Regulating hospitals is healthy
The proposed enhancement of public health expenditure in India as a percentage of GDP during the Twelfth Plan will deploy massive tax funds in a sector that is poorly regulated. If the government accepts the recommendation of the High Level Expert Group of the Planning Commission on Universal Health Coverage to increase government expenditure on health to 2.5 per cent of GDP from 1.2 per cent today, there will be an estimated five-fold increase in per capita public spending. It is inevitable that private health infrastructure is tapped to provide UHC, at least in the short term, while the government-run system is improved qualitatively and quantitatively. Such a massive increase in public spending requires a review of regulation of the entire sector, covering all categories of hospitals and clinical establishments. The Clinical Establishment Act, 2010 makes a beginning in this regard but it has a long way to go as it requires ratification by States to be applicable, except in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Union Territories which are already covered. It is essential that State governments move quickly to ratify the Central Act, considering that they are committing huge public funds for health insurance schemes to purchase care from private hospitals.
Benchmarking care is a standard requirement for hospitals and clinical facilities in the developed world. India's efforts in this regard remain fragmented, with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, the Indian Public Health Standards, and the Clinical Establishment Act attempting to define standards. What the country needs is one integrated standards and regulatory system, requiring compulsory registration and regulation. The decision of the NABH to make surprise visits to hospitals to verify uniform adherence to its standards is certainly welcome, but incremental approaches will not do.
Short-Term Health Insurance - News
The US Department of Health and Human Services had until last week to decide whether to give North Carolina health insurance companies a waiver from a federal law that requires they take no more than 20 percent of premiums for profits, salaries,
If the government accepts the recommendation of the High Level Expert Group of the Planning Commission on Universal Health Coverage to increase government expenditure on health to 2.5 per cent of GDP from 1.2 per cent today, there will be an estimated
PORTLAND, Ore., Feb 13, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At the 2012 Integrated Benefits Institute & National Business Coalition on Health (IBI/NBCH) Health and Productivity Forum, Michael Klachefsky, national practice leader, Workplace Possibilities(SM) for
HCC Medical Insurance Services, LLC a provider of international medical insurance and short-term health insurance with offices across the globe, was named Customer of the Year at the first annual Slingshot SEO awards ceremony.
Though the Pentagon and a number of Cabinet agencies would get squeezed, Obama would leave the spiraling growth of health care programs for the elderly and the poor largely unchecked. The plan claims $4 trillion in deficit savings over the coming
Everything You Need to Know About Short-Term Health Insurance ...
Short-term health insurance provides healthy individuals and families without health coverage with a safety net in case of emergencies. Most of these polices last between six months to a year, although the coverage period can be as short as 30 days, and can be renewed for as long as 36 months. Applying is simple and you can get your policies issued the day following approval. And, depending on the plan, you can enjoy individual coverage of as high as $5 million. However, this type of insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, or health problems that were documented before you applied for health insurance; the look-back period varies according to your state's laws. And if you've ever been denied coverage, you may not qualify for temporary insurance. Insurers also do not sell this type of insurance to applicants above 65 years old.
There are other drawbacks with this kind of health coverage. If you've made a claim, you will likely not be renewed under that particular policy and will have to re-apply for a new policy. Also, the illnesses or health problems you made the claim for in the old policy may be treated as a pre-existing condition and may result in you being denied renewal or a new policy. These policies also do not include dental or eye health coverage, as well as care for pregnancy and childbirth.
The advantages of taking out short-term insurance include: you can see any health provider you want; if you are hospitalized however, you need to get pre-certification from the insurer or they may not reimburse your hospital bills; premiums are relatively low as insurers expect that the insured will make few claims; and coverage can include your spouse and dependent children. Some plans may also cover preventive health services such as Pap smears, but not all of them do, so you have to read the terms of any policy you are applying for carefully.
One thing you should appreciate is that limited-term health plans will not cover the entire cost of your health expenses; there will still be a deductible, above which most insurers will pay some portion of the remaining costs. And if you can, pay your premiums up-front, since many insurers will provide you with a discount as an incentive for doing so.
Understanding Short Term Health Insurance Better: 
Understanding Short Term Health Insurance Better: 
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Short Term Major Medical Insurance - I Want My Free Health Insurance Quote: 
Short Term Major Medical Insurance - I Want My Free Health Insurance Quote: