UnitedHealth’s new mobile app

March 26, 2012

Healthcare gets smart….. phone… “Health4Me” United HealthCare’s new mobile application” lets users store their health plan identification card, find the closest hospital or clinic, get information on claims and benefits and keep track of deductible spending.” The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports, “UnitedHealthcare is taking another step into the burgeoning mobile health care field with a new [...]

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Wellness Benefits

March 26, 2012

In January we asked if a financial incentive would motivate you to get in shape and stay that way. In an effort to lower health care costs, employers are offering Wellness Programs designed to help employees cultivate healthy habits. The hope is to eventually be able to charge fit employees less for health insurance. As [...]

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Wells Fargo sets HSA record … but why?

March 8, 2012

The San Francisco Business Times reports today that Wells Fargo set a record with 100,000 new Health Savings Accounts (HSA).  It is no surprise to us that more individuals and employers are signing up for high-deductible, low-premium plans with tax advantages.  I have advocated for the use of HSA’s for 10 years, as the most [...]

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Paying doctors based on quality of care

March 1, 2012

In an effort to cut costs, UnitedHealth Group will start aligning doctor payments with the quality of services they provide. Bloomberg News reports, “The largest US health insurer by sales … expects to save twice as much as it would spend on incentive payments for doctors because patients will be healthier.” The “program may cover as [...]

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WellPoint to stop covering Lipitor

March 1, 2012

WellPoint, one of the largest managed-care firms in the U.S., and which includes Anthem Blue Cross of California, plans to stop covering Lipitor beginning April 1, 2012. They hope to motivate members to take lower priced generics instead of paying higher amounts for the brand name Lipitor. The change affects all but two of the [...]

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Regulating health insurance rates

February 11, 2012

What if you knew the reason for the hike in your monthly premiums. Would a public announcement justifying the increase make it easier to pay? The Los Angeles Times reports that US Sen. Dianne Feinstein “has come forward as the chief spokeswoman and No. 1 booster of a proposed initiative to regulate hikes in health [...]

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Annual Health Screenings

February 11, 2012

As we hit mid-winter and 2012 is in full swing, it’s time to start making arrangements for your annual health screenings. The editors of Runner’s World / Vitality write: “No matter how fit you are, you can’t change health risk factors like your genes, your family history, your race, or your age. Other aspects of [...]

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Blue Shield to begin autism therapy coverage

February 7, 2012

Six months before the recently approved legislation takes effect, Blue Shield has agreed to immediately offer autism therapy coverage. The Los Angeles Times reports that Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Co. “has settled an enforcement action with state regulators over providing special therapy for autism patients.” Going forward they will “not deny the [...]

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United Healthcare automatic premium payments plan

February 6, 2012

Forget due dates completely. Sign up for United Healthcare’s automatic recurring payment plan and make monthly paper bills a thing of the past. To get set up, have your checking account information ready and register online for your individual/family accounts. Small Group Administrators can call their Allpointe broker or United Healthcare representative to register. Dealing with a [...]

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Like us? Like us!

January 27, 2012

We’re your independent, locally owned, trusted health insurance broker, and we’re also now on Facebook. At Allpointe, we strive to personalize your experience with health insurance and make sure that your coverage best aligns with your specific needs and circumstances. Being your trusted broker is more than just pairing you with the most suitable option, [...]

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