Healthcare Costs That Affect You
If you lose your job, you can keep your health insurance through COBRA (new regulations)?
You can keep your health insurance with a reduction in premium costs (up to 65%) through COBRA (federal program). Workers that were laid-off, had a reduction in their hours, or worked in small firms (19 employees or less) can now qualify for reduced premium costs, while also keeping their insurance for up to 18 months through the federal program, and up to 36 months with Cal-COBRA (California's version).
Cal-COBRA also applies to workers laid-off from small business (2-19 employees). There are important deadlines, so don't wait to learn more.
Learn More: Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA
Study Shows Flawed Insurance Payments Cost Consumers Billions?
According to a report released by the Senate Commerce Committee, 2/3rds of U.S. health insurers used a flawed database to determine out-of-network physician payment rates. This resulted in consumers being overcharged by billions of dollars! (Associated Press/New York Times, June 25, 2009)
Learn More: Senate Commerce Committee Investigative Report
About the hidden health tax we pay?
A visit to the doctor or emergency room by an uninsured consumer sometimes means a portion of that medical bill goes unpaid. Medical providers (doctors and hospitals) are passing these uncollected medical care costs to private insurance. In 2007 and 2008 there were as many as 86.7 million Americans without health insurance. The higher number of services provided to the uninsured, the more providers have to charge the insurance companies to make up for the unpaid care. This means, higher insurance premiums (hidden health tax) for those that have coverage. (Families USA, May 2009)
Learn More: Hidden Health Tax Report
Costa Mesa Overturned Additional Paramedic Fees? (UPDATE from 05/22/09)
The Costa Mesa City Council voted unanimously to reverse the decision to charge residents up to $460 in additional paramedic fees. This was decided after members of the community spoke out against the increase in fees. (Orange County Register, June 3, 2009)
About the New Hospital Price Comparison Tool?
The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) released a new website allowing patients to compare a hospitals' average cash price for 28 common inpatient procedures.
The website tool shows what the average person without health insurance would have paid for the procedures, list of charges per day, how long a person stayed in the hospital for each procedure, and how many procedures were performed in each hospital. (California Healthline, May 22, 2009)
Learn More: Hospital Price Comparison Tool