Health Insurance Changes in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/) has 6 separate divisions to accommodate health insurance and health care services in Nebraska (including Medicare and Medicaid and Public Health insurance). In addition, for the first time ever, the Nebraska health insurance exchange will be accepting clients. As many as 50,000 people will be able to find health insurance in Nebraska, with an expected growth of up to 120,000 clients in 2016.
The Nebraska Health Care Alliance (http://nebraskahealthcarealliance.org/) is a state-based health insurance exchange that provides federally-subsidized health insurance benefits for residents of Nebraska. In 2014, Nebraska residents will have the opportunity to begin purchasing health insurance through the exchange.
NHCA is a non-profit group of businesses, health care providers, associations, health insurance companies, and individuals in Nebraska who believe that state-run health insurance is the only way for Nebraska residents to control their own health insurance market. If a state-run health insurance exchange is not developed, the federal government intervenes and creates one instead, though out of touch with Nebraska residents’ health insurance needs.
Dispute over Nebraska Health Insurance Exchange
Federal changes to health care are already in place:
- Tougher monitoring of health insurance companies
- Broad expansion of coverage for 1 million young adults
- Health insurance protection for workers with pre-existing conditions
Lawmakers said they would consider requiring that all Americans have health insurance by 2014 or face a penalty, though they might be exceeding their authority for people who say they want to pay their own health expenses or don’t ever plan to ever seek medical services.
”Relentless rise in [health insurance] costs…”
As health insurance moves from small, private organizations to one dominated by corporations, some residents of Nebraska will find it more difficult to fine health insurance options.
Health insurance companies in Nebraska must currently spend $0.80 of every dollar they collect on health insurance for their customers, which will limit how much they can spend on commissions, salaries and profits.
Nebraska state regulators are fighting for greater authority to review their insurance companies’ raise in premiums, and the federal government has awarded $155 million in grants to help pay for the review efforts.
Critics agree that one comprehensive proposal would not entirely satisfy the needs of each individual state, but are working toward providing health insurance benefits to 50 million uninsured Americans.
Where to Find Health Insurance in Nebraska and How to Get Cheap Quotes
First and foremost, get a cheap health insurance quote online before you look for health insurance companies. This way, you have a basic understanding of what a health insurance company should be charging you. You can present this to your potential health insurance company and ask them to match the quote or get somewhere near it.
Find licensed health insurance companies in Nebraska:
Public Health Association of Nebraska (http://www.publichealthne.org/): PHAN provides health care services for personal, community and environmental health.
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (http://www.dhhs.ne.gov): DHHS provide health care services such as education, protection and providing health benefits for Nebraskans who need it.
The Nebraska Health Care Alliance (http://nebraskahealthcarealliance.org/): NHCA is the new healthcare exchange, officially effective by 2014. This is state-funded health insurance and probably the best option for many Americans.
