According to Washington state guiidelines, health insurers are forbidden from refusing to market coverage to individuals on the basis of age. However, several providers are trying to make an end-run around that legislation.
Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield is easily the most well-known of these firms. They're defying what the law states by continuing to market individual medical health insurance to adults, while denying coverage to children younger than 19.
As is usually the case during these issues, healthcare reform plays a substantial role. At the end of September, the us government imposed a ban on refusing to supply coverage to kids with pre-existing health conditions. An identical ban on discriminating against adults depending on health status is going to be phased in by 2014. Insurers have grudgingly accepted the second, because it is partnered by having an individual mandate, that will bring them enough new clients to help cover the price of more expensive patients.
On the main one hand, the lifting from the limitation against selling affordable medical health insurance to children is much more popular with everyone. Minor youngsters are virtually never to blame for their health status, unlike adults which may be blamed for adding to their condition(s). Due to that, it should not be considered a moral hazard. However, some think that parents will purposely delay purchasing coverage for his or her children until they have developed a serious health.
Why would parents purchase a child-only policy? Specifically for those families struggling economically, it might be necessary to sacrifice themselves with regard to their kids' health. Whether they can only afford one premium, it will likely be their child's. Therefore, it's doubtful that such families will take their child's health in danger by leaving them uninsured before last possible second.
In the situation of Regence, their lucrative adult clients are suffering because of their decision to suspend children's medical health insurance sales. Due to their violation, the state's insurance commissioner has ordered these phones cease and desist selling all policies.
For operator, Regence's president claims the suspension of sales was essential to protect their some other clients from rising premiums.
No comments:
Post a Comment