Health Insurance: Plans for Secured Healthcare

by Guest » Tue Dec 01, 2009 08:17 am
Guest

Our health is precious and we do all sorts of things to keep ourselves healthy. We know how it feels to fall sick and if it is something serious, how expensive treatment can get. So that we are able to afford the right treatment and not worry about the costs getting health insurance is a good idea.

The rising cost of treatment is a matter of worry for a lot of us. If we have health insurance, it helps us plan ahead and also save for future treatment costs. We do not have to worry about bearing the expenses out of our pockets. Your need for insurance may be different from the needs of others. Hence, there are different health insurance plans to suit different needs.

Health Insurance Plans

Health insurance plans are primarily of 2 types -
  1. Indemnity Plans (fee-for-service)
    According to this plan, the insurance holder can choose the doctor he wants to be examined by. The doctor/medical professional receives a fee-for-service. This claim is made either by the doctor or the patient himself. Indemnity health insurance has several other types.
    • Indemnity health plans: As a policy holder you may go to any doctor, hospital or any other medical provider for a fixed monthly premium. You may choose the health care provider you want and the plan will reimburse you or your doctor for the service rendered. There may be a certain portion of deductible that you need to pay or simply bear a portion of the fee. Certain expensive services or hospital care or any covered services may require you to have prior authorization for them in order to be covered. To know if indemnity plans are better than HMOs or PPOs click here.

    • Flexible spending plans: This is also known as cafeteria plan and is sponsored by the employer allowing the employees to design their own package. There are several benefits for this plan like pre-tax conversion plan, multiple option pre-tax conversion plan, flexible spending accounts, medical plan and employer credit cafeteria plans.

    • Basic health plan: This is a low cost health insurance plan that provides limited benefits. These plans do not cover certain basic treatments and it is advisable that you should go through the policy document before purchasing. Premiums for such affordable health insurance plans are community rated and are based on gender, age, occupation, geographic location or health status.

    • Health Savings Accounts (HSA): This plan is designed to help you pay for your present health treatment costs and also save for future costs on a tax-free basis. You do not have to pay a premium here. Instead this tax-free account covers your out-of-pocket medical expenditure. What types of investment you should make, which third party or insurer you should rely on is completely your own decision. Generally, HSA requires you to buy a High Deductible Health Plan too.

    • High deductible health plan (HDHP): This inexpensive health plan is active only after a high deductible of a minimum $1000 is paid for an individual or $2000 is paid for a family.

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  3. Managed Care Plan
    Managed care helps minimize unnecessary costs for healthcare. The policy holders receive extensive medical coverage while also giving financial incentives to the policy holders who opt for the medical providers listed in the policy. There are several types of managed care:
    • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): There is an already existing network of participating physicians, hospitals as well as other health care professionals and facilities that you can choose from. The doctor you choose from the given list will then provide you with the required health treatment. If you need to go to a specialist your primary care doctor will refer. Generally there is a fee or a co-payment that you need to pay in HMP plan. Your out-of-pocket are fewer here.

    • Point-of-service (POS): In this plan the primary care doctors usually have the freedom to refer other medical providers listed in the plan. If the referral is not from amongst the listed doctors, it will still be covered but then you need to pay a certain co-insurance. If the doctor is listed in the plan, then the plan provides coverage for the same.

    • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) : In this plan the listed doctors, hospitals and health care providers are paid by the insuring company. Often these payments are discounted and hence the costs will be lower if you choose a doctor from the network of doctors provided by the insurer. However, you may still go for a doctor outside the network but you will have to pay the difference between the medical provider's fees and what the plan pays.
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    Other health insurance options

    Two of your other health insurance options may include:
    1. Self-insured health plans
      A self-insured health plan or self-funded plan is one where the employer assumes responsibility (with pre-conditions) to provide health care benefits for its employees. This plan is designed such that the employers pay for the out-of-pocket claim as and when they occur instead of depositing a fixed premium to an insurance providing company. Such a self insured plan is subject to all Federal laws and Budget Reconciliation Act.

    2. Medicare
      Medicare is a federal government program designed to insure senior citizens. You can avail the benefits provided by Medicare to secure your future.
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    How insurance companies determine your coverage & rates?

    When you apply for a health insurance, your application has to undergo the insurance underwriting process. The underwriters evaluate how much of a risk you pose for the insurance company and accordingly approve or reject your application. Your rates and coverage limits are also determined if the application is approved.

    The following factors influence the health insurance rates of an individual:

    1. Age and gender of the person to be insured.
    2. Pre-existing conditions after a thorough check-up of the individual's medical history.
    3. Medical history of the family (whether or not the parents had heart disease, cancer etc.)
    4. Smoking habits of the individual.
    5. Previous records of mental health (whether the person had undergone counseling or used anti-depressants).
    6. Occupation.
    7. Choice of deductible, coverage and benefit limits, exclusions etc.
    8. Past records of health insurance applications.
    To know how the above mentioned factors have an effect on your health insurance costs, click here.
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    Tips to buy affordable health insurance

    The premiums for medical insurance seem to be increasing every year. This leaves us with the question that how we can find affordable health insurance coverage that suits our pocket. It may seem very difficult but with a little research you can still look for a suitable health insurance plan. You may follow the 6 easy tips to choose a health policy which not only suits your needs, but also matches your pocket.
    1. Know your state rules: Be familiar with the rules that your state follows. This way you can make rational and mature decisions about your health insurance. Pay special attention to rules about pre-existing conditions (if any) and also about what coverage you will get.
    2. Find out your insurance needs: Knowing what type of health insurance coverage you need is important. You may need short term health insurance policy or a regular one depending on the status of your job and your family planning. Getting a cheap health insurance policy may not be the solution to all your problems. You will have to keep in mind the requirement that you have.
    3. Calculate the overall costs: Prepare a budget for yourself. Buying health insurance doesn't just mean paying premiums. There are co-payments, deductibles and also sometimes co-insurance. Keep all of these in mind when planning for your insurance.
    4. Compare your options: To be able to find an affordable health insurance you must have an idea of all what is available in the market. After you have shopped enough get hold of a broker who can help you in comparing the policies. A comparison between few different companies and their products will help you settle better with a policy.
    5. Do your insurance homework: You need to be acquainted with the jargons of the industry if you must find yourself a policy that suits you best. Do your homework; get your research done properly to be able to buy a suitable policy.
    6. Never conceal information: While doing the paper works you may have to answer a lot of questions. Don't be tempted to lie or hide facts. This will only create problems in the future for you, and raise your costs for health insurance.
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    Individual Health Insurance vs. Employer Sponsored Insurance

    Most of you may have employer sponsored health insurance. But the number of people opting for individual health insurance is also increasing. This increase is due to the advantage that individual policies have over employer sponsored programs. They are:
    • Tailor-made coverage: Everyone has different health needs and individual health insurance recognizes it and provides policies to suit individual needs. Since the employer sponsored program is 'one-size-fits-all type, you may end up paying for coverage you don't need or not get a particular coverage that you may need.

    • Mobility of coverage: Unlike the employer sponsored insurance, you can still carry individual health insurance with you even if you are changing jobs.
    For more information click here.

    You must plan ahead to secure your future. With health insurance you can certainly prepare to face an undesirable situation arising from a medical condition.

    Related Readings:

    Useful letter

    Like temporary life insurance do we have any temporary health insurance options too?

    Total Comments: 105

    Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 04:39 pm Post Subject:

    Hi angelab

    HCC Medical Insurance Services & Seven Corners do offer health insurance for quotes for 80+ year old person but it only limited to 10-15 K.

    So take a online quote from these companies (either of them) and then take wise decision.

    DIMG786

    Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 06:32 am Post Subject:

    I am looking for cover for my parents. hey do not qualify for medicare/medicaid.



    Unless your parents are illegal aliens, your statement is not correct. All persons who are US Citizens or legal resident aliens age 65 and older are "qualified" for Medicare. If they do not have the required 40 credits for "fully insured" status, which currently makes Medicare Part A premium-free, then they pay a premium for Medicare Part A in addition to the premiums everyone must pay for Medicare Part B. For those not "fully insured", the Part A premium in 2010 can be as much as $430 per month (per person).

    Medicaid is a different program for "medically-indigent" persons, regardless of age. There are specific income/asset requirements that must be met to qualify for benefits (benefits vary from state to state). Many Medicare beneficiaries are also receiving benefits under Medicaid to cover expenses excluded under Medicare, such as routine physician visits, hearing aids, eyeglasses. Persons age 55 and older who receive benefits under Medicaid subject their estate to "asset recovery" after death, for up to 100% of benefits provided.

    Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 01:57 am Post Subject: Dropped Health Insurance by Employer

    Can an agent drop a whole company and not give thirty days notice of its intention?

    Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 06:56 pm Post Subject:

    Since slavery was eliminated in the US in the 1860s, no agent has ever been forced to remain with any insurance company against his or her free will. They are not required to give any prior notice to companies or clients that they are not going to represent any particular insurance company after a certain date.

    Beyond that, I'm not certain I answered your question.

    Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 03:58 pm Post Subject: New laws

    I have a sneaky feeling that there will be a revolt once people see how the new health ins. laws work!

    Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 07:25 pm Post Subject: NEED HEALTH COVERAGE

    WILL SOMEONE FROM YOUR COMPANY PLEASE CONTACT ME TO TALK ABOUT COVERAGE FOR MY FAMILY MEMBER?

    Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 02:44 am Post Subject: Cancellation

    I have been added to my wife's health insurance through her employer effective as of the first of September, and I just found out that I can get insurance through my employer with the same provider, but cheaper. (TX) Can we cancel my insurance through her employer, so I can get my own through my employer????

    Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 04:23 pm Post Subject:

    You can, but you had better make sure that your coverage through your employer is in place before you terminate your coverage through your wife's plan. Otherwise, you might just find yourself without any coverage at all, in which case your moniker, Krazy, would be most appropriate.

    Check with your employer's HR dept or benefits coordinator about how to do this right the first time. Whatever you end up doing with coverage through your wife's employer must happen second.

    Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 08:19 am Post Subject: Expatriates Health Insurance - pls advise

    Hi there, I've asked this before but no one bothered answering. Hope you will notice me here. I'm an expat, planning on spending most of my life in HongKong.
    I want to get health insurance that isn't too expensive but will still cover me if I go traveling or whatever.
    Right now, I've been recommended to go for global health Asia...do these packages look reasonable to you?


    I'm looking to work on a temporary basis so I don't think I can get it through my employer.
    So if anyone knows a good expat health insurance company that is somewhat comprehensive,
    please send the information my way. I only have to cover myself and I have my own business.

    Thanks :)

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