Insider's Insurance Guide

Aetna has introduced a new online resource designed to help members who have enrolled or are considering enrolling in an Aetna Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) get the most out of their plan. Through a new page on Aetna.com, visitors can learn more about the plans, get tips on how to use these plans effectively, and view informational videos on the two most common types of plans — Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Health       Savings Accounts (HSA). The site was developed using feedback from Aetna’s own CDHP members, as well as an independent survey conducted earlier this year, indicating that an overwhelming majority of consumers would benefit from tools and information to help them better understand their coverage levels, find doctors in their network, and estimate the cost of an office visit before scheduling.

“The downturn in the economy has prompted many employers and consumers to consider CDHPs as a way to better manage their health and health care costs,” said Aetna President Mark Bertolini. “Switching to one of these plans can be a big change. But by providing people with the information and tools they need we can help them make more informed health care decisions and get the most out of their health care benefits.”

Helping Consumers Get the Information They Need

Aetna’s CDHP educational resources are part of a broader Maximize Your Benefits campaign. This campaign provides consumers and Aetna members with information and tools designed to help them get the most out of their health care benefits. The Consumer-Directed Health Care page provides an “At a Glance” overview of the plans; “the basics” on how to use the plans, as well as informational videos and other educational materials.

A survey of CDHP enrollees conducted earlier this year showed that tools like DocFind, Aetna’s online provider directory, and Aetna’s secure member self-service website, which provides access to benefits information and the company’s cost of care tools, are ideally suited to meet the needs of survey participants. Specifically, the survey found that:

– The majority of consumers surveyed would have been highly likely to use resources such as DocFind (89%), Benefits Used/Remaining (87%) and Cost of Care Tools (84%) when they first enrolled in a CDHP.

– Consumers would have found access to resources such as DocFind (96%), Benefits Used/Remaining (92%) and Cost of Care Tools (91%) as highly valuable when they first enrolled in a CDHP.

Lower Costs and Positive Impact on Health & Wellness

Recent reports have highlighted the fact that more employers are selecting CDHPs as a way to reduce costs as a result of the economy. An analysis of Aetna members earlier this year showed that employers who offer Aetna HealthFund plans as an option experienced a savings of $7 million per 10,000 members over a five year period.

Aetna’s research also demonstrates that Consumer-Directed Health Plans can have a positive impact on health and wellness. Aetna’s study found that Consumer-Directed Health Plan members:

– Sought increased levels of chronic and preventive care

– Used generic drugs more often

– Accessed online tools and information at higher rates than PPO members.

Importantly, this year’s results also show that Aetna HealthFund members spent 5 to 10 percent more on preventive care and had 5 to 10 percent lower emergency room use than PPO members, suggesting that Consumer-Directed Health Plan members are becoming more informed consumers of health care.

“It is clear that Consumer-Directed Health Plans can have a positive impact on both health and overall cost,” said Bertolini. “As the first national health insurer to launch a consumer-directed plan, we believe it is our responsibility to provide the information, educational tools, and online resources people need to manage their health.”

We can never predict the future but we can at least plan for it. Financial planning can help us a great deal and we can save our selves from the financial crisis which we may or may not have to go through at any phase of our life. If we have planned before hand and have invested in any of the life insurance life policies then we can obviously save our selves to go through the entire trauma if ever we have to go through our life due to the loss of finances or any other loss. Proper financial planning can prevent disturbances in our life to a large level. Today we have many options where we can and in fact have to save our money and plan the future. There are many life insurance policies where we can benefit ourselves and remain calm for the future. We have to maintain certain matters in our life for proper planning. Here are some tips for a better planning and investment procedures.

Tip No. 1 Budget: – We can make funds a part of our financial planning and we will realize that saving is not so hard.

Tip No.2 Spend less than we earn: – We have to discipline our self to spend within what we earn and make savings an important part of our financial planning.

Tip No. 3 Invest: – Financial planning means we are saving for the future in many cases. So we have to invest in a L.I.C. policy for a better future.

Tip No. 4 Debt: – Debt, especially credit card debt is one of the biggest obstacles against financial planning. So we have to avoid debt in any case.

Once we have planned according to the tips given above then I am sure that we will definitely be able to save a part of our earnings and invest in any of the best life insurance policies. The coverage amount which we can get from all the life insurance policies is exceptionally unbelievable. If we want our selves and our family to relax, then we have to invest for the future.

I have already invested in the universal life insurance policy for the safety of my wife and kids. I was very much relaxed that even if anything happens to me untimely, then I need not have to worry about my children’s education and their luxuries. I had invested in such a manner that they will benefit through out their life and will never have to depend upon anybody for finances. My younger brother had not invested yet in any of the life insurance polices because he just started working in a good company and according to him he wanted some time so that he could manage to earn enough so that he could buy a good life insurance policy. Even then I advised him to meet one of the good life insurance agents so that he/she can guide him towards the exact course before investing. It is always good to consult them before we our selves end up to take any decision because this is a life time planning and it has to be done in a proper manner.

Many families and groups of people have now started realizing that a group health insurance plan is vital to stay protected in case of unexpected medical emergency. Today, group health insurance plans have also become popular in business sector also where the employer provides these insurance plans in form of incentives and benefits.

Almost all medical treatment and expenses are included in a group health insurance plan, such as dental care, medical bills, hospitalization, prescription cards, medicines, tax assistance and even pet care.

There are varied kinds of group health insurance plans made available by insurers meeting different types of requirements of individuals, families and companies. To search for the best health insurance plan, whether for your family or for employees, one can browse through a health insurance directory to find the best health insurance plan available. The health directory contains a list of different insurance plans along with the insurance companies offering group health insurance plans.

A health insurance directory is one of the best resources to look for a health insurance plan. The directory contains a detailed listing of insurance agents and brokers with their names, addresses, contact numbers, e-mail addresses and websites providing health coverage to people. The agent listings available in such directories are also listed out by location.

The health insurance plans and the insurers listed in the online health directory are categorized under various sections covering various medical specializations, such as cosmetic surgery, emergency services, fitness, first aid, fitness, injury claims, nursing, nutrition and pharmacy.

Other branches that are covered in the group health insurance plans include optical care, sports medicine, weight control and mental health. The insurers provide compensation for all these types of health related problems that may occur at any time in your life.

By referring to a health insurance directory, you can find the best insurance plan for your family. Also businesses can refer to this directory to find out which group health insurance plan would be suitable to their employees and the company.