Ask Colleen King

With all the discussion around health care coverage, the cost, who’s good and who’s not, I like to see my clients get the most they can from their health insurance. The big tip–the excitement–drum roll please…..You want to use contracted providers whenever possible. With HMO (health maintenance organization) plans you don’t really have a choice. Continue reading →

In my last article I talked about the impending herd of new graduates, high school and college, and that people are now needing to address what to do about their health insurance. Again, If your high school grad is going to college, then of course they can stay on your group health plan if you Continue reading →

May into June is such a great time for families as their kids are getting ready to graduate from high school or college. A time of pride, sense of accomplishment, it’s great. As I drive around the LA area I see the signs of upcoming graduation ceremonies and it takes me back. We won’t go Continue reading →

Now that I’ve heard this from three different sources, I believe it. Because of all the flack from Anthem Blue Cross has received from the impending rate increase on individual health insurance policies. At the request of State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Anthem will hold off this current round of increases until May 1. During Continue reading →

Well, depends on how you feel about what you are hearing. If you have concerns about what is (or isn’t) being discussed around health care reform, read on. Personally I’m not a huge on writing politicians but there are times you need to stand up and think you may be counted. This is easy to Continue reading →

When people understand them, many like the idea of health savings accounts. They aren’t for everyone, but no one type of health care coverage is. Otherwise, we’d all have the same plan, and health care reform would have hit by now. What does a health savings account (HSA) have to do with tax time? Well, Continue reading →

Anthem Blue Cross should thank Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia for coming up with something causing even more outrage than they did. An article in today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells the story of a gentleman who had a 72% increase in premium. On the surface it looks like maybe one of the reasons was because he Continue reading →

I know I’m not a political or social services writer, but our pals at the L.A Times Wednesday had an interesting article on how the County of Los Angeles reimburses physicians when they care for the uninsured. How does this affect your health insurance premiujms? The Physicians Services for Indigents Program in L.A. County was Continue reading →

Well, it’s been just over a week since the rate increase heard around the world hit and people are still going Anthem Blue Cross, Woodland Hills, CA nuts. President Obama has expressed outrage. Kathleen Sebelius isn’t satisfied. California Department of Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner allegedly said that people shouldn’t buy from Anthem Blue Cross (I Continue reading →

I would have gotten to writing this sooner but I’ve been talking/emailing with many of my clients today about the Los Angeles Times story today talking about Anthem Blue Cross’s March 1 rate increase. The story is claiming an average of 30-39% in increases. First of all, we all know the media loves controversy and Continue reading →