Defining The Terms: Universal Health Coverage Single Payer And Socialized Medicine

When debating the future of health insurance in the US, terms such as Universal Health Coverage, Single Payer, and Socialized Medicine are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The World Health Organizations definition of Universal Health Coverage is that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.2

Unpacking that definition, Universal Health Coverage ensures:

Single payer systems are one method of achieving UHC, but not the only, and there are very few true single payer systems in the world. In a single payer system, the government pays for medical care and restricts alternative payment mechanisms for the services that it covers. Canada and Taiwan are the only 2 countries in the world with true single payer systems covering their entire populations, while within the US, Traditional Medicare is an example of a single payer system.3

In Network And Out Of Network

You might see another list with 2 different percent amounts. The first percent, which is normally larger, shows how much the insurance company pays doctors and other health care providers who are considered in network. In network means that the insurance company has an agreement with this group of providers. The second percent amount is the amount your insurance company pays doctors and other health care providers who are out of network. Your insurance company does not have an agreement with providers who are outside the insurance companys network.

You are allowed to see providers who are out of network, but you will have to pay them more than you would to a provider who is in network. When you see any health care provider, you will have to pay the amount that the insurance company does not cover. To find out if a provider is in network contact your insurance company.

The Information We Collect And How We Collect It

Personally Identifiable Information. The HealthPlanOne.com website collects two kinds of information that relates to you. The first, and most important to you, is information that is personally identifiable to you. This is information like your name, telephone number, email address, home address and social security number. We do not collect personally identifiable information unless you decide to provide us with it. To be clear, you are never required to provide us with Personal Information but not all of the services we offer will be available to you without that information. For example, we will ask for your contact information if you have requested us to send you information about certain plans or services.

Personal Information also includes information on your health. However, we do NOT ask for and do NOT collect Medical Records from you. Those records remain between you and your doctor.

If at any time you would like to review or update the Personal Information we have collected about you, please contact us and we will arrange for you to do so. While you work with us, you remain in control of all of your personal information at all times.

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How We Chose The Best Health Insurance Companies

We examined the 126 health insurance plans that were top-rated by NCQA, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a non-profit rating group, and aggregated them by insurance company. We then narrowed the list to companies that had highly rated plans available in multiple states. To make the best list, most companies also had to have at least an A- financial rating from AM Best, Fitch, or Standard & Poor’s.

We then took a qualitative look at our nine highly rated companies to identify special strengths that might appeal to the priorities of different types of consumers. We examined how the companies were rated in NCQA subcategories, in the 2020 ACSI survey of roughly 500,000 consumers, and in the 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey of 32,066 commercial health plan members. We looked at company profiles and Top Ten Reviews to evaluate the depth and breadth of the company’s coverage offerings and pricing for individual and employer-based insurance, Medicare Advantage, and other types of policies.

We also looked at availabilitythe number of doctors, hospitals, and medical systems that contract with a particular insurance companys coverageand types of coverage offered. And we considered where these insurance companies operate and whether plans can be purchased on healthcare.gov.

Best For Nationwide Coverage: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross/Blue Shield

One out of three Americans has health coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The names on various state plans include Anthem, CareFirst, Highmark, Independence, and Wellmark, but the 35 independent and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies open doors in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Nationwide, more than 80% of doctors and 90% of hospitals contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield companiesmore than any other insurer, according to the company.

In 2019, more than 40 Blue Cross Blue Shield company plans earned moderate to high ratings from NCQA based on clinical quality and member satisfaction, while 10 Anthem plansincluding some with lower overall ratingsscored impressively in the customer satisfaction area. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers employer insurance, individual policies on healthcare.gov, and a variety of Medicare plans .

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Health Partners Plans Is Owned By These Leading Hospitals:

• Aria Jefferson Health
• Einstein Healthcare Network
• Temple University Health System

Participating hospitals: Network of over 40 hospitals that have contracted with us to provide services to our members.

Participating providers: More than 6,400 primary care and specialist physicians and allied health professionals.

How To Read Your Insurance Card

As you get close to transitioning from St. Jude, it is important to learn to read your health insurance card. This card can be confusing until you learn how to read it. You and your new adult health care team need the information on your card to know how much your insurance company pays, what you pay, and more. This can help you understand your health insurance card.

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Other Types Of Healthpartners Medicare Advantage Plans

In addition to PPO plans, HealthPartners also offers other types of Medicare Advantage plans in certain areas. These include:

• HealthPartners Freedom plans, which are offered in parts of Minnesota
• HealthPartners Sanford plans, which are available in parts of North Dakota and South Dakota

Like the PPO plans, there are different tiers in both the Freedom and Sanford plans. These different options vary in cost and the amount of coverage that each provide.

Universal Health Coverage Around The World

So if most other countries dont have single payer or socialized medicine, what do they have? Other systems fall in one of two broad categories:

The Commonwealth Fund regularly publishes an excellent resource that summarizes the health care systems of many countries. The most recent report in May 2017 examined the systems in 19 countries. The following draws heavily from that report, and I highly recommend reading it if you would like more detail on the systems that I touch on here.5

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Order Your Health Partners Plans 100% Insurance Covered Breast Pump Today

Health Partners Plans provides 100% coverage for double electric breast pumps. Expectant Mothers and Mothers with newborn babies, qualify for an insurance covered breast pump through Health Partners Plans Insurance Coverage. Health Partners Plans, Pennsylvania State Medicaid Plan requires Mothers covered under their healthcare system to obtain a breast pump from an In-Network Health Partners Plans Provider.

Milk N Mamas Baby is an In-Network Health Partners Plans Provider of Breast Pumps.

Milk N Mamas Baby works closely with every Mama we service. We provide New Mamas the opportunity to obtain a Health Partners Plans Insurance Covered Breast Pump of their choice. We recommend and supply innovative dependable breast pumps. Our Health Partners Plans covered breast pumps are, lightweight, portable and more importantly provide superior pumping strength. Optimal Breastfeeding Success is easier to obtain when a Health Partners Plans Mama has a superior breast pump. Browse our breast pump offerings: Spectra, Medela, Luna Motif, Ameda and more. You only get one insurance covered breast pump through Health Partners Plans per birth event and we want to make sure you pick the pump that is best for you. Our knowledgeable customer service representatives provide friendly assistance when helping you order your personal use breast pump.

We provide free shipping for Health Partners Plans Mamas and include a manufactures breast pump warranty.

Best For New England: Harvard Pilgrim

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

This New England not-for-profit company has 4.5-rated plans in two states , one of which also scored an impressive 4.5 on prevention, and a 4.0-rated plan in New Hampshire. The Harvard Pilgrim Passport and Access America plans are offered jointly by Harvard Pilgrim and UnitedHealthcare, allowing members access to a gigantic network of doctors nationwide, thousands of hospitals, and flexible health benefits.

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Encompass Health Partners Pllc In

We belong to most insurance plans, including the following:

• Medicare
• Cigna
• Aetna
• UMR
• United HealthcareNot in-network with AARP Medicare CompleteNot in-network with UHC Medicare, but can bill as out-of-network for PPO/PFFS plans (patient may be billed for deductible

Humana: Not in-network, but can bill as out-of-network if PPO or PFFS plans

Best For Medicare Advantage: Aetna

Aetna

An impressive 43 Aetna Medicare Advantage plans sold in 37 states, plus the District of Columbia, received top NCQA ratings in 2019, with Connecticut and Maine being standouts. In 2020, Aetna Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans were made available in 264 new counties across the country, providing millions more Medicare beneficiaries access to an Aetna plan. The insurer also sells Medicare supplement plans in 49 states. In addition to these, they also offer a combination dental, vision, and hearing supplemental Medicare product in many states.

In the private arena, Aetna is a large provider of employer-based health insurance. A total of 4 Aetna plans serving Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Utah made the top NCQA ranks in 2019, and the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Health Plan Study ranked Aetna plans second highest in Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. In addition, Aetna’s pricing seems to be at a lower level than many competitors’ pricing.

In November 2018, Aetna became part of CVS Health Company, and synergies between the two are beginning to emerge. For example, Aetna medical plan subscribers with high blood pressure can get a free home monitor at CVS. Chronic disease monitoring may also be available at CVS stores.

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Can I See My Favorite Doctor And Get The Best Deal

Your plan includes a large network of doctors, clinics and hospitals that agree to provide care for members at a discounted rate. Search your plan network to confirm that your favorite doctor is in network. For the most accurate search results, use the network name your employer gave you in your enrollment materials.

Which Plan Is Right For My Family

When youre picking a health insurance plan, its important to know it will fit your needs. If you need help, use the Plan for Me tool. You can use the tool to compare options and estimate your care and prescription costs based on your situation and health needs. You may have gotten log on information at your open enrollment kickoff meeting. Use the info your employer gave you to log on.

Not every employer uses Plan for Me. If your employer doesnt, dont worry. Theyll be getting you lots of great other information to help you choose the plan that best fits your needs.

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Types Of Construction Insurance To Help Protect Your Business

As a small business owner, you likely cant bear the weight of a potential construction accident. To help keep you and your business protected, we compiled a list of some of the most common types of construction insurance policies and what they each mean. Continue reading to find out which insurance policy is the best choice for your business to have during your next project or remodel!

• Builders Risk

If your business is set to undergo building construction or remodeling in the future, builders risk insurance is a smart choice to help protect it. This type of insurance can protect the structure itself, provide coverage for necessary materials, and insures you, the business owner, from any accidents. This kind of policy usually only lasts for the duration of the project, so you dont wind up paying for insurance before or after you need it. Builders Risk insurance does not usually provide coverage from situations like earthquakes, employee theft, or weather damage, so its important to clarify these situations with our team at Partners Direct prior to signing.

• Commercial General Liability Policy

• Umbrella Liability Coverage

• Contractors Pollution Coverage

• Workers Compensation Insurance

Compare The Best Companies Selling Insurance In The Us

Consumer ReportsOncology TimesMEDICAThe New York Times MagazinePsychology TodaySports Illustrated

We publish unbiased product reviews our opinions are our own and are not influenced by payment we receive from our advertising partners. Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money.

Which are the best health insurance companies in the United States? It’s hard to know how to even begin sorting through the multiple options when your employer offers a choice of health plans or you need to select a private health insurance policy.

We’ve done some of the legwork for you by examining which health insurance companies in the U.S. are ranked highest on such factors as prevention, treatment, and customer satisfaction. We selected 9 companies that have a wide range of available products, including national providers and a few highly-rated regional companies.

To find the best policies for you and your family, you can start by entering your zip code and then other information at the companies’ websites. You will be directed to the policies available in your area that are appropriate for your circumstances, at which point you can compare local physician, hospital, and pharmacy choices. You can also find the combination of premium, deductible, and other out-of-pocket expenses that is the best option for you.

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How To Read Your Health Insurance Card

Most insurance cards in the U.S. contain the same basic information, including:

The name of your insurance company and contact information such as a customer service phone number, email address and website.

The type of plan you have .

Your name and the name of any dependents covered by your policy. If you are the dependent on someone elses policy, their name will probably be on your card.

Your insurance I.D. number on the insurance card indicates the coverage your plan provides. If youre the policyholder, the last two digits in your number might be 00, while dependents might have numbers ending in 01, 02, etc.

An insurance group number, if you have an employer-based plan. If you purchase private insurance through healthcare.gov, a state exchange, or directly from an insurance company, there might not be a group number on the insurance card.

The amount of your or for common situations, such as a visit to your primary care doctor, a specialist, an emergency room or an urgent care clinic. A copay usually appears as a flat rate, a coinsurance as a percentage. Your card may also list the prices for in-network providers and out-of-network care.

The name of an out-of-area network, if your plan includes out-of-area coverage with a different company.

If your plan covers a particular pharmacy network, this probably will be indicated on your health insurance card. There may also be an Rx BIN to tell the pharmacist which company will reimburse the pharmacy.

Sample Insurance Card

How To Use Your Health Insurance Card

When you get your insurance card from your insurance company review the card to see if there are mistakes. If you find one, ask for a new card.

Compare the information, especially the costs listed on the card, with the other insurance paperwork you have. Make sure they match.

If you do have more than one card, be sure and keep them all together. When you get a new or updated card, get rid of the old one to avoid confusion.

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Health Insurance Cards Everything You Need To Know

Health insurance can be incredibly complicated how can you ever have all your key information at your fingertips?

Guess what? You probably already do.

If you have major medical health insurance, you have a health insurance card. And, chances are, other than showing it at your physicians office or your pharmacy, you havent given it much attention. It turns out, that little card can answer a lot of important questions.

Lets walk through how to make the most of it, and find out:

• How to use your health insurance card
• How to read your health insurance card
• When do you need a health insurance card
• What if you lose your health insurance card?

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