Health Insurance

When you are in your late teens and twenties, possibly up to the age of forty, it's hard for people to understand why they need health insurance. For some people, it may be less expensive to pay full price when going to the doctor then pay the monthly fee associated with health insurance. These people may ask whether or not health insurance is even worth it. For most people, however, health insurance is a huge money saver. But what are the different types of health insurance and how should you go about determining what is right for you.

There are mainly two types of insurance: Indemnity plans and managed care plans. Indemnity plans are insurance plans in which an insurer reimburses the insured for medical expenses no matter who provided the service. There are three plans within the indemnity category. These include reimbursement of actual charges, reimbursement of a percentage of the actual charges and indemnity. In the first plan, the insurer will reimburse for the entire cost of the service, the second plan covers a percentage, while indemnity pays a certain amount daily for a certain number of days.

Managed care plans have three main types: HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) and finally POSs (Point of Service plans). In an HMO plan, members pay a flat monthly rate. In most circumstances, the HMO member must use medical professionals from the preferred network. Unlike HMOs, PPOs are paid on a service by service basis. PPOs are often sponsored by employers or insurance companies who reimburse the insured for the service, minus of course any co-payments. A POS is a plan in which the insured pays no deductible and a small co-payment as long as the service provider is a part of the network.

So, what should you do? Well, you should start by investigating your health insurance options. What does your employer provide? Most employers do not pay the deductible for their employees; however, the rate is reduced as it is often a group situation. The best way to determine the best plan for you is to educate yourself on what is available and what you need.

Sara Chambers is a marketing consultant and an internet content manager for http://www.healthinsuranceweblog.com

Student Health Insurance: Is Your Child Covered?

Watching your children fly from the nest is not an easy thing. Watching them stumble and fall in their quest for independence is even more difficult.

According to experts, at least 30 percent of young adults over the age of 19 have no health insurance. This puts their education and financial future at risk--and limits their chances of succeeding on their own.

So what can you, a seemingly helpless parent, do to help insure your college-bound student succeeds and thrives?

The Obvious Solution

The most obvious answer is student health insurance. When your children leave home, student health coverage can provide them the financial protection they need for those unexpected times of illness.

It picks up where you leave off by covering health and medical expenses during a vulnerable, transitional time in their lives. And it's a great way to keep your children sheltered when they need it most--in your absence.

In fact, young persons covered by student health insurance policies don't have to worry whether their insurance will pay for needed doctor visits or prescriptions; and they don't have to scramble to find a way to pay for health care when they're ill. They simply pick up the phone and call their doctor; grab their insurance card and go.

That brings a lot of security and peace of mind&mdashto parents and children alike.

The Options

If you're looking for health insurance coverage for your newly-independent student, you'll find several options available.

Family Health Plan Coverage
If you have a "major medical" or individual health plan purchased on your own, your child should be covered under your plan until the age of 19. Some states have increased this age limit to 25, as long as your child stays unmarried; attends school full-time; remains financially dependent and lives at home.

If, however, you're covered under an HMO (health maintenance organization), your child's medical care is normally covered only within your own health service area (except in the case of emergencies). If your child attends school outside this region, routine medical visits and procedures may not be covered.

If you're considering keeping your student on your own health policy, talk to your insurance provider to make sure coverage is available where your child will live. If so, the insurer can help your student find a doctor in the appropriate area; tell you what services are covered, and let you know their approximate cost.

University-Sponsored Health Insurance
Nearly all educational institutions now offer school-funded student health insurance policies. Prices are generally reasonable, costing less than $100 per month for a single student and around $200 for a married couple.

If your child receives financial aid or scholarship monies, most school-funded plans allow him or her to use these means to help pay for health insurance coverage. This provides a way for some students and their parents, who could otherwise not afford health care, to maintain much-needed coverage.

Individual Health Plans
If neither a family plan nor school-sponsored plan is available, your child should strongly consider purchasing an individual health policy of his or her own.

Although individual health insurance plans can be expensive, many insurers offer discounts to full-time students.

Insurance shopping services like InsureMe.com can help your student find an individual health policy at an affordable price. You'll find them online at insureme.com.

American College Student Association (ACSA) Health Coverage
Another option unknown to many students and their parents is coverage through the ACSA. This organization offers health insurance, short-term insurance, study abroad coverage and dental insurance to students at any college or university.

If your student needs health coverage for the short term, ACSA health coverage may be just the ticket. Depending on the term selected, this type of policy may last from three months up to a year.

To contact the ACSA, call (888) 526-2272.

Making the Right Choice

Finding affordable student health insurance at a great price isn't always easy. But there's almost nothing as important when your children transition from home to school.

By spending time analyzing the options, you can make the right choice for your students--and keep them healthy and happy for years to come!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 health insurance leads every year. For more information, visit 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.

Online Health Insurance: The Truth About Cheap Quotes

Looking for low cost health insurance quotes? Good. You are taking that most important step of shopping around for the best price. But more importantly, you undstand that it is important to have health insurance, and perhaps, even more importantly, understand that the real purpose of health insurance, as for any insurance, is protection. That is, you do not get health insurance to act as a sort of discount off the price of doctor and hospital services. The point of insurance is protection in the event of catastrophe. Yes, health insurance costs are high and continue to rise, but do not forget that the reason you are seeking health insurance quotes online--and even offline--is to insure you get the most protection (not discount) for the best (lowest) rate.

Getting health insurance quotes is now extremely easy with the use of the Internet. Take advantage of online insurance quote availability to get an idea of the range of premium prices offered. Even if you don't want to buy online, you will have a better understanding of what the insurance agent is talking about, and when it comes time to put ink on the contract, you will be making a more informed decision. Remember, too, that quotes are free and come without obligation.

When you look for cheap health insurance quotes, online or off, you must also consider type of health care you want and what that means in terms of how your care is delivered to you. Health insurance is a much more than a matter of co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. When you get a health insurance quote, you are getting a quote on a certain kind of plan. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a single "best" plan. You will find that there are some plans that will serve your needs better as an individual, and plans that will be better for both you and your family's needs. Plans will vary according to what services they offer, and you will probably have to make some hard choices as to what services are most important. No plan will pay everything; there will always be out-of-pocket costs associated with your medical services, though some plans will pay more for the services you deem most important. So, health insurance quotes are really the tip of the iceberg to a very important subject.

Cheap Health Insurance Quotes and the HMO, PPO, FFS/indemnity plan, and POS.

*HMO--An HMO is a health maintenance organization. An HMO contracts with doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers to form a sort of network. As a member of an HMO, you are required to use the providers in that network. You pay the HMO a certain amount of money per their payment arrangements in order to receive medical services.

*PPO--A PPO is a preferred provider organization. A PPO is similar to an HMO in that there is a network of medical providers that you can use. However, the PPO does not require you to use that network and allows you see doctors and go to hospitals out of network. Normally, you do not need a referral to see doctors out of network. However, in that event, you do pay more for the service. That is, the amount of coverage is less.

*POS--A POS is a point of service plan. A point of service plan is very much like an HMO except that POS doctors can refer you out of the network of providers to see a specialist. In a POS, you would not refer yourself, and if the plan does refer you out of the network, you do pay more for the service.

*FFS--A FFS or indemnity plan, is a fee for service plan. In a fee for service, you are billed by the service. You are usually not required to use a network of providers. That means you choose which doctors, hospitals, and specialists you want to see and use. Because you make the decision about who you see and where you go, there is no need for a referral to see a doctor. The only limiting factor is whether or not the provider accepts the insurance of the fee for service plan insurance.

Low Cost health insurance quotes have a lot going on behind the scenes. Seeking an online quote? Now you have a better idea of what that quote is for. When you visit an insurance agent to talk health care, be sure to look thoroughly into the options available to you. Your health insurance quote represents a package of insurance services, and it is important for you to understand the relationship between the quote and the services you may be purchasing.

Evan Davis works in Medicare customer service, and is the webmaster and owner of Instant Health Insurance. Find cheap health insurance quotes online at http://www.find-health-insurance-online.com

What to Know When Shopping for Health Insurance

What to Know When Shopping for Health Insurance

Between the rising cost of health insurance and the various types of health policies, finding a plan to fit your health needs and your budget can seem overwhelming. So how can you sort though these variables and find a policy that works for you?

Doing Your Homework

Doing a little research before you start shopping for health insurance will go a long way once you start comparing quotes and policies.

You can start by reading up on the types of policies available in your area and determining what you want and need out of your health insurance--from prescription drugs to coverage of pre-existing conditions, you'll want to identify these necessities from the outset.

To learn more about health insurance in your area, contact your state's Division of Insurance (DOI). This underutilized resource was developed to educate and protect consumers on the topic of insurance and has many guides and publications to help you make informed decisions about health insurance. And the more you know, the better decisions you'll make!

Shopping Tips

Under most state laws, health insurance policies are not regulated by the government. This means that insurers can sell different health insurance policies for very different prices. While that may seem complicated for the consumer, it's actually a benefit. This means that you can get health insurance quotes from multiple insurers and select the best health insurance policy for you.

So what exactly should you be looking at when comparing policies? Here are a few important questions to ask:

Does the policy cover all major medical expenses?
What's the monthly premium?
What are the choices for deductibles?
What percentage does the insurer pay after the deductible is met?
What coverages are included in the policy?
Does the policy cover prescription drugs?
Does the policy cover preventative care?
Are your doctors and health care facilities inside of the policy's network?
What is the cost for seeing a physician outside of the policy's network?

While you will certainly think of more questions to ask potential insurers, this list should get you started. Remember, the more you know, the better decisions you'll make!

Protecting Yourself

As with most areas of business, there are a few untrustworthy insurers out there who ruin things for the good guys. That's why it's a good idea to investigate your insurer and his or her credentials before signing a health insurance policy.

You can check your agent's credentials, as well as the company's customer satisfaction rating and financial standing through consumer-serving sites like AM Best or the Better Business Bureau. Doing a little behind the scenes work on your insurer beforehand will save you the stress and financial loss of doing business with a dodgy insurer.

You can also protect yourself by knowing your rights and privileges before signing on the dotted line. Most states now require insurers to cover certain benefits, such as mammograms and prostate exams; your local DOI will have more information on mandated benefits and other rights and privileges.

Most insurers will also offer a free-look period of 10 or so days to review your policy and make any final adjustments or decisions. If you decide you don't want the policy during that free-look period, you are entitled to a full refund and your policy will be cancelled without penalty. As a general rule, if your health policy doesn't contain a free-look period, you're probably better off purchasing health insurance from someone else.

Applying Lessons Learned

Now that you've gotten a few pointers on shopping for health insurance, you can get started and determine your needs, get the facts, shop for health insurance quotes and compare prospective insurers for price and service. Taking things one step at a time will make the task of finding cheap health insurance less daunting--and get you on the road to savings success!

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 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.

Everything You Need To Know About Choosing A Health Insurance Plan

The purpose of health insurance is to protect you from the alarming cost of medical care by providing you with insurance coverage for specified health and medical care services. Generally, you will pay a monthly premium, a deductible, and co-payments for services you receive. The cost for insurance is significantly less than if you had to pay for medical care out of your pocket. There are three basic types of health insurance, fee for service, consumer-directed, and managed care. These basic types of insurance plans cover hospital, medical, and surgical expenses, and depending on the particular plan you choose, possibly prescription drugs, mental/behavioral care, and dental.

A fee for service plan means the health care professional you choose will be paid a fee for each service provided to you. You can choose your own doctor and the insurance claim can be filed by either the doctor or the patient. A managed care plan will provide coverage to their members and offers incentives for patients who choose doctors participating in the plan's network. The 3 types of managed care plans are HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans.

An HMO allows you to receive medical care through a network of participating physicians. You will generally select a primary care doctor, who will then refer you to a specialist when necessary. A PPO combines various features of an HMO and a fee for service plan. Members can choose from network doctors and pay lower upfront expenses, or choose any doctor they desire and pay more out of pocket expenses. A consumer-directed health plan gives members more choices and options in making health care decisions. Consumer-directed plans include a health account or fund designated for health care expenses. At the end of each year, unused funds will roll over to the next year.

A health insurance premium is the fee paid to the insurer to purchase health coverage. Premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Deductibles are the amount you will pay for covered services within a certain time frame, according to the terms of your plan, before you will be entitled to insurance benefits. Members with a high deductible may have to pay the first one thousand dollars of yearly medical expenses before the insurance would begin to pay, and those with a higher or lower deductibles would pay more or less, depending on the particular amounts specified in their plan. A co-payment is a stated amount or percentage that must be paid by the member along with each doctor visit, medical procedure, or prescription. For example, if your specified co-payments are $25, you will pay the first $25 of each doctor visit and your insurance would cover additional charges. Most insurance plans specify a different co-payment amount for prescriptions, doctor visits, and hospital or surgical care.

In choosing which type of health insurance plan is right for you, you must consider the affordability of doctor visits and hospital care, the amount of the monthly premium, the amount of the deductibles, and the amount of the co-payments. Make sure the plan you chose offers coverage for services you will actually use such as doctors, prescriptions, laboratory costs, treatment for preexisting conditions, and out-of-network care. Check the rating of the insurance company in question, the number of patient complaints in the past year, doctor drop out rates if the insurance plan includes a network, and the number of members who have dropped out of the plan in the past year. Health insurance that is subsidized by your employer is generally the least expensive, but if your employer does not offer health insurance, you should consider an individual health insurance policy. The cost of medical care is far too expensive to risk not having health insurance.

 Mike Bell is the webmaster of the Health Insurance options guide, a resource for life and health insurance answers.