Indvidual health insurance policies

Joy125 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:25:56 GMT

NEW YORK TIMES

Women Buying Health Policies Pay a Penalty

Robert Pear

October 29, 2008

WASHINGTON — Striking new evidence has emerged of a widespread gap in the cost of health insurance, as women pay much more than men of the same age for individual insurance policies providing identical coverage, according to new data from insurance companies and online brokers.

Some insurance executives expressed surprise at the size and prevalence of the disparities, which can make a woman’s insurance cost hundreds of dollars a year more than a man’s. Women’s advocacy groups have raised concerns about the differences, and members of Congress have begun to question the justification for them.

The new findings, which are not easily explained away, come amid anxiety about the declining economy. More and more people are shopping for individual health insurance policies because they have lost jobs that provided coverage. Politicians of both parties have offered proposals that would expand the role of the individual market, giving people tax credits or other assistance to buy coverage on their own.

For rest of article see:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/us/30insure.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&em

Arthritis Foundation Forum / Arthritis Today / Arthritis Today Stories / Indvidual health insurance policies / Latest Posts

Indvidual health insurance policies