eTXHealthinsurance Identifies 4 Potential Healthcare Discounts for Texans in 2012

Jan. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- As the leading provider of online health insurance for Texas individuals, families and small businesses, eTXHealthinsurance specializes in helping Texans take advantage of possible savings on healthcare and health insurance. eTXHealthinsurance has identified four ways that Texans can reduce their cost for healthcare in 2012:

1.   Texas policyholders stand to benefit from rebates from insurance companies that fail to spend at least 80 percent of policyholders’ premiums for members’ healthcare. The medical loss ratio of the Affordable Care Act caps the amount of policyholders’ premiums that can be used for administrative services, marketing and salaries at 20 percent. It’s estimated that Texas insurers failing to achieve the 80/20 split will have to rebate approximately $160 million to be split among Texans who buy their own health plan.

The Texas Department of Insurance has requested an additional three years before insurers have to meet that requirement. Seventeen states have made similar requests: six have been denied, five received approval with modifications, and only Maine received full approval. Texan Democratic representatives in Congress urge the feds to deny the request and a ruling is expected this month.

2.   Texans have more control of over other discounts, such as those available for prescriptions. They can download free discount cards for savings of up to 75 percent at local pharmacies, and request free pricing for overseas mail-order prescriptions at substantial discounts.

3.   Imaging scans, such as CT scans, MRIs and x-rays, as well as lab work can be obtained from labs that work directly with the public. This eliminates “middle-man” markups through doctors’ offices and hospitals. It’s possible to save up to 80 percent on such services, which may be the same ones that local doctors and hospitals use to keep their costs low.

4.   Texans can also benefit from medical bill negotiation service similar to how insurance companies negotiate to keep their costs low. Unless negotiation results in reducing the bill, there is no cost. The negotiation service takes 30 percent of reductions so the responsible party either ends up with the same bill or gets 70 percent of the negotiated savings.

Rebates from insurers, negotiated bill reductions and discounts on imaging scans, lab work and medication can reduce healthcare costs for the many Texans. The eTXHealthinsurance discount programs for imaging scans, lab work, and prescriptions can be found at http://www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/additional-benefits.htm. Medical bill negotiation services are available for bills of $200 or more by visiting http://www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/member-benefits-bill-re.... Additional online resources showing how to compare health plans for the maximum savings may be found at http://www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/how-to-guide.htm.

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About eTXHealthinsurance:

eTXHealthinsurance has become a leader in providing educational resources that enable Texas families, individuals and small businesses to keep their health care costs low. Online information explaining how to keep premiums and out-of-pocket costs down is available at www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/how-to-guide.htm and www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/health-savings-accounts-in-texas.php.

Texas residents seeking health insurance options in the individual market may use eTXHealthinsurance online resources to compare plans and apply online. Individuals and small companies may also schedule consultations with professionals to compare coverage options by calling 1-866-585-7664 between 9 AM and 11 PM Eastern.

eTXHealthinsurance also provides tools to lower healthcare costs that are not covered by insurance at www.eTXHealthinsurance.com/additional-benefits.htm.