Data compare CORBA premiums and non-group health insurance options in Texas

Today, eHealthInsurance.com (NASDAQ: EHTH), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, released data comparing non-group health insurance premiums for policies available at eHealth in the state of Texas, and subsidized COBRA premiums for people in Texas.

Data indicate non-group Texas health insurance premiums for individuals and families available at eHealthInsurance.com are comparable to subsidized COBRA. While premiums are important, the benefits provided are critically important when gauging the value of coverage purchased.

The eHealth data(1) show that, nation-wide, plans purchased by individuals and families included 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. In Texas, maternity coverage is not a mandatory benefit in the private, non-group health insurance market(2).

eHealthInsurance's findings, released on December 9, 2009, are based on a nationwide sample of over 316,000 non-group, individual and family (IFP) major medical policies that were purchased through eHealthInsurance.com and were active in February 2009, including 30,394 active policies surveyed in Texas.

These findings, alongside October 2009 data from Families USA reports in January and December of 2009, provide a helpful comparison of average monthly premiums for COBRA, subsidized COBRA and non-group health insurance options in Texas :

Texas Average Monthly Average Monthly Average Monthly Individual COBRA Subsidized COBRA Premium Non-Group Premium(3),(4) Premium(5) Individual Health Insurance Plan(1) Individual $390 $137 $164 Family $1,081 $378 $386

eHealthInsurance.com encourages consumers who are losing access to their COBRA subsidies to proactively research their long-term options for health coverage by taking the following actions:

• Do your homework: Research non-group health insurance policies at eHealthInsurance.com.
• Get advice if you need it: First-time buyers should get help by contacting an agent or broker and by using free online resources like eHealth's "Health Insurance Buyer's Guide."
• Know your timeline: Calculate the amount of time you have remaining on the COBRA subsidy using eHealth's COBRA Subsidy Calendar widget.
• Don't let pre-existing conditions scare you: If you've got pre-existing medical conditions contact the Foundation for Health Coverage Education (www.CoverageForAll.org) to review free or low-cost options available in your area.
• Get informed: If you have medical debt or need help understanding your rights, eHealth encourages you to review Families USA's consumer guide: Your Medical Bills: A Consumer's Guide to Coping with Medical Debt.

SOURCE: eHealth, Inc.