New comparison of subsidized COBRA premiums and non-group health insurance premiums

Today eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) released a new comparison of subsidized individual COBRA premiums and non-group health insurance premiums for individuals using data derived from eHealth's December 2009 Cost and Benefits Report and a Families USA Foundation report released in January 2009.

The data in the eHealth (www.ehealthinsurance.com) report, when compared to COBRA subsidy data released by Families USA on January 9, 2009, show that the average individual premium of $161 is twenty-five dollars ($25) more expensive than the average subsidized COBRA premium of $136, and $227 less than the average unsubsidized COBRA premium of $388.

Premiums are an important element of health insurance policy, but the benefits provided by that policy are critical to gauging the value of any coverage purchased. According to the data in the eHealth report, the plans that individuals elected to purchase provided access to many important benefits. They include Labs & X-rays (99.0 percent); E.R. visits (99.9 percent); prescription drugs (89.6 percent); OB/GYN coverage (93.0 percent); periodic exams (89.5 percent); Well Baby coverage (87.7 percent); and chiropractic care (74.2 percent).

Maternity benefits were covered in 22.1% of policies surveyed, with nearly half (46.6 percent) of primary policy holders being women. Seven states (NY, NJ, MA, MT, MN, OR and WA) mandate that every non-group major medical insurance policy sold cover maternity benefits. In most other states maternity coverage is an optional benefit consumers can elect to purchase if needed. Maternity benefits are not always available in every state.