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Hi I'm Lori Aratani and I'm interested in hearing from small business entrepreneurs who would like to have health coverage, but for whatever reason haven't been able to obtain it. This is for a story I'm writing about a new health coverage program launching in Howard County, Md. Would love to hear your stories and your thoughts.

Thanks much,

Lori Aratani

Staff Writer, The Washington Post

My company can offer healthcare insurance but due to the MD laws prohibiting group rates for small businesses, I can offer it as affordably as my larger competitors putting me at a direct hiring disadvantage vs my larger competitors.  When we were based in PA, I got very competitive health insurance via the Greater Philly Chamber and could compete with larger employers much more effectively.  The MD laws put the smaller employer at a distinct disadvantage due the healthcare insurance laws. 

That is my 2 cents.  Hope it helps,

Judy.

I provide small group coverage to businesses in the Wash Metro area which includes MD,VA and DC. One of the most common reasons businesses do not apply is cost. Maryland has two fantastic advantages for Group Health. There is no Underwriting and they now have the Partnership plan.  I wish more small businesses would "bite the bullet" and get on board with protecting their employees but affordability is always a factor.

hi,

it's difficult being caught in the middle (having a job with benefits and out of your price range). for the proactive individual, i offer customized wellness products based on each persons functional test report. 2 adults and 2 children could remain healthier with better immune system function for as little as $155 a month; then buy coverage for emergencies.

brenda@healthfreedom-usa.com

Great idea Brenda to be as healthy as possible so a high deductible is really just for emergencies. You can decrease the cost by increasing what you tell the insurance company you are willing to pay for your own care when you actually need it (the deductible). If you don't use it, you don't pay.

Have any folks looked into the Healthy Howard program but decided it may not be for them? Have many of you even heard about it?

haven't heard of it.

brenda

Hi Lori,

Not sure you could use this input, but here goes...I have been a health insurance agent twenty years.  There are several issues small business owners have expressed to me.  The primary one is cost, but it's not that plans are unaffordable, but rather that costs are unexpected.  In other words, people starting a business, used to having employer-paid coverage do get sticker shock when they see full premiums and realize how much of their previous premium was paid by their employer.

A second corollary: those same business starters have been accustomed to both a low premium as well as a low copay at time of service.  When it comes time to shopping for health insurance, they gravitate towards low copay plans which drives up the premiums.  Often I try to educate people and encourage them to pay a lower premium and have a higher deductible, particularly if they rarely go for medical care.  Knowing they'll have to pay a bit more at time of service, I encourage them to open a Health Savings Account or at least make sure they are liquid, with adequate money in their bank accounts or money market funds to meet higher deductibles. But just like with the old "buy term, invest the difference" axiom with life insurance, it's up to the consumer to actually save or invest the premium dollars they have saved.

Hi Lori,

I'm actually a Benefits Consultant and Licensed Insurance Agent selling health care insurance to individuals, self-employed and small-business in MD.  I'm interested in learning more about the Health Coverage program in Howard County.

John and I are both of the same mindset that if we educate the consumer they will make a good decision. Unfortunately some people are paralyzed from the sticker shock and find it difficult to make a decision. Others are upset that they actually have to pay for their protection. Working with an agent who has access to and understands the different carriers is key. Consumers need to know they don't pay a penny more for that service.

Hey All!
Is there anyone who is a solopreneur or self-employed or in any other way under-insured? I'd love to hear your thoughts, too.

What do you do when you get sick? for prevention? is health insurance a concern for you?

Back to the Lori's original question on the Howard program. Just go to healthyhowardplan.org and you can find out everything you need. It sounds like a great idea but I do not know how well it is working yet.

I come to this discussion from a different side. I run Cancer Support Foundation, Inc. I am familiar with Healthy Howard program which is a new program and will help a limited number of people since there is a cap on the number to be signed up. Being a new program the jury is still out on how much cancer patients will be helped.

The problem with health care is not just the monthly cost, but what happens when you get diagnosted with cancer. Cancer treatment can be very different from most other health issues. One day you can be fine and then the next you start treatment and quickly become too sick to work. The treatment makes you feel worse than the disease. This treatment time is usually from six months to a year. Many patients have to leave their jobs or are let go. To then keep their insurance, they need to be able to pay the COBRA premiums which are very high. These patients lose their homes, cars and everything to just keep their insurance. Many drop the insurance and have to stop treatment. Typically, if you are in a household with any income you do not qualify for Medical Assistance, so are faced with either finding the money for the COBRA payment or going untreated. The American Cancer Society is sponsoring a bill now in Annapolis that would provide anyone who is diagnosed with cancer a year worth of care to get through their treatment.

As, a small business owner myself and a cancer survivor, I am very concerned with what happens when you get diagnosed and are faced with losing everything you have to be able to get the treatment that you need. Believe me, no income bracket is left out of this problem. We deal with people who come from everywhere on the scale.

Cancer Support Foundation, Inc provides financial assistance to anyone undergoing cancer treatment in the state of Maryland. On a weekly basis we work with clients who are facing this insurance nightmare and advocating for them to make sure that they can get their lifesaving treatment.

I'm a solopreneur and definitely see the problems with health insurance.  Does this Howard Health plan including helping people like me.

Hi -- for those interested in finding out more about Health Howard, here's a weblink to their site:

www.healthyhowardplan.org

I believe there's a way you can enter your information and find out whether you're eligible.

If any folks have a chance to take a look and decide for whatever reason, it might not be for them, feel free to let me know your thoughts on what that is -- aratanil@washpost.com

thanks again -- it's been really interesting hearing your comments.

I believe that is the sight I mentioned and if you (or whomever is reading this) don't qualify or need more  information on obtaining your own coverage please send me an email. I am happy to help.  mguisewite@insuranceservices.com. 

Rodney- You should check the website we have mentioned to see if you "fit" the profile to take advantage of the program. If not, please give me a call or email and we can see what else may work. Mindy

Dear All,

I am a Family Physician who has just opened a practice in Howard County.  I have a low overhead model practice and could provide all the primary care necessary for anywhere between 20 and 50 dollars a month per person depending on their age and health.  I have written the health insurance commissioner to let them know but Maryland law would need to be changed for me to do that.  In the mean time I offer low rates for visits.  People get concerned because fee for service is so open ended they do not know what to expect.  A member per month low cost fee is perfect for folks with high deductible insurances.  I hope if enough people are interested we can make our legislators aware.  An example of this project is at www.healthaccessRI.com.

Dr. Clark

Too many insurance companies refuse to accept you if you have pre-existing conditions. To me that means MOST of America! HELP!

Pam

If you want some information on your own particular situation please give me a call so I can understand what the issues are. - Mindy 301-628-4000 EXT 4139