Public versus Private Health Care Coverage
The United States (U.S.) has a multitude of options for health care coverage. People have the option for private or public coverage. One example of public coverage is Medicaid and an example of private coverage is Blue Cross and Blue Shield (HCSC, 2015). There are many differences between each health care option, the biggest difference is the price you are paying. This paper will discuss the differences between private and public health insurances as well as the cost for each.
Private health insurance plans frequently are offered through a person’s job. When an individual acquires health insurance this way their workplace covers part of the cost for their insurance. Frequently, they are offered different plans for different prices. Once these plans are chosen, typically, a premium fee will be deducted from that person’s pay checks (Colorado.Gov, 2015). On top of these premiums the individual will also have other fees such as co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance (Colorado.Gov, 2015). Private plans can also be purchased without an employer’s help, the individual will be expected to cover the premium payment of the plan as well as all of the matching extra fees (Colorado.Gov, 2015).
Medicaid is a public health insurance that is federally funded for those who do not have private health insurance (Families USA, 2014). In the U.S. one out of every five adults and one out of every three children use Medicaid (Families USA, 2014).
Health care insurance in the U.S. is extremely competitive and not always fair. Recently in 2012, The Affordable Care Act passed by Barack Obama set new regulations regarding insurance. According to this Act, employers of 50+ employees must offer health insurance, public health insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid was made affordable for those that qualify, it is illegal for anyone to be denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions, and everyone must have health insurance or they will endure tax penalties. For Medicare and Medicaid, each state has different qualifications regarding eligibility. Private health insurance is not mandatory, but many of those that can afford it prefer it because it will cover more than any government insurance. Private health insurance also offers family plans along with single plans(varying from company to company), which will definitely attract middle to high income families. Health insurance is an absolute essential in the U.S. as it is up to the citizen to obtain one that works for them.
Medicaid is a huge program that touches many lives but is nonetheless poorly understood by both the public and policymakers. Each state has the right to not participate in the Medicaid program, but Medicaid is one of the largest government insurance programs for individuals of all ages whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for health care.
Compare and contrast two Medicaid plans from different states. Discuss your opinions regarding each state being able to choose how they administer the Medicaid program for their state. Does this leave some Americans at a disadvantage? Explain.
Medicaid is health insurance that covers low income or no income people and families. There are some people that qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Due to the Medicaid Expansion (Obamacare), 26 states and the District of Columbia have eased some of the income requirements for Medicaid. Anyone below 138% of the federal poverty level is eligible
Health care coverage can be obtained from many different sources. The most common source is through employer-based insurance. The coverage offered to employees through a group health plan can benefit the employees as well as the business. According to Small Business Majority (2017), purchasing a group policy will allow the employees to have better access to care, which results in healthier employees. In addition, being more affordable and having the sense that medical expenses would not be as expensive if they did not have insurance (Small Business Majority, 2017). Finally, tax benefits that businesses may receive for paying at least half of the employee's premiums, according to Small Business Majority (2017). These benefits assist in creating a healthier atmosphere in a business.
Money plays a huge role in access, therefore it is a vital issue to discuss. Within the current system, lack of money results in lack of health care, which leaves thousands of people without any health care coverage. Between 2001 and 2005, the number of people paying for health insurance increased 30%, however income only raised 3% (Health Care Problems). Adequate income is a necessity and unfortunately that is not present. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the average annual premium across the country is $16,000. Currently, the average annual income in the United States is $51,107. Mint Money Management suggests that about 4-6% of one’s total income should be spent on insurance, including life, disability, and health insurance. However, the averages in the United States show that the average person spends about 31% of their income on health insurance, which is not financially beneficial. When this rise in health insurance is not parallel to the inflation of income, innocent people are left without a method to achieve health care. There is a program for those who can’t afford health insurance out of pocket nor have access to it, and that is called Medicaid. Issues still exist with the program. There is only so much funding, which leaves many still uninsured. Additionally, people with Medicaid have difficulty
Medicaid is a health safety net program that was enacted to provide health care coverage to qualifying members of the population with low incomes and has become one of the largest payers for health care in the United States. In 2010, the Medicaid program was responsible for providing health services to over eight million women and covered over forty percent of all births. This gives Medicaid the distinction of being the majority payer for all maternity services in the United States.
Medicaid is an assistance program. Medical bills are paid from federal, state and local tax funds. It helps low-income people of any age. Generally, patients do not pay any part of the covered medical expenses, sometimes a small copayment. Medicaid is a federal-state program. It varies from state to state. It is administered by state and local governments under federal guidelines.
Medicaid is a federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people who have a low income and limited resources. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health related issues in the United States. It provides medical care for nearly 60 million Americans (Medicaid History). Even though the program is joint between federal and state, the state decides how someone could be eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid is a health, safety net program that was enacted to provide health care coverage to qualifying members of the
Medicaid is a strategy implemented by the United States with the purpose of providing health programs meant to assist underprivileged individuals across the country. This is a significant social welfare program and it is under the administration of the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services. The program provides hospital and nursing services both in and outside the hospital. This makes it possible for a great deal of individuals who would otherwise be in great pain to improve their health condition and make sure that they reintegrate the social order as capable persons.
Most working class Americans get healthcare insurance through their employer and or purchase their coverage through a private insurance. What most of us don’t know is how the premiums we pay for our coverage are calculated. Cost of premiums area a direct reflection of the costs associated with our consumption of medical services. Cost of medical services includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and medical devices as our consumption of these services increase premiums also increase. (“America’s Health Insurance Plans - Premiums 101 – How Are Health Insurance Premiums Determined?,” n.d.)
Nearly 48 million Americans had no health care coverage in 2005, and the number will
Medicaid program is the third largest source of health insurance in the United States. Medicaid was signed into law July 30, 1965. When first created, Medicaid purpose gave medical insurance to people getting cash assistance. However that number has grown and larger group like low income families, pregnant women, people of all ages with disabilities and people who need long-term care are covered under it.
America is without a question the leading country of medical and scientific advances. There always seem to be a new medical breakthrough every time you watch the news or read the paper, especially in the cure of certain diseases. However, the medical research requires an enormous amount of money. The U.S. spends the most money on health care yet many people, mainly the working class Americans are still without any type of health insurance and thus are more susceptible to health risks and problems. The concept of health insurance for Americans was formulated over a century ago. Most Americans obtain health insurance from