Should Connecticut health insurance agents run scared?

[Alston]

Connecticut now has the Charter Oak Health Plan. It is a plan offered by the state that appears to accept most of the uninsured in Connecticut. This includes those with preexisting conditions.

I put my understanding of the pros and cons of the Charter Oak Health Plan on my new blog.

Connecticut health insurance agents will need to know when to suggest this plan to their clients and how to sell against it when that is appropriate. I'd like to hear from CT agents who can add to my and our understanding of this new plan who might have a better or different view of this plan than the one on my blog.

The plan competes with the plans offered by brokers although the plan has some serious deficiencies. The main ones being the limited lifetime and annual lifetime limits and the (I assume) limited number of doctors who will accept the plan.

By the way, I was inspired by Bob (Somarco) to start my own blog. I started it on Wednesday. Bob has been able to promote his website, and promote it well, mainly on the strength of his prolific blogging.

Click the "digg" button below if you think this thread adds something to the knowledge base that will be generally useful.

 

[MAPDJim]

They better get more than the 1 hospital they have on board now.

On Wednesday, state lawmakers grilled Michael Starkowski, commissioner of the state Department of Social Services, on whether a viable network will be in place for the 19,000 residents the plan will ultimately serve. Today, 24 residents will be first to receive coverage under one of Charter Oak's three health plans.

New State Program For The Uninsured Off To Slow Start -- Courant.com

I didn't realize this plan was being set up for such a small number but I commend Gov Rell for her efforts but I'm not sure it will be the big success she hopes it will.

 

[Alston]

Why have so few been accepted? Is it just processing delays or are they being denied for particular reasons?

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Why is the state offering insurance plans? Is the premium subsidized? Since when was it the governments responsibility to be in the business of health insurance?

This is a clear socialist move, which I know is hard to believe.

"premiums ranging from $75 to $259, based on income levels" This is a complete joke. I want a new benz for $200/mo as well - but I can't have one. Maybe CT needs to come up with a program to subsidize benz purchases.

I bet 99% of these so called UNINSURABLES have cell phones and plasma TV's. I say take away their right to a cell phone if you subsidize them. The northeast continues to amaze me daily.

 

[J.R.]

And I quote, ""Our physicians aren't sure they can take on a deluge of new patients under the rates being offered. We don't want to over-promise and under-deliver"

That is the PC way of saying F-$$OFF, we want more money!!!

And I quote, "The plans are negotiated with providers' rates that fall between commercial insurance and Medicaid rates."

1) I'd LOVE to know the rates!!!

2) Being that the rates fall between commercial insurance and medicaid rates it sounds like something else is going on.

The problem isn't' that people don't have access to health insurance. The REAL problem is that it isn't "convenient" for the uninsured and the insurance companies, but it's really popular.

Last quote from a different source

"[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]The Governor’s budget recommendation contains $18.9 million for fiscal 2008, $36 million in fiscal 2009, and will be annualized at $45 million in fiscal 2010"

[/FONT]I quickly read through 3 articles discussing the funding of this plan and it appears that the program has around $11M to start. An estimated 223,000 CT resident's don't have health insurance and I'm one of those because I believe health insurance is a waste of money (wink) and I won't ever get kick or hurt!

Joking aside, let's take the proposed $18.9 and divide that by 223,000 to see how much we can allocate to the uninsured. Carry the 2....add the 4.....ok, here it is....Each member is entitled to use $84.75 per year. But, let's not forgot other benefits that the government has bestowed upon this program. When a company is used to recieving moderate discount rates and you come in wanting to lowball them you're not thinking outside the box.

It would be better to start a chain of free clinics with a portion of the money to focus on preventative care, hire one senior doctor and use that as clinic for residence training with a small stipend for US and overseas doctors. Japan's health care system operates in a similar fashion by focusing on preventative care, but we must make people accountable for their actions.

This way, we have a better way of stopping things before they happen (genetic abnormalities aside).

I'm all for helping the uninsured get the medical help they need, but they HAVE to be personally responsible for their actions and the government has to think like business people instead of throwing money around.

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva][/FONT]

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Japan's health care system operates in a similar fashion by focusing on preventative care, but we must make people accountable for their actions.

Japans diet is 100X better. 90% of the population is not morbidly obese. Ironically they do seem to all smoke a lot - but as you know JR smoking is harmless, it is all government propaganda and tax scheme. LOL

Go walk around Wal Mart and you will know why health care cost is so high. Common sense - don't maintain your car, and see what happens.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

part of the problem...when we have to fund people's decision to choose poor health - smokers.

That would be like a car insurance company covering someone who drives drinking a six pack talking about "I can handle it."

Maybe business will take care of it

http://www.pr-inside.com/why-fire-smokers-fox-morning-r650452.htm

 

[dmiller90]

Connecticut now has the Charter Oak Health Plan. It is a plan offered by the state that appears to accept most of the uninsured in Connecticut. This includes those with preexisting conditions.

I put my understanding of the pros and cons of the Charter Oak Health Plan on my new blog.

Connecticut health insurance agents will need to know when to suggest this plan to their clients and how to sell against it when that is appropriate. I'd like to hear from CT agents who can add to my and our understanding of this new plan who might have a better or different view of this plan than the one on my blog.



The plan competes with the plans offered by brokers although the plan has some serious deficiencies. The main ones being the limited lifetime and annual lifetime limits and the (I assume) limited number of doctors who will accept the plan.

By the way, I was inspired by Bob (Somarco) to start my own blog. I started it on Wednesday. Bob has been able to promote his website, and promote it well, mainly on the strength of his prolific blogging.

Click the "digg" button below if you think this thread adds something to the knowledge base that will be generally useful.

Bob is writing a blog, because Bob like to read his own words, and If you think promoting Bare Bones Health Insurance is working you must be in the same dark creepy hole. I will agree that people will visit, but honestly thats about it.

 

[Alston]

Bob is writing a blog, because Bob like to read his own words, and If you think promoting Bare Bones Health Insurance is working you must be in the same dark creepy hole. I will agree that people will visit, but honestly thats about it.

It is a PR 4, so all he needs a strong call to action and some minor SEO tweaking and he WILL get clients from the site.

By the way, I'm in a completely separate dark creepy hole.

 

[dmiller90]

It is a PR 4, so all he needs a strong call to action and some minor SEO tweaking and he WILL get clients from the site.

By the way, I'm in a completely separate dark creepy hole.

Need to read more about Page Rank, I can create a site and have page rank, does not mean it converts. The Call to Action with a Skeleton? good Luck, SEO tweaking? I have showed this site to over 30 people for a test, Guess what, same response, Creepy. So it could be a Page Rank 9 and it would not matter with this site. My son that knows nothing about it , couldnt quit laughing on how bizzare it was.