www.SanTanSun.com
Opinion Community Commentary Health insurance for the unemployed Sue Navran
BY SUSAN NAVRAN Let’s face it: health insurance decisions can be complicated and daunting for even savvy shoppers. When individuals are forced to take care of their own health insurance needs because their employer does not offer group insurance or because they unexpectedly find themselves part of the nearly 9% Arizona unemployment
statistic, panic can quickly set in. Layoffs have increasingly thrown more people into
the world of the uninsured. Census figures indicate that fewer than half of Arizonans now receive health insurance through an employer, the lowest level in a decade. Additionally, state and federal budget shortfalls have resulted in cuts to coverage in Medicare and Medicaid. There are three questions that naturally come to the mind when thinking about purchasing health insurance: Where do I begin educating myself about my healthcare insurance needs? How do I choose between health insurance companies? How much is health insurance going to cost me? To address these concerns, Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Arizona has introduced AskBlue, a new online tool to help consumers learn more about how insurance works and decipher what type of health insurance plan would best suit their needs and budget. It’s an easy-to-use, interactive web tool that
supports the needs of Arizonans as they search for individual coverage.
With the world of technology continually evolving, it is critical for companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to offer online programs that enhance the customer service experience for its customers, while aiding consumers in making better-informed health insurance choices. Aside from their individual health insurance needs,
there are a number of factors individuals should consider when shopping for an insurance company, including the company’s long-term stability, track records for customer service and even the size of its provider networks. Some key questions to ask in relation to stability include how long the company has been around, how many individuals does the company insure and where does the company stand in statewide rankings. And from a health insurance company standpoint,
consumers should consider taking a close look at their potential insurer’s network and offerings. Ask if your trusted family physician and any specialist included in your care is in the network. Are there many providers to choose from near you? For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has more than 18,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals as part of its network. Plan options should be evaluated based on individual needs, and consumers should give due consideration to the balance between monthly premium costs and out-of-pocket payments for doctor’s visits, prescriptions and other services important to them.
Sue Navran is executive vice president of external operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.
May 5 – 18, 2012 Letters to the editor
Mayor thanks board, commission volunteers Chandler would not be the great place it is without
the work of the hundreds, if not thousands of volunteers who give so much of their time and talents back to the community. That includes the 228 members of Chandler’s board and commission system we honored April 16. For those unfamiliar, these individuals work with Council in many critical areas that include public safety, parks, libraries, planning and our airport. Their efforts in advising the Council on important issues is truly invaluable, and in today’s uncertain economic times, their service becomes critical to us all on a number of levels. On behalf of the City Council, myself and the entire community of Chandler, I thank them for their continued work in our City. For anyone who has not yet served on a board, but may be
interested, visit
www.chandleraz.gov/bdapp to learn more. Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan
Sun News. Unless you’re the Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to the editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to
Letters@SanTanSun.com. All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community
Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
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