|
Health care insurance options are already changing for many Americans and the future is sure to bring more changes. There are some excellent websites that provide both general information on a state-by-state basis and specific information on plans and rates.
Probably the best place to start is HealthCare.gov from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). You will find: Detailed State-by-State Summary of Proposed Activities, Fact Sheets, Healthcare Notes (articles and letters from HHS administrators), News Releases, Webcasts and Videos. If you are actually looking for health insurance and want to research rates, click on Find Insurance Options or go directly to http://finder.healthcare.gov. As of March, 2011, they offer information on "over 10,500 insurance products offered by over 400 insurance companies, currently available for sale to individuals and families." Information covers both public and private programs. If you need insurance, there is a short series of questions you must answer; you will then be directed to a list of insurance options to pursue. Learn About Prevention lists the "preventive services that insurers are now required to cover at no cost under the Affordable Care Act." There are also tools, tips and information on prevention steps you can take to stay healthy. Finally, Compare Care Quality provides the "tools to help you assess the quality of the care you're getting" in hospitals, nursing homes, home health care and dialysis facilities. This is a cursory description of HealthCare.gov. There is much more detailed information for anyone who is looking for health insurance, with links to contact information.
|
Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE), offers "simplified public and private health insurance eligibility information." Use their "four unique ways to find health coverage in your area." The Health Coverage Eligibility Quiz asks you to enter your zip code and state; answer 5 questions and FHCE provides a chart of programs you are eligible for, along with links to their applications. Call The U.S. Uninsured Help Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak to a live operator. Learn your options via the Health Care Options Matrix Guide, where you can print or download your state's free quick-reference guide to public and private health care options from the U.S. Directory of Health Care Options. Finally, you can apply for a program through the State-by-State Application & Enrollment Database. You'll also find charts, flyers, and statistics on health-related issues.
eInsurance is a well-reviewed commercial source for health insurance. It's a good place to compare prices for various health care policies - individual, family, short and long term, student and health savings accounts, as well as Medicare choices - Medicare supplement, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D.
May was Older American's Month. An easy-to-use website with health and wellness information specifically for older adults is NIH SeniorHealth. You can find a health topic by clicking on an A-Z display, or choose a category: bones and joints; cancer; diseases and conditions; healthy aging; hearts and lungs; memory and mental health; vision and hearing. Sign up for e-mail updates.
Continue --->
|
