let the ol' mask slip.

BlogRoll Update

I've been meaning to add Andrew Garland's entertaining and enlightening blog for some time, and am pleased as punch to have finally done so. You'll see the Easy Opinions link about 5 spots down from the top (look for the "NEW!" tag), and I heartily recommend clicking through.

You'll be glad you did.

Health Insurance Bridge to Nowhere

The folks in Washington that gave us the "bridge to nowhere" have done it again, this time with health insurance. ERRP (Early Retirement Reinsurance Program) as announced by HHS is supposed to make it easier for employers to provide health insurance to early retirees. Congress authorized $5 billion of money they did not have to fund this program until 2014.

Most expect that will not be enough to support the program, but then, what else is new? According to Sunshine News:

Sixty-nine Florida businesses and government entities have been accepted into a new federal program designed to help employers and unions maintain health coverage for early retirees not yet eligible for Medicare.

The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is designed to be a $5 billion bridge to the new federally mandated health insurance exchanges that begin in 2014.

But U.S. Rep. Bill Posey said the program looks more like a shell game, and it could come up short financially.

Rep. Posey is not the only one with this concern.

"The timing of this announcement by the administration is interesting because earlier this month Medicare trustees issued a report noting on page 183 that the new health-care law will result in nearly 6 million retirees losing their prescription drug coverage from their former employers -- a fact that went largely unreported," said Posey, R-Cocoa.

Posey added, "Nowhere in today’s HHS release is there a reference to HHS’ own warning to retirees that this program is largely unfunded -- by perhaps tens of billions of dollars.

Probably just an oversight . . .

The White House said immediate action was needed to bridge the health-care gap for early retirees, noting that the percentage of large firms providing retiree coverage dropped from 66 percent in 1988 to 29 percent in 2009.

Does the White House actually believe they can magically reverse a trend of the last 20 years when they can't reverse the unemployment and foreclosure trend of the last 2 years? Or do they only care if the voters believe this garbage?

The folks at EBRI, who have a pretty good handle on health insurance costs, have estimated the money for ERRP will run out in 2 years.

Just another stupid government trick from the folks who brought you Obamacrap.

HHS Promotes Healthcare.gov

HHS is proud of their site for all things related to health insurance. Healthcare.gov has been up almost 2 months and it seems to have everything you want to know about health insurance options.

Seems to have, but looks can be deceiving . . .

The folks at Information Week say that there have been over 1 million visitors since July 1, 2010 and 32,000 have provided feedback on how to improve the site.

The site also has yellow boxes where visitors can give feedback and make suggestions. So far, pricing inquiries top the list of requests

Pricing?

You give consumers the ability to view plans and rates side by side (as if that doesn't already exist on literally thousands of sites including my own) but fail to give them rates?

What's up with that?

"Our interpretation of that is that they want to know more about the affordability of the plan, so on HealthCare.gov on October 1, you'll see not just some guidance around what your premium estimate could be, but also very importantly your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and other dimensions that are really important for consumers to understand their ability to afford health insurance coverage"

Why do folks in Washington seem so proud of something that already exists?

As the website evolves, HHS is also planning to include more information, including the percentage of claims each insurer denies.

Since the site includes not only carrier information but also on SCHIP, PCIP and Medicare I wonder if it will post claim denial stats on the number one offender, which is . . . Medicare.

Once again, Washington has no clue. Just more stupid government tricks.

Wolverines jump in the pool [UPDATED]

[Please scroll down for update]

"Michigan is set to launch a subsidized insurance pool for people who haven't been able to get coverage because of a pre-existing health condition, but it's not clear if the program will be big enough to handle everyone who wants to buy in."

Really?

"[B]ig enough to handle everyone who wants to buy in[?]"

One supposes that they honestly believe that they'll attract more than, say, New Jersey, but I'm not convinced. In order to be eligible, ObamaCare© requires that one be uninsured for at least six months, and (of course) be "uninsurable." In the event, the Grand Opening is tomorrow (August 31st), and officials estimate that there are some 3,500 Michiganders [ed: Michiganders?] who may qualify. As with Pennsylvania, coverage doesn't begin immediately; the earliest available effective date is October 1st.

Michigan has been given some $140 million as seed money for their version of the ObamaPool©, which tracks with Pennsylvania's $160 and Ohio's $150 million. They're also counting on folks ponying up anywhere from $200 to $700 a month in premiums (which are age- but not sex-rated). And of course it's a typical, generic co-pay plan (aka Phantom Insurance), which will increase utilization and, hence, costs. How much different (read: better) such plans would work if they were built on an HSA high deductible chassis. But we can't have that pesky personal responsibility component, can we?

There is, however, some good news: this plan, unlike some others, does not count a current pregnancy as a qualifying pre-existing condition (I confirmed this with the folks running the program). That should help delay the inevitable financial melt-down.

On the other hand, though, is this world-class non-sequitor:

"Plan administrators say the coverage will be more comprehensive and in many cases less expensive than typical Michigan policies for individuals."

Hunh?! More coverage at lower rates? Guess who pays for that?

But it gets better (or worse, depending on one's perspective):

"Many of those who will be in the plan aren't able to get commercial coverage at any price because they're so expensive to insure."

Let's see if I follow this: "more" coverage at "lower prices" for folks who can't get health insurance in the open (competitive) market because they're too "expensive" to insure.

Only in Lansing (or DC) could someone say that with a straight face.

[Hat Tip: FoIB Holly R]

[UPDATE]: While we've had our issues with Best's insurance ratings services in the past, they're still the "go-to" folks when trying ascertain a carrier's financial outlook. And based on Best's analysis, one has to wonder what the rocket surgeons in Lansing were smoking when they awarded this little plum:

"[Physicians Health Plan of Mid-Michigan]

Financial Strength Ratings
Rating: NR-5 (Not Formally Followed)
Outlook: Not Applicable
Action: Affirmed
Effective Date: May 21, 2010"

A rating of "NR-5" means that this carrier isn't even on Best's radar. Does this mean that the company's on the rocks? Of course not, but it does give one pause: after all, a carrier's financial ability is only as good as its underlying strength.

Or apparent lack of thereof.

Gift Ideas...

And then you can give her a colonoscopy for Christmas...

Maxine on Healthcare

From the mailbag:

Let me get this straight. We're going to be "gifted" with a health care plan we are forced to purchase and fined if we don't,

written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it,

to be signed by a president who also smokes,

with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes,

and financed by a country that's broke.

Now, honestly just ask yourself, what could possibly go wrong?

[Hat Tip: FoIB Laurel L]

Health Plan for Christians is Insurance

In spite of protestations that Medi-Share is not insurance, the Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled otherwise.

A Christians-only health care plan provides a "contract for insurance" and doesn't qualify for exemption from state regulations as a religious publication, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a decision that potentially opens the plan to stricter regulations by the state.

A split high court found that that the Medi-Share program "fits comfortably within the statutory definition of an insurance contract" because it shifts the risk of payments for medical expenses from the individual to a pool of people paying into the program.

Apparently this ruling applies only to the 300 or so members who reside in the state of Kentucky, but that does not bode well for members in other states.

At issue is how tightly the state can regulate a program that serves nearly 40,000 churchgoers in 49 states by accepting contributions from participants. The program, which generates about $42 million a year, excludes non-Christians because, organizers say, their lifestyles can result in unnecessary medical care.

Participants can't smoke, use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol. They're also not allowed to enroll if they have pre-existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

I have worked with a "competitor" to Medi-Share several years ago in a consulting capacity and can back up their assertion that claims for this type of group are generally lower than for the general population. The same argument can be made for those who are practicing members of the Mormon faith.

If Obamacare is so Great . . .

Then why are there so many health insurance companies retreating from the market, leaving consumers with fewer choices and higher premiums? Since March when Obamacrap was signed in to law we have seen the following changes in the Georgia health insurance market. (Other states have had similar issues, but I am only familiar with Georgia health insurance plans).

All but two health insurance companies have withdrawn from offering maternity benefits.

Only a handful of companies will still write "child only" health insurance plans.

As of this date, it is almost impossible to find a rate for children's health insurance if they are under age 19 and you are looking for coverage to be effective on 9/23/10 or later.

Some companies have either withdrawn from offering major medical business or are dropping hints they will be out of that market in 18 months or less.

Many have already indicated higher premiums for the 4th quarter of 2010 and later, especially on children under age 19.

Companies are starting to push limited benefit plans as "more affordable" alternatives to true major medical insurance.

Several companies have introduced new plans with stripped down benefits in an attempt to make their product look more appealing.

Drug formulary's are changing, so the drug that is covered under your plan now may not be covered in the future.

Doctor and hospital networks are shrinking in an effort to further control costs but also has the effect of limiting access to a wide range of medical providers.

Given all this, why is Obamacare so great for the consumer?

What happened to , "If you like the plan you have now you can keep it"?

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Changes

If you like your Medicare Plan D (prescription drug coverage), too bad, you will probably have to make a change come next year.

So much for Obama's promise that "if you like your plan you can keep it."

The government is imposing changes to "simplify" your life by giving you fewer choices.

A new analysis by a leading private research firm estimates that more than 3 million beneficiaries will see their current drug plan eliminated as Medicare tries to winnow down duplicative and confusing coverage, in order to offer consumers more meaningful choices. Instead of 40 or more plans in each state, beneficiaries would pick from 30 or so.

While on the surface that seems like a good thing, if one fourth of the Medicare drug plans are eliminated that means someone is going to have to make a change whether they like it or not.

Medicare has already notified insurers they will no longer be able to offer more than one "basic" drug plan in any given location. Several major prescription plans, including CVS-Caremark and AARP, offered two basic options throughout the country this year, Washington said. Eliminating that particular kind of duplication would force 2.75 million beneficiaries to find new coverage

The old saying about "I'm from the government and I am here to help you" is not going to set well with some seniors.

And then there is this . . .

Separately, an AARP report issued Wednesday found that retail prices for brand name drugs widely used by seniors rose by 8.3 percent last year, far outpacing general inflation.

Not so surprising.

Once drug companies figure out someone other than the patient is paying for the medication they feel free to raise prices.

From the mailbag: MassTravelers

"My husband and I are residents of Massachusetts. We will be quitting our jobs and traveling outside the country for several months. I hadn't planned on using COBRA since we will be out of the country and using travel insurance that covers other medically and otherwise. I am concerned about being fined for this. Is there a way to avoid fees if we can prove we are out of the country?"

This is a great question, with ramifications beyond Massachusetts. ObamaCare©'s (evil) mandate will have the same effect, and will of course affect Americans in the other 56 states, as well. It does seem unfair to require someone who's out of the country for an extended period to purchase insurance they probably won't need.

I contacted the Bay State's Department of Insurance, and was told that, if one is uninsured for less than 90 days, then it's not an issue or a problem. If it's more than 90 days (and it appears that this reader will, in fact, be gone longer than 3 months) then the fine is assessed. However: there's an exemption for folks who were uninsured because they were out of the country (such as our reader). These folks would have to file a special appeals form, but I was assured that this is not a big deal and that the fine would be waived.

The email continues:

"Also, when we return what is our best option for becoming insured if we do not become re-employed full time right away?"

I replied that, once they're back stateside, they can go online to the MassCare Connector to find coverage. Of course, the challenge there will be finding a plan that fits the budget and coverage goals, but is apparently the only real option left to Bay Staters in need of individual coverage.

That deals with the MassCare issue, but not the ReaderCare one. As Bob points out:

"Leaving the country with coverage allows you to have benefits around the world. Even if she is not traveling to a Schengen Convention country, at the very least she needs an international travel policy to supplement the back home stuff. If she relies on something like IMG alone she is exposing herself to some serious potential out-of-pocket.

Seems to me like she is willing to roll the dice and assume she won't need the US based coverage while out of country and assumes she can pick back up where she left off when she returns. Romneycare does not have waiting periods but it doesn't mean she won't come back and be able to get immediate coverage."

Something to consider.

Cavalcade of Risk #112: Med School edition

Ever wondered what it would be like to go to medical school? Well wonder no more. The first year med student behind the Notwithstanding blog takes this week's Cavalcade of Risk to class. Don't be late!

Bleg: We need a host for the 10/6 Cav - please drop us a line to claim it.

Running up the score...

As housing sales plummet, it may be instructive to draw some parallels:

"Sales of previously occupied homes plunged last month to the lowest level in 15 years, despite the lowest mortgage rates in decades and bargain prices in many areas."

Try this:

"Sales of new high risk pool insurance plans plunged last month, despite the fact that they are readily available and require no underwriting."

Moving on:

"The irony is that, in failure, the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie MAC) have become more important than ever. Private lenders, which once regarded a mortgage secured by a home as a highly safe investment, now see it as highly risky."

Versus:

"The irony is that, in failure, ObamaCare© has become more important than ever. Private insurers, which once provided insurance to some 85% of those not insured by the government, now find themselves unwilling to issue plans on children because of onerous underwriting handicaps."

Of course:

"This means that sudden withdrawals of support might deepen housing's depression."

Or:

"This means that sudden withdrawals of plans and carriers from the market might lead to even more uninsured."

Shall we go on?

Let's:

"The single-minded promotion of homeownership failed and, paradoxically, undermined the American dream."

Meaning:

"The single-minded promotion of providing health insurance to an additional 10-13% of Americans has failed and, as intended, undermined the American dream."

That about sum it up?

[Hat Tip: Ace of Spades]