<p> </p> <p> <p>There is no lack of speculation flying around these days over where all the health care reform is going to wash out over the next few years. The usual discussion focuses on affordability for the low to middle income American and the inevitable financial burden effecting all tax payers associated with any government subsidized program. For some of the more energetic, the debates can include accusations of renewed political veins last heard of in the 60&rsquo;s and 70&rsquo;s, quality of care arguments, constitutionality and the inevitable gut turning example of some unfortunate, loved by the media for its emotional value. There is no doubt there are serious decisions being made over the course of the debates taking place in Washington and I am not trying to make light of that process or its intent. But what do we all do in the meantime? Projections I have seen say the year 2013 before we can expect reform to hit the street. The Nostradamous Effect, for those inclined to believe in that kind of thing or just plain common sense, dictates a little more expeditious course of action for most of us.</p> <p>I believe Health Care Reform will indeed roll out in various forms. However its seems to me the most probable effect could be mostly a greater diversification of coverage options. Insurance can only survive when the original premise of spreading the risk is preserved. If insurance companies are forced to accept higher risk, they will find a way to accept less responsibility in circumstances where they can&rsquo;t spread the risk. There is the distinct possibility we will see the application of a more technical and restrictive use if inside limits. The result is going to produce even more confusion and the potential for consumer fraud. Inside limits are certainly not a new concept, they are used widely by insurance companies among various other ways to control costs. There is a good possibility you have inside limits on the policy you hold today. The unfortunate part of the use of Inside Limits is that the public for the most part has no idea what those limits are within their own policy. Think about that for a moment, do know if there are limits inside your policy? Not deductibles or co-insurance, but limits on lets say ambulance fees or attending physician fees, and if so, what those limits are. The potential list can be surprising and sometimes disappointing. So if we are to expect an even greater use of this very effective cost saving feature by insurance companies, we can also expect more confusion and emotional responses to what I call " OOPS!" <strong>Out Of Pocket Surprise! </strong></p> <p>Out of pocket expense is ultimately what we all strive to protect with our insurance. In a study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and published online June 4th by the American Journal of Medicine, authored by Catherine Arnst, the headline read "Harvard researchers say 62% of all personal bankruptcies in the US in 2007 were caused by health problems&mdash;and 78% of those filers had insurance". For those Americans with access to large group insurance and you are comfortable with your coverage, know your out of pocket, congratulations. If you are one of the Millions of small business owners or employees of a small business or self employed yourself. Ask yourself, DO YOU KNOW YOUR OUT OF POCKET? If you have a policy, does it have inside limits? Statistically 81% of all health insurance claims are from unplanned events. Either an accident or major illness. If you didn&rsquo;t plan for it and you have inside limits on various covered events, events you cannot pick and choose to have happen because it has the best coverage, how can you possibly know what your out of pocket expense liability is? As a small business owner, entrepreneur, self employed individual, you may be just one unplanned event away from loosing a lifetime of hard work. Take the time to understand your coverage options. I assure you, there are options available that allow you to know your out of pocket liability to a far greater extent than what you may have today.</p> <p>Regardless of what happens on the national scene with regard to health insurance reform, there will always be alternatives. If you believe, like me, that whatever the government gets involved in seems to end up a little more confusing than it was originally. NOW is the time to learn how to identify the right health protection for your situation. The future of health reform is no different than the future of your business or livelihood in a difficult economy. You really have no way of knowing for sure what the end product looks like, you can however know that the future will be an extension of today. Take the time to give yourself the information to make a good decision today, you might just be better prepared for tomorrow.</p> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> 2009-10-20T04:52:25Z -1.3252 127 7025 true 8 44369 your-small-business-and-the-future-of-health-reform 0 2009-10-20T07:28:02Z 2009-10-20T12:29:26Z

In a study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Harvard researchers say 62% of all personal bankruptcies in the US in 2007 were caused by health problems—and 78% of those filers had insurance".

1 2009-10-20T12:29:42Z