Ask Colleen King » Uncategorized

“How fast can you get me health insurance?”

Colleen — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:25:08 +0000

When a call starts like this, it’s rarely good. This usually means someone has something wrong, or someone’s pregnant. Problem is, the intent of Health Insurance is in case something goes wrong. If something has happened, you don’t need insurance, you need financing and insurance companies don’t do that. This whole idea is why requiring Continue reading →

Health Insurance, the letter of creditable coverage and why it’s important.

Colleen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:52:31 +0000

When you change health insurance plans, or just drop coverage, your previous carrier will send you what’s called a Letter of Creditable Coverage. This will show the start and end day of your coverage with them. So what, what does this mean? This could be very important especially if you are moving to a different Continue reading →

Blue Shield canceled it’s latest rate increase–is that good?

Colleen — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 23:15:51 +0000

This past week, after much controversy, Blue Shield of California canceled it’s rate increase set for May. It was supposed to be in March, they were asked to delay it 60 days by the insurance commissioner, which they did. So after already having two rate increases since October of last year, Blue Shield canceled this Continue reading →

Prescription drugs and the high cost of health insurance–related?

Colleen — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:51:16 +0000

Okay, so it’s one reason that insurance premiums are so high, but it’s a big one. On AOL today there was an article about several drugs that will be coming off patent–big name drugs like Lipitor. Drug companies, in order to recoup their ‘research and development’ costs have exclusive rights to a drug they develop Continue reading →

Health care reform compliance, and the IRS is going to be the monitor?

Colleen — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:26:59 +0000

I came across an article recently published by USA Today that reminded me of the big wake up call we have coming in 2014 when the bulk of the health care reform measures go into effect. Check out this article by Sandra Block, “IRS lack clout to enforce mandatory health insurance.” This article lists estimates Continue reading →

Nice to know SOMEBODY likes insurance agents; guess who?

Colleen — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:28:49 +0000

The word is out–according to Alison Bell of the National Underwriter web site insurance commissioners in several states, including California (Thanks Mr. Poizner!) have come out with a resolution urging keeping a role for the independent agent as the PPACA (aka health care reform) moves forward. Check this short article out. Makes sense if you Continue reading →

The Connection Between Health Care Reform and Preventive Services coverage

Colleen — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:59:24 +0000

One of the big things that was to be emphasized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was removing cost barriers to many preventive services. July 14th the announcement was made by the White House as to what those services are–click here for what is the current comprehensive list: Covered Services These services Continue reading →

How is the IRS going to ‘enforce’ mandatory health insurance in the new health care reform bill?

Colleen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:21:58 +0000

I came across an article last month that was published by USA Today on April 30th that to me, outlines just a part of the big wake up call we have coming in 2014 when the bulk of the health care reform measures go into effect. If you can find it, check out the article Continue reading →

Two things to watch out for when buying health insurance or life insurance

Colleen — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:13:58 +0000

We agents really aren’t all bad, money grubbing fiends but unfortunately the insurance industry has had their share over the years. You want your agent to watch out for you best interest, not theirs–i.e. commissions. I kid my clients at times when suggesting a less expensive health insurance policy than one they are looking at. Continue reading →

Anthem Blue Cross’s rates in California aren’t going up May 1–really?

Colleen — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:00:53 +0000

This news at least when it comes to health insurance was better than Nutella pancakes on a weekend. I’m surprised I had to read this in the L.A. Times Sunday morning and didn’t get email notification from Anthem, since they are really good about keeping agents in the loop on things. Especially one this important. Continue reading →