January 31, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

One Out Of Every Five Americans Lives with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Says Benepath CEO, Pennsylvania

Those who live with pre-existing conditions often have a difficult time getting affordable health insurance.

“I’ve heard this said many times over: that people with pre-existing medical conditions have a hard time getting health insurance that is reasonably priced. It is not impossible to find affordable health insurance, but it can be a challenge. That will change in 2014,” added Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania.

If health care reform stays the course, what will happen in 2014 is insurance providers will be banned from excluding people with pre-existing conditions from getting insurance. However, that is still a full two years away, and does nothing to help the millions of Americans that are deemed uninsurable now.

“To fill in the gap between now and then, the government set up the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan in all 50 states,” explained Green. “In simplified terms, the plan offers health insurance to those who have difficulties getting health insurance. The plans offer hospital care, specialty care and primary care, and prescription drugs. This plan with lower premiums would be ideal for many of the almost 57 million going without health insurance. But the odd thing is that less than 19,000 people have opted for this plan.”

In an economy that makes even putting bread on the table questionable some months, one would think those who are uninsurable because of a pre-existing health condition would welcome the opportunity to have reasonably priced coverage. However, while this sounds like a great plan at first glance, the stumbling block is the waiting period.

People wanting to switch to this plan must face being without any insurance coverage for at least six months before they apply and that includes COBRA. “Six months is a long time to wait if you have diabetes or a heart condition and need daily medications. Many feel it is too big a risk to take, even if it means they’d be paying less after their waiting period was over,” Green pointed out.

There is an option that those caught between a rock and a hard place may find attractive if they want to join the government program. It is referred to as non-insurance health plans. These plans typically market health services to large groups of people and when those who do join officially become members, they have a great deal of buying clout that allows the company to obtain discounted prices for medical services. “In some cases,” demonstrated Green, “the discounts can range from 25 percent to 80 percent on vision, dental and medical service, drugs and medical supplies. Some people find that very attractive.”

When it comes to costs for going to the hospital, discount companies either pre-negotiate cost reductions for hospital procedures or assign an advocate to negotiate lower costs. “The advocate may also apply for financial assistance to pay the hospital balance off on your behalf, if that is suitable under the circumstances,” Green said.

More often than not, the discount medical programs are very affordable, coming in at less than $50 per month for the whole family. Many outfits do not require contracts, and benefits are available on sign up. “You just need to keep in mind that this option is not traditional health insurance. While it may not be for some people, others may find it attractive enough to wait the six month period until they can get the regular health insurance. Ultimately, the choices are yours and you do what you need to do for your health,” added Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com.

December 30, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Health Is the Most Important Asset To Have Says Benepath CEO

Taking care of one’s health is crucial to financial stability. Without health insurance, that stability is threatened.

“While you may think it is a stretch of the imagination to think you could be in debt so deep there is no way out but bankruptcy, this is a reality in America today,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania.
“That isn’t meant to scare you. It is meant to tell you how it is. Feel free to check this out at http://www.pnhp.org/new_bankruptcy_study/Bankruptcy-2009.pdf, where you will find some startling figures that put the medical bankruptcy problem into sharp focus.”

The facts are that medical issues have caused at least 62 percent of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in 2007. “The cost of medical care has risen sharply since 2007, and continues to rise even as you read this. With those kinds of statistics, the very thought of ‘not’ having health insurance is frightening,” Green added.

Without good health, it becomes increasingly more difficult to hold a job, pay bills, take part in life’s daily tasks, keep a roof over one’s head and put food on the table. The money that does come into the home is paid out to medical expenses; expenses that eventually overwhelm every other bill an individual or family needs to pay. There is no end to paying medical expenses, largely because they are so high to begin with. “For instance, a broken leg may cost $17,000 and up. With a bill that high and other expenses to meet, people just can’t keep up,” Green indicated.

While the cost of insurance may seem prohibitive, it is far less expensive than having to pay a $17,000 or higher medical bill. With insurance, the costs are manageable. Without it, the patient is responsible for all the costs associated with a broken leg including, but not limited to, the ambulance bill, medications, x-rays, materials to set the bone, surgery if required, casting, follow-up care and physiotherapy. That would be one whopper of a bill without insurance.

“It is vitally important to carry health insurance, even in tough economic times, unless you plan to add even more fuel to the fire by being involved in an accident or coming down with pneumonia. If you can deal with the mega bills, then you can manage without insurance. Most of us can’t, and for this reason, even if it means cutting a few corners here and there in the household budget, it makes good, common sense to have health insurance,” stated Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com. Benepath is the leading provider of affordable health insurance quotes. Visitors to Benepath.com can get health insurance quotes from top rated insurance companies in all of the United States.

November 30, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Religious Twist Involved in the Latest Challenge to the Affordable Care Act Notes Benepath CEO

The latest challenge to the health care reform law is a religious one. Some say it violates their religious freedom.

“Health care reform was always a contentious issue from day one,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania. “Since it was passed, it has faced court challenge after court challenge, and the latest lawsuit is based on the allegation that the Affordable Care Act violates religious freedom.”

The key element that has caused the uproar over the Affordable Care Act is the law that states every person must buy health insurance by 2014 or they will have to pay a penalty. This has been met with challenges across the nation, and so far one court of appeal has upheld the mandate, one has struck it down and one has dismissed a lawsuit twice based on jurisdictional issues. It other words, this is an issue looking for a court decision, but so far it is not making much headway nor is there any degree of consensus on it.

“The latest challenge was brought to court by a religious group on behalf of five citizens. They feel the law violates their beliefs and that Congress does not have the authority to force them to buy health insurance, when they believe that God will protect them,” Green outlined.

While this is an interesting challenge, Congress has steadfastly maintained it does have the authority to pass such a law and enforce the mandate because the cost of health care is getting out of control. And that is the argument the federal government lawyers will use to rebut this latest lawsuit.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs are Susan Seven-Sky, Peggy Lee Mead, Charles Lee, Kenneth Ruffo and Gina Rodriguez and the defendants are Eric Holder Jr., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Department of the Treasury and Timothy Geithner. In short, the case cite for those who want to read the interesting arguments by finding the case online is Susan Seven-Sky v. Eric Holder Jr. Case No. 11-5047.

“It is a thoughtful read and full of arguments that make a great deal of sense. As always, there are two sides to every lawsuit, and the court will need to decide which one prevails after entertaining all the material submitted. While reading this case, you might want to take a look at your thoughts and feelings on this issue about being mandated to buy health insurance if you do not have it by the year 2014,” suggested Green. It is an issue that is likely to continue to be a hot button for many Americans.

The nugget of the argument to be made in court by the religious group is that forcing people to get health insurance means they would have to get it indefinitely or pay annual penalties for holding a sincere belief that God protects them from injury or illness. In short, they are refusing to get the health insurance because it would violate their faith. “Of interest is the fact that the Affordable Care Act does have some religious exemptions, but in this instance, it appears that some of the plaintiffs may not qualify,” added Green.

On the government’s side, the argument is that Congress has determined that individuals who do not have health insurance quite often do not pay for the medical services they may require. This shifts the cost to the providers and taxpayers, which is the whole reason behind why the Affordable Care Act passed. “Of note is that uninsured Americans cost the system close to $43 billion in 2008,” Green pointed out.

Perhaps it is time to take a really hard look at this Act and figure out if it may not actually be the beginning of turning around a system that is badly in need of repair.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

November 16, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Exclusive Medicare Supplement Leads Generate Reliable Senior Business Says Benepath CEO

Real time, exclusive Medicare supplement leads can be the backbone of an insurance business. Do not waste money on leads that are called to death.

“If you’re selling insurance, Medicare supplement leads need to be a major part of your business,” added Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of benepath.net in Pennsylvania. “This is a demographic that needs what you are selling, and with the possibility of mandatory insurance coming in 2014, real time Medicare supplement leads are worth their weight in gold. I’m not just talking about any old leads that are days old or that have gone to six or more agents before you get them. I’m talking about real time, exclusive to ‘you’ leads that can set you up to succeed.”

For those agents that have been there and done that, and discovered the leads they got were virtually worthless, this is an opportunity to check out. “You need quality leads to make it worth your while; quality leads which are pre-qualified, fresh and ready to go. Those kinds of leads are well worth not only the investment of your time to call them, but you will get a good ROI when you sell them a Medicare supplement,” Green pointed out.

Exclusive Medicare supplement leads help grow and expand an agent’s business and are a terrific way to source new and fresh prospects. The whole point of buying leads is to not only build a business, but save time trying to find leads the hard way. “Not that you can’t go out and knock on doors if that is what works best for you, but it is the hard road to building a successful business,” said Green. “Buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads is a lot less expensive than using direct mail leads – at least four times less expensive. That’s money in your pocket.”

Today’s economic climate is tough, but those agents who choose to invest their time and money in the right places, for the right things that ultimately pay off, will have a head start on building a solid insurance business over time. This business with good customers will keep coming back, year after year. The main attraction to buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads is that they are a pipeline that keeps on giving, and a business that will keep expanding as a result.

“If you have already tried buying leads and have had less than a stellar experience with them, for instance you got leads on the national Do Not Call list, then you likely ran across one of the places that sell leads that have been around the block too many times to count and were not properly checked,” Green said. “That is a waste of your time and money. You will do far better with Benepath’s real time leads. Try it. Read how other agents are now making a good profit. Our solid reputation is your guarantee of receiving quality, pre-qualified leads.”

What an agent needs is leads to come to them as set appointments from a captive audience, meaning one that is in need of the service an insurance agent is providing. For instance, Medicare supplements. If leads come in as set appointments, agents and brokers are able to use them when their timetable permits. This tends to increase business productivity and the financial bottom line. Talking to people who want what an insurance company has to offer only makes good marketing sense.

At all times, agents and brokers have control over how many leads they want and when they want them, as well as being able to specify territories and demographics if they wish. It is as easy as a few clicks on the computer to get exclusive Medicare supplement leads daily, which is a win-win situation for the potential customer and agent/broker. “If you want to reach a large number of seniors in a short amount of time, Benepath’s exclusive Medicare supplement leads will make that happen,” Green emphasized.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

September 21, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Health Insurance Quotes Provide Customers with Vital Information

People want their information fast and in small, digestible chunks. Health insurance companies are gearing up to provide health insurance quotes quickly for today’s fast-paced clients.

“People are in a hurry to get to where they want to go these days,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania. “That even includes wanting as much information as they can get about health insurance, as fast as they can get it. That is why so many insurance websites have an instant quote function. Plug in your relevant information, click, and lo and behold, you get virtually instantaneous results. That is great for saving time when you are searching for health insurance quotes. However, a quote is just a quote, and not set in stone.”

In other words, a quote is based on a few factors that a potential customer provides. There may be other extenuating circumstances that could change that quote. A quote is a good place to start as it provides some idea of what a premium would cost based on the information provided. Obviously, if inaccurate information is provided, the quote will be affected. For instance, if a smoker tells an insurance company they do not smoke, a lower rate will be quoted.

If that smoker does end up getting a less expensive policy, the first thing that will happen when the smoker needs smoking cessation medication is that the insurance company will deny their claim (at best) or cancel the policy (at worst). What a waste of money and time. “If you want comprehensive health insurance coverage, tell the complete truth and pay the necessary fee,” said Green. “It is your health, and it is important.”

“To get an accurate, tailored quote and policy, you really need to speak directly to an experienced insurance agent,” added Green. They know how to find you the best deal on policies and how to find one that genuinely suits you, so you do not end up buying a cheap policy that does not cover what you need it for in the first place.”

Beware of relying on just quotes alone to buy health insurance. “It is always a wise move to contact an insurance agent and start asking questions about what options are on the market, how they could apply to you and your family, what is covered and what is not, and a whole host of other questions that need answers you cannot find online,” Green insisted. “Finding affordable health insurance is important, but you cannot do that just by getting quotes online.”

Beware of making a decision to purchase based on price alone. The reason price should not be the main determining factor in buying affordable health insurance is that the cheap policies may not offer the right kind of coverage. What is the point in spending money on a policy that does not cover what someone needs it to cover?

“There is no sense in spending money you will not get any return on,” Green pointed out. “And furthermore, it makes no sense to say you have health insurance if the health insurance you do have does not cover your needs adequately. Pay attention to what you are going to buy and take the time to ask questions and read the fine print. Your health may depend on it.”

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

June 19, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Health Insurance Bought in the US is not honored in Foreign Countries says Benepath CEO

Those who travel a lot need to be aware that health insurance purchased in the U.S. is not honored in foreign countries.

“While you might not think about this, unless it’s something that happens in your life, there are a larger number of parents and grandparents hopping flights to far flung spots on the globe. Not to get away from it all, but instead, to visit their mobile children who have chosen to live and work in other countries. There are also students who go abroad to further their education. Ever wonder what those people do if they need to go to hospital when they are in another country?” asked Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

Most people who travel just automatically assume that their health insurance will kick in when they have an emergency. This is not the case, and if someone does need health care services in another country and does not have coverage that is applicable there, they will find themselves out of pocket or unable to pay for care.

“To cover incidents abroad, you need visitor’s health insurance. Your U.S.-based health insurance coverage won’t cut it,” Green said.

Think traveling without health insurance will save money? “If you don’t get into an accident, you will save money. However, if you trip and break a leg or are involved in a car accident, the bill will be staggering and you are responsible for the ‘whole’ thing. That’s right – the whole bill. Your U.S. insurance can’t be used. Do you want to take the risk of an accident abroad and the expenses that go with it?” Green said.

While saving money is a good goal, saving money at the expense of one’s health is not a smart idea. Visitor’s health insurance is not that expense. Or to put another way, visitor’s health insurance would say the enormous expense of medical care for any accident or illness. People who travel may choose what they need, the coverage they want, what options would work for them and the deductible.

“An individual, tailored plan for a reasonable price, what more could you ask for in terms of protection while you are away from home?” Green said. “If you do your homework and check around, you will find what you need. Aim to deal with a company that specializes in visitor’s health insurance and you should get what you need, along with the peace of mind of knowing that you are covered for any nasty event that may happen while you are traveling.”

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

May 4, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Health Care Reform May Not Be What It Is Cracked Up To Be Says Benepath President

Some doctors are not thrilled with health care reform, as they feel it will mean more health care workers that are not trained properly.

“A recent poll of American doctors revealed something that shocked the pollsters, and will likely make you think hard about health care reform. The pool shows that a large number of doctors are opposed to health care reform. Why? Because they feel it means more healthcare workers that will not be mandated to earn doctorate level health care degrees like doctor’s assistants and nurse practitioners,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

Just about 3,000 doctors spoke out about health care reform, and they were not impressed with the general direction of the proposed changes. Overall, their major concern was that they could see health care deteriorating over the next five years. This was not just a small percentage that expressed that concern. The survey showed 65 percent felt health care would go to heck in a hand basket.

“Some of course thought it may improve, but that number ranked at 18 percent; hardly a resounding vote of confidence. Certainly, some also felt things would remain the same, under the principle that the more things change, the more they stay the same. That number was a paltry 17 percent,” Green said.

The major point that doctors kept referring to was the at least 32 million people that would be able to access health care if the health care reform legislation remains active. Who would treat them? The obvious answer was physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners; which may give many seeking medical attention some pause for thought that the person they are seeing is not a fully qualified and highly trained medical doctor.

As for how health care reform will affect the patients, many of the doctors interviewed felt the legislation had the potential to impact people in a negative way. In fact, 58 percent of the physicians were of a like mind on that subject. There were at least 27 percent who felt the changes would be good and positive in the long run.

“What will happen in the future? Who knows, but with surveys like this, it is bound to be interesting,” Green said.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

May 3, 2011 in Auto Insurance, Auto Insurance, Business Insurance, Business Insurance, Health Insurance, Health Insurance, Home Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance Articles, Insurance News, Life Insurance, Life Insurance by jferris

Smart Insurance Marketing Brings Customers

Is your insurance marketing website providing you with enough customers to make your business a thriving concern?

If your website is not functioning as well as you think it should be, perhaps it is time to take a hard look at what needs to be done to make it more successful. You want to convert those browsers to buyers. The only way to do that is to ensure that you have the right things going on with your site. In other words,  you need the right insurance search engine optimization (SEO) – search engine optimization that works for you and brings you business.

Working with SEO is sort of like building that better mousetrap. Everyone needs this kind of service and yet some still think they can do things on their own. Unfortunately, those without the experience to do SEO the right way will find their website buried deeply on page six or worse of Google’s website rankings. Not the best thing for your business.

You want and need people to know who you are, know about your business and find it on the Internet. You want them to interact with you, buy from you and talk to you and ask questions. The more interactive you are with your customers, the more they will remember you, which will mean business later on. You cannot accomplish this if your website does not rank well. Few people will go beyond page one of Google’s rankings to find what they want. Therefore, you want to be on page one. It is that simple, but complex at the same time.

The mostly simple part is that you need to expand what you offer on your website to include the latest and most interactive widgets and gadgets used in the 21st century to connect with the billions of people online. You need the social media, the blogs, the Twitter account and other things like an instant insurance quote function. People demand more online today than they ever have before. If you do not give it to them, they will go someplace else.

People want insurance information fast and they want it yesterday, so if you have the ability to offer them quotes yesterday, you have just given them something they really wanted  and they will remember that when they choose to buy. You need to find a search engine optimization company that will be your partner in the success of your business; one with insurance marketing experience of their own. They know your business, because they do it every day.

Ready to Quote is an insurance marketing company, specializing in marketing insurance websites online. Learn more at ReadytoQuote.com.

March 16, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

The Leonardo Da Great

Trivia was king in the Leonardos’ roost.

Melody Leonardo, the eldest daughter, made it all the way to Fresno to try out for the celebrated long-running trivia show with the host, Alicia Tribeca. She was a sure shoe-in to make it on the show, surpassing her peers after each level, for she was fed trivia questions when she was in her mother’s womb.

Her mother was a waitress at the local coffee shop and her father sold appliances at the mall, so she did not come from an upstanding intellectual household. However, her parents huddled in front of the TV every night to catch the trivia show at 7 p.m., competing with each other for the right answers as if they were on the show themselves. Her mother would bring books and cheat sheets to work and hide them in her apron and would study the answers on her break, and her father would do the same.

This shared obsession was what kept their marriage exciting. When the two children came, the more, the merrier. It became their family identity and they wore their crest proudly.

One day, as her mother was pouring a cup of coffee for Matt Lockhard, an independent California insurance agent, she helped him with a difficult crossword clue that boggled him for hours and was stunned to hear the lofty, unexpected knowledge come out of a waitress at a tiny coffee shop.

“How did you know that?” Matt asked her.

“What? Just because I wear this uniform doesn’t make me stupid,” she answered with a smile.

“Just between you and me, I received my master’s in linguistics from Harvard but addiction took over my life, so that’s why I am here. But don’t tell anyone, OK?” she said in jest as she teasingly nudged him with her elbow and the coffee pot in the other hand.

“Besides, my Melody is going to be on Alicia Tribeca’s game show tryouts tomorrow!” she said proudly and loud enough for the whole diner to hear. Everyone applauded.

But when the time came, Melody was beat out by some uppity surfer kid.

“How did that happen?” Melody asked her parents. “I studied every waking minute!”

“It is the luck of the draw, sweetie,” her father said, “and in real life, that is the way it is. You can’t possibly know all the answers no matter how much you try. But what matters, is that you love to learn just like us. You’re one of us, Melody. Melody Leonardo, Da Vinci, Da Great!”

The Leonardos all huddled together as Melody silently wept and laughed.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mattsinsurance4ca.com

March 4, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Buy Now for Health Insurance Savings and be Covered Later Without Penalty

Health care reform is still a major question mark on the horizon. Buying health insurance now avoids potential penalties later.

It is hard to really know where the future will take the American population in terms of health insurance. Ideally, we will all have access to low cost health insurance in the future. That sounds great on the surface, but this is not an option for people; this is mandated health insurance, whether people want it or not. Those who do not have it will face fines.

This likelihood poses a major dilemma for people without health insurance today. “What do they do? Should they get health insurance now? Wait? Not buy it and see what happens? There are a lot of unanswered questions here,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

To date, those who do not have health insurance feel they are justified in not spending the money to care for themselves or their families; at least until something happens and the roof falls in when the bills start arriving for medical care they needed.

“If you live paycheck to paycheck, finding extra to buy health insurance can be a squeaker,” Green said. “But if you don’t have coverage, the medical bills will completely wipe you out financially. That applies either now, when you could make the personal choice to buy affordable health insurance, or later, when you will have to buy it at an unknown and perhaps higher premium, or pay a fine.”

Frankly, the best time to buy affordable health insurance is now when there is a measure of choice and control over what is bought. “Start right now to research what is out there to meet your needs or the needs of your family.  There is a lot of variety on the market and you can definitely find something that works well for you and your budget. Health insurance plans have varying levels of coverage, deductibles, premiums and co-pays, so it only makes sense to act now when you have choices,” Green said.

Keep in mind that to compare health insurance policies, the details need to be the same for every quote requested. If something is changed, the results will change and it will also change what is covered and not covered. It all boils down to those all-important choices. “If you need to go to the doctor more often for a medical condition, try to line up a plan with a lower deductible and co-pay. If you hardly go at all, you may be able to choose a cheaper plan with less coverage,” Green said.

There is no doubt the health care of the nation will be changing in the future. Being ahead of those changes may be the smart move to make now, rather than later.

To learn more, visit Benepath.com