News of rising health insurance premiums has alarmed Texans as well as citizens of other states. In July, the New York Times announced that insurance companies were petitioning the federal government to approve rate increases of 20 to 40 percent and even higher. In Minnesota, for instance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield sought to raise premiums an astonishing 54 percent.

As you surely know by now, small employers in Texas are facing a series of changes under the Affordable Care Act. Some of these changes center around the Adjusted Community Rating (ACR), which went into effect in January of 2014. So far, it’s affected small businesses with 1 to 50 employees. But starting in 2016, employers with 51 to 100 employees will also be subject […]

On November 1, 2015 open enrollment begins nationwide and lasts until December 15th 2015. For a month and a half, you have the ability to sign up for the government managed, health exchange marketplace. You also have the same amount of time to sign up for private health insurance plans, unless you qualify for a special enrollment.

The source and funding of health insurance is still a political hot-button topic. Many people who have never had health insurance in Texas now have coverage, which was the main focus of the PPACA, or Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare.” Other Texans lost coverage or were required to buy worse coverage for more money.

December 15th came and went. This was the deadline for signing up for health insurance plans private or government subsided that would begin January 1st, 2015. However, the open enrollment period for 2015 is still ongoing until February 15th, 2015. Sign up for health insurance before Valentines Day to get health insurance on March 1st, 2015 and to avoid tax penalties that will increase each […]

In the writing style of The Onion A local Lubbock resident of 15 years, Greg Bachman finally decided to buy health insurance for his family before open enrollment and despite not supporting President Obama.

Lucy was a child when she was diagnosed with asthma. Her parents searched for health insurance, but were denied coverage for hospital visits and medication. Prior to the Affordable Health Care Act, this was a common scenario. Many Americans have been denied coverage of regular medical expenses for pre-existing and chronic conditions, such as asthma. In addition, not every American could afford or receive health […]

Regardless of your feelings, the ACA that was passed in March of 2010 is here. In 2014, every American is required to have health insurance or pay a penalty to the IRS. The enrollment period for a January 1st, 2014 effective date starts October 1st, 2013 and runs until the middle of December.

If anyone needs to get a child only health insurance policy (in TX), there’s a program through Blue Cross that has a one time per year open enrollment period.  The deadline is September 15th to enroll.  No agents are involved.

When calling about health insurance, seriously consider all the options.  It’s nice to have copayments for doctor’s visits and drugs, but it’s almost always an expensive option.  Consider this scenario for a single woman in her late 40’s in Lubbock, TX.