All About Health Insurance: August 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Update August 28, 2009 All About Health Insurance Information By Insurance Experts

Health Insurance is defined as insurance to protect your health if any health program occurs in unforeseen future. It normally pays for medical expenses. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program but only basic coverage, or from private insurance companies. It is wise to purchase comprehensive health insurance policy addition to your government coverages. A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurer and an individual or a group, in which the insurer agrees to provide specified health insurance at an agreed-upon price the premium.

Looking For Low Cost Health Insurance? Follow These 3 Tips
By Rick Swanson Platinum Quality Author

Even though the economy continues to struggle, it seems as though prices for most things continue to rise. Families everywhere are working harder and harder to make their dollars stretch. Unfortunately, one of the most important things of all, health insurance, is no different. Even healthy people are seeing their premiums rise for no apparent reason, so what can you do to get the very best rates possible? Well, in this short article we'll give you few helpful pointers to help you get low rates and keep them that way.

Tip #1 - Don't buy too much coverage. One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying coverage is getting benefits that they don't use. For example, a single man shouldn't be carrying maternity coverage. Other things that you may be paying for but not realize it include acupuncture or chiropractic care. Of course, if you want to make use of these things, that's fine but otherwise exclude them. By doing so, this will add up to some significant savings to you over the long run.

Tip #2 - Raise your deductible. In case you didn't know, the deductible is the amount of money you have to pay yourself until the insurance company begins paying. The higher your deductible is, the less the insurance company has to pay. Therefore, they give you the benefit of doing this by lowering your monthly premiums. Remember that raising your deductible can lower your premiums but if you don't have the money saved up to pay the deductible when you make a claim then raising your deductible becomes pointless.

Tip #3 -Consider paying cash at your physician's office. When you pay cash at the doctor's office, you save them money since they don't have to pay fees to credit card companies and when paying cash, you can sometimes get a cash discount. However, the way this impacts insurance has nothing to do with saving your doctor money. Rather, when you pay cash, you don't make a claim against your policy. Therefore, the likelihood is high that your premiums will be lower in the future since part of the calculation behind your rates is how often you use your insurance.

We hope that these brief tips have given you some ideas about ways that you can save some real money on your health insurance. Even though it may take a little effort on your part it will be well worth it since it can pay big dividends for a long time to come!

Rick enjoys writing articles on a wide variety of topics and interests. His newest interest is lower back pain and treatment. So come visit his latest website that discusses back relief products such as lumbar support pillows and back support pillows that can help to provide relief and comfort for those struggling with lower back issues.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Swanson

Saturday, August 8, 2009

August 08, 2009 All About Health Insurance Information By Insurance Experts

How to Save Money on Health Insurance - Lowering Your Premiums
By Jared J. Balis Platinum Quality Author

There are a few simple ways to save money on your health insurance premiums. By following these simple steps you can optimize your coverage and lower your monthly premium.

Raise Your Deductible

By raising your deductible you can keep quality major medical coverage and lower your monthly premium. When you raise your deductible you are telling your health insurance company that you will take on more risk up front, before they are responsible to cover your medical expenses. Because you are willing to do this, the health insurance company will most likely give you a significant rate reduction. Most of the time it's fast and easy to raise your deductible. Call your agent or your insurance company and make the request.

Switch Health Insurance Companies

You can save money on your monthly premiums by switching insurance companies. Different insurance companies determine their monthly premiums differently. For instance, some companies charge for a family whether you have three or seven children. Other companies charge you for three children if you only have three children. They charge you for seven if you have seven. It's important to make sure the company you are insured with has a rating structure that is favorable for you or your family.

Re-Apply

Many health insurance companies will allow you to re-apply you apply for the same plan you are currently on, to lower your rate and keep the same coverage. When you apply for health insurance, the insurance company puts you in a group of individuals and families. Over time that group of people end up with medical expenses and claims. When your plan renews each year, your rate increases because of medical inflation, but also to cover the collective claims in your group. Re-applying allows you to put yourself into a new group that is freshly underwritten, so you are only paying for inflation on your annual renewal, not existing medical claims for your original group. It makes sense to reapply every two or three years.

Follow these three easy steps to saving money on your health insurance premiums. Find out how much you can save by completing this simple form and requesting a free quote.

Also, to learn more about plans that can save you a significant amount of money each month, visit my catastrophic health insurance site. While you're there, be sure to claim your free copy of my eBook titled "Seven Money-Saving Health Insurance Tips.

If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate your help in rating it using the five star rating system below. Thank you and good luck in your search for an affordable health plan!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_J._Balis

Cheap Health Insurance - Get the Right Policy and Don't Overpay
By Gary Pierce Platinum Quality Author

Cheap health insurance is obtainable. Good health insurance is also obtainable.

The key is to get the right policy and most important do not overpay.

Up front realize that I hate to pay for insurance of any kind. It is one of my biggest monthly expenses. When I do purchase health insurance I make sure I pay as little as possible.

The very best cheap health insurance is to stay healthy. It is not all that difficult to get regular exercise and to eat properly. The more attention you pay to these areas the less you will have to pay for insurance. You will feel better physically and feel better mentally because you know you are taking care of the only body you have.

If you take those two steps you won't be needing the same type of insurance that a person who does not exercise and eat right.

It is common sense, if you know you are taking care of yourself, you can get by with catastrophic insurance. These are high deductible, you pay for all doctor visits and drugs (hopefully you don't need any), these policies have the cheapest premiums. Your healthy lifestyle gives you the best cheap health insurance.

By catastrophic we mean an unexpected illness or injury. If you are diagnosed with a serious disease you won't be wiped out financially.

Having no insurance at all when you could afford a catastrophic policy is just too risky. It is easy to find out how little they cost.

So how do you get the right policy and pay the least money?

Simple ...you go online and provide your zip code, gender, smoke or not, and whether or not you are a student. That is it. The thing I like is no phone number is required...in less than a minute you will have a 100 plus quotes, with premium costs. Now that is comparison shopping.

If you zero in on a certain cheap policy you can find out instantly if your current doctor will take this policy. Then and only then do you fill out an application...the other way you give your life story to a salesman who then may come back with an expensive premium. Don't waste your time.

Interested? It is free, no obligation. Cheap health insurance is easily obtainable.

Gary Pierce is the webmaster of http://www.frugal-retirement-living.com. He retired early at 49, he is still retired at 63. He has experience in lifestyles that are both fulfilling and frugal. Get cheap health insurance here. It is 2009 and many are wondering if they can ever retire. Don't give up until you check out this website. Enjoy.

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

All About Health Insurance Information By Insurance Experts

Save Money on Health Insurance - Reapply With Your Current Insurance Company
By Jared J. Balis Platinum Quality Author

If you have had the same plan with the same company for two or more years, and if your insurance company will let you re-apply for the same plan, (or a different plan) consider sending in a new application.

Why You Pay More and More as the Years Go By

Typically insurance companies will approve a group of individuals and families at the same time and put them in the same "rate group." The members of that group will experience annual rate increases. For example if someone gets a 16% rate increase at their annual renewal, 12% of their annual rate increase might go to pay for inflation in the medical industry, and the other 4% might go to pay for the collective claims in that group.

That's fine if you are the one using your health insurance plan. But if you are one of the individuals or families in that group that remained healthy throughout the year and didn't use their benefits, you will may get tired of paying for someone else's medical care.

Save Money on Health Insurance Premiums and Keep the Same Coverage You Have Now

What you can do, is put your family or yourself back into a freshly underwritten group of individuals and families, where there are no unexpected claims or health problems. Rates for new applicants may have only been going up 12% a year, for example, which is just enough to cover medical inflation. You will most likely get a lower rate if your reapplication is approved. This is especially true if you have had the same plan for many years, as the "16% rate increases" have been compounding each and every year.

Find out if your insurer will let you reapply. If so, reapply.

For help re-applying to your current insurance company, or to review the options available to you, contact a local agent by completing this short and easy form.

To receive your copy of my free eBook titled "Seven Money Saving Health Insurance Tips" subscribe to my free "Valuable Health Insurance Tips and Tools" newsletter by visiting my website!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_J._Balis

Save Money on Health Insurance - Tweak Your Coverage
By Jared J. Balis Platinum Quality Author

There are a number of things you can do to keep high quality coverage and save money on your health insurance premiums at the same time.

Lower Your Co-Insurance Percentage

Most plans cover 100%, 90%, 80%, or 70% of your medical expenses after you meet your deductible. If you have the option to lower your co-insurance percentage, consider moving making the switch to lower your monthly cost. Most plans will have out-of-pocket maximums (the maximum amount you would pay per year for all covered services, in the event of a catastrophe) to protect you in a major event, so it's not as bad as it sounds.

For instance, my out-of-pocket-maximum is $3,000 for the year. That's the most I would pay in one year, period. Changing your co-insurance percentage to a lower level might raise your out-of-pocket maximum or total risk a little bit. Find out the details before you make the change.

Drop Your Accident Benefit

Sometimes accident riders are a good benefit to have. They typically cover the first set dollar amount of an accident, before you are required to pay toward your medical deductible and co-insurance. Accident riders can be beneficial especially if you have kids. However, if you can do without this benefit, find out how much it will save you to drop it, if that's an option.

Reduce Your Annual or Lifetime Maximum Benefit

Some plans have very high lifetime maximums. I have seen them as high as $25,000,000. Also, you may be able to lower your annual benefit maximum. Only consider making these two changes if you feel confident that your maximum benefits are substantial. Even then, it's good to consult your agent.

Save money on health insurance coverage - tweak your benefits

For help changing your current benefits, or to review the options available to you, contact a local agent by completing this short and easy form.

To receive your copy of my free eBook titled "Seven Money Saving Health Insurance Tips" subscribe to my free "Valuable Health Insurance Tips and Tools" newsletter by visiting my website!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_J._Balis

Student Health Insurance Plans
By Clarissa Winegarten Platinum Quality Author

Youth represents the future of a country and it's imperative to ensure their protection. They live in a fast world filled with lurking dangers. Road accidents have become so very common and it is the student population who are mostly affected by them. Their emotional make-up could also be responsible for such dangers.

Some have a do or die nature which constantly lands them in trouble. They are also easily prone to infections. Therefore it is advisable for them to take out student health insurance plans to ensure protection of their health.

Insurance companies have realized the potential of these student insurance plans and have come up with attractive options for students. Even the state authorities stress on the protection of student health by promoting various insurance schemes.

Students today enjoy a lot of freedom. No wonder they are prone to accidents and various types of infections. Parents spend large amounts of money in educating their children. An additional expense in the form of medical treatment could prove to be a huge financial burden for them. Therefore taking out a health insurance policy is the best way to lower this burden.

The choice of health insurance depends on the requirements of a particular student. Make sure to opt for one which enables you to make use of its advantages. Understanding an insurance plan is the most vital aspect involved in the selection of health insurance plan for students. An in depth analysis of various health insurance policies available should be done. The best way to get all information is through the Internet.

All reputed medical insurance companies promote their policies through their websites. All details, advantages and conditions to avail them are specified there. Rate comparison between different company policies can be made. Finally opt for one which you believe would yield you the best results.

The best way to find the cheapest student health insurance is to shop online for the best student health insurance coverage offering the benefits you need at a rate you can afford.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clarissa_Winegarten

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All About Health Insurance Information By Insurance Experts

A Brief History of Health Insurance
By Billings Farnsworth Platinum Quality Author

Health insurance is a concern to every American. The costs of health care without the assistance of health insurance provider can be astronomical. Especially now, with the fragility of the current economic climate, health insurance is a major concern.

The origins of health insurance began in the United States as early as the mid-1800s as "accident" insurance, which operated much like the disability insurance of today. Often this coverage was related to accidents caused by rail or steamboat. These early coverage plans laid the foundation for more modern comprehensive medical and health coverage. The first group policy providing comprehensive coverage was offered in 1847 by Massachusetts Health Insurance of Boston. In 1929 a group of teachers in Dallas, Texas contracted with a local hospital for room, board, and medical services for a fee.

In 1940s and 1950s major steps were taken in the direction of modern health benefits when unions bargained with employers for benefit packages and tax free employee sponsored health insurance. During war time, wage freezes helped the proliferation of health insurance as employers used better benefit packages to attract employees since they could not pay more.

In 1965 the United States government created the Medicare and Medicaid programs. By that time, private sources still paid 75% of all health care costs. But by 1995, the government was responsible for about half of the nations health care costs. Today, because the extraordinary cost of health care, many politicians are pushing for a more European style of free health care. However, there is much debate on the subject. Americans still rely on health insurance providers for low cost health care.

WyoHealth is a Wyoming health insurance company that provides the residents of Wyoming with comprehensive health insurance coverage. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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Health Insurance Lifetime Maximum
By Corinne Mitchell

The Health Insurance Lifetime Maximum of your plan is the total amount of money the insurance company will pay for the entire time you have coverage under that plan. Once you reach that amount, your plan will not pay for any more of your medical expenses.

What Are The Limits?

The maximum amount that the insurance company will pay varies from policy to policy, with the typical amount being between 1 million and 5 million dollars. There are some polices though, that only contribute a total of less than 1 million dollars over the lifetime of the policy.

On a brighter note, although not as common, there are policies that have an unlimited lifetime maximum.

Why Are There Limits?

Insurance companies set these limits to keep their total possible liability for a health insurance plan as low as possible.

Keeping these limits lower also keeps the premium rates lower. All of the guidelines of the plan, including the lifetime cap come into play when insurance companies set the cost of the insurance plan. A plan richer in benefits is going to cost more.

For instance, a health insurance plan with a high deductible and a low lifetime cap will cost less than a plan with a low deductible and unlimited lifetime benefits.

Similarly, when the annual deductibles of two plans are the same, the plan with a higher lifetime maximum will cost you more.

Should You Be Concerned?

You and your family members may be in perfect health and can never foresee that any one of you could possibly incur medical bills as high as one to five million dollars. And quite frankly, I hope you never do!

But, with the rising costs of medical treatment for conditions such as open heart surgery, cancer, organ transplants and chronic illnesses, it isn't that difficult to reach those amounts in a short amount of time.

If you want to be sure to be covered for all medical expenses for the duration of your coverage under that policy, look for one with a higher lifetime limit or one with no limit. To lessen the cost of these plans, consider accepting a higher annual deductible.

P.S. Consider this ~ A coverage cap of $1 million in the 1970s would have had to grow to more than $10 million today to keep pace with inflations and costs.

Corinne Mitchell has worked in the insurance industry for 10+ years and currently works with the Group Insurance Benefits Specialists at http://www.nicoins.com

Read her blog http://www.groupinsurancebenefitsspecialists.com/ for more tips.

Make sure you get expert advice and find the right coverage for you and your employees.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corinne_Mitchell

Save Money on Health Insurance - Health Savings Accounts (HSA's)
By Jared J. Balis Platinum Quality Author

Consider Using a Health Savings Account With Your Medical Plan

Health savings accounts are financial accounts that you can own and use, if you have a health insurance plan that is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a "Qualified High Deductible Health Plan." You will find that many catastrophic-type plans are likely to be "qualified" for use with an HSA.

The big advantage of owning a health savings account is that you can deposit money into the account pre-tax. When you need medical care, you can use the balance in your health savings account to pay for your medical expenses, tax free. Check the IRS's website for a complete list of medical expenses you can pay for out of your HSA.

Another great feature of the HSA is, if you have a balance when you retire, you can use the balance in your account to supplement your retirement income. You just pay taxes on it when you take it out. Or, you can use it to pay for long term care premiums and some Medicare related products. Best of all you save on your health insurance premium because you chose a high deductible health plan. On top of that, you pay less in taxes and you own another potential retirement vehicle. If you own or buy a high deductible health plan, make sure it's a plan that's "qualified" by the IRS.

Save money on health insurance by switching to a plan that allows you to take advantage of an HSA!

To find out about plans in your state that are qualified to use with health savings accounts, contact a local agent by completing this short and easy form.

To receive your copy of my free eBook titled "Seven Money Saving Health Insurance Tips" subscribe to my free "Valuable Health Insurance Tips and Tools" newsletter by visiting my website!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_J._Balis

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Understanding Health Insurance Underwriting Process
By Florida Dy Platinum Quality Author

When looking for a cheaper health insurance plan, a basic comprehension of the underwriting process of an insurance company may become invaluable. The possibility of provision and the coverage cost under consideration will be determined by the underwriting.

The underwriting procedure differs for health insurance of an individual and family or group. The underwriter keeps in mind the possible risks and dangers that the insurance company might be undergoing by providing such policy while evaluating the cost of an individual health plan. The age of person, his lifestyle, the health status of the person, and the previous ailments and medical history are the factors that affect the estimation of risks or dangers. The underwriter can not separately judge each individual in a group but instead, the underwriter will consider the hazards of the company before when insuring the group. This is done by providing insurance to groups that are similar. If you will try to observe and come up with a conclusion, you can say that having insurance for health in a group is cheaper than having it as an individual. Though they are in a group, the price of the premiums to be paid will still depend on the age and the health of each person and that will determine certain additions or exclusions for each individual cost.

All you have to do when applying for health insurance is to provide your basic information which includes your lifestyle and general health. You will undergo questionnaires and even interviews and you must expect some questions that concerns smoking, previous illness and treatments, exercise, and so on.

Florida Dy
Author at EzineArticles.com
Also at Health Insurance provided by oneshopinsurance.com

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Best Health Insurance Companies and Profiles
By J.J. Yong Platinum Quality Author

In our advance times, insurance has taken its positions as a billion dollar industry that never fails due to its importance in the lives of many. As more and more companies pop up within our market today, it has been said that they all compete for top place among each other providing quality protection and good services. To lay out the facts, here are the top health companies and profiles.

First, it would be The National Insurance Co. Ltd. This company serves the needs of several businesses in India. With a total of 180 insurance plans, this company can guarantee their clients their financial securities by the many bonds they hold with various commercial banks, non-banking financial institutions, automobile manufacturers, NGOs and government agencies.

Next, SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd which has a venture with the State Bank of India and Cardiff SA of France. Standing as the largest of all banks in India, there are about 14,000 SBI groups of network branches around the world.

Following that is Aetna Life Insurance Co. Ltd. This is one of the most active health insurance companies in the US. Covering about 15 million individuals and 13 million dental plan members, with 10 million pharmacy members, Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products along with related services as well as medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans.

Then comes CIGNA Corporation which is the top health insurance provider in the US which offers health coverage in the form of dental, vision, pharmacy, and behavioral health. Also, this multinational company has managed to build its name internationally around Asia, European Union, and Chile. Subsequently, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has also made it far as it's known as the second largest insurance provider and it specializes in dental and vision care.

In conclusion, the health insurance industry is a competitive one but a successful one nevertheless. It can be said that as time progresses, there would be more and more companies building up.

For more information about health insurance companies and profile and health insurance plan, visit CommonHealthInsuranceFacts.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J.J._Yong

How Much Does Health Insurance Usually Cost?
By Ian E. Wright Platinum Quality Author

The average cost of health insurance is difficult to measure precisely. The mean cost in 2008 of insurance from an employer was $4,700 per annum for an individual, and $17,700 per annum for a family of four, according to Kaiser

It is normally agreed that cover purchased by the customer without either administration aid or through an employer's collection health plan will cost considerably more. People in California who use COBRA will spend $380 per month on premiums, though this can be offset somewhat through subsidization.

According to the US survey government department 84% of US populace have well being care, and only 9% obtain it in confidence. The remainders are receiving cover through a company provided plan, or from side to side some form of subsidize administration program. The outstanding 16% of the land is uninsured. That gives you an idea of how much health insurance costs.

If it is unspoken that, for the average user, an autonomous single indemnity plan will cost greater than the $4,700 conventional for employer-provided health care in the Kaiser study, then it can be understood that privately obtained plans are likely to cost as much and more with the charge rising as age or other health complications are factored in. When you are examining health plans you can use the baseline of the mean expenses of plans provided by employers as a starting point.

Understanding the tenuous situation of today's health care system, it is hard to predict what insurance will cost over any given time period.

The best option is to avail health-care from employer if provided, government-sponsored health care when you become eligible, low-priced COBRA like plans as makeshift if you cannot afford other insurance, and tap facilities at hospitals and clinics if you do not find ways to meet your health care needs otherwise.

This recommendation is however not the most trusting thing. It is, conversely, realistic: the present state of the wealth, the fluid state of the lawful issue of how the American Health Care system is going to be planned, and ever growing rise in health care costs makes any other advice careless.

Ian Wright wants you to save money on health insurance to do so you need to get an instant health insurance quote or visit his site at http://www.quick-online-insurance-quote.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_E._Wright

Surrogacy and Health Insurance
By Karen Farmer Platinum Quality Author

Most women, who contact surrogacy centers, mostly do so after learning or after being referred by a woman who has either been involve or has served for surrogacy in the past. Many surrogacy centers are located in areas where many potential surrogates live or work. What people should understand is that these are pure agencies and independent health care that offer surrogacy services to couples. It is usual to find many agencies that offer these services all around, but what a couple should consider is going for the very high quality surrogacy services for average charges.

So before venturing into any kind of agreement with any agency, it's always important to first of all explore the many options and resources available to them in order to have a successful out come. One should purposely look for a surrogacy and health insurance agency that meets all mandatory FDA requirements for surrogate screening and revolutionary screening process that can detect tobacco use, in addition to blood and urine tests that can bring to the attention of illicit drugs and alcohol use. It is just because of resent developed technology that allows the detection of tobacco with a perfect accuracy. Therefore, all egg donors and surrogate are thoroughly tested frequently tested for tobacco use and other types of screening. This is important because it instills confidence between the egg donor and the surrogate there fore assuring that only the very highly qualified are made available for the patients. Surrogacy and health insurance legalities vary from nation to nation. Therefore, when persons surrogacy arrangements are being processed, legal counselors immediately involve themselves with the case and they oversee the drafting and signing of the legal contract between the egg donor and the surrogate.

These steps are taken to make sure that most importantly the child and the surrogate are offered protection by law overseeing the matter at hand. Prior to the anticipated delivery, the lawyer to the parents to be, acquires a court order directing the medical record department to include the names of the legal genetic parents on the birth certificate after the baby is born. Therefore the name of the surrogate mother will never appear any where. Then the midwife or whoever delivered the baby signs the complete legal birth certificate and after the record is entered into the vital statistics record, the parents then receive the valid birth certificate from the appropriate government quarters. It is good to note that most women, who engage surrogacy, do so for the purpose of making money.

Others do so because a relative or friend is unable to go through with the whole pregnancy process which might be brought about by health complications, career challenges or other reasons that a person might be having. This is why it is good to contact a surrogacy and health insurance agency before any decisions are made.

There are some countries such as France and UK that don't allow women to be paid for their surrogate services. It is important to note that despite the fact that a woman gets paid for renting her womb, she still exposes herself to birth related complications.

Karen Farmer is the editor of Surrogate Motherhood website. Visit our website for Surrogacy Insurance information.

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Getting Your Hands on a Good Health Insurance Plan
By Jack Goldhammer Platinum Quality Author

Are you looking for health insurance? Do you know what your coverage is? What is your deductible, and what is your premium? If you think that you just can't afford the prices of your current health insurance, or you think that you just need to finally get insurance, you should start looking into plans that are available in your area.

Blue Cross, which is a big nationwide health care provider, offers many plans. Additionally, you can find health insurance plans from Kaiser or any other number of HMOs and health insurers.

Have you checked your work's health plan? Most employees are offered a health plan of some sort in exchange for working full time for an employer. This is an extremely safe and cheap way to get good, quality insurance. If your employer offers health insurance, most of the costs are covered by him. You'll only have a few out of pocket expenses that you might need to contribute to your health plan.

However, if you are self employed or unemployed, you might need to go out and find your own health plan. If this is so, you should look into potential health services that are offered. Check out the Blue Cross Tonik Health Care Plans, which are great plans that can be customized to fit your needs. Additionally, make sure you look into family benefits, if you are trying to insure your whole family.

Don't get stuck without insurance. Stay safe, and stay insured. Look at your options today!

Jack Goldhammer is a research analysts and studies tonik health insurance and mobile home refinancing.

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Choosing Small Business Health Insurance Plans
By Caressa Waechter Platinum Quality Author

Running a small business can have its ups and downs. Sometimes you're raking in the dough and sometimes you're barely making ends meet. What's important though is to have healthcare coverage for you and your employee's. There are a plethora of small business health insurance plans to go around.

Choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult. Balancing cost and protection is an important thing for any owner to do. If you get the cheapest, chances are you're going to regret it down the line. If you get the most coverage, chances are you're going to be broke. It is quite the balancing act between needs and affordability.

After you've decided what you want to get, it's time to go looking for who provides it. There are many companies that promise the lowest rates and quality services. You need to thoroughly check out the company you are planning to purchase insurance from to make sure they are right for your situation.

Insurance companies have definitely been under the microscope as of late with the recent economic collapse. This is why it is wise to fully understand what you are spending your money on before you pick a certain insurance carrier and the associated insurance product.

When choosing a small business insurance carrier you have to investigate what is available and go with the best plan that you can afford from the most reliable company. Your health plan needs to be there for you when you need it most, so carefully choose whom you do business with.

Small business health insurance plans can be tricky to find and figure out. But once you find a decent company and get the right plan it is a very good thing to have. Do your research and choose the right plan and insurance carrier for you and your employees.

By researching small business health insurance plans online, you can save a great deal of time. Everything you need to research and purchase small business health insurance is right at your fingertips, so jump online and get started!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caressa_Waechter

The Annual Deductible of a PPO Health Insurance Policy
By Corinne Mitchell

Every PPO Plan has an annual deductible, but few people understand exactly how it works.

The annual deductible is one of the basic details of a PPO policy and you may even know what the dollar amount of the annual deductible of your policy is. But, often the language used to outline the policy coverages is wordy and confusing and the majority of people are taken by surprise when they have to pay more for their health care costs than they first thought.

So, just what is the Annual Deductible?

The annual deductible of a policy is the amount you must pay each plan year before the insurance company will help you pay for your health care costs.

There can be an exception to this rule with some policies. There types of policies have a set co-pay amount for specific services and these co-pay amounts are lower than you would pay without the coverage. Understand though that these co-pays do not count towards your annual deductible. The most common services that this applies to are office visits, generic drugs and preventative care.

An Example of How the Annual Deductible Works:

If your annual deductible is $1,000, you would be responsible for paying for $1,000 worth of health care expenses (excluding co-pays as mentioned above) for the year. After you have paid that $1,000 the insurance company would contribute to your costs as outlined by your policy. With most PPO plans, this usually means that you will be responsible for a percentage of the fee negotiated by the insurance company with the service provider and the insurance company will pay the balance. Note that most policies include a capped annual out of pocket maximum.

There are two basic types of annual deductibles, individual and family. Individual deductibles apply separately to each covered person. With an individual deductible, each member must meet the annual deductible before the insurance company contributes to the costs of that individual.

Family deductibles apply to all covered members of a family. Depending on the guidelines, meeting the deductible can be shared by two or more family members.

This leads us to one of the most common family deductible formats, the two member max.

The Two Member Max Clause:

If you have a policy that covers more than one person, your policy may have a footnote on the annual deductible that says "2 member max". This means that two of the people covered on the policy must each meet the deductible before the insurance company will help pay for your health care costs.

If just one person meets the deductible, the insurance company will contribute to that person's health care costs. Note that this person's future expenses do not count towards any other member's deductible. The second person must meet their own deductible before the insurance company will contribute to their health care expenses.

If there are more than two people covered under the policy, once two of the members have reached the deductible, the insurance company will contribute to all members' health care costs.

Don't let your annual deductible take you by surprise. Know what it is and how it is structured.

Corinne Mitchell has worked in the insurance industry for 10+ years and currently works with the Group Insurance Benefits Specialists at http://www.nicoins.com

Read her blog http://www.groupinsurancebenefitsspecialists.com for more tips.

Make sure you get expert advice and find the right coverage for you and your employees.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corinne_Mitchell

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Types of Health Insurance and More

Individual Health Insurance - Can You Afford to Purchase Your Own Policy?
By Alicia Stone Platinum Quality Author

Although health coverage is important, many people avoid purchasing it because they believe they can't afford it.

However, if you ask yourself the following to questions, you might just find that purchasing an individual health insurance plan is within your means after all.

1. How Much Money Do I Have To Spend?

It's true that health coverage is important, but you don't want to spend so much money that you don't have the funds to cover your basic needs like shelter, clothing, and food. If you don't choose an individual health insurance plan that works with your budget, you'll either end up without enough money to pay for your basic needs, or you'll have to let your policy lapse.

Spend some time looking over your usual bills and figure out how much money you have left each month. If you have enough, is it enough to pay for an individual health insurance plan? If you don't have enough, are there monthly extras you can cut back on?

2. What Are the Kinds of Coverage I Absolutely Need?

You might think you need to purchase an individual health insurance plan with the most comprehensive coverage package; however, even if you have the budget to do this, it doesn't always mean you should. Some of the most comprehensive plans offer coverage that not everyone needs.

For example, people who only take prescription medications once or twice a year probably wouldn't benefit from a health plan that covers prescription medicines. Because they don't need them very often, these people could probably save money by just paying for those medications out of pocket.

For low rate quotes and information about individual health insurance please visit our recommended websites
Free Individual Health Insurance Quotes
Low Rate Health Insurance Quotes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_Stone

Getting Health Insurance For Your Dog
By Danny Peterson Platinum Quality Author

We all know how having health insurance impacts our life. We complain about the premiums until something catastrophic actually happens where the policy has to pay out thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars that we would not have had and then we are grateful for it once again.

But how many of you were aware that you could get a policy to cover your dog health? Not many I wager. In fact it is a subject that not many people think about. I mean they are just animals after all. That's what many people say when they are asked if they have thought about dog health insurance.

That is until the first time they have to take the beloved four-legged family member in to see the vet to have something taken care of. At that point they see that it is expensive to have the pet taken care of. In fact in some instances it can actually cost more to have similar things done on a dog than it does on a human. Part of that is because unlike us, the dog can't tell the doctor that this or that hurts or that he or she is experiencing this symptom or that one. It is up to the vet to run tests to find that information out. And those tests can prove to be fairly costly.

Even the cost of having a family pet put to sleep can run into a large outflow of cash. And by the time you get to the point of needing the dogs health insurance it is not something that you can buy. Most vets at that point offer financing or payment options to cover something that insurance would have handled for literally next to nothing.

So you weigh the options. The family dog health against your wallet and see where your bottom line comes out. Americans are great gamblers and this decision is a gamble there is no doubt about it. Animals are generally fairly self-sufficient and as a rule don't manage to have anything that can't be handled well by rest and normal Mother Nature. However as we know and have seen the world is far more polluted and full of carcinogens today than it was even a few short years ago. If your dog is an indoor only pet, there is certainly less chance of strange things happening but if he or she is out of doors a lot there are more things out there in the "wild" than you can imagine that can cause serious harm to your pet.

Dog health insurance is not something that we like to think about. Not when it comes to our family and certainly not for the family pet. But dog health is an issue that every owner is going to face at some point in time. Puppies are inquisitive and more prone to accidents and older dogs are more susceptible to old age type problems, so there really is no way to rule out an age group as not needing coverage.

Keep Your Dog Healthy By Getting The Right Dog Health Advice

For Dog Health Info Visit: http://www.doghealthadvice.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Peterson

Importance of Health Insurance Cashless Claims Settlements For International Students
By Ray Sondeo

What if as a foreign student you accidentally get hospitalized and you don't have cash on hand. You present the hospital administration your insurance ID card and are they insist that you make a payment upfront. How on earth when one is injured find the nearest ATM in a country that is new or foreign?

These are just one of the common problems faced by international students due to their insurances not offering direct cash-less settlement of claims. If you are a foreign student desirous of preventing such occurrences then make sure that you avail insurances for foreign students from a trustworthy provider.

Cashless claims settlements enable foreign students to be treated at hospitals and facilities by just showing their medical card. Through cashless settlements, your foreign student health insurance provider will settle the bill directly easing you the financial burden.

Through a simple phone call the emergency help at the insurance company can arrange an ambulance on a special request or instruct the hospital to ready your room and also coordinate with the surgeon. In addition, the great thing about this is that there are no additional charges when you avail of cash-less settlement of claims.

Insurance companies typically maintain a preferred list of hospitals for direct cash-less settlement of claims. The same type of claims settlement is available for doctor office visits as well; in other words the insurance company can settle the bill directly with the doctor's office.

Also, it is comforting to know that there is no age limit for obtaining the direct cash less claims settlement through insurance companies. International Students and their dependents can benefit from direct cash-less settlement of claims in the US.

While choosing your foreign student insurance make sure direct cash-less settlement of claims is offered with your foreign student health insurance. This is in an important feature that is often overlooked by those new to the US. Seek the help of a good agent in finding an affordable plan.

Your International Student Advisor at the University or College can sometimes help you in selecting an appropriate plan. The University may require certain insurance waiver forms to be completed by the insurance company.

Ray Sondeo often writes about health and travel insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Sondeo

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Compare Health Insurance - Tips to Help You Find the Right Plan For You
By Justin Scott Platinum Quality Author

Comparing health insurance online is one of the most convenient ways to find the right plan, and right price, for your situation. So what should you look for? Here are some tips.

Health insurance plans vary from state to state and region to region. They also vary in the types of copayments, deductibles, coverages and exclusions. This may seem confusing, but fortunately you can easily find the plans for your region at an online comparison Web site.

Some of the things you'll want to look at with each plan are:

Deductibles -- The amount you have to pay before the insurance starts paying can be different depending on the plan. Typically, plans with higher deductibles have a lower premium. HMO type plans often have no deductible, just a copay amount.

Copayments -- What will you be responsible for each time you visit a provider? This could be a set amount, or a percentage depending on the plan.

Coverages -- Look at the coverages to make sure the plan covers your needs. Do you need prescription drugs or prenatal care? You want to make sure you're getting the right insurance for your situation without paying for coverages you don't need.

Exclusions -- Just as important as what's covered by the plan, is what is not. Especially look at how pre-existing conditions are treated if this is a concern for you.

Although there may be dozens of plans in your area to compare, you can simplify the process by deciding upfront the general type of plan you prefer. For example, if it's important that you have the freedom to choose a physician you'll want to stay away from plans that require you to use health care providers in the plan network in order to get coverage.

Or, maybe you only want to protect yourself from high-cost care such as hospitalization. Then you may want to look at high-deductible plans only. Or if you're a college student, check out the student health plans first.

Once you found a plan, you can get quotes and even apply online. Make sure that you read and understand your policy thoroughly, and don't be afraid to ask questions if you have them.

Compare health insurance

Justin Scott is a free-lance writer. He recommends the comparison site LowerYourInsurance.com to get health insurance quotes for free. The site also features tips about saving on health insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Scott

Price Wars Are Cause Health Insurance Companies to Reduce Their Rates This Month!
By Trey Augusta Platinum Quality Author

Health insurance premiums seem to change daily in America. If you've had a consistent insurance rate over the last 120 days, then it's extremely likely that the rate has changed and you're overpaying for your current coverage. Rates are changed two to three times every month at insurance companies, but as a consumer, you aren't ever notified about new and more affordable coverage that may be available.

The current economic downturn has created fierce competition in the field of health insurance and this can be an advantage for the consumer. It can be difficult to switch to a cheaper plan though. Big insurance companies don't want this to be easy for you. They've made it extremely hard just to get a quote and the process is so prolonged that you have to set aside your day to find a better rate.

Private companies have sprung up online to help anyone with health-insurance to search for the most affordable plan available. You can do this without having to talk with a sales agent and it costs nothing.

The searches require less than fifteen to twenty seconds of your time and you get quotes from all major insurance companies. Any consumer with health insurance can perform this search at no cost and discover precisely how much money they could save from their current plan or an alternative one.

Paying a higher rate when you can get the same coverage at a more affordable price doesn't make sense. Take advantage of the times and enjoy the rivalry between major insurance companies. It's only a boon to you if you know how to put that extra money in your pocket.

Every consumer who carries health insurance should check for free to see how much their current rate has changed.

This is free for health insurance carriers only.

To Get a Free Health insurance quote from all companies at once without having to speak to anyone Click Here!

There is no charge and a quick 30 second search could save you more money each month. Free Insurance Quote Service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Augusta

Health Insurance Coverage While Traveling
By Jhon Noya

Different Types of Health Insurance

There is a great variety of health insurance options available to suit your health care needs. Depending on the expanse of the coverage and benefits, the cost also differs accordingly. Here is a short discussion on basic types available for you to choose from:

*Catastrophic health insurance: This type of insurance is intended for protection against catastrophe. Although it comes with a low monthly premium, this one offers high deductibles.

*Short-term health insurance: This type of insurance is purchased to cover a specific period of time and depending on its coverage, the cost can be affordable to expensive.

*Full-service health insurance: This is the most comprehensive type of health insurances as it cover all types of illnesses, allow you to get treatment regardless of where you are in the world. Hence, this insurance can be quite expensive.

*Travel health insurance: This type of insurance is highly recommended for frequent travelers since new environments expose them to the possibility of acquiring illnesses. Depending on your specific coverage, you can also get insurance in case of medical emergencies, accidents, and evacuation (if necessary).

Why Get a Travel Health Insurance?

Whether you are traveling for a business meeting on a regular basis or you are taking your family on a vacation trip, nothing beats being prepared. Hence, securing a travel insurance is something that you need to pack with you, aside from other travel essentials.

Within travel health insurances itself are a variety of policy choices that could provide insurance for domestic or overseas travel. Understandably, the rates differ according to your choice of policy coverage. When insurance provider determine the cost of coverage, there are several factors taken into consideration such as cost of trip, age of policyholder, distance of travel, and existing health conditions.

Benefits of Travel Health Insurances Coverage

A health insurance while traveling is important and beneficial for the following reasons:

• The most obvious benefit is the ability to acquire immediate medical attention when you fall sick during travel. Since this is something that you might not have anticipated, this will most likely not be covered in your travel budget. Securing will help ensure that your medical expenses will be covered by the provider.
• In some cases, your doctor will prescribe medicines to help in your recovery. These can be covered by your travel as well, so make sure to specify.
• When you are in a foreign country or place, you lack the access to finding qualified doctors.

Choosing Health Insurance Provider

A substantial amount of research is important to secure a insurance provider that will be able to cover your health care needs during travel. In the end, it could save you both money and your life.

The first factor to consider would be the coverage itself. Does it offer benefits that you can avail of at a reasonable price? Try to discover if there are any additional fees that might be charged on you.

The cost of premium is another relevant factor to consider, particularly with the constant rise of health care costs. The costs will vary according to the length of period covered by the insurance and the specifics of the coverage. The length of the policy is particularly important for frequent travelers. There are options for single trip or multiple trips insurance coverage.

Lastly, choose a health care provider that is easily accessible when you have queries about the specifics of the insurance coverage. Their willingness to keep you informed is helpful in your effort to make the right decision.

Jhon Noya, Author Of Free Tips Making Money From Internet and Free Tips For Dating

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jhon_Noya

You Can Now Get Cheap Health Insurance Online in Seconds Without Speaking to a Sales Agent
By Trey Augusta Platinum Quality Author

Inexpensive health insurance rates change from day to day. Health insurance rates can change two to three times per month as cheaper plans are added, but those who were grandfathered into an older plan are not contacted.

Fact: Consumers have been kept in the dark about how much they can really save.

Fact: The prices for health insurance for individuals can change 2-3 times each month and those who have purchased coverage will not be contacted about cheaper rates.

Fact: Competing insurance companies are offering lower rates due to the recession and this can be advantageous to the consumer.

Fact: Cheap health insurance plans can take all day to find when one is looking for the best price for health coverage. This is designed to wear the consumer out so they just sign on with the company they spent the most time with.

The internet is full of private companies who are allowing consumers to search for cheaper rates of all the major insurance companies in one place at no charge.

With this free service, a consumer can find out about cheaper monthly rates on health insurance without the hassles and time it takes to talk to an annoying live sales agent. In under a minute, all major companies can be searched searched, so finally all consumers do not have to be taken advantage of anymore.

There is no need to pay a higher rate per month when the same exact coverage at a sister company is much cheaper. All consumers who carry health insurance need to search for free to see how much money they can save without having to speak to a sales agent.

To Get a Free Insurance quote from all companies at once without having to speak to anyone Click Here!

There is no charge and a quick 30 second search could save you more money each month. Free Insurance Quote Service

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Augusta

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