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December 13, 2005

Pacificare VPC Underwriting

Filed under: Home, Pacificare

PacifiCare is excited about our new VPC underwriting procedure designed to speed up underwriting decisions and eliminate the need for medical records. However, there has been some confusion about what this new VPC process is about, so let me explain a bit better…
Pacificare health insurance Image

The procedure is called the Verification Phone Call or VPC - all applicants will receive a phone call from underwriting. The purpose of the call is:

* To verify the medical information on the application and gather additional information to expedite the decision.
* To assure the accuracy of the data provided on the application (they only ask questions that are on the app).
* To verify the healthcare plan choice made by the client.

For the agent this means reduced issue time and the case is approved faster!

A brief overview on how the process works is:

* A VPC is made to each applicant after we receive and set up the application. Please make the contact # on the application their Cell phone #.
* If the 1st attempt is unsuccessful, a 2nd attempt is made on the next business day. We will try to contact them up to 4 times.
* If we are unsuccessful in reaching your client we will send a letter requesting them to call us. You will also be notified at this time.
* If your client can’t talk when they are called, have them call us back for their VPC when it is convenient for them:
* HMO VPC # 866-272-0389, or, PPO VPC # 800-232-5432

A couple of steps that you can take to speed up the process are to:

* Notify your client they will be receiving a call from PacifiCare, and tell them to have a copy of the application and their medical information at hand.
* Be sure to tell your client to only answer the questions asked, and to be clear, honest and succinct.
* If your client is unable to complete the call they can call PacifiCare UW back at the #s referenced above.

This process was started in the middle of November and has significantly reduced the time needed to UW the apps. I am available to assist you with any questions that you have in regards to the VPC, and anything else I can do to provide quality customer service to both you and your clients.

Best regards,

Elisabeth Mack, RN, BSN, MBA
Account Executive, San Diego County
PacifiCare Individual Health Plan Sales

December 9, 2005

Blue Shield to Offer NEW Plans

Filed under: Blue Shield

We have recently been advised by Blue Shield of California that they will be offering new plans and having a rate increase effective February 1st, 2006.
Blue Shield of California

While necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of health care, we know rate increases are never welcome news. Blue Shield therefore hopes that by timing the increase for February instead of January, they have made it easier for you to consult with us after the busy holiday season has ended. To further support you, we are providing:

  • Rate charts for at-a-glance refrence to the new rates - call 1-800-741-1500 for your free rate chart
  • Personalized Competitive Rate Quotes and notificatin schedule so you can shop the market and see if another plan may better suit your needs.
  • Blue Shield Customer Service tools including information for your conversations with your broker and sample questions to ask.

You’ll find all this information and more oun our website. Plus, we have some exciting news and helful reminders…..

  • Coming Soon, you’ll have online access to your customer information! Among the benefits of online access, you’ll be able to download your policy information so it is easy to find the information you need. You can also see information about cycle changes. We will notify you once the tool is available.
  • New Plans desigined for business expansion. With our new Active Start Plan 25 and Access+ Value HMO you will have more choices for lower cost health plans and you have more variety to choose from.
  • Credit Card payment offers added convenience and budget control. You can now use VISA or MasterCard to pay your ongoing Blue Shield premium or dues.
  • Active Choice Plan 600 This plan is no longer available to sell. The last day of coverage under tis plan is December 31, 2005.

November 16, 2005

Privacy Policy

Filed under: Home

In an effort to better assist our customers, Michael & Hege Insuarnce Services, Inc. has started using Google Analytics to track web use activity on our site. Please be aware of our policies complying with HIPAA Regulations as well as customer information.

The information you provide on our websites and health insurance applications is held confidential. Feel free to read more about our privacy policy.

New Short Term Health Insurance

Filed under: Home

NEW: Short-term Health Insurance and Medical Insurance (STM) Plans
Short-term health insurance plans are a great solution when you’re between jobs, waiting for group coverage to start, or if you’re a recent college graduate.
Did you know we have short term health insurance plans that you can keep for up to twelve months?

Get a fast Short Term Health Insurance Quote now!

Family Discounts Apply to Health Net Plans

Filed under: Health Insurance, Health Net

Health Net of California has found the solution for the issue of multiple-subscriber quoting and enrollment for their subscriber-only plans (SimpleValue portfolio and ValueChoice 1500). Effective 01/01/2006, Health Net will allow multiple-subscribers to receive an online quote and enroll in these plans on a single application.

Health Net Logo

This means that consumers are now allowed to obtain a family quote for these plans from www.ehealthfinder.com and www.ezHealthShopper.com websites.

The online quoting engine at the above sites will be among the first in California to show family quotes for our SimpleValue and VC1500 plans online. They will be the first companies to have this functionality for our plans. Internally, I have initiated a project for www.healthnet.com which will include our AppGen and WebGen websites. Unfortunately, we (www.healthnet.com) are unable to perform quoting or enrollment for multiple-subscribers for these plans until our website is updated. I am hoping that we can have this updated shortly. Once this is updated, I will send a notification to all WebGen and AppGen brokers notifying them of this change.

November 12, 2005

Health Insurance Consumer Guide for California

Filed under: Home

Dear friends,

It’s nearly one year ago exactly that George Town University released it’s Consumer Guide to Health Insurance for California(pdf) for consumers who have are seeking state specific information about their health insurance plan. This valuable resource is still an excellent starting place for consumer information about health insurance in California. It also outlines State and Federal health resources that are of use to consumers in the Health Insurnace marketplace.

Some other valuable online resources for people having difficult either affording or qualifying for health insurance coverage include California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board which oversee’s popular California Health Insurance programs like, Healthy Families for low income families in California that otherwise may not be able to afford traditional Health Insurance.

MR. MIB, as the program is affectionaly refered to also is the Major Risk Program(pdf) administrator for individuals who do not otherwise qualify for standard individual health insurance.

One thing to keep in mind; Besides these government sponsored plans that are often very expensive and a one size fits all solution, there are other creative ways we can often insure you. Sometimes we can establish a Group plan or other times we can use Short term health insurance to meet your needs.

As always, if you have questions or need assistance navigating the litigious health insurance process, you can contact Michael & Hege Insurance Services, Inc. One of our qualified Health Insurance Brokers will be happy to assist you. Remember, our services are free to you!

    Thank you,

    Morgan Hege

Property Insurance

Filed under: Home

Property-Insurance-Blog.com links back to our website with a friendly link to our Property Insurance information. In fact they link to this Property Insurance link.

Currently we have stopped offer property insurance and instead refer you proudly to Alta Vista Insurance of San Diego. They specialize in Property Insurance, specifically commercial property.

Thank you to Property Insurance Blog Dot Com

November 11, 2005

Aetna Group Medicare Update

Filed under: Aetna, Medicare

Aetna Logo
Medicare-eligible Small Group Members Receive Creditable & Non-Creditable Coverage Notices

Background
Federal Regulations mandate that employers, who provide prescription drug coverage, must inform their Medicare-eligible plan participants (active and retired) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether or not their prescription drug plan qualifies as “creditable coverage”. This initial notification must be provided by November 14, 2005.

Creditable coverage is defined by CMS as prescription drug coverage with an actuarial value equal to or exceeding the value of standard Medicare Part D coverage.

These notices are important because it protects the interests of Medicare-eligible individuals who are covered today under a group prescription drug plan, but may need or choose to move to a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in the future. Because there is a penalty for not enrolling when first eligible, the disclosure of creditable coverage ensures that a beneficiary will not have to pay higher premium charges for enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan after the initial enrollment period. This penalty is waived for anyone who has creditable coverage from another source.

Aetna’s Response
As a service to our plan sponsors, we sent creditable coverage or non-creditable coverage notices to all Medicare-eligible Small Group members with prescription drug coverage. These notices went out on November 2. Plan participants with discount cards only were excluded from the mailing, as this does not qualify as prescription drug coverage.

The actuarial department performed creditable coverage testing for all plans in which at least one Individual or Small Group Medicare-eligible member is enrolled. A total of 24,878 letters were mailed to our applicable members:

  • 24,263 Creditable notifications (23,034 Small Group and 1,229 Individual)
  • 615 Non-Creditable notifications (588 Small Group and 27 Individual)
  • A list of Aetna non-creditable plans, effective 1/1/06, will be availability shortly on Aetna.com for your reference. All plans not listed as non-creditable are assumed to be creditable.
  • Future notifications of creditable coverage for Individual will be handled by Aetna on a regular basis.
  • Future notifications of creditable coverage for Small Group renewals and new business will need to be handled by employers. Employers will receive letters shortly that detail these responsibilities and where to access information and/or direct questions.

If you have any questions on Medicare, feel free to contact Michael & Hege Insurance Services, Inc. 1-800-741-1500

Thank you,

Morgan Hege

Health Insurance Information

Filed under: Home, Health Insurance

Health Insurance - General Health Insurance information for California shoppers. If you are looking for a California health insurance quote, then you have come to the right place. We have all the major California health insurance companies repesented through our agency. We look forward to serving you, and answering all your questions.

California Health Insurance - California health insurance premiums are on the increase. We specialize in helping shoppers find the lowest cost california health insurance premium with the best possible coverage. If you live in California, you should take a moment to get a quote from us - You will be glad you did! We can usually find ways to reduce your health insurance costs, and keep your family insured.

Affordable Health Insurance - Information about Affordable Health Insurance in California. As we continue to move forward into the 21st century, health and health insurance remain a hot button topic. With more advances than ever before in medicine, it is important to maintain access to doctors and hospitals, as well as perscription drugs. The costs keep going up, and it is important to have insurance to help buffer that cost.

Low Cost Health Insurance -What really is Low Cost Health Insurance? The difference between "Low Cost" and "Cheap". Everyone always says, “I want cheap insurance.” Here we talk about the difference between low cost and cheap. The truth is, you get what you pay for. But that doesn’t mean you can adjust your deductible and use other stratigies to reduce you out of pocket expenses.

Insurance Companies - This link contains some of the health insurance companies we repesent. Here you can find information about Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser, Healthnet, Pacificare, and others. The compaines in this list are amoung the largest carriers in California, and the country.

HIPPA & COBRA - Employer Regulation Questions and FAQ regarding HIPPA. Here we outline the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in all its legslative glory! ( Now that’s a mouth full) This law passed by congress in 1996 is amoung the best intended and worst written legislation imaginable. We try to disect this health insurance lawit from a question and answer perspective to give you a better overall understanding of this important health insurance law. We also cover the COBRA act and how it too affects health insurance in California.

Employee Benefits - Information regarding various Employee Benefits. Many employees site the reason they leave their current employer as a lack of Health Benefits, and other employee beneifts. There are a number of ways to add these important benefits to your company and keep the costs affordable for both the employer and employee. Take a moment to read about employee benefits and see if we can help your company retain its most valuable asset - its employees.

Dental Insurance - An excellent low cost, high value benefit that many people forget to think about. But how important is your smile to you? Dental insurance is not the same as health insurance, and there are a variety of plans that are available to meet almost any budget. Keep in mind, most good dental plans have a waiting period for major dental work. So consider taking out dental insurance coverage before you get a tooth ache!

Self Employed Health Insurance - About the different types of health insurnace plans available to the self employed, and to Business owners. There are many ways we can work with the self employed to get good health coverage. One of the best ways is with a HSA - Health Savings Account. If you have not heard of these plans, they are a “god send” for the purposes of your tax liability and health insurance coverage. Also, if you own a business, and have a minimum of two people, we have guaranteed issue health insurance policies no matter you health history!

Health Insurance Myths - Myths commonly believed about health insurance. You would not believe some things that people think about health insurance. But here are some of the simpler misconceptions about health insurance that may be helpful to you while shopping and getting California health insurance quotes. This information is good to read before you buy health insurance in California.

Temporary Health Insurance - Plans ranging from twelve to eighteen months on a temporary basis. Temporary health insurance may be an excellent low cost alternative to your COBRA coverage. These plans have simple underwriting guidelines, low permiums, and good coverage. If you are just between jobs, or waiting to go onto medicare, take a look at these short term health insurance plans.

About Michael & Hege Insurance Services - Information about your agency (and ours). Many people ask, "Are you a referral service?" The answer is, "No!" Unlike most majorhealth insurance sites on the web, we are not a referral service, you are dealing with an actual insurance broker that can provide coverage for you! Many of the places that ask for your personal information are actually selling it to someone (or many someone’s). Then they call you. You have no idea who you are actually dealing with when you use one of these services, or what kind of health insurance quote you are going to receive. That is why we suggest dealing with a broker. Here you can learn more about our health insurance agency.

November 10, 2005

Apply for Health Insurance Today

Filed under: Home

If you haven’t already, why not check out ezHealthShopper.com and start an application for a health insurance plan. We’d like to encourage you to visit to our site and complete your application today.

We all know how important it is to have health insurance coverage. When you buy a health insurance plan, you get the peace of mind that comes with providing for your health needs and protecting your financial stability in the face of the unexpected.

Use the following link to sign onto our website and complete your application today: www.ezHealthShopper.com

Choosing the right health plan can be a difficult decision. We can help to make that decision easier by calling one of our licensed and experienced health insurance agents at 1-800-741-1500. If you have any questions about the plans available to you, or if you would like personal assistance with completing your application, our agents are ready to help you.

We look forward to serving you!

Morgan Hege & Jens Michael

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