Have you heard that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS) is in contract negotiations with Texas Health Resources? According to a spokesman for the hospital company, Texas Health Resources is "seeking a modest, single-digit increase that is below the rate of medical inflation."
Will negotiations affect your health insurance coverage? Texas Health Resources operates Arlington Memorial, Harris Methodist, and Presbyterian hospitals. While both sides in the negotiation maintain they prefer that Texas Health Resources remain in the BCBS network, Texas Health Resources "has begun communicating with employers and patients who have Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage to alert them of the possibility" it may drop out of the BCBS network, according to a hospital spokesman.
BCBS is now the number one accident and health underwriter in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Insurance so this negotiation could be exemplary of future negotiations. The current negotiations involve all of the BCBS plans, including both HMOs and PPOs. Negotiations are focusing on the reimbursements that BCBS pays for medical services, but the spokesman was hesitant to disclose the secondary issues involved in the negotiations.
Can You Change Texas Health Insurance Companies?
Even if your insurance provider maintains continuous coverage for the doctors and hospitals you need, there are other reasons you may want to take a look at other Texas health insurance companies. The market is always subject to change with new plans becoming available at different prices. Changes in the law can also affect rates and coverage. For example, after passage of the 2010 healthcare reform law, new plans include preventive care, such as annual exams, colonoscopies, mammograms and vaccinations.
If you're facing an increase in premiums, it's still possible to find lower premiums from the same insurer or their competition. Many insurance companies offer a range of plans with different coverage for various prices. Sometimes, it's possible to move into a new plan with the same insurer. Before you switch to another plan with your current insurer, check out what the competition provides to be sure you're not paying more than you need to for the health insurance coverage you want.
If you are relatively healthy, you'll find it's pretty easy to be accepted by a different insurer. Even if you have a pre-existing condition, remember that insurance companies use different underwriting standards to decide what conditions they will insure and how much they will charge to insure pre-existing conditions. That's why comparison shopping is so important to get the best value in health insurance for Texas.
Finding New Health Insurance In Texas Requires Caution
The biggest pitfall to avoid is having a lapse in your coverage. Never cancel your existing plan before new coverage is effective. If you've had continuous coverage, it's likely that you can change plans without a physical. Insurers may come back with a counteroffer that's a few dollars more in monthly premiums if you haven't seen a doctor recently, though.
If you develop a health problem when you're between plans, you could get a lot of grief just explaining your condition on insurance applications. You'll almost definitely get higher Texas health insurance quotes with a pre-existing condition, and insurers are still allowed to refuse to cover you until 2014 when healthcare reform protects adults with pre-existing conditions.
While your health is good, comparison shop annually to keep the best rates available. Why pay extra for the same coverage? Try online agencies that allow you to compare coverage and rates from different companies quickly from the convenience of your own home. Many of these websites provide toll-free phone numbers that you can call to discuss your questions and clarify more information about the plans. Sure, it takes some time to compare Texas health insurance plans, but think what you can do with the cash you save on premiums.
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