Health Insurance for Babies -- eHealthInsurance Describes Coverage Options for New Parents

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire -03/15/12)- Today eHealthInsurance (NASDAQ: EHTH - News), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, described different health insurance options that new or expecting parents should consider for coverage of newborns.

Many new and expecting parents today express uncertainty or confusion about the health insurance options available for their new babies. This is especially true of the large number of new parents without employer-sponsored health insurance.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows adult children to stay on a parent's health insurance policy until age 26 but grandchildren are not eligible for coverage under the same policy. The ACA also prevents insurers from declining coverage for children under age 19 based solely on the presence of pre-existing medical conditions. However, child-only individual health insurance policies are not readily available in many states.

The coverage scenarios and tips described below are provided to help consumers better understand coverage options for newborns. eHealthInsurance recommends that consumers contact their employers or work with a licensed health insurance agent like eHealthInsurance to better understand their personal choices.

Health Insurance Options for Newborn Children

Enrolling a newborn under a parent's employer-sponsored plan. If you or your child's other parent are currently covered under an employer-sponsored health insurance plan, this is often your baby's best coverage option. Employer-based plans tend to provide robust benefits that may include preventive checkups, well-baby visits and immunizations -- often at no or little out-of-pocket cost. A few considerations:

The child may be covered under either parent's employer plan (or both), even if the parents aren't married Adding a dependent may substantially increase the amount the employee is required to contribute from his or her paycheck towards the monthly premium You don't need to wait for the employer's open enrollment period to add a newborn to your plan but must typically enroll the baby within a specific time-frame, typically thirty days after birth If you miss the enrollment window, you may want to consider a short-term plan to temporarily cover the baby; keep in mind, however, that while short-term plans can provide protection in case of serious illness or injury, they often don't cover preventive care or regular checkups Contact your Human Resources department or benefits administrator before your child is born to make sure that you understand how the enrollment process works and how much additional money will be withheld from your paycheck for dependent coverage

Enrolling a newborn under a parent's individually-purchased plan. Individually-purchased health insurance plans may provide coverage for individuals or for families. The 2010 Affordable Care Act strengthened these plans by doing away with lifetime coverage limits for basic covered services and making certain preventive care services available at no out-of-pocket cost. According to eHealth, Inc's 2011 Cost and Benefits Report, the average monthly premium paid for a family of two or more in 2011 was $414 per month* Nearly nine in ten (88.8%) of the plans surveyed in the report included well-baby coverage.

If you already have an individually-purchased policy, contact your licensed agent or insurer to learn how to add a dependent and how much your monthly premiums may increase as a result Be sure to add your newborn as a dependent within the "qualifying event" period, typically thirty days following birth When applying or re-applying for individual or family coverage it is possible for adults age 19 and over to be declined coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions; such a decline may result in the decline of the application as a whole, including for the coverage of dependents

Enrolling a newborn in a child-only individual plan. "Child-only" plans are individual health insurance policies made available to children age 18 and under with no parent or guardian listed on the same policy. The 2010 health reform law prevents insurers from declining applications for children based solely on pre-existing medical conditions. However, child-only policies are not available in many states, and states where child-only policies are available may limit enrollment to designated open enrollment periods or only with the occurrence of a "qualifying event."

Find out if child-only plans are available in your state by contacting your state department of insurance or a licensed agent Review eHealthInsurance's recently published chart describing the availability of child-only plans across the country Birth may be considered a qualifying event and enrollment may be allowed within a specific period of time after birth in states where child-only health insurance plans are available In states where child-only plans are not available you may still be able to apply for an individually-purchased family plan with yourself as the policyholder and your child as a dependent, but remember that the application may be declined due to your own pre-existing medical conditions

Enrolling a newborn in a state-sponsored health insurance program. If no other options are open to you and you can't afford coverage on your own, you may qualify for government assistance. Depending on your income, you and/or the baby may qualify for Medicaid. In some states there may be other programs available specifically for uninsured infants and children.

Contact your state department of insurance or the non-profit Foundation for Health Coverage Education (coverageforall.org) to learn more If you face an enrollment delay with a government program, consider a short-term plan to temporarily cover the baby; keep in mind, however, that while short-term plans can provide protection in case of serious illness or injury, they often don't cover preventive care and regular checkups

NOTES:

*Based on a survey of over 100,000 family plans purchased through eHealthInsurance.com and with coverage in effect as of February 2011. Read the 2011 Cost and Benefits Report.

Additional Consumer Resources:

About eHealth

eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH - News) is the parent company of eHealthInsurance, the nation's leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. Through the company's website, www.eHealthInsurance.com, consumers can get quotes from leading health insurance carriers, compare plans side by side, and apply for and purchase health insurance. eHealthInsurance offers thousands of individual, family and small business health plans underwritten by more than 180 of the nation's leading health insurance companies. eHealthInsurance is licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, making it the ideal model of a successful, high-functioning health insurance exchange. Through the company's eHealthTechnology solution (www.eHealthTechnology.com), eHealth is also a leading provider of health insurance exchange technology. eHealthTechnology's exchange platform provides a suite of hosted e-commerce solutions that enable health plan providers, resellers and government entities to market and distribute products online. eHealth, Inc. also provides powerful online and pharmacy-based tools to help seniors navigate Medicare health insurance options, choose the right plan and enroll in select plans online through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PlanPrescriber.com (www.planprescriber.com) and through its Medicare website www.eHealthMedicare.com.

For more health insurance news and information, visit the eHealthInsurance consumer blog: Get Smart - Get Covered.

View the original article here

Health Insurance for Babies -- eHealthInsurance Describes Coverage Options for New Parents

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire -03/15/12)- Today eHealthInsurance (NASDAQ: EHTH - News), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, described different health insurance options that new or expecting parents should consider for coverage of newborns.

Many new and expecting parents today express uncertainty or confusion about the health insurance options available for their new babies. This is especially true of the large number of new parents without employer-sponsored health insurance.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows adult children to stay on a parent's health insurance policy until age 26 but grandchildren are not eligible for coverage under the same policy. The ACA also prevents insurers from declining coverage for children under age 19 based solely on the presence of pre-existing medical conditions. However, child-only individual health insurance policies are not readily available in many states.

The coverage scenarios and tips described below are provided to help consumers better understand coverage options for newborns. eHealthInsurance recommends that consumers contact their employers or work with a licensed health insurance agent like eHealthInsurance to better understand their personal choices.

Health Insurance Options for Newborn Children

Enrolling a newborn under a parent's employer-sponsored plan. If you or your child's other parent are currently covered under an employer-sponsored health insurance plan, this is often your baby's best coverage option. Employer-based plans tend to provide robust benefits that may include preventive checkups, well-baby visits and immunizations -- often at no or little out-of-pocket cost. A few considerations:

The child may be covered under either parent's employer plan (or both), even if the parents aren't married Adding a dependent may substantially increase the amount the employee is required to contribute from his or her paycheck towards the monthly premium You don't need to wait for the employer's open enrollment period to add a newborn to your plan but must typically enroll the baby within a specific time-frame, typically thirty days after birth If you miss the enrollment window, you may want to consider a short-term plan to temporarily cover the baby; keep in mind, however, that while short-term plans can provide protection in case of serious illness or injury, they often don't cover preventive care or regular checkups Contact your Human Resources department or benefits administrator before your child is born to make sure that you understand how the enrollment process works and how much additional money will be withheld from your paycheck for dependent coverage

Enrolling a newborn under a parent's individually-purchased plan. Individually-purchased health insurance plans may provide coverage for individuals or for families. The 2010 Affordable Care Act strengthened these plans by doing away with lifetime coverage limits for basic covered services and making certain preventive care services available at no out-of-pocket cost. According to eHealth, Inc's 2011 Cost and Benefits Report, the average monthly premium paid for a family of two or more in 2011 was $414 per month* Nearly nine in ten (88.8%) of the plans surveyed in the report included well-baby coverage.

If you already have an individually-purchased policy, contact your licensed agent or insurer to learn how to add a dependent and how much your monthly premiums may increase as a result Be sure to add your newborn as a dependent within the "qualifying event" period, typically thirty days following birth When applying or re-applying for individual or family coverage it is possible for adults age 19 and over to be declined coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions; such a decline may result in the decline of the application as a whole, including for the coverage of dependents

Enrolling a newborn in a child-only individual plan. "Child-only" plans are individual health insurance policies made available to children age 18 and under with no parent or guardian listed on the same policy. The 2010 health reform law prevents insurers from declining applications for children based solely on pre-existing medical conditions. However, child-only policies are not available in many states, and states where child-only policies are available may limit enrollment to designated open enrollment periods or only with the occurrence of a "qualifying event."

Find out if child-only plans are available in your state by contacting your state department of insurance or a licensed agent Review eHealthInsurance's recently published chart describing the availability of child-only plans across the country Birth may be considered a qualifying event and enrollment may be allowed within a specific period of time after birth in states where child-only health insurance plans are available In states where child-only plans are not available you may still be able to apply for an individually-purchased family plan with yourself as the policyholder and your child as a dependent, but remember that the application may be declined due to your own pre-existing medical conditions

Enrolling a newborn in a state-sponsored health insurance program. If no other options are open to you and you can't afford coverage on your own, you may qualify for government assistance. Depending on your income, you and/or the baby may qualify for Medicaid. In some states there may be other programs available specifically for uninsured infants and children.

Contact your state department of insurance or the non-profit Foundation for Health Coverage Education (coverageforall.org) to learn more If you face an enrollment delay with a government program, consider a short-term plan to temporarily cover the baby; keep in mind, however, that while short-term plans can provide protection in case of serious illness or injury, they often don't cover preventive care and regular checkups

NOTES:

*Based on a survey of over 100,000 family plans purchased through eHealthInsurance.com and with coverage in effect as of February 2011. Read the 2011 Cost and Benefits Report.

Additional Consumer Resources:

About eHealth

eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH - News) is the parent company of eHealthInsurance, the nation's leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. Through the company's website, www.eHealthInsurance.com, consumers can get quotes from leading health insurance carriers, compare plans side by side, and apply for and purchase health insurance. eHealthInsurance offers thousands of individual, family and small business health plans underwritten by more than 180 of the nation's leading health insurance companies. eHealthInsurance is licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, making it the ideal model of a successful, high-functioning health insurance exchange. Through the company's eHealthTechnology solution (www.eHealthTechnology.com), eHealth is also a leading provider of health insurance exchange technology. eHealthTechnology's exchange platform provides a suite of hosted e-commerce solutions that enable health plan providers, resellers and government entities to market and distribute products online. eHealth, Inc. also provides powerful online and pharmacy-based tools to help seniors navigate Medicare health insurance options, choose the right plan and enroll in select plans online through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PlanPrescriber.com (www.planprescriber.com) and through its Medicare website www.eHealthMedicare.com.

For more health insurance news and information, visit the eHealthInsurance consumer blog: Get Smart - Get Covered.

View the original article here

Health Insurance and Medical Deductions - eHealthInsurance Releases Top Consumer Tips for Tax Season

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire -02/07/12)- Today eHealthInsurance (NASDAQ: EHTH - News), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, released a series of tips for health insurance consumers working on their 2011 federal tax returns.

Many consumers overlook deductions built into the tax code that are designed to make medical care and health insurance more affordable. Consumers who had high medical expenditures in 2011, who pay for their own individually-purchased health insurance, who are self-employed, or who care for aging parents should educate themselves on the opportunities to deduct a portion of these expenses from their federal income tax.

The tips below do not constitute personal tax advice and eHealthInsurance recommends that consumers explore these issues with a certified public accountant or tax professional when completing their federal income taxes for the year 2011.

Health-related Tax Tips for Tax Year 2011

Itemizing health insurance and medical expenses - If you itemize on your federal tax return you may be able to deduct medical expenses from your taxable income. According to IRS Publication 502, qualifying medical expenses may include monthly premiums you pay for coverage (including some Medicare premiums), copayments, deductibles, dental expenses, and costs for some services not covered by your insurance plan. You can even deduct mileage (at 19 cents per mile for the first half of 2011 and 23.5 cents for the second) accrued while driving to and from regular appointments. Keep in mind: you can only deduct the portion of your medical expenses that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. That means this deduction isn't for everyone, but if you (or one of your dependents) were seriously ill or hospitalized last year -- or if you paid COBRA premiums in 2011 -- you may qualify. Expenses for the care for an aging parent - If your elderly parent earned less than $3,700 in 2011 (excluding Social Security) and you provided more than half of his or her financial support, you may be able to claim your parent as a dependent. This earns you an additional dependent exemption, even if your parent doesn't live with you. And if you've paid for the medical or nursing care of a dependent parent, you may also be able to itemize your costs as qualified medical expenses. Medicare premiums and medical home improvements - If you're a retired senior, you may have an easier time meeting the 7.5% adjusted gross income threshold to deduct itemized medical expenses on your federal return. In addition to your out-of-pocket expenses for medical, dental or vision care, you may also be able to include capital expenses for the installation of home medical equipment or improvements of your property for wheel-chair access. In addition, premiums taken from your Social Security check to pay for Medicare Part B may qualify as deductible, as well as premiums you paid for Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug) coverage or a Medicare Supplemental plan. Deducting health insurance premiums as a business expense - If you had self-employment income in 2011, you may be able to deduct health insurance premiums you paid for yourself and your dependents as an 'above the line' business expense (that is, without itemizing) on your federal tax return. Be aware, however, that you may not deduct premiums (including Medicare premiums) paid for any month in which you were eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and that the amount you deduct cannot be greater than your net self-employment income for the year. Also, keep in mind that you cannot include what you paid toward your monthly premiums as an 'above the line' expense and also itemize it. Talk to a tax professional to learn more about the different types of self-employment status and the tax implications of each in your state. Getting the most from your Health Savings Account (HSA) - An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account used in conjunction with an HSA-eligible health insurance plan. Account contributions, qualified distributions and earnings are all tax-exempt. An HSA allows you to deposit a portion of your pre-tax income into a savings account and use those funds to pay for qualified medical expenses. Unused money can be invested and accrue from year to year. If you have an HSA, be sure to deduct your contributions up to federally prescribed limits. Contributions to your HSA designated for 2011 and made before April 17, 2012 can be counted toward your 2011 federal taxes. According to IRS Publication 969, HSA contributions for the 2011 tax year are capped at $3,050 for individuals and $6,150 for families. If you're over age 55, you may qualify to make an additional $1,000 contribution for the year.

Additional Consumer Resources:

About eHealth
eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH - News) is the parent company of eHealthInsurance, the nation's leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses. Through the company's website, www.eHealthInsurance.com, consumers can get quotes from leading health insurance carriers, compare plans side by side, and apply for and purchase health insurance. eHealthInsurance offers thousands of individual, family and small business health plans underwritten by more than 180 of the nation's leading health insurance companies. eHealthInsurance is licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, making it the ideal model of a successful, high-functioning health insurance exchange. Through the company's eHealthTechnology solution (www.eHealthTechnology.com), eHealth is also a leading provider of health insurance exchange technology. eHealthTechnology's exchange platform provides a suite of hosted e-commerce solutions that enable health plan providers, resellers and government entities to market and distribute products online. eHealth, Inc. also provides powerful online and pharmacy-based tools to help seniors navigate Medicare health insurance options, choose the right plan and enroll in select plans online through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PlanPrescriber.com (www.planprescriber.com) and through its Medicare website www.eHealthMedicare.com.

For more health insurance news and information, visit the eHealthInsurance consumer blog: Get Smart - Get Covered.

View the original article here