Hammers, Nails & Health Insurance

Since it was launched in June, hundreds of small-business owners have signed up for health coverage through The Home Depot Inc.’s Business ToolBox program. The program, which is open to any small-business owner, requires participants to pay for the insurance, but it allows them to take advantage of the Atlanta-based retailer’s group rates.


Well, not exactly . . .

The health insurance is individual coverage, that is individually underwritten, and priced the same as plans you can get through your local agent.

Since the adviser would be going from one corporate plan to another, pre-existing conditions can’t be excluded under [the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act],” he said.

'Fraid not.

The information on the site is about individual health insurance, not group coverage.

Covering pre-existing conditions — along with sidestepping the extremely high cost of individual health insurance — are keys to obtaining desirable coverage, observers noted.

High cost of individual insurance? Somebody is smoking funny cigarettes.