Should Smokers Pay More for Health Insurance?

Health insurance has become a hot topic in the United States. In a nation where around 46 million people do not have health insurance, any discussion related to the matter sparks up the interest of the mass. The public voiced their opinion through a survey that was carried out recently. As the survey reveals, most Americans believe smokers and obese people should pay higher health insurance premiums. However, there is currently no solution for the fact that a lot of people are still devoid of a proper medical insurance plan.

              

Over 1,500 individuals were surveyed for this study. 80% of the 1,500 individuals are not happy with the way the healthcare system works in the United States, and they believe the system needs to be fixed. With the current estimation, approximately 46 million Americans are still living without insurance because of the faulty healthcare system. While the 60% of the surveyed people agreed that smokers should pay higher premiums, 30% opined the same for obese people. 

The report also stated that as far as personal responsibility is concerned, people should be aware of the choices they make. Consumers also support the act of making people pay for their unhealthy behaviour. Increasing insurance premiums may be one of the ways, and this may also be applicable for health insurance for employees.

This is a real bad news for the cigarette lovers! While on one hand, this may anger the huge population of smokers, on the other, it is also expected to lower the number of smokers. The sum of money that smokers have to pay extra is quite huge. That is why if you want to save up money on health insurance, you will have to quit smoking.  

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The Basics of Health Care Reforms

Health care reforms forms an integral part of government policy in any country. Take a glimpse of what it is all about.

Health insurance is essential for every citizen in a country. It helps in covering up expenses for future mishaps or unforeseen circumstances that might bring about a financial crunch. Thus, every government now has chalked out specific set of reforms for its citizens wherein they can protect themselves from health issues. Health policy rules in any given state or city is the building of new methods and altering the existing ones to deliver healthcare benefits to its citizens. The health reforms in any country are influenced by the government policy of that country.

Health care reforms are made aiming certain positive changes in the near future. The goals are increasing ways in which people can get access to health care specialists, extending the range of healthcare options for the citizens to choose from, enhancing the quality of healthcare, give more care to the people, reduce the costs of healthcare facilities and include more citizens under the health care coverage through private sector insurance companies or public sector insurance schemes. Other reforms include protecting citizens from sudden high rates, encourage employers to offer health insurance, allow low income group people to get qualified for health insurance and encourage primary and preventive care.

Different countries have varied forms of health insurance reforms. For instance India’s health policy aims at providing universal healthcare to every citizen whether you are below the poverty line or above it. It is considered to be a fundamental right for every citizen in the country. In the recent times, the government has taken huge initiatives to improve the rural health infrastructure and new medical insurance schemes have been built. The current government reforms for the health sector is laying greater emphasis on the merging of private and public health care services, reduction of medical services costs, building a universal health care fund, diversifying and distributing human health resources, promoting practices based on evidences, proper use of drugs and technology and establishment of an accountable and decentralized governing structure to cater to local health requirements.

However, in comparison to the developed western nations India has a long way to go in terms of providing healthcare to its 121 billion population. The government at present is looking forward to increase the public investment on health from 1.22 percent of GDP to 2.5 percent in the near future. 

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Best Way to Compare Health Care Plans

In today’s age, having a proper health care plan is extremely important. Medical procedures are getting more and more expensive, and many people struggle to come up with such large amounts of money. That is why having a health care plan or health insurance, as it also known, can save you a lot of trouble. There are different types of health care plans available. Different plans cater to different individual needs. Therefore, when choosing a healthcare plan, one’s individual requirements need to be considered.

Before you choose a healthcare plan, you would need to make sure it is the right one for you and your family. Choosing through the variety of choices may seem overwhelming and you may feel at a loss. However, you can narrow down your choices by comparing the different types of health insurances that suit your needs. After carrying out a comparison, choosing one will become a lot easier for you.

You can start by determining what you are looking for in your healthcare plan. If you do not have any type of health complications, you would have to focus more on potential catastrophic injuries. Those, who are healthy, do not need ongoing treatments. However, it is always wise to be prepared for situations that may cost you a lot more money. Those, who need regular medical attention, must choose their health care plan accordingly. There are different plans for such ailing individuals.

Once you have determined your requirements, you would need to start learning about the different types of insurance plans that are available for you. You must always consider more than one insurance company. Having a few on your list is always better as it gives you more options to choose from. Get as much information as you can about the different policies offered by different companies. It is a good idea to lay the pros and cons of each policy on a paper. This way comparing one with another will become easier.

If you want the best affordable health care, you would need to make some efforts for it. Once you do your homework right, there is no way you would go wrong with your decision!

Summary: Are you looking for a healthcare plan for yourself or your family? If you are thinking of getting health insurance, make sure you choose the right one. The policy must meet all your requirements. 

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Group insurance for employees strengthens workforce

The backbone of any company is on its employees. So, it becomes essential to secure their health with group insurance for employees.

Employee physical health is one of the biggest concerns in today's competitive and high pressure work environment.  Taking care for the well being and health of the employees as well as their families, works as a great motivating factor which further leads them to deliver their best output in their work field. Also, employees being the most valuable resource it becomes the responsibility of every company to secure their health. Let us focus upon the key benefits of group insurance for employees.

-A group insurance reduces per person premium, for example life insurance coverage for Rupees two Lakh may cost Rs 200 per annum in a group policy, while the same plan when opt by a single person will cost Rupees 400 per annum.

- The waiting period for commencement of a cover reduces irrespective of age, gender, class etc.

-Instead of verification or evaluation of every single individual one by one, in a group insurance all employees automatically becomes eligible for the insurance plan. Hence, it saves time.

-Policy servicing gets easier, better and faster giving minimum headaches to the employer.

-Through payroll deductions premiums are paid, which gives no extra hassle to the employees.

-At the time of need, every employee gets emergency insurance coverage, even if they have a personal policy. This leads to take better care for employee’s health.

-Employees get benefited from reasonable healthcare. Apart from that, by group health insurance packages an employee can obtain special treatments that may be too expensive to bear otherwise for an individual.

Most of the companies and organizations are now offering several group insurance plans which also act as benefits package to their employees. When a company buys a health insurance policy in a group, not only the group of employees becomes insured, also the company gets good returns from the investments. The individual employee who has participated in the group insurance plan is issued the insurance certification which acts as a health plan. Along with peace of mind, these group health insurances helps to lead a tension free, healthier life and making them more successful as an corporate employee.  

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