Ask Colleen King

Even though the big, massive health care reform bill has passed, not much will be changing for the next couple of years. So if you’re on your own and needing to buy an individual plan for you and/or your family, how should you do it? Call an independent agent, call an insurance company, or just Continue reading →

On April 15th, Tax Day ironically, Congress voted to extend the 65% COBRA subsidy eligibility period through May 31. Meaning, if you are ‘involuntarily terminated’ from your job and not for ’cause’ (’cause’ meaning you did something wrong) you will be eligible for this extension. Eligible folks can have the subsidy of 65% up to Continue reading →

In the recently passed health care reform bill (yes, THAT again) one of the things that was addressed was eliminating co-pays or cost sharing for preventive services. I haven’t heard how that exactly is going to work, but if it’s like other things I’ve seen, not all things labeled ‘preventive’ will be covered. This link Continue reading →

With all the furor over the Anthem Blue Cross rate increase on individual health plans, and rate increases in general, there’s a lot to keep track of for us independent agents. And up until now, I would have sworn it wasn’t possible. When rate increases on health insurance were coming, used to be you would 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 →

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 →

Last week Wellpoint, the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross, put out a response to the screaming about their recent rate increase. Click here and check it out. It’s long, but I think potentially worth reading if you’re at all curious. If nothing else, the earnings statement Brian Sassi makes is impressive: “Anthem’s net income 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 →

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) remain a popular adjunct to qualified high deductible health plans in finding ways to save on health insurance premiums. There are individual health plans and group health plans that you can get that will allow you to open an HSA. For a list of what you can and can’t use the Continue reading →

Hey I couldn’t make this up. I’m assuming it’s the insurance industry that came up with this, not Hallmark or American Greeting since I haven’t seen any ‘Happy Life Insurance Awareness Month’ cards at the local retailers as yet in the card racks. But as odd as it sounds, ‘Life Insurance Awareness Month,’ it is Continue reading →