Health Premium Subsidy Eligibility Period Extended to March 31

March 4, 2010 – 5:52 pm
The Senate voted Tuesday, March 2, to extend benefits for involuntarily terminated workers. The measure includes an additional 30-day eligibility period of the health benefits premium subsidy for COBRA and state continuation coverage. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law late in the day. The extension passed yesterday is retroactive to March 1. As a result of this latest law, most individuals involuntarily terminated from employment between March 1 and March 31 will now be eligible to apply for the 65 percent premium reduction and continuation coverage. The new extension of the eligibility period did not change any of the other requirements and did not lengthen the maximum period for the premium subsidy or change any other eligibility requirements.

Got Teeth? Dental Insurance is Inexpensive?

March 4, 2010 – 4:55 pm
Are you looking for affordable dental insurance?  We have a great website with several plans to choose from that offer both dental and vision coverage www.texasdentalcoverage.com Thanks and please call or email us with any questions. Texas Health & Life (512) 246 9955 or (800) 371 2015 Stay Well!

Is your COBRA and State Continuation subsidy ending?

December 8, 2009 – 5:09 am
The first wave of participants eligible for COBRA and state continuation subsidies are reaching the end of their nine-month subsidy period.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided eligible COBRA and state continuation participants with nine months of subsidized premiums. Participants who became eligible in this first wave on March 1, 2009, received a 65 percent premium subsidy through November 30, 2009. They will be responsible for paying 100 percent of the premiums beginning in December 2009. For example, if a participant's subsidized premium was $105 in November 2009, that premium will increase to $300 for December 2009. This is a significant increase and may be unexpected for some participants who may have lost track of the nine-month end date. Subsequent waves of the nine-month subsidy period will expire monthly hereafter. For example, the subsidy will expire on December 31, 2009, for COBRA and state continuation participants who became eligible on April 1, 2009. ...

Healthcare Reform-Does is mean higher premiums for individuals?

December 8, 2009 – 4:56 am
Premiums Could Rise for Individuals: According to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)released Monday, the Senate's health care reform bill may increase premiums for individuals purchasing insurance, unless they qualify for government subsidies. The report also indicates that employees from large companies would see premiums decrease, while those from small firms would see premiums remain largely unchanged. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal editorial page made the case that, according to the CBO, employer-sponsored insurance costs would remain roughly in line with the status quo; a result tantamount to failure, considering the overall cost-cutting goals of reform.  Are you ready for healthcare reform that spends millions while increasing premiums for most individuals?  Texas Health and Life encourages our customers to get involved and contact your senator or congressman no matter what your party affiliation is and tell them what you think about reform Thanks for reading and be well! To learn more about ...

Unicare Health Insurance leaving Texas

November 23, 2009 – 4:49 am
Was UNICARE health insurance company your health insurance carrier? You like many others have received the letter from UNICARE explaining that they are not going to offer health insurance in the state of Texas any further.  What are your options and how do you figure out what to do from here? There are some very important details that you need to know before you make a switch to the carrier they are allowing you to switch to without any medical underwriting. Texas Health and Life and their agents have extensive knowledge on your options to make sure that you are still getting the best benefits at the best cost. Please shoot us an email or call us to show you the best transition from your current UNICARE plan. Thanks for reading and be well! To learn more about health insurance, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com.

Have you received a Fax or Email on Affordable Healthcare?

November 23, 2009 – 4:40 am
Have you received a fax or email with a heading Affordable Healthcare ? Beware of plans that state "Association Members Benefits Include or Pre Existing Conditions OK" These plans are often oversold and serious under-deliver when you use them.  If you are looking for something other than health insurance because of the price call Texas Health and Life.  We have partnered up with several top notch accident plans carriers that are well worth the monthly amount. Thanks for reading and be well! To learn more about health insurance, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com.

Is your COBRA expiring?

November 23, 2009 – 4:23 am
Is your COBRA expiring and you need to explore your options for individual health coverage?  You can visit www.texashealthandlife.com to compare plans. Is your COBRA stimulus expiring with your employer and you are now responsible for 100% of the premium? We at Texas Health and Life have recently helped several customers in this situation and we actually have a carrier that will cover you with most any pre-existing condition. Please let us know how we can be of service to you. Thanks for reading and be well! To learn more about health insurance, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com.

Health Care Reform–Are you concerned?

November 23, 2009 – 3:57 am
Are you concerned about Health Care reform and how our Congress and Senate are so concerned in passing a bill that will affect the entire US population quickly!  Seems to me no matter where your views sit with a political party that we should take our time with this bill and get it right! Until we have had a chance to read the full 2,074 page Reid Bill, it’s impossible for Americans to fully grasp what the Majority Leader has cooked up behind closed doors. It is my hope that Sen. Reid will afford all Americans the same courtesy that he had: ample time to study the legislation and deliberate the best way to proceed. What we do know so far, as reported by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), is that this bill will have a wide, negative impact on Americans across the board – from seniors on Medicare to small business ...

Healthy Yes Screenings in Round Rock

November 23, 2009 – 3:37 am
Did you know that Round Rock medical center has a service that anyone can access if they are at increased risk for heart attack or stroke due to undetected arterial blockage or a looming aneurysum--and not even know it.    This service is being performed at the St Davids medical center in Round Rock for only $139.95 --with or without health insurance--it does not matter.  The service includes Stroke/Carotid Artery screening, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysum Screening, and Peripheral Artery Disease Screening.  Plus you get the results 4 business days after the procedure.  Call 1-888-802-3115 to make an appointment. Thanks for reading and be well! To learn more about health insurance, visit http://www.texashealthandlife.com.

Will healthcare reform give us a public health option?

November 3, 2009 – 4:15 am
Have you done your research on what is being proposed on healthcare reform and the possible public health option or do you believe what you hear on the radio and see on the TV? Read the information below and see if it gives you a clearer picture on what is truly being proposed.  We at Texas Health and Life do have an obvious interest in keeping health insurance in the private market but we also agree that we need the health insurance companies to develop better ways to control premiums from year to year.  It makes our job much easier when we can keep a customer with a carrier for 3 to 4 years rather than moving them every year because the premium has gone up over 20%--ridiculous!  We are not supporting either side of a political view in our blog but just the position that healthcare reform needs to be a ...