Governor Mike Pence is holding off on the Medicaid expansion legislation, and is hoping that simply expanding the HIP (Healthy Indiana Plan) concept and retaining some cost-sharing control will be the best option. This concept has some support from both Democrats and Republicans and would cost very little to those that qualify. Residents that are not eligible can obtain coverage through the Marketplace.

But the federal government (so far) has nixed that idea as a viable alternative. Since time is running out, many citizens and lawmakers on both side of the political aisle are concerned an opportunity may be lost. They feel the government offer will put less strain on hospitals since less uninsured patients will be visiting the emergency room.

What Is The Government Offer?

Will Indiana Medicare Expansion Happen?

Expansion of Medicaid has been made available because of the passage of “The Affordable Care Act.” Indiana would receive approximately $1.7 billion in aid and benefits would be extended to households with incomes of 100%-400% of the federal poverty level. About half of US residents that are currently not insured, would instantly become covered.

One Midwestern University study showed that accepting the government offer would create a small boom in the state economy (to the tune of over $3 billion). The study also predicted that more than 25,000 new employment opportunities would be created over the next seven years. While we don’t dispute the numbers, they are are speculative and impossible to verify right now.

Some support is coming from area hospitals such as the CEO of Columbus Regional Hospital who feels the government offer should be accepted. But a major concern of many legislators across the country is that the current administration will not keep its part of the agreement and will halt, suspend or reduce funding. And recently Florida reversed course and decided to accept the offer from the Obama administration.

However, it is perhaps true that if so many persons in Indiana remain uninsured because of the affordability of their healthcare costs, guess who ultimately pays for their treatment (preventive, ER visits, Urgent Care etc…)? Those that are actually insured and paying premiums assume the extra cost by paying higher prices.

What Is The Latest?

The House Public Health Committee approved legislation by an 8-5 vote Senate Bill 551 which provides a doorway for Governor Pence to negotiate with Washington. This new approval gives Pence a bit more leeway in his negotiations. For example, if the federal government reduces its expected federal aid, all bets are off with Washington.

It appears very clear that we need to find a way to provide benefits for the 350,000 residents that need our help. Either through Medicare expansion or a tweaking of the  HIP that will result in federal government approval. But time is running out.

But what  happens if you are hospitalized and have no coverage? Yes, you would be treated and any medically necessary  surgeries or procedures would be performed. Presumably, the care you would receive would be equal to most other patients that were covered under an individual or group policy. However, additional treatment by out-of-town specialists for a rare illness (if needed) may be a different situation.

For example, if you have a rare form of cancer, and the best treatment is in Houston, you may have to accept treatment in Indiana. Of course, that’s not so bad since there are many fine facilities here. My point is that although without coverage, you will still be helped. Naturally, if you had benefits with a major carrier, you could possibly be treated in Houston, or many other facilities in the US.

However, just because you are uninsured, does not mean you won’t have to pay a fair share of the outstanding bill. Once you are reasonably recovered at home, it is customary (and rightfully so) for the hospital to request either immediate payment or to begin negotiations for payment of the bill. Often, it is in the form of small monthly payments that can go on for quite a while, depending on your financial situation. But, as previously mentioned, you still won’t be forced to buy health insurance.

Buying Health Insurance Is The Law In 2014

But this changes in 2014. If you don’t have in-force coverage, you will have to pay a tax. The details are here although we will try to explain the tax (or you can call it a penalty). Quite simply, you pay the greater of a pre-determined amount ($95 in 2014 and increasing to $695 in 2016) or 1% of your 2014 income, gradually increasing to 2.5% in 2016. If you are under the age of 18 and are a dependent, you are only responsible for 50% of the tax. However, your tax will not be higher than the cost of the actual coverage you should have purchased.

What about the new policies available in 2014? You’ll choose between bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans. As you may have guessed, the platinum version will cost the most and have fewer out of pocket expenses. The bronze option may become one of the most popular choices, since it may be the only affordable contract. You’ll pay more if/when you have a big medical bill, but the premium should be budget-friendly.

Remember…if you don’t have a lot of income, you’ll be rewarded with some tax help. Additional Exchange information is on this page. Instead of receiving a tax credit that you have to file your tax return to receive, the subsidy will be instant, and immediately save you money. No waiting for rebates or a tax refund to come in the mail.

It appears that it will not be uncommon in 2016 (and beyond) to see taxes of $2,000 or more, imposed on many families for not purchasing health insurance in Indiana. This is one reason we hope that “Outside Exchange” plans will be available. These types of contracts may have wider networks and perhaps lower costs than the government-mandated options. Keep checking our website for details and updates. Although you’ll probably still have to buy coverage, we will search for any affordable options that continue to be created.

Most healthcare providers in Indiana offer a wide range of deductible options. Deductibles as low as $500 (sometimes $250) can be found along with options as high as $25,000! And yes, with a deductible like that, you’ll be paying for everything out of your own pocket. But your premium will be extremely cheap! HSAs often have similar options. (Additional HSA information can be found here.)  Typically, a deductible between $2,500 and $5,000 will make the most economical sense.

When determining which option is right for you, it’s important to consider your health and how many claims, and what types of claims you typically have in a year. While you don’t want to pay for benefits you will never use, you certainly don’t want to leave yourself in a position where a large claim will cause a financial dilemma. However, if you were to choose the “high deductible” path and subsequently incur a major claim and thus, face a large out of pocket bill, there may be help.

Large Healthcare Bills Can Be Paid

What About The Large Bill?

Usually, it’s a large hospital bill that is the biggest challenge. It may just be a few thousand dollars or perhaps as much as $10,000 depending on your policy limits. But many hospitals and similar medical facilities will negotiate your obligation and perhaps offer attractive and flexible terms regarding payment of the bill. Although it’s not their financial obligation to negotiate with consumers, they often will since it is often the only way to collect a debt.

For example, assuming that after all the claim forms had been processed and the treatment had been completed, let’s suppose your outstanding bill was $6,000. And of course, this was owed to the hospital that treated you. Although it’s not guaranteed, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan. Perhaps $150 per month for four years or even $125 per month for four years. Each hospital will have its own guidelines.

Important: We don’t encourage any patient to ignore or simply not pay a bill. We are simply pointing out that in some instances, you may be able to alter the terms. Each hospital will have different billing procedures. Some of the larger hospitals in the state are Indiana University Health Methodist, St. Vincent, Franciscan St. Francis and Ball Memorial.

Can You Change?

Yes, you can change your deductible…most of the time. Now what does that mean? Policies typically renew every 6 or 12 months. It is possible that you may only be allowed to alter your coverages at the time of your renewal or possibly within 30-60 days of that renewal. Each Indiana carrier is different so it would depend on the company you carry your benefits with. So naturally, if your plan started in January and you wanted to raise or lower your deductible, you may have to wait until July or the following January.

Another scenario involves your medical history. For example, if there has been no significant change in your health since you purchased the policy, then there is no reason why you could not increase or decrease your limits at the designated times your insurer provides. Of course, you may have to answer some medical questions to verify there are no pending surgeries or procedures.

However, if you became uninsurable, it is possible that many companies would not let you alter certain parts of the policy, including the deductible. In 2014, when the Indiana Marketplace Exchange becomes operative, it will not make a difference since existing medical conditions will not affect policy coverage or premiums. However, after that date, if you are being treated for a chronic sickness or illness, it will become extremely important to discuss which copays and deductibles minimize your out of pocket costs.

You can find several very low cost policies if you are willing to give up two things – time and benefits. Let’s explain that. By sacrificing “time,” you would be selecting a plan that works best when you keep it for less than six months. It’s a great fit if you are out of work, waiting for new benefits to begin or are expecting another health insurance policy to become effective through an open enrollment. And these plans are always very flexible regarding molding benefits to match the premium you want to pay.

The  “benefits” you are giving up include the typical claims that you ordinarily would not have to pay, such as a routine annual physical, visit to a physician for sickness, or a prescription. These items may be paid once your deductible has been satisfied, but generally you’re not going to meet that deductible. Also, pre-existing conditions are usually not included. If you have serious medical issues, a temporary policy is not a good solution.

Preventive Benefits Are Typically Covered At 100%

The cost of these short-term plans would depend on how many persons are insured. A young family in their 30s (with one child) can purchase a policy between $90 and $130 per month, depending on the deductible. If only one person is insured, the rate could be as low as $40 to $50 per month. These types of policies are the cheapest type of medical plan in Indiana.

However, let’s assume you want a little more coverage, but still don’t want to spend a fortune. Economical Indiana medical insurance plans will offer upgraded “basic” benefits along with the standard doctor visit and RX coverage. These policies are sometimes referred to as “Value,” “Economy” or “Basic,” plans. Prices are discounted and usually two or three physician visits are allowed. A popular feature is that you don’t have to pay for routine annual physicals (including your children’s well visits), baby well-checkups or many other preventive visits.

And the rates are low. For example, a 35 year-old male in Marion County can buy a plan for approximately $110-$130 per month, depending on specific policy deductibles. That’s far less costly than paying $300 or more on many group plans through employers. Adding dependents will naturally increase the rate, but it should still be affordable, especially by tweaking some of the coverages. These plans are often very helpful if you are not certain how long you will need coverage, but still want to maintain comprehensive benefits. And they can be billed on a monthly basis.

Beginning in 2014, as a result of “The Affordable Care Act,” (Obamacare), rates will increase, but you might pay less. Maybe I better explain that! Essentially, medical underwriting will end in 2014, meaning that applicants will not be denied coverage because of past or present health conditions. Of course, that means that a large number of extremely unhealthy people will be applying for coverage. Heart attack two weeks ago? No problem. Cancer last year? That’s OK too. But ultimately, the system may not be able to afford these changes after a few years. We’ll have to wait and see.

Open Enrollment in Indiana will begin in October and you can apply directly for coverage through our website. You may also receive some tax relief in the form of a federal subsidy. Your eligibility and amount is determined by your household income. Naturally, the lower your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), the more your subsidy will be, which is discussed later.

Naturally, insurers will not be able to offer policies in 2014 at the same rate they charge today. This is despite the fact that more healthy people may be insured since you will have to pay a tax if you don’t purchase health insurance. Increases could be as little as 5% or as much as 35%, depending on the area. The big unknown factor is who will purchase coverage and what type of conditions they will have.

But here’s what I meant when I said, ‘you might pay less.” A tax credit will be applied that will reduce your premium. This credit will be based upon the income of your household. If your household income is above $95,000, there will not be a credit. However, for families, and especially individuals with lower incomes, you will see some relief. For example, a single 40-year old with an income of $40,000 will receive a $700 tax credit. A family of four (using that same age) with household income of $60,000 will receive a tax credit of more than $7,200! That’s a lot!

So, as you can see, the cost of health insurance in Indiana varies, depending on your age, the type of policy you want to buy and a few other factors. As previously mentioned, you can get free quotes at any time from us.

This suit was one of 12 different lawsuits that were filed. In part, it claims that new Health and Human Services rules violate religious-liberty rights protected by the First Amendment. And ironically, two years ago, it was President Obama who gave the commencement speech at Notre Dame. We assume he will not be invited back! And ironically, he openly stated (kiddingly, we assume) that he does not like ND’s women’s basketball uniforms!

Earlier this year, Father Ryan McCarthy of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis stated what many Catholics in Indiana believe. He said it is “not a health issue…but a religious freedom issue.” He also said that if forced to participate, it would “violate our freedom of religion.” Other hospitals and universities in the Hoosier state have also voiced their concern over this mandate. And other states have  joined including the Washington and New York Archdioceses.

Can Notre Dame Beat The Federal Government?

There are certain scenarios where companies and religious organizations can possibly be excluded from having to comply with these mandates. But the reasoning behind these scenarios has many people scratching their head.

For any Indiana organization to receive an exemption, they must primarily employ workers that are their own faith. Thus, if you have 25 Catholics and 26 non-Catholics on your payroll, you will not meet the requirements. And oddly, the services you perform must benefit your own followers as opposed to the general public. This “conscience law” is clearly quite controversial.

As an example, if you are a Catholic organization and you provide food and shelter (and many other services) for everyone (instead of just your own parishioners), you would not qualify for the exemption. The last time I checked, Mother Teresa never asked anyone what their religion was before she helped them. Can you imagine her telling someone that she can not aid them because they are not Catholic? Of course not.

And the fallout may just be beginning. Within the last two weeks, two Catholic universities have decided to drop their student health coverage. This week, Ava Maria University in Florida, joined Ohio’s Franciscan University in eliminating their plans. More schools are expected to take similar steps. Of course, private insurers will be able to offer coverage to the vast majority of these students. You can read about those options and view rates here.

Indiana health insurance companies are expected to raise premiums this year on most medical plans when they must offer recommended contraceptive services without any deductibles, copays or waiting periods. Currently, there are some out of pocket expenses that consumers must pay. Therefore, everyone’s rate may be increasing. This mandate goes into effect on August 1 of this year. However, some nonprofit entities will have until August 1, 2013 to become compliant.

In October, Open Enrollment will commence for 2014 plans when Obamacare goes into full-effect. It is expected that most consumers will pay a higher premium for their healthcare compared to previous years.

One of the most popular options for persons that either are or will soon be unemployed is a short-term policy (You can view details here).   It is the most inexpensive type of health insurance in Indiana and typically takes less than a day to have a policy approved. Rates are extremely low since a plan such as this provides benefits that are mostly subject to a deductible. UnitedHealthcare and Humana often offer the lowest prices and you can view rates (for any type of policy) by providing your zip code at the top of the page. You can also use this type of policy as a “stop gap” plan to keep you covered until you decide what your long-term needs are going to be.

If you are not working, it also may be important not to commit to any type of long-term policy where you are required to keep coverage for a year or longer. For that reason, it is advisable to pay your premiums on a monthly basis. Every company offers a monthly billing method and some will also allow you to be billed directly at home at no extra cost. Paying monthly simplifies the cancellation process in case you quickly find coverage through a new employer. and you are able to cancel a policy ay any time during the month.

But just because you are unemployed does not mean that comprehensive plans are not available. For families with young children, office visit and prescription benefits may be needed. To keep rates as low as possible, deductibles of $3,500 or higher can be utilized along with increased coinsurance limits. Much higher deductibles are typically available that will further reduce premiums. Self employed persons also like these options, since they can utilize rich benefits at a discounted rate.

To duplicate benefits that were available through an employer (or ex-employer), COBRA may be available, although coverage could be extremely costly. Often, private medical plans are less expensive for individuals and families in Indiana than COBRA. However, you would have to submit an application and be accepted. Most companies will approve applicants with pre-existing conditions. However, more serious conditions could cause the application to be denied. For example, if you were 50 pounds overweight and took medications for high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, there is a large chance of having an application denied. However, even with a few issues, most persons are accepted.

For single or married persons that have been without health care benefits AND have a serious medical condition (cancer or diabetes, for example), the Indiana Risk Pool (ICHIA) may be a strong option to consider. Rates are fairly reasonable and if you have been denied for coverage and meet other specific criteria, you can apply with them. This program has helped thousands of unemployed and/or low income qualified persons in Indiana obtain health insurance. In 2014, the program may change, depending on the status of  The Affordable Care Act.

To put it quite simply…being unemployed doesn’t mean you can’t purchase cheap medical insurance in Indiana. Take a few moments to request a quote near the top portion of the page and you can view the best options! We’ll be available if you need our help.

Shop Around!

That’s right. You won’t know how much you can save unless you know what other carriers will charge you. There might be very little difference or you may save thousands of dollars each year. We make it easy for you to compare the best health care in Indiana. And with more than three decades of experience, we’re confident the quotes you view will be the least expensive options offered by the most reputable companies. By doing the shopping for you, we’ll save you hours of time and frustration since we can quickly show you the best deals for you or your family.

Only Pay For What You Need

Of course, it’s impossible to accurately predict what your medical expenditures are going to be in a given year. However, chances are that they will closely approximate the expenses from immediate prior years. Thus, if you have averaged about one annual non-preventive office visit in the last five years, there’s a good chance that that pattern will continue. And if your health is good, you can change plans at any time.

This should not be the sole criteria you use when making your choices. There also may be extra “add-ons” that you are not using or are likely to use, such as maternity benefits, generic prescription coverage with high copays and dental or vision benefits that may not be needed. But don’t delete any coverage without first consulting an experienced broker. It’s possible that you may not be able add that coverage back so easily.

Consider an  HSA

Indiana has very affordable Health Savings Account rates. Anthem and UnitedHealthcare are usually the carriers with the lowest rates. Humana and Medical Mutual are often “in the ballpark” and should be given some consideration.

With an HSA, you have much greater control over how your health care dollars are spent and who gets them. Usually, there is “Network” coverage which allows the insured to choose a doctor, specialist or other medical facility for treatment. And one of the best features is that your insurer negotiates for you, often reducing your costs by as much as 50%-70% on certain items.

Although a “High Deductible” plan is required to accompany the HSA, the reduction in premiums offers the opportunity to deposit significant amounts of money in an account that pays for qualified expenses with tax-deferred dollars. You can freely take money out of the account since you retain complete control.

Is It Preventive?

Under most catastrophic AND comprehensive medical plans in Indiana, recognized preventive expenses are paid in full by the health insurance company. Clearly, it is important to closely monitor your billing statements and make sure they are coded correctly. If not, you may pay out of pocket for a procedure that should be covered in full. Since these lists tend to get updated every year, we’ll keep you current on any recent additions.

You select a deductible. The most popular options are $2,500, $3,500 and $5,000. You also pick the coinsurance, which is the percentage of the out-of-pocket expenses you pay after the deductible has been met. Typically, there is a cap so you aren’t subject to more than a few thousand dollars of risk. The 0% coinsurance option is what we recommend most, although the 20% option will be a little bit less expensive. Of course, you may have to pay more if you have a large claim.

Compared to other medical insurance options in Indiana, the Lumenos plan is very attractive. Depending on the number of persons to be insured, you could save between $500 and $4,000 per year. And since the policy is HSA-eligible, you can pick your favorite bank, set up a Health Savings Account, and begin to earn tax breaks for approved medical, vision and dental expenses.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the most respected insurers in the state and most providers participate in their Network. Since Aetna and UniCare no longer offer individual coverage, this policy is more popular than ever! And you will reduce your tax liability by taking advantage of the optional side account to accumulate deposits. And by purchasing direct on our website, you’ll spend less time waiting for a policy to get approved.

Any authorized preventive expense is paid by Anthem. You have no deductible to meet and no coinsurance or waiting period. Although the list of covered preventive items is extensive, the most common may be annual physicals, mammograms, children well visits and OBGYN exams. Other covered health care expenses will be negotiated on your behalf so you pay less than someone who was not insured. Sometimes this discount is only 5%-15%. Other times it may be as much as 75% (blood work is one example).

Here are a few sample  monthly rates for the Lumenos HSA 0% coinsurance policy. I based the costs on a healthy 40 year old male living in Wayne County.

$96   $5,500 Deductible

$126  $3,500 Deductible

$155  $2,500 Deductible

$231  $1,500 Deductible

Naturally, rates will vary depending on the number of persons insured, zip code, existing medical conditions and ages of applicants. However, the more persons that are insured on the policy, the more potential savings could result from owning an Anthem Health Savings Account vs. another type of plan. However, we realize that this option is not the perfect fit for every individual or small business owner. For that reason, we provide detailed information on all available types of  plans.

We make it easy for you to view details  or apply for coverage. By using the “Free Quote” box at the top of this page, you can compare the Anthem HSA plan with other affordable IN medical insurance options.  We constantly update rates and information so the free information you receive is accurate.

Naturally, the best advice we provide, is designed to save you money on your medical coverage. We specialize in individual and family plans from the best Indiana companies, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Medical Mutual, Humana and UnitedHealthcare. By keeping you updated on design changes and rate decreases (and increases), you’ll pay the minimum premium required to maintain solid coverage. If a carrier reduces their rates, we’ll make sure you know. If you’re unsure about coverages on your policy or a plan you are considering, we’ll give you accurate unbiased information that will answer your questions.

Free Indiana Health Insurance Information

When companies no longer offer coverage in the state (such as Aetna), we’ll recommend exactly what you should do if you are a current customer of theirs. If a carrier substantially increases their rates, we’ll review all of your alternatives, including methods to reduce the existing cost of your present coverage. If you no longer need the type of policy you are paying for, we’ll recommend the best alternatives. If you are getting close to Medicare eligibility, we’ll help you find the best plan to safely get you there without a gap.

Our Indiana health insurance information is free since we charge no fees. That’s right! Whether you live in Indianapolis, Richmond or South Bend, it makes no difference.  All of the quotes on this website are provided without any charge. If you apply for a policy, there is no cost. When you view your free quotes (at the top of the page where you request it), you pay nothing at all for the in-depth detailed analysis we provide. We even wrote a blog article on the cost of plans here.

We also realize as you get older, your needs change. A policy that was perfect for you three years ago may be outdated. Also, new plans frequently are introduced by insurers and maybe one of them might be ideal for your current circumstances. We’ll research and study any new option for you, so you are always up to date.

Comparing different  plans can be very challenging. Our free assistance makes it easy to quickly determine what coverages you need, what company offers the most affordable option, and how to easily apply for the policy that will offer a solution to your needs. There is more information on this website than almost every other resource that will help you make an informed decision. And an informed decision saves you money!

Since there are so many different types of options, we have purchased the premier website quoting system in the US. When you view rate quotes, you not only can compare the costs of different plans, but you can limit your searches to short-term plans, HSA policies, plans from just one carrier like Anthem Blue Cross, and many other possibilities. Our focus is on allowing you to see information quickly, understand it, utilize our help (if needed), apply for coverage and get approved! If you would like an instant quote, just let us know.

Rates are electronically updated each day so we can maintain a high degree of accuracy. We realize that in order to maintain our respected leadership position, we must not only provide helpful free content, but we must also ensure that whether you are applying for medical coverage in Indiana or just visiting, your experience is positive. That’s what separates this website from all of the others.

Currently, they have less than 1000 active individual policies in the state and that number is certain to dwindle quickly, as current customers seek to change to other companies. However, their group contracts will remain in place. Aetna rates for individual plans were typically very high so, it was difficult for them to compete with Anthem and UnitedHealthOne. Even smaller companies such as Celtic often could compete with their rates. Aetna also did not offer popular “temporary” plans, which very popular if you needed to purchase benefits quickly and only needed a plan for a few months.

Undoubtedly, recent health care reform had a hand in Aetna’s decision. The “80% Rule,” (requires insurers to spend 80% of premium dollars on health care) was the primary reason for the exit. And it may have impacted Cigna, Guardian, Pekin and American Community Mutual who also pulled out of Indiana. Who will be the next company to leave the state?  We’re not sure although we don’t believe it will be UnitedHealthOne or Anthem Blue Cross. We’re not sure about any other carriers, although Medical Mutual just entered, so they will probably stay a while. Naturally, in 2014, when State Exchanges possibly become available, the situation could change.

The impact on local rates could be significant. The proposed “Exchanges” that are to be fully operational in 2014, are designed to aid consumers (with the help of brokers) find affordable health care. But it may not work that way. If more companies exit the marketplace, there will be less choices and presumably, higher premiums. And consumers may not be able to keep the plans they already have.  However, it appears brokers/agents will have a role in the Exchanges. We always encourage consumers to compare as many plans as possible. In fact, we have a page on our website that reviews different carriers. You can review plans here.

Rates could be substantially higher and with fewer companies participating, the long-term effects could be troubling.  And certainly, there will be a temptation by many people to simply avoid buying insurance until absolutely necessary. Because the scheduled penalties for not having health care are so light, it’s possible that no major companies will want to stay in the marketplace, resulting in government-run medical care. That is a scenario that very few want to see, since the results have been very unpopular in many other countries, including Canada and Britain.

Ironically, Aetna offers very affordable plans in nearby Ohio and Pennsylvania. Their “Value” policies, that feature limited prescription and office visit benefits, are priced competitively in most areas. Their HSA rates also compare favorably to UnitedHealthOne and Blue Cross. And their small business and group plans are very popular throughout the entire US.

But Indiana was just not a sustainable state. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthOne hold a huge chunk of the market and Medical Mutual, a non-profit company, seems poised to capture additional customers. Humana, Assurant and Celtic all have niche products that may gain a little more business in the upcoming months. Of course, you can view their rates through our website.

Since we represent all Indiana residents (not just those insured by one particular company), we’ll help you view plans from all of the companies operating in the state. Whether you’re a present or past customer of a particular company, we’re here to make sure you have the best health care your dollars will buy. Even though Aetna is not available, by viewing free quotes on our website, you can compare alternative plans.