Watch those new HMO premiums

Beginning in January 2011, it is expected that most group and individual health insurance premiums will increase significantly. Most health insurers are seeking increases of more than 20%. It remains to be seen how much of it will be approved (I bet most of the requested increases will be approved). The biggest offenders appear to be Anthem Blue Cross and Aetna. In our experience, Anthem is also been shown to reduce benefits more than others.

This may be the right time for you to look at your health insurance plan, and, assuming you are in a position to do so, choose the policy that best fits your needs.

You may want to take a few points into consideration:

1. A high-deductible, lower premium policy, may save you money if you're generally healthy and able to take a limited monetary chance. Most of these policies still pay for yearly preventive care. Our practice does its part of cost control by keeping fees as low as possible for uninsured visits.

2. Our practice is not an Anthem provider (we're in litigation, we've filed suit).

3. We have special programs for the uninsured, which take into account your economic situation, and help you take advantage of cost saving programs outside our practice (e.g., lab tests and imaging studies).

Don't forget that, in the end, much of your future health is up to you. US health care is still reasonable, but the main reason we rank only number 37 in the world in longevity, is our faulty lifestyles.

So, make sure you don't smoke, limit sugars, starches and saturated fats, and please exercise!

Have a great holiday season.