Humana expanding health insurance offerings in Texas

Humana Inc is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 9 million medical members.Humana has proven over our 45-year history that we embrace change and seize opportunities that help to transform our business. Our vision is to become the most trusted name in health solutions. Humana offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals. Providing "one-stop" shopping for a complete benefits package. Our specialty products - dental, life, and disability insurance - complement our core health offerings.

Humana is a strongplayer in the the Texas health insurance market.

Humana provides health benefits and related services to companies ranging from two to tens of thousands of employees. Humana also offers a wide range of products and services designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses, as well.Working to control costs and advance consumerism with consumer-focused plansHumana is committed to helping employers moderate their health care costs and turning passive users into savvy health care consumers.

The SmartSuite plans do just that. In fact, since the introduction of this consumer-focused set of plans, participating companies have experienced sustained annualized claims trend in the 5-6 percent range, compared to a national health cost inflation rate of 12-14 percent per year during the same period.

For more information on Texas Humana health insurance plans please visit www.medequote.net

Unicare Sound Texas Health Plans

UniCare's Sound Health Plan is the perfect plan if you are single, between the ages of 18-40, and live in Texas. It is the perfect student health plan, the perfect plan while you are waiting for the next job, the perfect plan for when you are single, and it is real health insurance that limits your losses to the deductible.

Sound is Texas Health coverage for your body, eyes, teeth. You know, the important stuff. Three simple health insurance plans, one just your flavor.

Apply online, that's it. No catches, no wasted time.

Brought to you by your tight bud's at UniCare Health Insurance Company of the Midwest.

How Much you Could Save?

Sure, paying for health insurance is a pain. But not having it can hurt a lot more. Accidents and illness can happen even if you think you are invincible. You blow out a knee, or have appendicitis, your faced with a $30,000 hospital bill, but with Unicare Sound you will only pay $1,500 to $5,000 for the year depending on the plan you choose to get rid of that bill.

What's the Deal?

Here it is. Texas Health insurance, straight up. Three Texas Health plans. Same all-around coverage: preventive, emergency, Rx, eyes, teeth.

Compare Plans

See how much you can save. Pick the plan that fits. Then go play. The differences: What you pay, the deductible. We pay the rest at 100% with no hassles, or paperwork.

Gravity Bender...A.K.A. 5000

You live life on the edge, and happily go over it.

In network: unlimited doctor visits per year
$40 co-pay
Dental, Vision, Rx, ER, Preventative
$5,000 annual deductible
$67-$91 per month
Apply Online

Curb Jumper...A.K.A. 3000

Play hard. Play safe. You mix it up any which way.

In network: unlimited doctor visits per year
$40 co-pay
Dental, Vison, Rx, ER, Preventative
$3,000 annual deductible
$67-$91 per month
Apply Online

The Cruiser...A.K.A. 1500

A well-thought-out walk on the wild side is just your style.

In network: Unlimited doctor visits per year
$40 co-pay
Dental, Vision, Rx, ER, Wellness, Preventative
$1,500 annual deductible
$85-$114 per month
Apply Online

Visit www.unicaresoundplans.com for more information on Texas UniCare Sound plans.

Celtic Health Insurance a strong player in Texas

Celtic began operating in 1978 as a broker, insurance and reinsurance company for group life and health coverage. Today, the company has narrowed its focus and holds a strong commitment to the individual health marketplace. The expansive Celtic Product Portfolio includes the CeltiCare Health Plan, CeltiCare II Health Plan, Celtic Basic, CelticSaver HSA or the
Celtic Short-Term Health Plan.

Many Texas residents have been attracted to the Celtic basic plan which is very competitive in the marketplace. Visit www.medequote.net for more information on Celtic health plans.

Efficiency + Quality = Superior Service

Administration is handled at Celtic's state-of-the-art facility, which is located directly across the street from its headquarters in downtown Chicago, IL. Through innovative use of technologies and automated workflow management, operations are streamlined, allowing more efficient, quality service to our agents and customers.

A Strong, Committed, Financially Stable Company

The A.M. Best Company, the leading provider of insurer ratings of a company's strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders has given Celtic an "A-" (Excellent) rating. A.M. Best assigned this rating after a thorough quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's financial condition and operating performance. For more than 10 years, Celtic has earned a rating of Excellent for consistently demonstrating profitable operating results, high-quality investment portfolio and favorable capital position. Celtic holds no junk bonds, real estate or direct mortgage loans and maintains no outstanding debt.

www.medequote.com

World Insurance Serving Texas

World Insurance has been in business for over 100 years providing quality healthcare policies to its members. The company prides itself in providing customizable, affordable products. World Insurance is committed to high ethical standards and quality service.

World is a preferred Texas health insurance provider with a long history of stabilty, and financial strength behind the company.

Visit www.medequote.net to get a quote on World Insurance products.

World Insurance Products:

World Insurance offers several healthcare insurance products with different deductibles to meet the needs of families:

WorldCare Flex Advantage Major Medical covers a comprehensive range of medical procedures and hospitalization.

WorldCare Flex Advantage Limited covers hospital and surgical expenses.

WorldCare Value Advantage offers affordable healthcare coverage with a broad overview of benefits.

Short Term Major Medical enables people to have healthcare insurance for a short period of time. This is the perfect type of healthcare plan for those between jobs or students.

HDHP/HD Advantage is offered with the choice of several different deductibles, is a high deductible plan that allows members to use pre-tax dollars to pay approved medical expenses. This might allow members to save money on their income taxes.

World Insurance also offers a choice of dental plans to compliment its major medical policies.

Take your contacts out while swimming

As warm weather brings people back to fresh-water recreation, people who wear contact lenses should remember to remove them before they swim in ponds, lakes or rivers, doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say.There's an amoeba — Acanthamoeba — that may live in those waters that can bind to contact lenses, causing serious cornea damage, says Dr Dwight Cavanaugh, vice chairman of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern.These infections are quite rare, but if they're not treated, they can lead to blindness or require a cornea transplant. See a physician if the wearer's eyes become red and sore and there is decreased vision."People who wear their contact lenses while taking a shower, who use tap water to remove debris from their lenses or who go swimming in ponds or lakes have an increased chance of becoming infected with this organism," Dr. Cavanagh says. "The amoeba can bind to the contact lens and cause irreparable damage to the cornea."Contact lense wearers shouldn't even relax in a hot tub without first removing their lenses.

www.medequote.net
www.unicaresoundplans.com

West Nile Virus increasing in Texas

DSHS has confirmed six human cases of neuroinvasive West Nile in Texas this year, one in Dallas County and five in Harris County. There have been no West Nile deaths in Texas in 2006. West Nile has been detected in humans, birds, horses or mosquitoes in 18 Texas counties in 2006.

In 2005 West Nile was detected in 78 Texas counties. There were 128 human cases from 38 counties, including 11 deaths. In 2004 West Nile was detected in 101 Texas counties. There were 119 human cases from 40 counties, including eight deaths. In 2003 West Nile was detected in 190 counties. There were 439 human cases from 86 counties, including 38 deaths.In 2002 West Nile was detected in 213 counties. There were 202 human cases from 37 counties, including 13 deaths.Since the virus was first found in Texas in 2002, West Nile has been detected in humans, birds, mosquitoes or horses in 233 of the state's 254 counties. Neuroinvasive refers to meningitis or encephalitis.

You wouldn't expect that a little mosquito could make so many problems, but be on the safe side and enroll in a health plan from UniCare at www.medequote.net, or www.unicaresoundplans.com. That will keep you in great shape the next time you get bit by something unexpected.

UniCare Sound part of the long range answer in Texas

Texas’ health care system is extremely ill, and Texas physicians have the prescription for returning the state to both physical and fiscal health. The Texas Medical Association, the largest state medical society in the nation, presented Healthy Vision 2010 Monday to Texas legislators and citizens.

"Texas needs more plans like UniCare Sound" say's John Berkowitz, "The one thing that will get people back into the system is affordability, and UniCare Sound provides that."

“Texas is being short-changed” said TMA President Bohn D. Allen, MD. “Texas physicians and our patients, Texas taxpayers, and Texas businesses aren’t getting what we’re paying for when it comes to vital health care services. It’s time we get our money back or demand restitution.
“We cannot underestimate the stakes. A healthy Texas depends on healthy Texans. A healthy Texas economy depends on a healthy Texas workforce. Healthy Texans depend on a robust health care system – healthy physician practices and hospitals.”

Demographers note Texas is growing older, sicker, poorer, and less well-educated. More Texans than anyone else in the country are uninsured. TMA calls on everyone involved – physicians, hospitals, other health care practitioners, patients, lawmakers, government agencies, and health plans – to take large doses of accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency.

“This will be a long and intensive course of treatment,” Dr. Allen said. “The prognosis is good, but the patient needs extensive rehabilitation.” Elements of TMA’s long-range cure include:
An extensive investment in health care information technology, as President Bush has requested; and A commitment to abandon the cost shifting among health plans and physicians, among employers and employees, among doctors and hospitals, and among taxpayers at various levels. “When we stop passing the limited bucks, we can concentrate on using them more wisely and effectively,” the TMA president said.

UniCare Sound introduced earlier this year has already made a significant dent in the young unisured population in Texas. The plans available at www.unicaresoundplans.com are an affordable answer to health care in Texas.

UniCare HSA's very popular in Texas

UniCare HSA Plans are the most price competitive HSA plan on the market currently. Priced on average a hundreds of dollars or more less than the competiion with the only difference being the money you put back in your pocket each month.
UniCare is unique in how they pool all their new and old rates together so with the UniCare HSA you are not going to get a great deal the first year, then hammered at renewal the second year. Chances are when you purchase a UniCare HSA it will be the last health plan you, and your family ever have to buy.
UniCare HSA's only trend up 1% to 2% per year compared with the nearly 35% trend of the competion. That means high rate increases are a thing of the past when you purchase a UniCare HSA Plan.
The only thing that effects UniCare HSA's from a price point has been getting older, yes the price will go up as you age like any other health plan, but you won't be getting the added 35% of trend increase that most health insurance companies tack on to improve their profits, or get rid of people who are in failing health, and have declining incomes.
The wonderful thing about UniCare is they want everyone in the country to have health insurance, and they work dilligently making that possible each year by continuing to introduce new competitve health plans for every segment of the market.
UniCare, and it's parent company Wellpoint, is the lasrgest health insurance company in the country. In addition to UniCare WellPoint owns 14 other BCBS affitlates across the country. What that gives them is the largest pool in the country for individual and family health insurance. What that means to you is low initial rates, and industry leading low rates upon renewal.
If you have questions about UniCare HSA's, or any other health plan please give us a call at 800-391-7469.

www.medequote.net

UniCare Sound is an Excellent Texas Student Health Insurance Plan

Texas student's looking for Texas student health insurance plans have been enrolling at a high rate in the UniCare Sound Plan. Parents and students alike have been calling in to sign up for the generous Texas health insurance policy designed for students by UniCare.

UniCare Sound is the perfect health insurance plan for Texas students. The plan provides coverage for Hospital, Surgical, ER, Unlimited Doctor Visits, Prescriptions, Dental and Vision. What get's everyone's attention is the low price per month which ranges between $60 - $114 per month depending on your age, sex, where you live, or are going to school. The price may be low but the coverage isn't compared to so called Texas Student Health Insurance Plans.

Parents like the plan because it provides a lot more coverage than is typically offered with school policies, and the large network gives nation wide coverage while traveling.
Students like the fact that they are covered head to toe and can visit any emergency room. The unlimited $40 copay for doctor visits means that health care is now affordable when they have a problem. The dental plan pays 100% for checkups, and 80% for fillings! The vision provides for an $50 toward your eyes exam and deep discounts on contacts, and eyewear!
The UniCare Sound plan is the hottest thing to enter the Texas Health Insurance market in the last decade! The plan is available in three different deductible, $1500, $3000, and $5000. All are 100% plans with out any coinsurance, and no hassles! Your yearly out of pocket for Hospitilization and Surgery equals your yearly deductible, everything else is first dollar coverage!

The application process is simple, apply online, or over the phone, the whole process takes less than 10 minutes, and a healthy person can be covered right away! Just click above to get a Texas health insurance quote for the UniCare Sound plan. It is the ideal Texas Student Health Insurance Plan.

www.unicaresoundplans.com

UT task force examines health coverage for the uninsured

A statewide system of regional multi-county health districts that offers Texas' uninsured residents access to adequate levels of health care should replace the current county-based system, according to a report issued today by a health-care task force."Twenty-five percent of the population of Texas is without health insurance – that's more than 10 percent higher than the national average of 15.7 percent," said Neal Lane, chair of the Task Force on Access to Health Care in Texas: Challenges of the Uninsured and Underinsured. In 2004, 5.6 million non-elderly people living in Texas were without health insurance. In some parts of the state, including Harris County, the percentage of the population without health insurance exceeds 30 percent or more."If we don't address this critical situation soon, the health problems of Texas' rapidly growing population are likely to be even more devastating to the state economically, educationally, culturally and socially," said Lane, senior fellow in science and technology at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. "The significant economic impact already is being felt by individuals and businesses burdened with rising health-insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health-care costs."

It is estimated that Texans with health insurance pay over $1,500 annually in their premiums to cross-subsidize care for the uninsured.To study the issues and develop recommendations for how to address the impending crisis, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Texas A&M Health Science Center, University of North Texas and the six health institutions of the University of Texas System created and funded a task force that also included employees of small and large businesses, health providers, insurers and consumers. The task force is the first broad-based Texas group of its kind whose membership was not determined by governmental or political considerations. The report was subject to outside peer review, but the sponsoring institutions had no control over its content.The task force will present its findings and recommendations at 6:00 p.m. (April 17) during a public forum at Rice University's Baker Institute. Their report, "Code Red: The Critical Condition of Health Care in Texas," is available online at www.medequote.net.

Health insurance in Texas is usually obtained through employment, individual purchase or a publicly sponsored plan such as Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Plan. Some people may be uninsured over the entire year, but others move in and out of uninsured status when they change jobs or their eligibility for a public plan changes. Seventy-nine percent of uninsured adults in Texas are part of the workforce or have one or more family members in the workforce. For a family of four at the federal poverty level in 2004 ($18,100 a year), the average cost of private health insurance ($9,100) was about half their income. “The majority of the uninsured simply cannot afford health insurance,” said Jack Stobo, vice chair of the task force and president of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston."In 2004 the University of Texas health institutions provided over $1.4 billion in uncompensated care as a direct result of the large number of uninsured patients whom they treat,” said Kenneth I. Shine, MD, executive vice chancellor for health affairs for the UT System. "Programs that would significantly reduce the number and the impact of patients without health insurance would be of enormous help to the UT health institutions and the other health providers in the State. The recommendations of the task force include a number of measures to increase resources and to improve the efficiencies of how these are used, that can improve health care for all Texans, including those with insurance."The task force found that uninsured individuals commonly go from one health care institution to another, often via the emergency room, where care is costlier. Significant numbers of laboratory tests, X-rays and other expensive medical procedures are often unnecessarily repeated at each visit. In the absence of coordinated care, medical problems are left untreated until they progress to a more advanced stage and impaired health, which warrants costlier intervention. The lack of health education and preventive medicine means that conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are not prevented and instead progress to complex diseases requiring expensive treatment.The task force noted that an unhealthy, poorly educated workforce results in lower productivity and reduces the vitality of the state's economy. Hospitals and emergency rooms that are feeling the increasing burden of providing care for the uninsured may find they can no longer exist as financially viable institutions.Among the task force's recommendations to address these developments:
Texas should adopt a principle that all individuals living in Texas should have access to effective, efficient, safe, timely, patient-centered and equitable health care.
Texas should authorize and encourage efforts to move indigent health care from a county-based model to a system-based on regional multi-county health districts.
Since indigency in Texas is currently defined as people living at 21 percent or less of the federal poverty limit (under $1,700 a year for a single adult), the statewide federal poverty level should be increased to 100 percent from 21 for indigent care responsibility in Texas counties.
A minimum 8 percent of general revenue tax levy on county expenditures should be mandated for indigent health-care services.

Texas should redouble its efforts to aggressively pursue Medicaid and other federal reimbursement programs for which a state investment will result in substantial federal matching and supplementary reimbursements.

The state should develop and adopt tax policies and initiatives that encourage and enable employers, especially small businesses, to provide health insurance to their workers.
Texas should assess a quality assurance fee of 3 percent on revenue of all hospitals and freestanding surgery centers to obtain a federal match to enhance overall finances for provider reimbursement and enhancement of the quality and efficiency of health care to the uninsured. This would produce about $1.1 billion in state general revenue, and the federal match would provide $1.50 for each state dollar.

Other recommendations of the task force can be found in its online report, which concludes with a call for Texas to take bold steps to address the pervasive problems associated with the lack of health insurance coverage and health-care access in Texas."By increasing access to health care and insurance, improving current health-care delivery models, educating an adequate and diverse health-care workforce and reducing absenteeism in schools and the workplace, Texas will provide for and protect the health of its people and the strength of its economy," the task force wrote.