Bronze & Silver: 

Managing Cost versus Care

As millions of Americans lose their current health insurance plans, which for many had lower premiums, lower deductibles,  access to more medications, and larger provider / facility networks, the ability to manage both one's health and finances  in 2014 is more critical than ever. According to the New York Times, December 9, 2013 article by Robert Pear, on health exchanges, "as consumers dig into the details, they are finding that the deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs are often higher than what is typical in employer-sponsored health plans".

The Bronze plan is a 60/40 cost share split with a $6000.00 individual deductible and a $12,000.00 family deductible. What that means is, after you pay your $6,000 or $12,000 deductible, the insurer will pay 60% of your bill and you are accountable for the 40% remaining difference - a 60/40 cost share. The Silver plan has a 70/30 cost share with slightly lower deductibles.

The administration and Kathleen Sebelius project that most Americans will fall into the Bronze and Silver plans, as the premiums on the Gold and Platinum are cost prohibitive for many. However, when all is said and done, with such large patient out-of-pocket costs, with higher deductibles, higher co-pays, and higher percent cost share splits; patients, family members, and caregivers must make highly informed decisions, balancing cost with care.

The same New York Times article also highlighted that, "for visits to a medical specialist, many plans on the federal exchange require co-payments of $50.00 to $75.00 or more".

Balancing the safety of your healthcare decisions against your finances, due to much higher healthcare costs, while not putting yourself or your loved ones at risk is an issue facing all Americans today.

Understanding that individuals will need unbiased expertise, with no health insurance third-party conflict of interest controlling their decision, Genuine Healthcare Resources and their nurses are here to help.

Our Patient Advocates can assist patients and their caregivers when making those difficult decisions of whether to pay the high cost for a diagnostic test, drug, or procedure or if there are lower cost alternatives that are appropriate and safe.

Decision-making moves very quickly with very little time for researching or contemplating the best path forward - this is where we come in! For a low monthly rate, you can have access to your personal unbiased professional Patient Advocate, as your healthcare consultant.

Call Genuine Healthcare Resources, LLC and speak to one of our Patient Advocates about how you can personally bring their consulting expertise to the table when making health care related decisions, 610-429-1200.

Linda M Raileanu, President, stated at our annual company meeting in December 2013, "Balancing medical costs with medical care has never been more critical than today; we must make our unbiased expertise available to the public in a cost effective manner ... that is our mission."