Online Insurance Shopping: Finding Health Insurance on the Web

Online Insurance Shopping: Finding Health Insurance on the Web

With more and more consumers turning to the Internet to locate goods and services, it's no wonder that online health insurance shopping is gaining popularity, too. If you're thinking about shopping for health insurance online, you're not alone. And, while shopping online can save you time and money, there are a few factors to consider to ensure a positive shopping experience.

Knowing What You Need

Do you know what kind of health insurance plan you need? Do you know what features or benefits you'd like to have in your policy?

Knowing what you need before you begin shopping can save you a lot of time. If you're not sure what kind of policy you need, try contacting your state's Division of Insurance (DOI). The DOI exists to protect and educate consumers on insurance matters; you can contact them by phone or visit them on the Web to find the information you need about health insurance plans in your area. Remember, the more you know, the more educated your health insurance decisions will be!

Choosing a Reputable Company

When you open your Web browser and enter your search terms, you'll undoubtedly get multiple options in return. But which of these companies is right for you?

Weed out the good companies (and Web sites) from the bad and:

Get the Facts. You can investigate online insurance companies and referral services by visiting the sites of AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB); obtaining information about the company's financial standings and customer service ratings will help you determine if consumers have had good experiences in the past--and whether the company is doing well enough to be there future.

Consumer hint: most BBB-approved companies will display the BBB logo on their Web pages.

Verify Security Measures. With the increased usability of the Internet also comes an increased risk for fraudulent activities. While this scares many insurance shoppers from using the Web, shopping within sites that are technologically secure drastically reduces those risks.

If a company's Web site is secure, they'll most likely include a clickable logo on their landing page, detailing the site's security certification or "seal of approval". Still not convinced? The company's security policy should be located within the site; reputable companies will use the latest technology to protect your information and will never give or sell your email address for spamming or other marketing purposes.

When it comes to Web site security, the bottom line is this: if you don't like what you see, move on to another site!

Read Testimonials. What do other consumers have to say about their experience with the company? Check out the site's customer testimonials to see what other health insurance shoppers liked about the service. Can't find any? Might be a good indication that positive feedback has been scarce--in general, companies display positive comments with pride!

Understanding the Process

Different companies will operate accordingly. One company might give you one health insurance quote, while another might give you five. Generally speaking, companies that provide multiple quotes are more efficient for the consumer--rather than applying for quotes on five different Web sites or calling five different insurers, you can obtain multiple quotes quickly and find the cheapest health insurance.

But, when it comes to obtaining health quotes online, it's all about preference. If you'd prefer to obtain one quote at a time, you will find company sites than can deliver exactly that.

Go with your Gut

When it comes to shopping for health insurance online, educating yourself on insurance and researching potential insurers will help you make the best purchasing decision possible. Get started today by identifying what you need out of a health insurance policy, and set your sights on finding it. And as always, shop online with care by verifying the legitimacy and security of any Web site before submitting your business!

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About InsureMe

InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in auto, home, life, long-term care and health insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit www.InsureMe.com.

Megan L. Mahan is a copywriter and insurance expert based in Denver, Colorado. She holds degrees in French and English from the University of Iowa and lends her writing and editing expertise in print media and Internet communications through her informative articles

Health Insurance Savings: How to Save on Health Coverage

Health Insurance Savings: How to Save on Health Coverage

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation-sponsored survey, health premiums have jumped 73 percent since the year 2000, outpacing the rate of inflation by 3.5 percent.

To handle these rising costs, employers are shifting more healthcare costs to employees-causing employees to dig a little deeper to compensate for deductibles, office visits and prescription drugs. And, worse yet, some companies are eliminating the benefit altogether.

The Good News
If this strikes a chord with you, you're not alone. The upside? You don't have to take health coverage hikes lying down! More and more consumers are learning that there are ways to maintain adequate health insurance without breaking the bank.

You can deflate your premium by doing the following:

Shop around. Even if your employer offers group coverage, you may be able to get a more affordable rate through a separate insurer. Compare multiple prices and policies to find a policy that protects your health--and your wallet.
Increase your deductible. Increasing the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks is a great way to see a colossal drop in your premium. Just remember to choose a deductible you can afford so as not to jeopardize your finances if you need to file a claim.
Ask about discounts. You may be eligible for discounts on health coverage if you belong to certain groups or associations. Ask your insurer about their discount programs and eligibility requirements.
Omit extra coverages. If you find yourself in a financial bind, you can usually drop extra coverages like vision and mental health without great risk or complication. You can reinsert these coverages once you are more financially comfortable.
Check into other group coverage. Alumni associations, fraternal organizations and professional groups are often eligible to purchase small group policies. Contact your affiliated organizations to see if there are any savings from which you can benefit.

Other Options
If you've exhausted the tips above and are still financially unable to purchase health insurance, it's important to remember that there may still be options available to you.

Many state programs have recently expanded their eligibility requirements for state-assisted care, making it easier for consumers to find individual and family health coverage. To learn about the programs and eligibility requirements in your state, contact your local division of insurance.

As the cost of health care continues to rise, health insurance remains a key component to sustaining your access to proper medical care. Use the tips above to maximize your health coverage-without draining your bank account!

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About InsureMe

InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in auto, home, life, long-term care and health insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit www.InsureMe.com.

Megan L. Mahan is a copywriter and insurance expert based in Denver, Colorado. She holds degrees in French and English from the University of Iowa and lends her writing and editing expertise in print media and Internet communications through her informative articles.

Affordable Health Insurance...

Finding affordable health insurance is possible, there are many companies that will help you to find health insurance that will meet your requirements and stay within your budget. The fact is that many people simply do not know where to look for health insurance. Connecting with a company that is capable of hunting down health insurance providers can take the hassle out of buying health insurance. For individuals who do not want to use a company to locate affordable health insurance there is the Internet.

Thousands of people in the United States simply go without health insurance because they think they cannot find affordable health insurance. This would explain why there are many individuals in the United States who choose to go without health insurance. Those who do not have health insurance will be less likely to visit a doctor. This means that a lot of times illness and other ailments are not diagnosed until they have developed.

There are numerous different things that will determine what your monthly health insurance will be. Your health insurance rates will change depending upon the kind of policy you have. For example, do you only need health insurance for yourself, or your entire family? The answer will have an impact on any quotes you receive. Are you young, or are you in your senior years? Most health insurance companies adjust your premium based upon your age. Are you self-employed, or are you receiving health insurance through your work? This will also affect the cost of your health insurance.

You never know when an accident might happen and you need a trip to hospital for stitches or a broken bone. These bills will add up quickly but if you have health insurance, you can get the help you need without the worry of receiving a huge bill. If you can't afford to pay off your medical bills, your credit rating could even suffer. If you have health insurance, you can prevent these problems from ever happening and your credit will be protected for your financial future and your health.

Another way you can make sure that your insurance rates are lowered is to increase the amount of your health insurance deductible. High deductibles equal lower monthly premiums. Anyone that has existing health problems which require extensive medical treatment may find it necessary to have a higher monthly premium.

Simply by researching health insurance options online and spending just a couple of hours searching may well save you money every month. Get a variety of quotes from insurance companies which meet your health and budget needs and you will find affordable health insurance. You may also find that purchasing health insurance online can save you money.

For family health insurance Please visit us at http://www.4insurancehere.com

Affordable, Comprehensive Health Insurance: How to Get What You Need

Affordable, Comprehensive Health Insurance: How to Get What You Need

Your health should be your most important life concern; after all, your life depends on it. But it's difficult to maintain good health without adequate insurance coverage.

According to the National Coalition on Health Care, health costs for 2003 equaled $1.7 trillion, rising 7.7 percent from the year before. And the cost of health care has continued to rise each year thereafter. Moreover,experts now predict that in 2006, family health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than $14,500--making a very real dent in Americans' pocketbooks.

With all this doom and gloom circulating, you may find yourself wondering how you can ever keep pace. But with some research, knowledge and negotiation, you and your family can have the coverage you need when you need it most--and at a price you can afford.

Know What to Ask

While there is no magic formula for finding affordable, comprehensive health insurance, knowledge is your best weapon for waging war against the high cost of health care. And the best way to get the knowledge you need to help you find affordable health insurance is to ask questions--lots of them.

Start your search by making a list of specific, detail-oriented questions you can ask insurers. Your goal should be to gather as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision regarding your health insurance.

Focus on coverage first; then examine costs.

The following list will help get you started:

1. What percentage of costs are covered?

2. What care is excluded?

3. Are the following covered?

-Preexisting conditions

-Prescriptions

-Mental health

-Maternity and well-baby care

-Alternative care, such as chiropractic and acupuncture

4. May I choose my primary care physician?

5. Do I need referrals to specialists?

6. What are my limits on health care?

7. Is there a list of in-network care providers?

8. How quickly can I see my physician?

9. How do you define emergency care? How does this differ from urgent care?

10. Is there an annual limit on the services I receive? If so, what is it?

11. How much are the monthly premiums?

12. What are the deductibles I must meet?

13. What are my coinsurance costs?

14. Are out-of-town emergencies covered?

15. How much do I pay out-of-pocket for out-of-network physician visits?

Quality health insurance agents won't mind you asking questions; in fact, they'll expect it!

When you talk to insurers, record the answers each gives you in a notebook for future reference. That way, you can compare information as you go along.

Know Where to Look

The next step in finding affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage is to find a qualified insurer.

First, talk to your friends and family to get their feedback and recommendations. They may have valuable insight to offer that can save you time and money.

Going online is a great way to do some research at this point. Check out major health insurers' Web sites, including their "About Us" pages and consumer testimonials. Finding out how previous and present customers feel about their experiences with insurers can help you determine whether or not you want to do business with them, too.

Check out insurer ratings by going to the Better Business Bureau Web site. Here you can search company financial and customer service ratings by name.

Independent rating companies like A.M. Best and Weiss Ratings are also a great resource, and can be reached online as well.

Your state's department of insurance can provide you yet more information on health insurance plans and companies/agents licensed to conduct business in your state.

Finally, consider using an insurance marketing service like insureme.com. This is a free service that specializes in matching you to health insurance agents in your area who have the affordable, comprehensive health coverage you're looking for. You can apply for health insurance quotes online or by phone in a matter of minutes, and the health questions you answer will help you make a connection with the most qualified insurers for your individual situation.

Upon making contact with insurance agents, it's simply a matter of asking the right questions (as listed above) and choosing the policy with the best coverage at the lowest price.

Take Control

Once you've chosen an insurer, garnered the information you need, and compared health insurance policies, negotiate with your insurance provider for an individual or family rate you can afford. Discounts are often available for non-smokers and non-drinkers, as well as those living healthy lifestyles and working in low-risk jobs.

Before you sign anything, make sure you understand all your health plan's exclusions, limitations and costs. In most states you'll have from 10-30 days to examine your new health insurance policy and make changes or cancel it with no repercussions; but it's always best to get all the facts and make the best decision possible the first time around to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary expense.

You should receive a copy of your binder, or temporary health insurance policy, shortly after you purchase your policy. Keep this in a safe place as evidence of coverage until your new, permanent health policy arrives.

As soon as you receive it, review your new policy's declaration page carefully to make sure everything you and your insurer agreed upon is included. If items are missing, now is the time to bring it up with your agent--not later, when a health claim you've submitted is denied.

Get What You Need

If you're willing to take some time, do your homework, and shop around, you can find affordable, comprehensive health insurance that will help you maintain a full, healthy life...regardless what the experts say.

So put your best foot forward--and go to it! _____________________________________________________________________

About InsureMe

InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in auto, home, life, long-term care and health insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit www.InsureMe.com.

Penny Hagerman is a copywriter and insurance information expert based in Denver, Colorado. She holds a BA in Communications/Journalism, and contributes years of writing and editing experience in print media and Internet communications through her informative articles.

Getting The Right Health Insurance Coverage - 5 Strategies

You need it. You don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it. Health insurance coverage is something that every person in the United States needs to have. But, the problem lies in knowing what to get, where to get it and how much you need. In some cases, you really do not control these issues because your employer provides them for you. But, are they providing enough coverage for you? Should you consider more? To help you to know what health insurance is the right coverage for your needs, here are some strategies to keep in mind.

How Much Is Enough? This is a difficult question to answer. In fact, only you can answer it. If you are the only person that will be covered, your terms may be lower than that of a person who is the income earner in a family. In any case, the coverage that you get should provide for most medical treatments to be administered. It should include coverage for specialists and also for treatment at a hospital. It should also include preventative care. Do you include dental and vision? That is up to you but it is wise to have nonetheless.

The Deductible - Many people have no idea what the deductible is on their health insurance. In most cases, this number is the amount of money that you will pay before the health insurance kicks into play. The fact of the matter is that you can raise this number, if you can afford to, and get a lower price on your health insurance coverage. You should only do this, though; if you can afford to make the higher amounts of payments should they all hit you at once.

Gotta Have The Pills- In many cases, prescription coverage is a must. Even if you do not take any pills or products right now, who knows what is down the line. Medications are very expensive and can often leave you paying more for them than the doctor that prescribed them. When you factor in the duration of how long you are likely to take them and if you will take them for the rest of your life, prescription coverage on your health plan is a must.

Co-payments may be a pain to pay but they help to lower your cost of visiting the doctor significantly. But, can you afford to make that much of a payment? What options do you have with the insurance carrier?

Lastly, the health coverage that you get should come from the doctors that you know, trust and want to work with. There are many cases where there is little choice by you as to whom you go to see. Make sure to go with a health insurer that fits your needs here.

Mike Singh is the successful webmaster and publisher of health insurance websites. He provides more information about health insurance individual plans and different types of health insurance.

Ins and Outs and others of health insurance

One of the great benefits of working at a full time job, is that often times your employer will provide health insurance. This insurance doesn't come free, most likely a portion of your salary is deducted to cover it's costs, however becuase you are under a company you can acheive greater discounts through group rates.

Health insurance is simply a type of insurance that will cover the insured person or part when that person or party become sick or injured,etc. The insurer is not always a private organization it can often times be a government agency. There are great differences between health care insurance around the world. For example in Canada health care is part of our social system and is public, where as in the United States health care is for the most part private.

There are several pros and cons to each system, and depending on the area in which you reside you might not have a choice as to which system that you choose. Private health insurance has become one of the most talked about and debated forms of insurance because of the impact that it places on the different levels of society, for example the poor, middle class, and wealthy. Should it be that a person with more money, is allowed to have better medical facilities and attention, and is it not that a services such as health care are a basic human right? I'm not sure if we will ever see an end to this debate, as there is soo many pros and cons to each side, and I'm sure that you can see who would be fighting for which side, and why.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Individual Affordable Health Insurance - http://www.individual-affordable-health-insurance.com, which is the best site on the internet for all Health Insurance related information.

What Should Be Considered Before Choosing Health Insurance?

It is very difficult to make a right and wise decision on which Health Insurance Policy to buy. This is truly a confusing task. Here is a guideline. Here are the five most important things you have to pay attention to. These items are also your keys to picking a policy that's right for you:

The insurance company's record of complaints: Every large company will have some complaints. You can obtain all this information at your State Board of Insurance. Avoid companies that have a high number of unresolved complaints. Ask your agent for the phone number for your State Board of Insurance. If he will not give it to you, this is a warning signal! You can also look up the number in any directory of your state's agencies. No matter what your agent says, CALL your State Board of Insurance and ask them for the record on any company you are considering.

The limits shown on your health insurance quote: Check your quote to see if you are comfortable with the benefit levels. You can usually change several levels to fit your needs and budget. For example, a higher deductible will cost less each month. Also, many plans give you a choice to split your medical bills with the Insurance Company either 50/50 or 80/20 (with them paying 80%). Then they will have an amount (your stop loss) where they will take over at paying 100% of your covered bills for the remainder of the year. These deductibles and other levels start over every year in most plans. Some plans, though, have a "per cause" deductible. Such a deductible means that you will be responsible for bills up to that deductible for each accident or illness. Make sure you are aware of this distinction, so you can choose a plan that's right for YOU!

The insurance company?s rating: Ask your agent for the company's best rating. If the company is highly rated at this national rating registry, then the company will have literature showing their rating with an explanation of what it means. Choose only companies that have an A or A+ rating.

The limits revealed within the policy: Ask your agent for a sample policy, and then check two sections: The Benefits and The Limitations and Exclusions. Many of your benefits are actually limited in the Benefits section. For example, diagnostic testing or outpatient treatment may be severely limited. These days, you could have a serious disease such as cancer, and never go into the hospital for it. You could rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills for the diagnostic and follow-up lab tests and MRIs, and then have surgery, chemo, or radiation therapy all on an outpatient basis.

Your hospital room rate and intensive care can be limited. Your hospital room rate should be at least average semi-private and your intensive care benefit should not be tied to your room rate, but should, instead, be covered as whatever is an average ICU rate for the area of the hospital, also. Some policies limit the ICU benefit to 3 times the regular room rate, when ICU can cost you 10 or 20 times the room rate each day. A short hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy can cost you literally thousands of dollars. A long hospital stay with a limit like this in your policy could drive you into bankruptcy. Even if your policy says it takes over at 100% after $5,000 of covered medical bills, the important term here is "covered" medical bills. If the policy only pays three times the room rate for ICU, then the rest of the ICU bill is considered an "uncovered" charge!

Pay the Insurance Company, Not the Agent, & Follow Up!: And lastly, make your check payable to the Insurance Company, and then follow up to make sure it was received. When you get your policy, check the Schedule of Benefits to verify you got the coverage you ordered, and then check to see if any special Amendments were added to your policy to exclude any of your conditions. If an Amendment exists, these conditions will always be excluded from this policy, even after the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation expires.

With all these 5 items, they will help you which will protect you from catastrophic medical bills. Be sure to take the time to choose wisely when it comes to your health insurance!

: Mary Williams owns many Websites related to health and eye care, including Lasik Surgery Secrets, and Lasik Vision Secrets. Please visit her websites and find out more about lasik.

Health Insurance Companies - The Good and The Bad

When you are shopping for health insurance it would be helpful to know how often health insurance companies fail to provide the service you would expect. The Arizona Department of Insurance has released a report listing fines and complaints filed against health insurance companies in the state.

The report covers 27 insurers or about 75% of the companies serving Arizona. Does the report reflect health insurance performance in other states? I can't be sure, but it does give us a peek into the workings of the health insurance industry.

United Healthcare of Arizona is one of the major insurers in the state and it had the highest number of complaints per insurance policy. Time Insurance and Mega Life And Health Insurance are smaller companies and they had even high complaint ratios.

In Arizona Humana Health Plan satisfies the appeals of its insured more than any other company. On the other hand the report shows that Mega resolves fewer appeals to the satisfaction of the insured.

When it comes to the number of fines levied in the past 5-years by the AZ Department of Insurance the Arizona arm of CGNA Healthcare garbs the top spot. They were assessed the most fines.

If you would like to read more about the performance of health insurance companies you can find the full report online if you do a search for "Report on AZ Health Insurers". Chances are the insurance department or commission in your state issues a similar report.

Another fact we can learn from this Arizona report is that your state's insurance regulatory body may be able to help you in a dispute with your insurance company. You can find state insurance regulators on the internet by doing a search for National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC has a map of the United States on their web page. Just click on your state and you'll find your state's insurance department information.

Before you buy any policy it would be sensible to learn just which health insurance companies fail to please consumers in your state.

Mark Walters helps individuals, families and travelers choose health insurance coverage at http://www.HealthInsuranceMonster.com

Health Insurance - It's Important To Know What's Not Insured!

Around 7 million people in the UK are covered by health insurance, the majority being covered through their employers. The problem is that few have really studied their policy documents and many misunderstand what is covered. And perhaps just as important, what isn't. If you expect health insurance to pay all your health costs, you're mistaken.

Health insurance is designed to provide protection for curable, short-term health problems and allow policyholders to jump the NHS queues to see consultants, be diagnosed, receive surgery or be treated. That sounds fine, but before you buy you need to appreciate the treatments and situations that fall outside the scope of the cover.

But first a word of warning. This article does not relate to any specific policy and the terms and conditions issued by individual insurers do vary. So please ensure you also check your policy documents. After reading this article, you'll know what to look out for!

Sorry - it's a chronic condition

If a condition can be cured and is not a long-term problem, your insurance company will classify it as acute and should meet the cost. If your problem is incurable or it's a problem that, despite appropriate treatment, will be with you for a long time, then your insurance company will classify it as chronic - and no, you won't be covered.

But drawing a firm line between what is acute and what is chronic is fraught with problems, and leads to the biggest area of conflict between insurer and policyholder.

Everyone agrees that diabetes and asthma are chronic conditions as you're likely to suffer from them for the rest of your life. So those sorts of condition are not covered.

Problems arise when the medical team initially considers a patients' illness to be curable, but the condition subsequently deteriorates and the doctors change their mind, it's now become incurable. This can happen especially in the treatment of some types of cancer.

In these circumstances, the condition is initially defined as acute and is therefore insured, but deteriorates and becomes chronic - and outside the terms of cover. This is possible as insurers retain the right to reclassify a condition from acute to chronic during treatment.

Sorry - it's too long term The insurance company will not pay out for long term treatment. But you need to check your policy documents to see how they define "long-term". You can find the situation where a course of drugs extends for say 12 months, but the insurer will only pay for ten months.

Sorry - it's preventative Your insurance is designed to pay for the treatment and cure of conditions when they arise. It is not designed to pay for treatments that are used to prevent an illness.

Again, the problem of definition arises. Sometimes it is arguable whether a treatment is preventative or a cure. Take the drug Herceptin for example. This drug can be used in the early stages of breast cancer. Research shows that Herceptin can halve the incidence of cancer returning for women who have a particularly virulent form of the cancer known as HER2. In this situation, is Herceptin offering a cure or is it a preventative?

Insurance companies are split on the debate. Norwich Union, WPA, BUPA and Standard Life Healthcare will pay for Herceptin for HER2 patients whereas Legal and General and Axa PPP will not.

Sorry - the drug is not approved Two of the main attractions for taking out health insurance are: to jump the queues at the NHS, and to get the latest treatments and drugs. But there's a rider.

Unless the drug has been approved for use by the NHS in England and Wales, by the Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, your insurer is unlikely to approve its use. The problem is that the Institute's brief is not simply to decide whether a drug works, but to carry out a cost/benefit analysis to ensure that the benefits to the nation outweigh the financial costs of using it in the NHS. Not an easy brief - and one that has placed the Institute under scrutiny for the extended delays in drug approval.

The compromise hit on by the Financial Ombudsman is that if a health policy won't pay for the use of experimental treatments, then it should meet the cost of an approved conventional treatment with the policyholder footing the bill for the balance if the experimental treatment is more expensive.

Sorry - it's a pre-existing condition

The basic principle is that if you are already suffering from a condition when you start a policy, then that condition "pre-exists" the policy and any claims for its treatment are invalid.

For this reason, insurance companies insist you complete an exhaustive questionnaire before they agree to insure you. After all they need a clear picture of your medical condition before they quote. For many applications, the insurer will, with your approval, also write to your GP for specific details of your medical history. They like to have a complete picture.

So lets say some years ago you injured your knee playing football. It appeared to recover but now it turns out that you have a torn cartilage and need an operation. The insurer could argue that this is a pre-existing condition and you have to pay for its' treatment.

Some insurers try to accommodate these grey areas with a moratorium provision within your policy. These provisions typically say that so long as you have been symptom free for two years relating to any condition you've suffered from within the last 5 years, then they will pay for subsequent treatment. Not all policies have these moratorium provisions and the time periods do vary between insurers. You should carefully read your policy.

Sorry - its not covered

Health Insurance is an annual contract - just like your car insurance. So when it comes to renewal, your insurer is at liberty to review not only your premium but also change the conditions on which your cover is provided.

Therefore, if your policy comes up for renewal mid way through a course of treatment, it's possible to find that your new policy no longer covers that particular treatment. This means that you will have to foot the bill for the balance of the treatment.

Furthermore, with ongoing advances in medical research, more and more conditions are becoming treatable. This progress has the effect of shifting back the dividing line between chronic and acute conditions.

This hits the insurers' pocket in two ways. With more conditions being reclassified as acute, the number of claims is increasing. And there's also a trend for new treatments to cost more - Herceptin being a good example. The net result is that the insurers are finding themselves having to pay out far more. This is inevitably passed back to you through increased renewal premiums. And in an attempt to reduce their risk exposure, insurers have a tendency to adjust their definitions and exclusions. This means that you must read your renewal notice closely before you decide to renew.

So when you are considering Health Insurance, be aware that everything is not always black and white. And if you've got insurance and need treatment, always contact your insurer without delay and get them to confirm that your treatment is indeed covered

Health Insurance ? It's Important To Know What's Not Insured!

Around 7 million people in the UK are covered by health insurance, the majority being covered through their employers. The problem is that few have really studied their policy documents and many misunderstand what is covered. And perhaps just as important, what isn't. If you expect health insurance to pay all your health costs, you're mistaken.

Health insurance is designed to provide protection for curable, short-term health problems and allow policyholders to jump the NHS queues to see consultants, be diagnosed, receive surgery or be treated. That sounds fine, but before you buy you need to appreciate the treatments and situations that fall outside the scope of the cover.

But first a word of warning. This article does not relate to any specific policy and the terms and conditions issued by individual insurers do vary. So please ensure you also check your policy documents. After reading this article, you'll know what to look out for!

Sorry ? it's a chronic condition

If a condition can be cured and is not a long-term problem, your insurance company will classify it as acute and should meet the cost. If your problem is incurable or it's a problem that, despite appropriate treatment, will be with you for a long time, then your insurance company will classify it as chronic - and no, you won't be covered.

But drawing a firm line between what is acute and what is chronic is fraught with problems, and leads to the biggest area of conflict between insurer and policyholder.

Everyone agrees that diabetes and asthma are chronic conditions as you're likely to suffer from them for the rest of your life. So those sorts of condition are not covered.

Problems arise when the medical team initially considers a patients' illness to be curable, but the condition subsequently deteriorates and the doctors change their mind, it's now become incurable. This can happen especially in the treatment of some types of cancer.

In these circumstances, the condition is initially defined as acute and is therefore insured, but deteriorates and becomes chronic - and outside the terms of cover. This is possible as insurers retain the right to reclassify a condition from acute to chronic during treatment.

Sorry - it's too long term
The insurance company will not pay out for long term treatment. But you need to check your policy documents to see how they define ?long-term?. You can find the situation where a course of drugs extends for say 12 months, but the insurer will only pay for ten months.

Sorry ? it's preventative
Your insurance is designed to pay for the treatment and cure of conditions when they arise. It is not designed to pay for treatments that are used to prevent an illness.

Again, the problem of definition arises. Sometimes it is arguable whether a treatment is preventative or a cure. Take the drug Herceptin for example. This drug can be used in the early stages of breast cancer. Research shows that Herceptin can halve the incidence of cancer returning for women who have a particularly virulent form of the cancer known as HER2. In this situation, is Herceptin offering a cure or is it a preventative?

Insurance companies are split on the debate. Norwich Union, WPA, BUPA and Standard Life Healthcare will pay for Herceptin for HER2 patients whereas Legal and General and Axa PPP will not.

Sorry ? the drug is not approved
Two of the main attractions for taking out health insurance are: to jump the queues at the NHS, and to get the latest treatments and drugs. But there's a rider.

Unless the drug has been approved for use by the NHS in England and Wales, by the Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, your insurer is unlikely to approve its use. The problem is that the Institute's brief is not simply to decide whether a drug works, but to carry out a cost/benefit analysis to ensure that the benefits to the nation outweigh the financial costs of using it in the NHS. Not an easy brief - and one that has placed the Institute under scrutiny for the extended delays in drug approval.

The compromise hit on by the Financial Ombudsman is that if a health policy won't pay for the use of experimental treatments, then it should meet the cost of an approved conventional treatment with the policyholder footing the bill for the balance if the experimental treatment is more expensive.

Sorry ? it's a pre-existing condition

The basic principle is that if you are already suffering from a condition when you start a policy, then that condition ?pre-exists? the policy and any claims for its treatment are invalid.

For this reason, insurance companies insist you complete an exhaustive questionnaire before they agree to insure you. After all they need a clear picture of your medical condition before they quote. For many applications, the insurer will, with your approval, also write to your GP for specific details of your medical history. They like to have a complete picture.

So lets say some years ago you injured your knee playing football. It appeared to recover but now it turns out that you have a torn cartilage and need an operation. The insurer could argue that this is a pre-existing condition and you have to pay for its' treatment.

Some insurers try to accommodate these grey areas with a moratorium provision within your policy. These provisions typically say that so long as you have been symptom free for two years relating to any condition you've suffered from within the last 5 years, then they will pay for subsequent treatment. Not all policies have these moratorium provisions and the time periods do vary between insurers. You should carefully read your policy.

Sorry ? its not covered

Health Insurance is an annual contract ? just like your car insurance. So when it comes to renewal, your insurer is at liberty to review not only your premium but also change the conditions on which your cover is provided.

Therefore, if your policy comes up for renewal mid way through a course of treatment, it's possible to find that your new policy no longer covers that particular treatment. This means that you will have to foot the bill for the balance of the treatment.

Furthermore, with ongoing advances in medical research, more and more conditions are becoming treatable. This progress has the effect of shifting back the dividing line between chronic and acute conditions.

This hits the insurers' pocket in two ways. With more conditions being reclassified as acute, the number of claims is increasing. And there's also a trend for new treatments to cost more ? Herceptin being a good example. The net result is that the insurers are finding themselves having to pay out far more. This is inevitably passed back to you through increased renewal premiums. And in an attempt to reduce their risk exposure, insurers have a tendency to adjust their definitions and exclusions. This means that you must read your renewal notice closely before you decide to renew.

So when you are considering Health Insurance, be aware that everything is not always black and white. And if you've got insurance and need treatment, always contact your insurer without delay and get them to confirm that your treatment is indeed covered

Short Term Health Insurance

If you are between jobs or are awaiting another health insurance policy to come into effect you may find that you have a gap in your health insurance coverage. This period is a high risk as you are effectively uninsured when it comes to health insurance. So what are you to do in this interim period? Well one of the best options in such situations is to consider taking out a short-term health insurance policy. This will cover you for a limited or fixed term.

Usually, short-term health insurance policies last for periods of less than six months. There are policies that will cover you for up to twelve months also however. If you need coverage for periods longer than this, you should probably be considering standard individual or family health insurance plans.

Application is Simple

One of the benefits of short-term health insurance is that the application process is somewhat more straightforward. These policies are really designed to cover unforeseen accidents and other emergency situations and are not recommended for comprehensive health protection. They will therefore generally not cover such advanced features as preventive treatments, physical and diagnostic tests, immunizations, dental and vision expenses which you should try to avoid for the period under which you are covered by the short term plan.

The main concern, and something you should be aware of if you are considering a short term plan is that they will make you ineligible for guaranteed issue health plans. These plans are most commonly referred to as HIPAA plans. They can be very expensive and are used in cases where the insured has existing medical conditions, which would otherwise make it very difficult for you to obtain health insurance. If you think you will need eligibility for a HIPAA plan, you should not purchase short-term health insurance. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, and state health insurance rights are important protections and you should seek advice from a benefits advisor in these regards.

Are you covered?

Short-term health insurance plans will not cover existing medical conditions. While the exact definition depends on your circumstances and on state laws, what this means is that if you have been diagnosed in the last three to five years or have been receiving treatment for a condition, it will be a pre-existing condition and you will not get coverage for it under your short term plan. Therefore, if this applies to you, it is recommended that you extend your current comprehensive policy rather than switch to a short-term plan.

: Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the insurance site http://www.insure121.com/ where you will find information, news and links to the leading providers of insurance in the UK. If you found this article interesting you may find more articles of the same nature in the insurance guide located on site.

Keeping Your Health Insurance Premiums Low

Health Savings Accounts offer tax deductions for medical expenses, and the opportunity to set up additional retirement accounts. But regardless of any other positive benefit of HSAs, lower premiums are the primary reason that thousands of Americans have chosen Health Savings Accounts as the best way to protect their family's health and assets. So I'd like to talk about some key suggestions on how to keep your premiums low.

1. Choose an HSA-qualified plan for lower rate increases.

Average group health insurance premiums rose by 9.6% last year and rose over 10% for each of the previous six years. Individual plans went up even more. Yet I expect most HSA plans to experience much lower rate increases. A very large study was recently published showing that rate increases over the past year for consumer driven health plans such as HSA plans was only 3.4%. Blue Cross of Minnesota has reported that its HSA customers spent 8% less than their traditional insurance clients. Humana has reported claims' costs of 4.9% for consumer-driven plans, versus a 19.2% increase in claims for other plans. In fact, average HSA premiums for individuals have actually dropped 19.5% during 2005.

The reason these plans will have lower rate increases is that people who have HSA-qualifying high deductible health insurance plans are likely to pay closer attention to costs, and take better care of their health. For instance, an HSA owner offered a statin drug to lower her cholesterol may be more likely to request a generic version, or ask her doctor if inexpensive nutritional supplements such as niacin or fish oil may be a solution. These actions save the insurance company money and should result in lower rate increases.

2. Raise your deductible as your Health Savings Account grows.

When you fund your account you build up a financial "cushion" which allows you to raise your deductible as your account grows. Every time you raise your deductible, your premium should go down.

By the way, don't forget that every time you fund your account you get an instant tax-deduction. When you offset the tax savings against your premiums, you'll find your net cost for an HSA plan can be very low.

The maximum allowable contribution goes up every year with the rise of the Consumer Price Index. Final numbers are not out yet, but in 2006 we expect the individual contribution limit to go up to $2,700, and the family limit to be $5,450. So each year you can deposit greater amounts into your HSA and continue to raise your deductible, if you choose.

3. Stay healthy, so you can switch plans.

All health insurance plans have rate increases, and we've even seen premiums jump on some HSA plans. If a rate increase happens to you, you can switch to a different insurance company - but only if you pass their underwriting requirements. If chronic disease develops, you may be stuck with your current plan, and its accompanying rate increases, for eternity. Or at least it may seem that long...

If you pay attention to the pharmaceutical commercials, you learn lifestyle really has nothing to do with disease, and it is natural and healthy to be on many medications for the rest of your life, which will then solve your health problems.

If you pay attention to the science, you know the truth is quite different. It appears lifestyle is probably 95% of the picture, and we know the occurrence of degenerative disease can be dramatically reduced and even prevented.

Fortunately, I've found many of our customers are interested in wellness, and disease prevention. After all, they're paying for their own doctor visits if they do get sick. I also believe it is because HSA owners are "forward thinking" people, and like to plan for their future - both financial and physical. You can improve your odds of excellent health with just a few key habits:

Eat very high quantities of fresh vegetables and fruits. Shoot for 35% of your calories. This will lower your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and more.

Limit your intake of sugar and starchy carbohydrates like bread and pasta. The majority of health problems in the U.S. are related to metabolic diseases that involve insulin resistance.

Exercise and lift weights. Exercise guru Jack La Lanne just turned 92 on September 26, and he says if you have muscles you never feel old.

4. Compare your plan to other available plans at least once a year, or whenever you get a rate increase.

Often-times people keep their plan much longer than they should, and end up paying much more than they should. If your rates go up, you can compare a wide variety of plans at http://www.HSAforAmerica.com/instant-quote.htm. If you have your coverage through HSA for America, we automatically do this analysis of available plans for you any time we are notified of rate increases.

To your health and wealth,

Wiley Long President - HSA for America

How to Lower Your Health Insurance Premiums

Human beings are mortal. Though every single life has to terminate one day yet it is the very nature of rational agents to plan for the expected as well as the unexpected happenings in their future. The most prudent plan to secure your and the lives of your loved ones is to get your life insured. By doing this an individual enters into a contract with the company (from where hw takes the life insurance policy) according to which the latter will recompense for his death by paying a predetermined some of money to his family till the insured premiums are current.

Life insurance policy acts as an individual's best friend in the hours of grave need. This is because if unfortunately something happens to the primary wage earner, his family is assisted with life insurance amount to make up for the loss and move ahead in life. so in today's life it is immensely essential for an individual to take a life insurance policy a soon as possible. Quite often many government officials and employees in a company are offered group life insurance which is totally free of cost. With the help of their company employees can also take an additional life insurance at reduced rates.

There are different companies that offer a life insurance policy. Though the terms and conditions do not vary largely yet it is at the discretion of the individual which policy to adopt and from where. By and large people prefer to take those policies that facilitates with maximum compensation and demands less premium. In case a person takes a Term life insurance policy, he will initially be paying less premium which gradually increases in the later years of his life. if one adopts either a whole life insurance or a variable life insurance the premium is settled once and for all at the time of taking the policy. The premium amount does not depend on factors such as the age of the individual etc.

However the amount of premium even varies with the age and the kind of life of the policy taker. For instance the policy will be quite expensive for a 50-year-old man than that for a 25-year-old guy. In the same way a chain smoker or an alcoholic will have to pay more premium than a non-smoker healthy individual of the same age. Also a person who earns by way of a precarious job (a stuntman in films) will be charged with a high premium than a teacher or a doctor.

Thus one of the best ways to lower your life insurance premiums is to take a life insurance policy early in life and to try and quit such harmful habits. On the same hand prior to taking a policy you ought to make sure that you do a complete survey of the market i.e. you should be clear about almost all the life insurance policy offers that are available and specially what you desire of your policy. This will help you in selecting the best-suited policy for yourself.

A smart way to know the life insurance quotes for oneself is via Internet. What previously was to be done with the assistance of agents by paying them, can now be done absolutely free. Taking online life insurance quotes not just saves your money but also time and energy.

Mansi gupta writes about best health insurance quote .

Different Types of Health Insurance Explained

Health is the biggest and most crucial asset of every living being. An unhealthy animal and individual can never truly experience any joy. It is the wealth of health that provides the requisite potential to topple over all odds and to move ahead with life. So such an essential part of a person's life demands extra care and concern. An ideal way to secure an individual's prized possession for him and for those who love him is a health insurance policy.

A health insurance policy is meant to financially assist a person in case there occurs a setback to his health. For instance he is afflicted by some grave disease, meets an accident, becomes handicapped etc. In order to provide complete service and for the all round development of the individual the health care system of America offers ample of options or different types of health insurance for its citizens. Some of these are explained below:

* Preferred Provider Organization or PPO is a discount form of health insurance policy. PPO has a complete network of health care providers from hospitals to doctors. If an individual has taken PPO policy and takes treatment from any of these assigned providers, the PPO covers his complete medical treatment. While if the person takes recourse to some other doctor or institution, he gets served at a reduced rate. PPO's thus facilitate medical services at abridged rates.

* One immensely cheap form of health insurance is the catastrophic health insurance. This sort of policy is basically meant for the people who have the financial means to manage regular illnesses and hospitalizations. The deductibles i.e. the sum of money an individual for these policies are quite large for this policy. At times there are caps on the amount the policy will pay in case of illness.

* A Short term health insurance policy is akin to a life insurance policy in the sense that both can be adopted for a specific tenure. This policy covers catastrophic to comprehensive cases and excludes the situation of pregnancy and childbirth. Quite often it is hard to qualify for these policies as there are strict conditions or qualifying procedures. Moreover these policies may not cover any pre-existing medical conditions.

* HMOs or the Health Maintenance Organizations also offer health insurane t significantly lower premiums. But the disadvantage is that they confine the sources a person may seek in non-exigency situations. HMOs do not cover the precautionary measures such as immunization, mammograms and physicals. There are quite a few issues associated with the HMOs. For instance it is believed that doctors receive financial perks for deducting the cost of medical services to patients. One way to do this is to pay monthly fee to the doctor for each patient despite of delving in to the issues of what treatment the latter one needs.

* There are also full-service health insurances. The lucrative feature of these policies is that they cover all sort of illnesses, cover any medical treatment the patient takes regardless of the institution or doctor and the deductibles are at the discretion of the policyholder. He may pay a high or a low one.

* Medicare or Medicaid insurances are meant for the retired or the low-income individuals.

Mansi gupta writes about affordable health insurance quote .

Health Insurance Explained

In the competitive world today people spend more than half of their lives working day and night for some or the other reason. Though it gives them good financial rewards and gratification of their desires yet what suffers a big setback is their health. This is because individuals fail to pay significant heed to health, the most crucial aspect of their lives. But being occupied is not the only factor in deteriorating health. Reasons like environment, epidemics, natural calamities etc. also contribute largely to fading human health.

Keeping in mind the precariousness of human fitness and the immensely expensive medical treatments available nowadays, health insurance has become the need of the hour. Health insurance is an ideal way to care for your health. A health insurance policy enables you to have the best medical therapy for your illness at any point of time.

The American health care system provides four basic health plans. These are HMOs, PPOs, POSs, and Free-for-Service (Indemnity) Plans.

1. HMOs Plans- these plans are least expensive of all and are offered by Health Maintenance Organizations. In case you avail this plan, you are required to pay for every health related service in advance in the form of monthly premiums. HMOs cover a spectrum of health problems such as dental, vision etc. HMOs provide a list of service providers to all its subscribers. The latter is required to choose from these a so called "primary care giver" who will be supervising or coordinating his health care.

2. POS plans- these are HMO plans that give you the freedom to have a health care of your own choice. These plans are a little pricier than the HMO ones. Here it is not mandatory to go with the referrals from your primary care physician. But if you desire to abide by the HMO plan system per se, you can even do that. In case you opt for services outside the HMO or PPO networks, you will be served accordingly.

3. PPO Plans- Preferred Provider Organizations provides health care at discount rates. The PPO plans cost more than the two aforementioned. The PPOs cover a range of hospitals, doctors, clinics etc. The cost-sharing rate will be less within the network and more outside it. However unlike the HMO plans, PPO plans allow you to avail services from outside the network.

4. Fee for service plans or Indemnity plans are simple an easiest plans that compensate for each service you avail on case by case basis. For instance in case an emergency situation arises and you go for an ultrasound, the hospital needs to submit a claim to your insurance agency and you will be facilitated with the hospital expenses. But with a myriad of options and convenience the Fee-for Service plans come out to be most high-priced of all.

For further details you can surf the net and even get health insurance quotes online. This will save your time money and energy you would spend in consulting an agent.

Mansi gupta writes about best health insurance quote .

Lack Of A Health Insurance Policy Invites Financial Disaster.

In 2003 health care spending rose four times the rate the inflation. The annual premium for an employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly $10,000. The cost of medical care continues to rise at the fastest rate in history.

Health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than $14,500 for family coverage in 2006.

Surveys reveal that the number one reason many people have no coverage is because health insurance is too expensive. 23% percent of people who do have health insurance have had to drastically change their spending habits so that they could make the insurance payments.

You've read about the rise in the number of bankruptcies. A study shows that the average medical debt of those who filed for bankruptcy is $12,000... And 50% of bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses. Every minute two people in the U.S. file for bankruptcy because of serious medical problems.

Research shows that even when one member of a family is uninsured and requires a hospital stay, or costly medical treatment, the medical bills can effect the financial position of the entire family as they try to help with costs. Government officials agree that health care costs must be controlled, but they continue to argue about how to do it. Some say it must be done with price controls and by imposing strict budgets on health care spending. Others cry for free market competition as the solution to the high cost of medical care.

An important step in the right direction would have all of us adopting healthy eating habits and lifestyles. We all would require less medical care and those costs would drop.

For individuals and families is vital that you have at least some form of health insurance policy. It may be sensible to keep your health insurance cost as low as possible by having coverage for only a catastrophic illness. The expense of most medical treatment can be paid for over time. It is the unexpected major, life threatening injuries and diseases that can wipe you out financially.

One thing is certain. To protect your financial future you must have at least some type of health insurance policy.

Mark Walters presents an online guide to health insurance of kinds at http://www.HealthInsuranceMonster.com

Understanding Health Insurance

Health insurance is a necessity for everyone who wishes to maintain or improve their health. Whether you use your health insurance for regular checkups, chronic and debilitating illnesses or unexpected emergencies, you will find that carrying an insurance policy can result in a significant cost savings for you and your family. Those who carry health insurance often have a difficult time understanding what is covered under their policy and where they can go to obtain the services that they require. Without this necessary information, it is likely that many health insurance holders do not receive the maximum benefit that their insurance provides.

We all need health insurance to receive financial assistance for the maintenance and restoration of our health but we don't all receive all of the assistance that we are eligible to receive. Most of us are aware that our health insurance will cover at least a percentage of certain treatments such as office visits, hospital stays and surgeries and prescription drugs that fall under their list of covered drugs but many of us don't know what is offered beyond these basic services. Not all health insurance plans cover the same treatments so the only way to fully understand what is covered in your plan is to read your policy carefully. Some examples of inclusions that are not well known include speech classes, hearing aids, gym memberships and a variety of other features. The only way to know for sure if these items are covered is to review your policy carefully or contact your health insurance provider. You may find a variety of services or treatments that are covered under your plan that could amount to a significant financial savings.

Knowing what is covered under your health insurance plan is very important but it is equally important to understand what is not covered under your insurance plan. You should review your plan carefully to ensure that the services that you choose will be covered by your health insurance plan. Sometimes treatments that are deemed medically necessary by your doctor will not be covered by your health insurance plan. In this case it may be necessary to bear the burden of this expense in order to maintain or restore your health. If your claim is denied because your provider does not consider the treatment necessary, then you have the right to file an appeal. You should carefully review the provider's policy to ensure that you fully understand the appeal process before filing your appeal. Your claim may still be denied even if you follow proper procedure but the possibility that you will lose your appeal as a result of improper filing is greatly reduced. You should review your insurance plan carefully before undergoing preventative treatment to determine whether or not the treatment will be covered. In an emergency you may not have the opportunity to review your policy before authorizing treatment but you will have the opportunity to appeal if the treatment is not covered.

Knowing which doctors you can visit can also be confusing. Some health insurance policies allow you to visit any doctor you choose while others limit you to the participating doctors in their plan. Also, whether or not you can see a specialist is often difficult to determine. Usually, the receptionist at the doctor's office will be able to tell you whether or not they accept your health insurance policy before you schedule your appointment. You can also call your customer service representative to inquire as to whether a specific doctor will be covered.

Health insurance can literally be a life saver but understanding your policy can be a nightmare. In most cases carefully reading your policy to determine the covered treatments as well as the exclusions and limitations may help you understand your policy better. If after reading through your policy you still have general or specific questions you should contact the customer service representative for your policy. They will be able to provide you with answers that will enhance your understanding of your policy. Knowing what is covered and what is not covered are the most common misunderstandings involving health insurance. It is also important understand your provider's appeal process in case you ever incur claims that are denied. In all cases your health may necessitate treatment that is not covered and you will have to make the difficult decision of whether or not to authorize the treatment.

Ray Shelton is the editor and writer for http://www.ww-health-insurance.com

Ray Shelton is editor and writer for http://www.ww-health-insurance.com

How to Find Affordable Health Insurance

Affordable health insurance - it seems, especially today, those words just don't belong together in the same sentence. Health insurance monthly premiums have become the biggest single expense in our lives - surpassing even mortgage payments. In fact, if you have any permanent health problems, such as diabetes, or have had cancer at one time in your family history, your monthly cost could easily be more than the house and car payment combined.

Shopping for affordable health insurance can certainly be an eye-opener. If you have always had a health insurance benefit where you work - especially a state or federal employee - and now have to buy your own, you may not be able to afford the level of health insurance coverage you have become used to.

Affordable health insurance, however, is definitely available -if you know how and where to look.

When you are looking for affordable health insurance, you want the lowest cost per year that will fit your budget, of course. But, even more importantly, you want a company that has a good record for paying without fighting with you on every detail. Just as there is a car for just about any budget, there is also affordable health insurance. You may not be able to afford a "Cadillac" policy - but then you probably don't need all the frills anyway.

Shopping for health insurance on the internet is the easiest and best way to find affordable health insurance. Here are five reasons why.

1. You don't need a local agent to help you submit the claims for health insurance. The medical provider does it for you. You save money because the health insurance company saves money by not paying the agent commission. This could amount to an 8% to 12% savings to you.

2. All the top health insurance companies are at your fingertips on the internet. Most local agents can only quote you from the few companies that they represent. They may not offer you what is best for you financially or health-wise but only what they happen to have available.

3. Health insurance companies have to be extremely competitive because it is so quick and easy to compare them with their competitors on the internet today. In the past you would have had to visit physically eight to ten agents to do a similar comparison. Most folks just didn't have the time or desire for that.

4. You can change your coverage, deductibles, and payment options with just a few clicks rather than going through the paperwork delay with a local agent (and then finding out he/she made a mistake - more delay).

5. Charging to a credit card means you aren't going to forget a payment and be without insurance. Also, it gives you another 30 days before you actually have to pay. Also, many companies today give an additional discount for "auto-pay".

The key, however, to finding affordable health insurance is realizing that the purpose of any health insurance is to protect you from a major financial loss - not to protect you from spending small money on clinic visits and sliver removal. These small expenses may be cumbersome but they generally will not hurt you. It's the $100,000 heart operation that will break you. That's the financial disaster health insurance was originally designed to prevent.

Also, keep this in mind. Health insurance, as with any insurance, is a gamble. You are gambling that you will draw out more than you pay in. Your health insurance company is gambling they will pay out less. The odds are in their favor for two reasons. They have all the facts for millions of families to average out, so they know the risk in advance. Also, they get to set the rules and the prices. The higher you set your deductible, the more risk you take. This is not a bad thing at all. You will most likely be the winner in the long run.

Yes, finding affordable health insurance is much easier than most people think.

Taking more of the risk with higher deductibles, spending a little time on the internet comparing eight to ten different companies, and deleting coverage that you will not likely need (such as maternity for many folks) will make it very possible to find your own affordable health insurance.

Dr. Deepak Dutta is the creator of SemanticBay.com - an interactive social network website based on user shared text and picture contents on any topics. Website creators, publishers, and maintainers can promote their website at SemanticBay.com using website articles. Users can join for free, invite friends, maintain buddy lists, rate contents, comment on contents and earn points.

Health Insurance Companies Fail To Please All

When you are shopping for health insurance it would be helpful to know how often health insurance companies fail to provide the service you would expect. The Arizona Department of Insurance has released a report listing fines and complaints filed against health insurance companies in the state.

The report covers 27 insurers or about 75% of the companies serving Arizona. Does the report reflect health insurance performance in other states? I can't be sure, but it does give us a peek into the workings of the health insurance industry.

United Healthcare of Arizona is one of the major insurers in the state and it had the highest number of complaints per insurance policy. Time Insurance and Mega Life And Health Insurance are smaller companies and they had even high complaint ratios.

In Arizona Humana Health Plan satisfies the appeals of its insured more than any other company. On the other hand the report shows that Mega resolves fewer appeals to the satisfaction of the insured.

When it comes to the number of fines levied in the past 5-years by the AZ Department of Insurance the Arizona arm of CGNA Healthcare garbs the top spot. They were assessed the most fines.

If you would like to read more about the performance of health insurance companies you can find the full report online if you do a search for "Report on AZ Health Insurers". Chances are the insurance department or commission in your state issues a similar report.

Another fact we can learn from this Arizona report is that your state's insurance regulatory body may be able to help you in a dispute with your insurance company. You can find state insurance regulators on the internet by doing a search for National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC has a map of the United States on their web page. Just click on your state and you'll find your state's insurance department information.

Before you buy any policy it would be sensible to learn just which health insurance companies fail to please consumers in your state.

Mark Walters explains how to find and choose the perfect health insurance policy at http://www.HealthInsuranceMonster.com

Divorce And Health Insurance Benefits

Divorce causes major issues with health insurance benefits. Many families have employer provided and/or paid for health insurance benefits that cover the entire family. It is not uncommon to see situations where the other spouse is a stay at home parent, with absolutely no access to health insurance benefits, or employed at a job with either no health insurance benefits available or those benefits available at a substantial cost. After a divorce, the spouse with the family health insurance coverage can no longer cover the other parent. They are no longer "family" members who can take advantage of one health insurance policy. How to then ensure that everyone stays insured does become an issue for negotiation and/or divorce litigation.

If both parties do not have health insurance benefits available and if the cost of obtaining those health insurance benefits for the other party after a divorce become prohibitive, there is one way to continue benefits without additional cost. That way is to enter into a separation agreement, but delay the divorce. That way, the parties actually do remain married and they can stay on the same health insurance plan even thought they are separed. The parties can consent to waiting for one, two or more years before either one files for a divorce. While the parties will remain married, their property, custody, and support issues will be addressed in their separation agreement. Under some circumstances, this is an optimal resolution. For example, what if both parties want one spouse to remain at home for several more years with young children, but they do still want to separate and divorce? This option works for them. They can separate, agree upon getting a divorce and all of the terms that they have to agree upon, but delay the final divorce so that they can keep cost effective health insurance benefits in place.

The above example can provide some difficulties that must be discusse in detail with your divorce attorney. For example, if you separate but do not divorce, your federal tax filing status may be affected. Also, in some states, it is not as easy as in other states to enforce a separation agreement. Or, in yet other states, it is possible for one spouse to take the advantages provided by the agreement for a year or two and then go to court and seek entirley different forms of financial relief in a divorce action. Only a divorce attorney licensed to practice in your state can advise you on these issues.

Another option for couples divorce is COBRA coverage. COBRA is a federal law which mandates that a person covered under a health insurance policy be given the right to continue that coverage, at their own cost, for a set time period if certain requirements exist. For example, if you obtain a divorce and your spouse had family health insurance coverage through his employer, the employer would have to provide COBRA coverage for you after the divorce. That COBRA coverage would require that you have the same health insurance policy, although your coverage would now be individual and not family. You would have to pay the employer's cost for that individual policy.

It is not uncommon for a stay at home spouse or a spouse who has less income or employment options to obtain COBRA coverage and to negotiate that their spouse pay for that coverage for a specified time period after the divorce. In doing so, this gives the spouse who did not have coverage available some time to either obtain employment with coverage or become financially settled and able to afford their own coverage.

 Jean Mahserjian is an attorney and the author of numerous websites and books devoted to helping consumers through the process of divorce. To download free excerpts from her divorce and custody books, visit: http://www.millenniumdivorce.com

 

Travel Health Insurance: Reimbursement Depends On Following The Rules

Travel Health Insurance: Reimbursement Depends On Following The Rules

 by: News Canada

(NC)Travelling, whether for business or pleasure, involves risk. A personal emergency may necessitate an early return, or you may need hospital treatment or air evacuation due to a medical problem. Travellers should be aware that the Ontario government health plan (OHIP) is rarely enough when it comes to medical treatment outside the country, so without supplementary insurance during an emergency, you could be exposed to considerable financial obligations.

Travel health insurance policies vary considerably, says the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), an agency of the Ministry of Finance that regulates Ontario's insurance industry. FSCO reminds us to pay special attention to the definitions, pre-existing condition clauses, deductibles, as well as the limitations and exclusions sections of the policies. Ask for clear explanations of each and once you are satisfied, make your insurance purchase. But even then, says FSCO, there is a bit more work for you to do as follows:

Read the policy: Before leaving on your trip, read and become familiar with your policy and the coverage. It is your responsibility to know what you have purchased.

Take it with you: Include the policy with your travel documents. Keep both the emergency contact phone number available, as well as the number for your insurance company. Compile and include a list of current medications.

Get authorization (if possible): If a medical problem arises, the toll-free phone number provided will connect you to an emergency service centre. Be ready to supply all the facts and information and ask for clarification if you do not fully understand. Service centres manage and monitor your treatment and make the medical referrals. Before you go ahead with treatment however, be sure the service centre has obtained authorization from your home-based insurance company. If not, you may be personally obligated for medical services not approved.

Follow the payment process: Under some policies, you pay the hospital and are reimbursed later by the insurance company. Other policies provide payment directly to the medical facility or practitioner. The policy will tell you which procedure to follow.

More information on travel health insurance is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca. Or, for a copy of their booklet Shopping for Travel Health Insurance phone (416) 590-7298 (Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128).

- News Canada

Editors, these articles are for use in Ontario only

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web. News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Travel Health Insurance: Know Your Coverage Before An Emergency Occurs

(NC)Buying travel health insurance is an important step for sufficient medical coverage while outside Canada, but it is only the first step. To make your policy work, say industry regulators, there has to be a co-operative relationship between the policyholder and the company.

Indeed, the range of medical treatment around the world is so broad and varied, home-based insurance companies will provide booklets outlining what they will, and will not cover. Therefore, an equally important step at the time of purchase is for the traveller to become as familiar as possible with the basic guidelines of the policy before an emergency occurs. Decisions on the reimbursement of expenses are not likely to be the first thing on your mind in an urgent situation.

So how do we ensure financial coverage during a medical emergency? Here are a few guidelines offered by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). FSCO is an agency of the Ministry of Finance that regulates Ontario's insurance industry.

Obtain authorization

As soon as possible, says FSCO, call the emergency service centre telephone number provided with your policy. The service centre's role is to manage your medical care and make the claim process fast and efficient. The centre provides claim administrators, on site doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to arrange care and monitor treatment. To ensure coverage, if possible, don't proceed with any medical treatment without full authorization.

You can assist the claims process more efficiently, if you:

Supply all the facts and information accurately.

Keep a log of the contacts at both the service centre and your insurance company, including the names of people assisting you, the date of the contact, and what was discussed.

Keep a detailed record of all medical transactions. Get receipts for the medical care including tests, treatments, and prescriptions. Receipts are a must when making a claim. Also, observe the time limits of your policy.

Complete the forms supplied and enclose all original bills signed by the attending physician, plus receipts and supporting claim documentation. Be sure to include your policy identification number, health card number and date of birth. Keep copies of all documentation submitted to the company.

More information on travel health insurance is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca. Or, for a copy of their booklet Shopping for Travel Health Insurance phone (416) 590-7298 (Toll Free: 1-800-668-0128).

- News Canada

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.