When looking for Kaiser Permanente medical insurance plans in Colorado, there are some key things to consider in order to find the right plan for you and your family.

1. Do you want a plan without a deductible?
If you don’t want a plan with a deductible, then you would want to go with the $35 Copayment Plan. There are three copayment plans offered for Colorado individuals, but the other two plans offer less coverage and the rates are usually about the same. The $35 Copayment Plan includes prescription drug coverage, doctor visits for a copayment of $35 and a fairly low out-of-pocket maximum ($3,000 for individual/$7,500 for family).

2. Do you want a plan with a low out-of-pocket maximum?
If you’re like me, you really want to know what your worst case scenario would be in one year. I ask certain questions. What if I had to have surgery or I was hospitalized for a long time? I don’t mind covering the small stuff out of my own pocket, but I want to know that if something terrible happens, I’m not going to get wiped out financially. If you’re in this scenario, I highly recommend the $2,000 Deductible Plan with HSA. This plan has the lowest out-of-pocket maximum of all the plans. After you pay out $2,000 in one year, you have 100% coverage for the rest of the year. That means that for the rest of the year you only have to pay your monthly premium, and everything else is covered for free. I like that!

3. Are you looking for a cheap health insurance plan?
If you just want a low monthly premium on your medical insurance plan, there are a couple ways you can go. The cheapest health plan is the $5,000 Deductible Plan without Rx. This plan covers doctor visits right away for $30, which is really nice. You get such a low premium because there is no prescription drug coverage and because the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are so high. However, if you really want prescription drug coverage, for a little bit more on your monthly premium, you can bump up your plan selection to the $3,000 Deductible Plan. Another option is to get the $5,000 Deductible Plan with HSA. This plan is around the same price as the two I just mentioned, but it has a lower out-of-pocket maximum by far. Once you reach $5,000 in one year, you have 100% coverage for the rest of the year, and you have the option of opening a health savings account which allows you to deduct many of your medical expenses from your federal taxes.

Posted: June 25th, 2009 under Colorado Individual.
Comments: none

When looking for Kaiser Permanente medical insurance plans in Colorado, there are some key things to consider in order to find the right plan for you and your family.

1. Do you want a plan without a deductible?
If you don’t want a plan with a deductible, then you would want to go with the $35 Copayment Plan. There are three copayment plans offered for Colorado individuals, but the other two plans offer less coverage and the rates are usually about the same. The $35 Copayment Plan includes prescription drug coverage, doctor visits for a copayment of $35 and a fairly low out-of-pocket maximum ($3,000 for individual/$7,500 for family).

2. Do you want a plan with a low out-of-pocket maximum?
If you’re like me, you really want to know what your worst case scenario would be in one year. I ask certain questions. What if I had to have surgery or I was hospitalized for a long time? I don’t mind covering the small stuff out of my own pocket, but I want to know that if something terrible happens, I’m not going to get wiped out financially. If you’re in this scenario, I highly recommend the $2,000 Deductible Plan with HSA. This plan has the lowest out-of-pocket maximum of all the plans. After you pay out $2,000 in one year, you have 100% coverage for the rest of the year. That means that for the rest of the year you only have to pay your monthly premium, and everything else is covered for free. I like that!

3. Are you looking for a cheap health insurance plan?
If you just want a low monthly premium on your medical insurance plan, there are a couple ways you can go. The cheapest health plan is the $5,000 Deductible Plan without Rx. This plan covers doctor visits right away for $30, which is really nice. You get such a low premium because there is no prescription drug coverage and because the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are so high. However, if you really want prescription drug coverage, for a little bit more on your monthly premium, you can bump up your plan selection to the $3,000 Deductible Plan. Another option is to get the $5,000 Deductible Plan with HSA. This plan is around the same price as the two I just mentioned, but it has a lower out-of-pocket maximum by far. Once you reach $5,000 in one year, you have 100% coverage for the rest of the year, and you have the option of opening a health savings account which allows you to deduct many of your medical expenses from your federal taxes.

Posted: June 25th, 2009 under Colorado Individual.
Comments: none

When will my rates go up?

You may have noticed that every now and then your rates change. Usually, when they change that means they go up. However, occasionally rates have actually gone down on certain plans for some age groups or rate areas. A couple things can cause your rates to change:

1. Birthdays
Every now and then your rates will increase the month after you’ve had a birthday. It’s not quite the birthday present you were looking for from Kaiser Permanente, but that’s how it works. This doesn’t happen every birthday, but rather at certain milestones. For California individual health plans, this occurs every five years at age 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, etcetera up to age 65. For California group health plans this occurs every ten years until you reach 50; then, your rates change every five years up to age sixty-five. These rate changes occur at 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, and 65.

2. Renewal
Your rates will change annually at renewal. For individual and family plans, your renewal is either January 1st or July 1st depending on when you applied. If you applied before May 23, 2009 your renewal will be January 1st. If you applied from May 24, 2009 to December 8, 2009, your renewal will be on July 1st. In the future, those who apply for January through June effective dates will always have a January 1st renewal and those apply for July to December effective dates will always have a July 1st renewal.

For group plans, your renewal is the anniversary of when your group started coverage. For example, if your business began the health plan on October 1st, then your renewal will be each year on October 1st.

Tip for You: If you’re getting quotes and trying to figure out what you’ll be paying, you may want to find out what your rates will be when you have a birthday and age up into the next age bracket. This is especially true if you will be aging up soon after applying. People who are ages 29, 39, 49, 54, etc. will definitely want to find out what their rates will be after their next birthday.

Posted: June 24th, 2009 under California.
Comments: none

Rate Security for New Individual and Family Members for up to a Year 

Effective July 1, 2009, Kaiser Permanente will make available two enrollment rate periods for private plan enrollees. This will enable new California individual and family members to maintain the same medical insurance rates for up to one year.  Details are as follows:

• January 1 to June 15: For new clients who sign up for coverage that begins January 1st through June 15th, rates will change each year in January. In the past, this January rate change applied to all new enrollees. Now it only applies to new applicants who apply within this window of time.

• July 1 to December 15:  For new members who sign up for coverage that begins July 1st through December 15th, rates will stay unchanged until the following July. July 1, 2010 will be the first time rates will have changed mid-year for Kaiser California Individual and Family Plan members. This rate period only applies to new enrollees who apply within this window of time.

“This is especially great news for people who apply for coverage in November and December,” said John Hansen, spokesperson for KaiserQuotes.com.  “It used to be that their rates would change a month or two later on January 1st, which was terribly frustrating for these new enrollees. Now they don’t need to think about a rate change until July 1.”

With the new California individual health insurance parameters, clients will be able to lock in their rates for no less than six months and, in some cases, up to 12 months. New enrollees who begin coverage on January 1^st or July 1^st will lock in their rates for an entire year. Those who choose effective dates in June or December are able to lock in rates before the bi-annual rate change, but their rates are only locked in for about half of a year. 

“In the current economy, with people very concerned about their budgets, in particular the cost of healthcare, it’s wonderful to be able to offer clients this peace of mind,” said Hansen. “This helps them plan ahead and stay focused on what’s most important—their health and well-being.”

California health insurance rates will continue to reset for all members moving into a new age group the first month following their birthday. Clients who change plans will stay in their current rate change schedule regardless of when they make the change. 

Posted: June 19th, 2009 under California Individual.
Comments: none

Below is a comparison between Kaiser and Coventry. I would like to point out a few areas that will show that Kaiser’s benefits are better. We all know that Coventry has the cheapest price in town. However, the cheap price may not be the best selection for you. You’ll need to compare and contrast rates and benefits to find the right Georgia health insurance plan for you.

Notice in the plan above that that out-of-pocket maximum (the worst case scenario in one year) is far lower with the Kaiser Permanente Plan. Also, Kaiser’s lifetime maximum is unlimited while Coventry limits it to $7 million. Specialist visits are always $50 with Kaiser, but with Coventry you only get two $50 specialist visits before the deductible. Preventative screenings are free and labs and x-ray’s are included with your copay with Kaiser, but not with the competitor. Mental health coverage is included with Kaiser, but not with Coventry unless you pay extra for a separate rider. One of the biggest drawbacks to Coventry is that they don’t cover pre-existing conditions until after a 12 month waiting period. Kaiser does not exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Though the monthly premiums for the Coventry plan may be lower, you’re going to get nickled and dimed to death at the doctor’s office with the Coventry plan. The Kaiser Permanente coverage is just better.

The Kaiser facility provides excellent service as well as convenience. Pharmacy, labs, etc. are all provided in the facility. Kaiser also provides the healthy living classes for KP members. These classes offer ways to help members live healthy. This way they will stay out of the doctor’s office.

Posted: June 17th, 2009 under Georgia.
Comments: none

If you are interested in applying for a Kaiser Permanente California Plan for Individuals and Families, now is a great time to apply. Those who enroll in coverage for a July 1^st effective date can lock in their rates for an entire year. This means your rates won’t change until July 1, 2010. If you apply by June 23^rd, you will be eligible to get a July 1^st effective date and lock in your rates for one year. 

In the past, rates always changed on the 1^st of January. For example, in 2008 those who applied for July 1, 2008 had a rate change only seven months later on January 1, 2009. Those who applied for a November 1, 2008 effective date had their rates change only two months later. Now, anyone who applies for coverage that starts July 1, 2009 to December 15, 2009 does not have to worry about a rate change until July 1, 2010.  

This is good news for the many who have been frustrated with the constant rate changes and skyrocketing healthcare costs of other medical insurance carriers. With the economy in the state it is, people are trying to budget their money and keep their costs down. The same rates that were available January 1, 2009 are available for those who apply this month for a July 1^st effective date, and those who apply now can count on maintaining those same rates for 12 months.

Posted: June 15th, 2009 under California Individual.
Comments: none

Is it time to get your annual check-up? If you are looking to get your physical soon, click Kaiser Permanente Annual Physical. On this web page you’ll find out about what questions the doctor will ask and what s/he will do when you’re there.

Definitely, make sure and schedule your visit for the annual physcial. You know the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is very true when it comes to checking up on your health. Men and women who are insured with Kaiser Permanente both qualify for an annual checkup. Women also get an annual OB-GYN checkup.

Kaiser Permanente provides some of the best healthcare in the world with great advances in medicine and medical records. However, they can only do their job well when we’re doing ours. We need to get the right amount of sleep, exercise, take care of our nutrition and get our check-ups. Kaiser members who do their part in maintaining good health greatly increase their odds of living long, healthy lives. That’s what the thrive campaign is all about. Here’s to your health!

Posted: June 12th, 2009 under California.
Comments: none

Is it time to get your annual check-up? If you are looking to get your physical soon, click Kaiser Permanente Annual Physical. On this web page you’ll find out about what questions the doctor will ask and what s/he will do when you’re there.

Definitely, make sure and schedule your visit for the annual physcial. You know the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is very true when it comes to checking up on your health. Men and women who are insured with Kaiser Permanente both qualify for an annual checkup. Women also get an annual OB-GYN checkup.

Kaiser Permanente provides some of the best healthcare in the world with great advances in medicine and medical records. However, they can only do their job well when we’re doing ours. We need to get the right amount of sleep, exercise, take care of our nutrition and get our check-ups. Kaiser members who do their part in maintaining good health greatly increase their odds of living long, healthy lives. That’s what the thrive campaign is all about. Here’s to your health!

Posted: June 12th, 2009 under California.
Comments: none

When I fell and bruised my hand, I thought that I had simply irritated my arthritis. However, when it was still sore six months later, I wondered if I had done more damage than I had originally thought.  

I’m on a Kaiser Permanente deductible plan, and I didn’t want to pay the $75 to go see my doctor just for him to send me to get X-Rays to see if I had broken something. I thought, “Perhaps I could take care of this with a simple email.” I went online and emailed my Doctor. I told him about my fall and the pain that I was still having after six months. He emailed me back to let me know that he had sent an order for X-rays for my thumb. So, I never had to go in for the doctor visit, and I never had to pay the $75. I just went in and got the X-rays.  

I actually never even saw my doctor. After I got the X-rays, he emailed me to let me know that there were no broken bones. He let me know that the pain was just from the arthritis that had been aggravated by the fall. I only had to pay the cost of the x-rays and not the cost of the office visit.

Posted: June 11th, 2009 under Kaiser Permanente.
Comments: none

When a group is renewing their California Business Health Insurance, often the group will need to be recertified. In this case, Kaiser Permanente will send the business a letter that asks for four documents.  The letter is generic, so the documents requested may not all apply to that particular group. Some groups have been confused by this.  Hopefully the following information will be helpful for such groups.

Below are the forms Kaiser Permanente will ask for:
1. DE6 or Payroll
2. Business License
3. Employers’ Confirmation of Workers’ Compensation Form
4. Proprietor Form

Not all of these documents apply to every group. For example, a group without employees does not need to provide a DE6. Kaiser Permanente will always require two of the forms:
1. The Proprietor Form needs to have current signatures.
2. The Employers’ Confirmation of Workers’ Compensation Form must always be submitted. If Workers’ Compensation is not required for that business, then the form just needs to be marked ‘exempt’.

Posted: June 9th, 2009 under California Group.
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