Benefits for Same Sex Couples

The health insurance carriers in Illinois announced that they will be offering health insurance coverage for same sex couples as of June 1, 2011 because of new state legislation. These carriers will recognize these couples as "legally recognized relationship" which is now defined as: same sex marriage, same sex or opposite sex civil unions, domestic partnerships, and other similar legal relationships. This makes Illinois one of about twelve states that have addressed this issue. To run same sex health insurance quotes as of 6/1/2011, please visit www.GizmoHealth.com.

United Healthcare Group Scores High on Fortune List!

United Healthcare was rated #1 among health insurance and managed care companies on the FORTUNE magazine most amdired list (published March 21, 2011). United Healthcare was number one in 8 of 9 catogories, which included Innovation, People Management, Use of Corporate Assets, Social Responsibility, Quality of Management, Financial Soundness, long Term Investment, Quality of Products/ Services and Global Competitiveness. This ranking was based on a survey taken by 4,100 executives, directors, and securities analysts with in the industry. They were asked to rank the companies that they most admire based the criteria. This survey reinforces my option that United Healthcare is one of the strongest and most relible health insurance carrier in the group market. Please reply to this blog with your opinions and feedback about United Healthcare's services and products. To receive group health insurance quotes, please visit www.GizmoHealth.com and click on the Group Tab.

United HealthOne: Goldrule Is Stepping It Up!

As of April 28, United HealthOne has reduced the amount of time before a new policy's requested effective date from 30 to 15 days. Which means once an applicant has submitted his/ her application and United HealthOne has received it, the soonest the effective date can be is 15 days from that date (for major medical policies). This allows the applicant the ability to establish a health insurance policy in a short period of time.

United HealthOne is also allowing brokers and health insurance agents to run quotes with an effective date of 90 days in advance. Opposed to priorly only being able to quote 60 days in the future. Again, this allows applicants to shop, price, and apply for health insurance plans with UnitedHealthOne faster and easier!

Visit Gizmo Health Insurance Services new website at www.GizmoHealth.com.

Healthcare Law Takes Effect

Several healthcare reform laws have gone into effect as of September 23, 2010. Health insurance carriers can no longer deny children coverage for their pre-existing conditions. Young adults can stay on their parents' plans until they reach the age of twenty-six. Policies can't be cancelled based on a technicality after you become sick or injuried. There will be no more caps on policy's lifetime maximum or on preventative care visits. Cancer screenings are going to be offered to policyholders with no copays. These changes are a step forward in terms of better comprehensive coverage for all Americans.

Visit www.GizmoHealth.com for more information or to speak with a licensed health insurance broker at 1-312-884-5150.

COBRA subsidy has Ended

Since February 2009, Congress has extended the Cobra subsidy for unemployed workers four times. The last extension ended on May 31, 2010. Congress may consider reinstating the subsidy in the future, but for right now there is no indication that they will. The last day of May was the cutoff point for unemployed individuals to qualify for the subsidy. May 31 also marked the end of 15 month eligibility period for the initial group of unemployed workers who were covered under the Cobra subsidy program. Unemployed Americans are going to have to find health insurance coverage on the individual or group side asap. For more information, visit http://www.GizmoHealth.com.

Underwriting Rules are Starting to Loosen

Big News from the second largest health insurance carrier in Illinois, new underwriting guideline for applicants under the age of 19 and covered on their parent's plan. These applicants will no recieve medical riders on their policies. This will allow them to take full advantage of their medical benefits with exclusion interruption. Fore more information, call a GizmoHealth.com Agent at 1-312-884-5150. Or visit our user friendly website, at www.GizmoHealth.com.

Health Care Reform Passes

The House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the health care reform bill with a 219 to 212 vote. Moments later, a follow up health budget reconciliation bill was also passed with a 220 to 211 vote. Now, the reconciliation bill goes to the Senate for consideration. The new health care reform bill mandates that everyone must have health insurance coverage. This historical bill will provide coverage to more than 32 million Americans that were previous declined because of pre-existing conditions or were uninsured. The people who can't afford the coverage will receive subsidize to cover the cost. With this bill implemented, the landscape of the health insurance industry will forever be changed.