Healthy and insured but afraid you might someday lose your medical coverage? UnitedHealth has just launched a new product that lets consumers pay now for the guarantee that they’ll be able to get insurance later—even if they get sick, the New York Times reports. Critics are skeptical of the novel “Continuity” product, noting that health care changes under the new administration could render it obsolete.
"This product is taking advantage of the lack of sensible health reform that could easily solve this problem," said the chief of one consumer advocacy group. A UnitedHealth exec disagrees, calling Continuity a "terrific hedge" that could trump the offerings of a government reform plan. Expected to launch in the next few weeks, Continuity will charge policyholders 20% of the current premium on their future policy each month.
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