Posted In: Insurance by admin

According to the United States Census Bureau, 87.7 percent of Ohioans had some form of health insurance coverage during 2005, while 12.3 percent were not insured at any time during the year. Additionally, 14 percent of Ohio residents under the age of sixty-five did not have health insurance during 2005.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS IN OHIO

Most Ohioans who have health insurance are covered by either employer based plans or government programs. What options are available for individuals who do not have access to such coverage? Ohio Department of Insurance Director, Ann Womer Benjamin, references the “increasing number of options with Health Savings Accounts. There may be a person, or a family, generally comfortable paying for health care costs, but wants a high deductible policy. Also, for fairly young, fairly healthy individuals, an HSA coupled with a High Deductible Health Plan could really work.”

Health Savings Accounts are not feasible for everyone. Ohio residents who are not interested in HSAs should try to take advantage of alternative plans and programs. “Ohio has an Open Enrollment Program that takes (uninsured individuals) regardless of pre-existing conditions, but is likely costly”, Womer Benjamin explains.

HEALTH CARE COVERAGE LEGISLATION

There are currently two bills in the Ohio Legislature, Senate Bill 272 and House Bill 5 / Senate Bill 5 that are generally supported by the Ohio Department of Insurance as methods of expanding access to health insurance coverage.

Senate Bill 272 would repeal the Open Enrollment Program, as well as the Open Enrollment Reinsurance Program. In its place, the Ohio Health Insurance Risk Pool would be created to provide health care coverage to individuals who are unable to obtain affordable health care coverage in any other manner. This would eliminate the annual periods of open enrollment that sickness and accident insurers, health insurance corporations, and multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) are currently required to hold. “The Ohio Health Insurance Risk Pool would provide a state fund for those without health insurance coverage. We would support this concept and have various suggestions for funding. We would theoretically be able to reach ten times more individuals than the Open Enrollment Program does currently”, says Womer Benjamin.

House Bill 5 / Senate Bill 5 would permit small employers to offer health care plans that do not provide benefits otherwise required by law. The bill provides for the operation of health savings accounts that are consistent with federal law, and places a limit on an insured’s liability for co-payments and deductibles under a health benefit plan. ODI Director Womer Benjamin asserts that the bill “would provide more options for small businesses, and we are hopeful that that will pass”.

THE MASSACHUSETTS EXAMPLE

On April 4, 2006, Massachusetts House Bill 4850 was overwhelmingly passed by the state legislature. All Massachusetts residents will be required to obtain health insurance coverage by July 1, 2007. The state’s plan dictates that businesses with more than ten employees that do not provide health insurance coverage will be charged a fee of as much as $295 a year for each employee. Government subsidies to private insurance plans will provide affordable health insurance to a greater number of the working poor, and individuals who can afford private health plans will be penalized on their state income taxes if they do not have coverage. Should Ohio consider a similar plan in order to achieve nearly universal health insurance coverage? Ohio Department of Insurance Director Ann Womer Benjamin says that we need to “watch Massachusetts and evaluate the plan’s success and funding”. “Ohio has a larger number of uninsured individuals and is different than Massachusetts, politically.”

Ohioans have a large selection of health insurance carriers and government programs to choose from. Regardless of the provider, it is extremely important for individuals to obtain a health insurance plan. Director Womer Benjamin emphasizes that she is “concerned with people who don’t think they need health insurance coverage”.

About The Ohio Department of Insurance

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) is an informative resource for those seeking information regarding health insurance options in the state. ODI asserts that its mission is to be “responsive to and safeguard consumer interests through education and vigilance while promoting a stable and competitive marketplace among insurance providers”. The Ohio Department of Insurance can help uninsured persons sort through their options, depending on their individual circumstances. For more information, call the ODI Consumer Hotline at 1-800-686-1526.

The Department is headed by Director Ann Womer Benjamin, who was appointed in January of 2003, and is the first woman to hold this position. Prior to this appointment, Womer Benjamin served in the Ohio House of Representatives for eight years.

Erin Shaughnessy is a freelance writer of political and consumer advocacy articles, and is a frequent contributor to Fast Health Insurance.

Posted In: Loans by admin

Why Bad Credit Payday Loans

Needs don’t wait for the right time and once arrived it must be handled with utmost priority. A payday loan is one that can fulfil the urgent requirements but is available for a smaller time period. If you are having fairly good credit score payday loans are always there to cater your needs but those suffering from credit problems had no way outs. Bad credit payday loans are now stretching a helping hand to such customers. With these loans you can fulfil any of your short term needs like paying some bill, renovation of house etc.

Bad Credit Payday Loans: Related Facts and Figures

If you need some urgent cash rates are never going to affect your choice. What is most important is the availability of a loan within such a short time. For customers with bad credit rating this is even tougher. Bad credit payday loans could be a smart choice in these skimpy circumstances. Being bad credit loans, the interest rates for these loans is quite high. A borrower can owe a loan amount of £100 to £1000 for a period of 14 to 31 days. Though the loan amount looks to be insufficient but is rather adequate to suit any small need.

The major advantage associated with a bad credit payday loan is its processing time. The loan amount is credited to the customer’s account within 24 hours from the application. In case you are not feeling comfortable in repaying the loan at due date, it can be extended by paying some extra fees. Though it gives you ample opportunity for repayment, instead if you are not punctual, the lender is free to take any legal action.

Summary

Like any other online loan this loan also saves your precious time. The processing

time of bad credit payday loans is short, hence the customer is sought to be ready

with required documents related to his/her income proof, address proof etc. There is

a lot of variation in the interest rate so it’s better to exploit all the available

resources to find the most appropriate lender. The better your choice the most you

can gain profit from a bad credit payday .

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