Health Insurance in Arizona

There are some issues to keep in mind if you are considering a purchase of health insurance in Arizona . All small businesses in Arizona are eligible to purchase a health plan. No insurer can cancel a small business plan due to illness, but limiting coverage for pre-existing conditions is allowed. The self-employed are not permitted to buy group health insurance as a sole employee. However, you can deduct a percentage of payments for health premiums if you are self-employed in Arizona .

Arizona does not have high-risk pools for uninsured residents with serious illness. In 2002, one in six Arizona residents was uninsured at around 930,000.

On the other hand, Arizona 's Medicaid program has received national acclaim as a model for other states. The state's “health care cost containment system” successfully combines managed care with high quality medical services. The program contracts with health plans and other program contractors who are then responsible for delivering services to Medicaid recipients. Different state agencies handle each type of patient group. KidsCare is one group with its own health plan.

The Healthcare Group of Arizona is a state-sponsored plan that provides different health insurance options for small businesses. The group tries to keep its premiums at reasonable costs, a “comprehensive network of providers”, and no discrimination based on health.

The Health Insurance Regulator in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Insurance keeps a close eye on insurance companies in the state. Five thousand Unum Provident policy holders became eligible to have their disability claims re-assessed for payment in January 2005 due to the company's “unfair claim settlement practices.” The Department puts out regular press releases when any company or individual is found guilty of insurance crime. Its databases provide consumers specific licensing information about health insurance professionals and companies.

The Department also provides a wealth of resources for consumers, such as detailed documents explaining each type of insurance with recommendations and points to keep in mind for the consumer's own situation. Anyone wishing to check out the background of a potential insurer or broker has all the information he needs on the Department web site. The ratios and numbers of complaints lodged at the Department against managed care are published yearly. For more information from this department and general health insurance information on Arizona , visit http://www.id.state.az.us.

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