Tony Novak 800-609-0683
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Diabetic health coverage update
by Tony Novak, CPA, MBA, MT
, revised 5/9/2012
A popular article titled “Health Insurance for Diabetics” was recently updated at Freedom Benefits to include the latest news and trends that affect about 25 million diabetics in the U.S. The article summarizes the five ways that diabetics in the U.S. find health insurance and includes links to additional resources for each type of coverage. Health insurance has changed rapidly pace of change since states implemented a federal law known as “HIPAA” in 1996. Freedom Benefits believes that an entirely new type of limited benefit health insurance known as “mini-med policies” will eventually become the dominant type of supplemental commercial insurance for diabetics and many of the nation’s working class. Because of rapidly changing health laws since 2010, each state's specific health plans and rules for coverage for diabetics is now covered in a separate article linked to the main article cited above.
We originally published our resource collection for diabetics in 2000 after noticing that diabetics were searching online for insurance alternatives without really understanding the options and legal framework of the coverage. This led to many people enrolling in health plans that seemed too good to be true – and often turned out to be completely inappropriate. Some became victim of online scams that prey on people who do not qualify for or cannot afford regular health insurance. Freedom Benefits focuses on low cost health insurance options and educating consumers on the limitations and trade-offs of each cost-saving option.
I have actually covered this topic in various formats for about twenty six years. Each year I hear from hundreds of diabetics who have difficulty choosing the right best insurance. More recently my coverage has focused on the exploding epidemic of diabetes and its effects on the overall health care industry.
Many of the stories told by diabetics without insurance are heart-breaking. The long term financial effects (in addition to the other obvious quality of life issues) of diabetes are devastating. An increasing number are frustrated and angry with the current situation that faces them to spend down personal assets and income before becoming eligible to public health plans. In some states existing laws make it practically impossible for a middle income person to afford major medical health insurance so limited benefit coverage is the only practical choice.
Since passage of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 the number of affordable health insurance options is gradually expanding. Beginning 2012, diabetics in most states will have immediate access to a range of lower-priced supplemental and mini-med insurance plans in addition to the state-sponsored Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that is available after 6 months without major medical coverage.
I welcome comments and feedback from diabetics on their insurance experiences for future publications.
The URL for the article is http://www.FreedomBenefits.net/affordable-health-insurance-articles/health-insurance-for-diabetics.html
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Opinions expressed are the solely those of the author and do not represent the position of any other person, company or entity mentioned in the article. Information is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues or a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. Tony Novak operates as an independent adviser under the trademarks "Freedom Benefits", "OnlineAdviser" and "OnlineNavigator" but is not a representative, agent, broker, producer or navigator for any securities broker dealer firm, federal or state health insurance marketplace or qualified health plan carrier. He has no financial position in any stocks mentioned. Novak does work as an accountant, agent, adviser, writer, consultant, marketer, reviewer, endorser, producer, lead generator or referrer to other companies including the companies listed in the articles on this web site.
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