Mountain View, Calif. – Vimo.com, an Internet comparison-shopping site for health insurance, shows that premiums are higher in states regulated by "guaranteed issue," which requires health insurance companies to accept applicants regardless of their health.
How much higher? Vimo calculates that for states without guaranteed issue, the average annual health insurance premium in 2006 came to $2,558. For states with guaranteed issue mandates, the average annual premium was $3,404.
That’s one detail from Vimo's interactive online atlas with information on health insurance in all 50 states. The site is focused on high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that qualify holders for health savings accounts (HSAs).
Using data from 71 insurance companies that offer a combined 3,987 individual affordable health insurance plans, the nationwide atlas allows viewers to navigate the country to see current prices, premiums and HDHP product features. For consistency, prices for the plans were compared using a hypothetical, 36-year-old, male applicant.
"Our intent with the atlas is to provide individuals and industry participants with a window into the world of HSA-compatible high deductible health plans," says Tom Cochrane, vice president of partner relations at Vimo.
"Health insurance is a complex, highly regulated business,” says Cochrane. “Our hope
is that the atlas, which will be updated on a regular basis, will serve as an educational resource that simplifies health insurance purchase decisions."
Vimo makes the atlas available at no charge at http://www.vimo.com/reports/atlas.php
SOURCE Vimo.com
