Consider Short Term Major Medical Insurance In The Us : Health insurance Healthy care review

Consider Short Term Major Medical Insurance In The Us
by Peter Kingston

What is Short Term Medical Insurance
Short term medical insurance is temporary medical insurance and is designed for people who are in between permanent health plans. Short term medical insurance in the US is available and ideal for those who are unemployed, between jobs, have just finished college and waiting for that perfect job, retired or an alternative to COBRA. There are many health insurance companies that provide this type of medical coverage. This medical insurance plan provides many insurance benefits while keeping the premiums reasonably competitive.
Here are the following people who can apply under the various plans of Short term medical insurance
* Those who are 65 years of age or younger and are not eligible for Medicare. Both the person and their spouse are eligible under the scheme.
* Children who are aged between 2 - 18 years of age and are dependent are also eligible.
* Those who are full time students and are below 25 years of age
* Children who are of 19 years and above but are dependent on their parents are also eligible but should apply separately.
Dollar Value Benefits
The benefits are provided per person insured up to 2 million and the deductible amounts can vary from $250, $500, $1000 and $2500. These benefits will accrue to the person after the deductibles are completed. The Short term medical insurance companies normally provide for a 50/50 copay plan (you pay half, your insurer pays half) or an 80/20 plan where the insurance company pays 80% of the cost and you pay 20%. These plans do not cover preventive care, routine medical exams, or pre-existing medical conditions
Since the plans offered under Short term medical insurance in the US are not HMOs or PPOs, the insured can choose any doctor or any preferred network. Short term medical insurance in the US is given for a very short time period, although these policies can normally be renewed after the expiration date. Any condition that occurs during this period is treated as a pre existing condition during the coverage of the renewed insurance policy. Those who are over 64 years of age and wish to get a renewal will not be eligible for a renewal under the Short term medical policy.
Exclusions For Pre Existing Conditions
The maximum coverage limit for the Short term medical insurance is generally 2 million dollars per person. There is no coverage for pre existing conditions, work related conditions and preventive care. These are taken as pre existing conditions under short term medical insurance. These conditions will not be covered by the plan. In the event that such conditions that arise, a supplemental insurance coverage should be considered. . Ask your insurance broker or insurance adviser for your alternatives.
Very simple to apply
Applying for short term medical insurance is very simple. After answering a few simple questions, make the payment, fill out the form and send it to the company. Make sure that the plan you select is available in your state prior to sending the payment. If a person is not fully satisfied with the plan coverage, then the certificate of insurance can be returned within 30 days and the full premium should be refunded less any administration charges.
Save Money
To save money on these plans you can increase your deductible (the amount you pay on a claim before the insurance company pays), or choose a lower copay for example the 50-50 instead of the typical 80-20 plan.

Beating the High Cost of Health Insurance : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008

Beating the High Cost of Health Insurance

by John Davis Jr.

Americans don't need insurance. There, I said it. To those of you who don't yet think I'm a lunatic, allow me to explain my viewpoint: Here in our country, we have become attached to the notion that work means health care benefits. If we want to pay only $15 or so when we visit the doctor, then in our mind, we feel we must have a job with a great health plan, otherwise, we're out of luck.
The farce here is, in all honesty, citizens of the United States have another, better alternative to the massive paperwork and bureaucracy that our insurance system breeds. The solution? Consumer-driven health discount programs. Some of you right now are scratching your heads as I did when I first heard of the concept, but stay with me.
Here's how the whole thing works - discount program companies offer a flat, per-month fee, usually about $20, and in return, patients can then go to a doctor, order pharmaceuticals, visit the dentist, or even get adjusted at a chiropractor for a drastically reduced price. What's more, certain facilities like MRI scanning and radiological institutes are often included, depending on the services covered by the program.
So what makes a discount program any better than insurance, one might ask? Calculate how much is taken from your paycheck for health, dental, and other coverage for just a second, and I am willing to wager that a measly $20 per month will sound pretty great. That is, unless you're one of the millions in our country who is doing without any kind of health or dental care because you feel you can't afford it. If that's the case, $20 per month will sound heavenly in exchange for fillings, cheaper medications, and even the occasional back adjustment.
Why, then, are millions still having money taken from their paychecks for health insurance that may or may not cover them in a time of need? Simple: the discount card program is still relatively new, having been brought about in the nineties, and it has been slow to travel by word of mouth and other discreet forms of advertising. Now, however, you know the secret, and it's up to you to use it.
How? One route is by contacting a discount program broker (you're in luck, as I am one). He or she can direct you to the right place to get qualified and get in the program pronto. There's no sense in paying hundreds and even thousands into a money-making machine that is obsolete, antiquated, and in most cases, broken. Use your best consumer brain, and make the right choice. Taking our country's health care back from the insurance companies and away from fat-cat bosses will forever revolutionize the way America provides for its citizens. Will you be the one to stay and watch from behind, or will you join us? I leave the decision with you, dear reader.

Health Insurance Buying Guide : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008

Health Insurance Buying Guide
by Clelland N. Green

Medical expenses have risen so high that health insurance has become a necessity. With countless insurance companies claiming to offer the best health insurance plans, it has become very difficult to decide which insurance company or healthcare plan is most suitable. This health insurance buying guide will help you learn some important things to keep in mind when buying a health insurance plan.
Type of Health Insurance Plans: Health insurance plans have three broad categories:-- Indemnity Plans-- Managed Care Plans-- Consumer Directed Plans
Indemnity plans are traditional insurance plans where you can choose the doctor and the insurance company will fully or partially cover your health care expenses according to the insurance agreement and the reasonable and customary allowance for the provider's fees. You are supposed to pay for the services and then be reimbursed, but most insurance companies and doctors will allow you to assign your benefits to your provider, allowing for the insurance company to pay the doctor directly.
Managed care plans are programs where the insurance company acts as more than the insurer, and they manage the care as well as provide you with incentives to get proper preventive care. Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans and provide coverage that includes features like doctor office and prescription copayments rather than deductibles and coinsurance. Find more about Types of Health Insurance Plans. It is very important to choose the right insurance plan to gain maximum benefit. Do compare various plans and evaluate the benefits, coverage details, exclusions and provisions.
Consumer directed plans are new plans where you buy a high deductible insurance plan and can then set up a tax-advantaged savings account from which you can pay for your routine health care expenses. This account is called a Health Savings Account (HSA). These plans encourage the consumer to manage their own care by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and shopping for health care services. In general, these HSA's are the most cost effective choice for most consumers. Find out more about Health Savings Accounts.
Insurance Coverage: The most important thing while selecting an insurance plan is to determine what your needs are for insurance and to not over-insure yourself. You wouldn't buy an auto policy in order to get your oil change covered, think in those terms when selecting a health plan. Health insurance coverage includes hospital expenses, surgical expenses, physicians' expenses and other benefits like maternity care, drug prescription, mental health care, preventive care, etc. All good insurance policies provide broad coverage and protect you against catastrophic illness or injury, but it is very important to read the exclusions and limitations of your policy to avoid future problems.
Pre-existing Conditions: Most individual health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions and you may not qualify for coverage depending on your current health. If you have a serious pre-existing condition, there are offer guaranteed issue plans available in most states.
Doctors and Hospitals: Another thing that you need to check is the pool of doctors and hospitals that are in the network of your insurance provider. If you have a managed care plan, you will get better benefits if you use a provider who is in the network, and of course, if you current physicians are in the network, that becomes a lot easier to do. Prices and Premium: Health Insurance premiums are filed with the department of insurance in your state, so there are no special deals available. If you are dealing with an agent who claims to have a better deal than the competition, you should run, not walk. The most important thing to do here is to compare similar plans from different insurance companies and not to look at price alone.
Insurance Broker: Using an insurance broker who specializes in health insurance is one of the smartest things you can do. Their services are free. Premiums are the same if you go directly to the insurance company or use an agent. They also have information from all of their customers about which companies provide good claims service, have the best features, and they know all the options available - something you will never find on any internet site. You will be able to easily connect with an expert local insurance agent by getting your health insurance quotes at Benepath.
Insurance Company: There are many companies that deal in health insurance but it is very importation to select a reliable firm. It is advisable to take help of a licensed health insurance consulting firm that can provide you useful information about reliable insurance companies and most suitable and affordable health insurance plans.
Benepath works with local insurance agents across the country to provide you with health plans from industry leaders who deliver responsive service, such as United Healthcare, Assurant - Time Insurance, Aetna, Blue Cross Plans and Health America. Get your health quotes at http://www.benepath.com to find more about the best health insurance plans at most competitive prices.

Your Pet Health Insurance Questions Answered : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008

Your Pet Health Insurance Questions Answered
by Mike Selvon
Most people are familiar with healthcare insurance for themselves and their family but what about their pets? Animal cover is a new idea in insurance to help cover the four-legged members of the family.
Granted, your workplace may not cover the insurance but it is very valuable to have in case your mammal becomes sick. Routine veterinary care may not be expensive but if your mammal was to become sick or injured, costs could quickly mount up and be beyond your ability to repay. The old adage of "better to be safe than sorry" is very true when it comes to insurance.
It is better to have it and not need it than to find yourself with a sick animal and no way of paying the vet bills. Most people are unaware or inexperienced when it comes to mammal cover but this article will cover some of the basics when it comes to what to expect in it.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is healthcare insurance for your pet. Primarily this insurance is taken out by dog and cat owners. Really expensive pets can be insured for their value. Chances are that if you can afford a $500,000 horse, you can pay for the veterinary bills out of your own checking account.
Pet insurance is used by those who would not be able to afford if their pets became seriously ill and required extensive care. It is a way to manage veterinary costs in the same manner as normal healthcare coverage.
Is there a co-pay or deductible?
Just as you pay a deductible for your own health insurance, pet insurance also has a deductible. But it is a significant amount lower. Most pet insurance deductibles are $50.00 per accident category.
Pet insurance does not work in the same manner as typical healthcare insurance. At the time of the vet visit you will pay for the entire amount and then fill out a claim form that is then submitted to the pet insurance carrier.
The carrier will pay you a set amount for that procedure. The costs allowed per procedure vary and only the insurance company can determine what percentage you will have to pay after the deductible.
How much out of pocket will I be expected to pay if my pet needs surgery?
Unfortunately the downside to pet insurance is that you will have to pay for the entire amount out of your pocket before the cover company pays you a portion back. When you take your animal in for surgery you will need to take along a claim form that the veterinarian will complete.
After completing the form and filling out the claim information, along with attaching copies of the receipts and invoices, you will mail or fax the information to the insurance. After reviewing the information the cover company will mail out a check for the amount of the procedure they cover.
Some veterinary clinics will make payment arrangements with you in case of an emergency. If you have a long history of good payments to your vet, you can discuss this at a visit.
Chances are high that he or she can work with you. The ultimate goal of both you and the vet is a healthy and safe animal.
Is there a limit on what my pet insurance will pay out?
Yes, there is a limit on how much of the procedure is covered by the insurance company. This amount varies depending on which cover plan you select, what your deductible is and how much the actual procedure runs. When you sign up for pet insurance the company will provide you with a list of procedures they cover along with how much per procedure is covered.
Can I buy my pet's medications online and then be reimbursed for the expense by the insurance company?
All FDA approved medications will be reimbursed. All you have to do is include the receipt from your purchase of the medication, fill out a claim form and submit the information to the insurance company. The insurance company can provide you with the allowed amounts they pay for medications.

Importance of Having a Health Insurance : Health insurance Healthy care review 2008

Importance of Having a Health Insurance
by samrosy

Health insurances play several roles in helping people when they end up in hospitals. Uninsured people receive very less medical care when they end up having health complications; this actually becomes a burden for the family as they need to spend thousands of dollars for the medical bills from the hospital. Getting a health insurance also gives you lot of additional benefits and added services, so getting yourself insured aids you with timely coverage for regular or at least with annual health check ups. According to a medical institute, there are nearly about eighteen thousand deaths in uninsured adults. This can be due to numerous reasons, for instance most of them weren’t able to afford for the medical expenses.
Uninsured adults habitually get very few screening or preventive services. Shortfalls are noticed for many kinds of condition or illness, which is including screening for cancer diseases related to breast or cervical. As they are uninsured they often tend to ignore medical check ups, and they are more likely to get diagnosed only at a later stage of the illness, when treatment is not much successful. Pregnant women who are uninsured use lesser services, and children and adults who are uninsured are less likely than their insured counterparts to report having a regular source of medical care, to see medical providers, or to receive all recommended treatments and health check ups. Shortfalls are predominantly notable for conditions which are chronic. For example, adults who are uninsured and having heart conditions are less likely to stay on with drug therapy for high blood pressure.
So how your health insurance helps you indirectly? If you have a health insurance, you frequently visit the doctor for regular health check ups, as you need not spend money on your doctor or the medical expenditure is very minimum. If you’re insured and you come to know that if you have health complications, then you can treat yourself earlier to avoid further problems. But incase you are uninsured; you try to avoid health check ups since you need to spend lot of money. The biggest disadvantage of being uninsured, is that, if you end up having any disease then you need to shell out large amount of money. Today there are many health insurances available, which offer you great medical or health coverage. You can choose the Blue Cross of California health insurance, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, PacifiCare, Nationwide Health Plans, Cigna Health care, etc…