The Estates of Hidden Lake

02/07/2024

Networking Brunch for North County!

09/14/2023

Looking for a Beautician/Barber! One day a week and make your own prices. Must be licensed and able to style different textures of hair. Please call 314.292.7501 ext. 2308 if interested.

08/14/2023

AARP warns against junk health plans!

A proposed federal regulation would curtail the availability of short-term health insurance plans, also referred to as “skinny” or “junk” plans, that do not cover people with preexisting conditions and do not pay for even the most basic medical services.

These policies were originally meant to be a bridge for people who lose their health insurance because of a job loss or other circumstance. The idea was that these plans would provide catastrophic coverage until someone either was able to get insurance through a job or apply for coverage through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. For years, the duration of these policies was limited to three months. But since mid-2018, insurers have been able to offer these plans for as long as three years.

These “misleading insurance products” can "trick consumers into buying products that provide little or no coverage when they need it most,” says a joint statement from the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury, which jointly are proposing the new rule. The regulation would limit the duration of these policies to three months, with the possibility of extending it by one additional month. The proposal would also require that insurers more clearly explain what these policies cover and what they do not.

‘Junk’ plans a poor choice for most older adults
These short-term plans are particularly problematic for older adults, says Brendon Rose, an AARP director of government affairs, especially because they don’t cover people who have existing health problems. Insurers are also able to charge older Americans much higher premiums for this type of health insurance than younger people.

“These policies don't have consumer protections, don't provide the 10 essential health benefits required by the ACA, and they can discriminate against people with preexisting conditions,” Rose says. “They are called ‘junk’ plans for a reason.” Given the complexity of buying insurance, Rose said, it’s easy for people to select these plans because they cost less than conventional insurance plans, even though they don't cover the services most people need, especially those age 50 to 64.

Another problem with these plans, Rose explains, is that younger, healthier people tend to enroll in them, leaving older and sicker patients in conventional insurance plans. This means older and sicker people and those with greater health needs face higher premiums in the individual market because there are fewer healthier people in those health plans whose premiums would help defray the medical costs of those with greater health care needs.

Rose said pulling back the duration of these plans “is long anticipated and a great step. There is certainly room for short-term, limited duration plans in very select circumstances. But they should be short term. This proposal makes it short term again.”

If enacted, this regulation would apply only to new short-term policies. That means anyone who already has one of these health insurance plans can still keep it for up to three years, if they choose.

04/24/2023

Thank you to Missouri Veterans Home for coming by for "Veterans Talk" with our residents. See you in two weeks! New friendships were made today!

04/06/2023

FREE LEVEL 1 MEDICATION CLASS & INSULIN CERTIFICATION

April 22nd& 29th 9am-5pm
314.292.7501 ask for Linda

Limited Spots Available

** Must be employed for a minimum of one year with The Estates of Hidden Lake after certification**

03/13/2023

03/10/2023

This is and free ADULT and CHILDREN'S easter egg hunt! Family fun for everyone in the community!

02/14/2023

Happy Valentines Day!!!

02/10/2023

Happy Friday!

01/19/2023

Join us in Celebrating Chinese New Year!

12/09/2022

Breakfast with Santa with Archwell Health! A great time was had by all!

12/08/2022

Our Red Hat Society Ladies had a great time at The Estates of Hidden Lake luncheon!

12/01/2022

Late Post! Thank you so much to the staff at The Estates of Hidden Lake for the wonderful Thanksgiving Brunch a good time was had by all!

12/01/2022

Puppymania at The Estates of Hidden Lake!!

11/15/2022

Happy Thanksgiving

11/11/2022

Dear Families,

Please join us for our Family Thanksgiving Brunch! RSVP's will be accepted until the November16th!

11/01/2022

We had a great Halloween at The Estates! Thank you to our activities department!

10/28/2022

Thank you to everyone that attended our Fall Festival! I would also like to thank our sponsors Unity Hospice, Oak Street Health, Renewal Rehab, Humana & Residential Home Health!