I'm new to buying health insurance. Could you tell me what should I look for? Do you have any companies you'd reccomend?
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Check with a LOCAL broker and please avoid Ehealth and similar sites. You'll be glad you did. Re which companies are your best option, it depends where you live and the type of coverage you desire. Ed Harris http://www.ohioquotes.com
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Friday, August 5, 2011
I need help with health insurance?
I am currently on an individual plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield because Iam not currently employed. I am trying to find a plan for both myself and my husband because us together on his work health insurance is too high. I currently pay $128 a month for my health insurance. How can I add my husband on my plan and keep it the same? We are both 26 years old and never get sick or go to the doctor we are just looking for insurance in case something happens where it requires hospitalization. Any advice with help! Thanks!
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Individual health insurance can be pricey. To add your husband on to the current plan and expect the same premium is not realistic, but you can change the plan to adjust the premium, but lower cost usually means less coverage, higher deductibles. There are High Deductible Health Plans that are HSA (Health Savings Account) qualified that covers more of a catastrophy like a hosptial visit after the deductible is met. Office visits, emergency rooms, and prescriptions are on your tab, but the HSA, if you put money in that, will make all qualified medial expenses tax deductible. Also, as you put money away into a HSA, you earn taxed deferred interest. Some HSA accounts offer investments in stocks and mutual funds, but then your money is not secure because of market volatility especially when dealing with an account that you expect to be there when you have health bills. The price of your health plan will depend on the zip code you live in. I would stick with the major carriers like BCBS, United Healthcare, Coventry, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, etc. There are web sites you can google that will give you a multiple carrier quote. Make sure you know the type of plan and coverage, and more importantly how to use it. blog at www.angelsfin.com
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Individual health insurance can be pricey. To add your husband on to the current plan and expect the same premium is not realistic, but you can change the plan to adjust the premium, but lower cost usually means less coverage, higher deductibles. There are High Deductible Health Plans that are HSA (Health Savings Account) qualified that covers more of a catastrophy like a hosptial visit after the deductible is met. Office visits, emergency rooms, and prescriptions are on your tab, but the HSA, if you put money in that, will make all qualified medial expenses tax deductible. Also, as you put money away into a HSA, you earn taxed deferred interest. Some HSA accounts offer investments in stocks and mutual funds, but then your money is not secure because of market volatility especially when dealing with an account that you expect to be there when you have health bills. The price of your health plan will depend on the zip code you live in. I would stick with the major carriers like BCBS, United Healthcare, Coventry, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, etc. There are web sites you can google that will give you a multiple carrier quote. Make sure you know the type of plan and coverage, and more importantly how to use it. blog at www.angelsfin.com
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If most people had to pay 100% of the cost of their health insurance?
wouldn't Americans have demanded health care reform years ago? Since about 75% of Americans get their health insurance through Medicare, Medicaid, VA, company sponsored health plans, union provided health plans, and other government provided health plans, most Americans do not realize that the US health care system costs are out of control. In 1996, the citizens of Switzerland (a very conservative country) demanded universal health insurance through a national referendum since only about 25% of the population received assistance for their health insurance. Wouldn't the same occur in the US if only 25% of Americans received assistance for their health insurance? Aren't many Americans fooling themselves into believing that since they may be getting free or inexpensive health insurance through their employer, union, or government that it is not a big deal?
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Do you realize that health insurance over a period of a lifetime costs about $500k. How much would we actually spend in medical expenses if we had no health insurance at all and just decided to make payments on large medical bills.
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Do you realize that health insurance over a period of a lifetime costs about $500k. How much would we actually spend in medical expenses if we had no health insurance at all and just decided to make payments on large medical bills.
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Getting health insurance to cover the cost of a new mattress.?
It has been decided I do not have sleep apnea. Therefore I am assuming that the problem with my not sleeping is my 20 yr old mattress. Wondering if anyone knows if Blue Cross will cover that if script is written for it?
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The only way youre going to get your insurance to pay for a mattress is if it comes with your new hospital bed. Those mattress' are usually not top of the line and will probably need replacing after a few years. Which, your insurance will not replace. They consider that normal wear and tear. Most private insurnaces follow Medicare guidelines for DME (durable medical equipment) coverage.
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The only way youre going to get your insurance to pay for a mattress is if it comes with your new hospital bed. Those mattress' are usually not top of the line and will probably need replacing after a few years. Which, your insurance will not replace. They consider that normal wear and tear. Most private insurnaces follow Medicare guidelines for DME (durable medical equipment) coverage.
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Is chemo therapy and radiation treatment covered by health insurance in alberta, canada?
and what is the approx. cost? i know it varies but i need a range. thank you
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Yes and it is probably on the order of 20 - 40 thousand.
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Yes and it is probably on the order of 20 - 40 thousand.
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Health insurance question about obama?
I heard from someone that even though not a full time student or not you can stay under your parents health care insurance to a certain age passed 19?
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i read it was either 25 or 26 since most students after graduation may not get a good enough job with health insurance or make enough to buy health insurance. i think it is a good idea. there are a lot of kids who may not fully qualify as a full time student since they work a full time job to pay for their school and this would help get them through.
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i read it was either 25 or 26 since most students after graduation may not get a good enough job with health insurance or make enough to buy health insurance. i think it is a good idea. there are a lot of kids who may not fully qualify as a full time student since they work a full time job to pay for their school and this would help get them through.
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Can one person be covered under 2 diff. health insurance policies?
My employeer offers health insurance where the monthly cost is the same no matter how many family members you have on your plan. So I have our 2 children on my plan and my husband is on his plan through his employeer which provides the same type of plan-Can I add my husband to my plan and he add me to his plan? My thought is if something unforseen happens we would both be covered no matter what? But can you be enrolled on 2 different plans and if you are does that create complications when medical expenses are being submitted to your insurance?
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Yes, you can be covered by 2 insurances. Yours is primary for you-your husband's is primary for him. You and your husband's birth month and day determine who is primary for the kids. Whoever is born first in the calandar year is primary for the kids. EXAMPLE: Your birth month and day are April 6, your husband's is Sept. 20. Your insurance would be primary for the kids. (The year is not considered). But another thing you must consider is whether the insurances would PAY any additional benefits, and whether those benefits paid would offset the additional premium payments (if any) you would make for the coverage. Check the co-ordination of benefits clause in each to see how they co-ordinate benefits. Many times, there is a "no duplication" clause. Which means the second insurance will not pick automatically up a balance. The secondary insurance will compute its normal benefit and if the primary paid less, the secondary will pay the difference up to the secondary's maximum benefit. If you have an HMO, they (normally) will only pay benefits if the provider of service is one of their contracted providers and there is an authorization for the serivce provided. Therefore, it would not benefit you to pay the premium for the additional coverage unless you also jumped through all their hoops for payment. PPO's have many more contracted providers, but again you need to check with both coverages to see if they require certain authorizations or other documentation prior to the service being provided in order for any benefit to be paid. Most providers (doctors and such) bill both insurances at the same time and let them pay or deny charges based on who they consider to be primary or secondary following the rules I listed above. Once the primary has paid, the explantion of benefits needs to be forwarded to the secondary insurance for consideration. Some providers will do this for you, some do not. You will need to check with your providers to be sure.
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Yes, you can be covered by 2 insurances. Yours is primary for you-your husband's is primary for him. You and your husband's birth month and day determine who is primary for the kids. Whoever is born first in the calandar year is primary for the kids. EXAMPLE: Your birth month and day are April 6, your husband's is Sept. 20. Your insurance would be primary for the kids. (The year is not considered). But another thing you must consider is whether the insurances would PAY any additional benefits, and whether those benefits paid would offset the additional premium payments (if any) you would make for the coverage. Check the co-ordination of benefits clause in each to see how they co-ordinate benefits. Many times, there is a "no duplication" clause. Which means the second insurance will not pick automatically up a balance. The secondary insurance will compute its normal benefit and if the primary paid less, the secondary will pay the difference up to the secondary's maximum benefit. If you have an HMO, they (normally) will only pay benefits if the provider of service is one of their contracted providers and there is an authorization for the serivce provided. Therefore, it would not benefit you to pay the premium for the additional coverage unless you also jumped through all their hoops for payment. PPO's have many more contracted providers, but again you need to check with both coverages to see if they require certain authorizations or other documentation prior to the service being provided in order for any benefit to be paid. Most providers (doctors and such) bill both insurances at the same time and let them pay or deny charges based on who they consider to be primary or secondary following the rules I listed above. Once the primary has paid, the explantion of benefits needs to be forwarded to the secondary insurance for consideration. Some providers will do this for you, some do not. You will need to check with your providers to be sure.
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Did you ever purchase Health Insurance on your own?
In other words, Maybe you worked for an employer that didn't offer it, or maybe it was too expensive through them? If so which company did you choose, and how expensive was it??
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Call a broker and buy through a broker. It's cheaper to buy individual coverage than group anyway...if your boss isn't paying.
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Call a broker and buy through a broker. It's cheaper to buy individual coverage than group anyway...if your boss isn't paying.
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who is the worst health insurance provider and why?
as i wait on the phone.....going on 45 min now, i wonder who is doing the same thing right now....
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All insurance is big business and as such the companies and corporations that provide policies will always have an incentive to make more money. While some providers are worse than others, they are all trying to increase their profit margin. In terms of bad; well that could mean a whole host of things from specific policy exclusions, extremley high annual premiums, to extremley poor claims times; however, from your question i gather it is the customer service that you are upset about. And while i could slag off a whole host of insurers in terms of their service - that is bad form (especially as i don't know what type of insurance you are talking about!) The easiest way to avoid long phone times and inordinate amounts of hassle when dealing with your insurer is to use an intermediary (broker or agent). Intermediaries will have direct access to the important people inside an insurance company and usually you will get an answer faster than if you had called your insurer direct and waited on the phone. Some intermediaries will even operate their own claims and admin departments outside of the insurance company so you are able to get results faster. Going through a broker will also allow you to accurately asses the various pro's and con's associated with any insurance company - letting you know what having a policy with that will be like in the long term... Two really top class international brokers are Pacific Prime and Global Health Insurance, and depending on the products that you need they should be able to help out... websites are below If you need more info send me an email.. hopes this helps cheers
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All insurance is big business and as such the companies and corporations that provide policies will always have an incentive to make more money. While some providers are worse than others, they are all trying to increase their profit margin. In terms of bad; well that could mean a whole host of things from specific policy exclusions, extremley high annual premiums, to extremley poor claims times; however, from your question i gather it is the customer service that you are upset about. And while i could slag off a whole host of insurers in terms of their service - that is bad form (especially as i don't know what type of insurance you are talking about!) The easiest way to avoid long phone times and inordinate amounts of hassle when dealing with your insurer is to use an intermediary (broker or agent). Intermediaries will have direct access to the important people inside an insurance company and usually you will get an answer faster than if you had called your insurer direct and waited on the phone. Some intermediaries will even operate their own claims and admin departments outside of the insurance company so you are able to get results faster. Going through a broker will also allow you to accurately asses the various pro's and con's associated with any insurance company - letting you know what having a policy with that will be like in the long term... Two really top class international brokers are Pacific Prime and Global Health Insurance, and depending on the products that you need they should be able to help out... websites are below If you need more info send me an email.. hopes this helps cheers
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is health insurance portable from state to state ?
If I purchase health insurence from a company like Coventry One of Kansas and move to Florida, can I take the Coverage with me ?
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No. The various states have insurance departments which govern what can, what must, and what cannot be contained in individual policies. What may be permissible in Kansas may not be in Florida, therefore you would have to switch to a policy offered by a company operating in Florida. I do now know if Coventry One operates in Florida, but if they do,your policy in Florida might be different from the one that you have in Kansas. Coebtry one is who you should be answering.
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No. The various states have insurance departments which govern what can, what must, and what cannot be contained in individual policies. What may be permissible in Kansas may not be in Florida, therefore you would have to switch to a policy offered by a company operating in Florida. I do now know if Coventry One operates in Florida, but if they do,your policy in Florida might be different from the one that you have in Kansas. Coebtry one is who you should be answering.
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I'm looking for a health insurance policy for my father & mother which covers catarec surgery?
Please advice me which health policy to be taken for covering caterac surgery expenses which will cost around Rs.22000.I've checked the websites of leading pvt insurance companies but the hospital where the surgery will be done is not covered.I'm also interested in policies such as LIC & GICI
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I recommend you this site where you can compare quotes so you can find the best option for you http://qinsurance.notlong.com
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I recommend you this site where you can compare quotes so you can find the best option for you http://qinsurance.notlong.com
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how many times a year can health insurance be raised?
my company just raised health insurance less than 6 months ago and are now raising it again is this legal
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If you buy your policy directly, your health insurance company can only raise your rate on the annual anniversary date. If you get it through your employer, your employer can switch policies every month if they want to, and can continually change exactly how much they contribute towards the coverage, thus increasing your cost every month, if it works out that way. So it depends on if it's YOUR policy, or your EMPLOYER'S policy.
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If you buy your policy directly, your health insurance company can only raise your rate on the annual anniversary date. If you get it through your employer, your employer can switch policies every month if they want to, and can continually change exactly how much they contribute towards the coverage, thus increasing your cost every month, if it works out that way. So it depends on if it's YOUR policy, or your EMPLOYER'S policy.
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How did discussions on health insurance turn into this?
It seems that even legitimate questions about the bill turn to rants about greed and condemning capitalism. I don't see this anti-American fervor at all in the real world. Is there a secret area of Y/A where we can actually discuss it without the wackos?
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Yahoo is an escape for nutjobs because their views are irrelevant to most of society.
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Yahoo is an escape for nutjobs because their views are irrelevant to most of society.
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Not Notified of Employer Health insurance Premium increase!?
My husbands company recently changed hands and health insurance. We were notified about the insurance change but not about any increases in the premium. I made numerous calls to HR and was told there would be no changes. They have more than doubled our premium with no advance warning or notification and now that enrollment is closed we cannot cancel. Can they increase our premium without proper notification?
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They don't HAVE to notify you. There's no requirement for them to do so. There is no "proper notification". No such thing. So yes, they can do that.
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They don't HAVE to notify you. There's no requirement for them to do so. There is no "proper notification". No such thing. So yes, they can do that.
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i live in ny by myself. i work full time, n cant afford health insurance. i need to see a therapist.?
i live in ny by myself.. no help. i work a full time job.n just make ends meet after rent n utilites. i need health insurance. n cant get it through my job. i need to see a therapist. because i am having alot of problems.. maybe i need medication to stop or help the way i am feeling lately. how do i go about this? please someone help!
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You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here - healthplans.my-age.net
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You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here - healthplans.my-age.net
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Can I still stay on my parents' health insurance if I take 9 units at my 4-year and 4 units at city college?
One of the lower division biology classes I need to take is full but the same class is available at the community college in my city. I'd like to take it but I don't want to get bumped off the insurance if splitting up the units at different institutions is considered not full time. Thanks
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Each institution considers you part time, and since you can only get federal funding for on school at a time I doubt that they would combine them to create a full-time label for you. I suggest that you wait a bit, classes always open op close to the start of school when students drop or switch their schedules. I have done this a few times, especially in lower level classes. Just keep checking the class schedule to see if it opened up, better yet, get on a waiting list for the class! Just e mail the teacher!
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Each institution considers you part time, and since you can only get federal funding for on school at a time I doubt that they would combine them to create a full-time label for you. I suggest that you wait a bit, classes always open op close to the start of school when students drop or switch their schedules. I have done this a few times, especially in lower level classes. Just keep checking the class schedule to see if it opened up, better yet, get on a waiting list for the class! Just e mail the teacher!
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I got a 1099 from my health insurance!!!?
I have never ever in my life gotten one, it was a new policy that we had for almost a year here at work..I paid INTO the policy like you do with all of them, and never ever got a dime back from them WHY WOULD I GET A 1099!!!!! And why wasnt I told?! I asked my employer if it was a mistake, and he said nope, you have to claim that as income!! its a $600.00 thing!!! IS THIS WRONG?!?!?! I have never heard ofgetting a 1099 from my health insurance!!!!
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What's the exact 1099 form number? And what boxes are checked on it? I've never heard of that with health insurance but I've only been messing with taxes for 38 years so I don't know everything.
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What's the exact 1099 form number? And what boxes are checked on it? I've never heard of that with health insurance but I've only been messing with taxes for 38 years so I don't know everything.
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Are people going to be fined up to $1000 if they choose not to purchase health insurance?
That was part of the senate's early version of the bill............ Is it still part of the current version? Is it going to be part of the final version? (intelligent answers only please)
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The last I heard, it could be up to $4700 per family if not covered.
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The last I heard, it could be up to $4700 per family if not covered.
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Thoughts on going through a birthing center and paying cash for the services or getting health insurance and?
going through a traditional hospital?
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Most insurance policies will cover a birthing center with midwives (though not all will cover a homebirth). Costs are significantly less with a birthing center, unless of course you have to be transferred. If you don't have insurance or don't have maternity benefits with your coverage, many midwives will work out a payment plan with you.
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Most insurance policies will cover a birthing center with midwives (though not all will cover a homebirth). Costs are significantly less with a birthing center, unless of course you have to be transferred. If you don't have insurance or don't have maternity benefits with your coverage, many midwives will work out a payment plan with you.
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does anyone know of any good health insurance?
Im having bad medical problems and where i live wont give me medicad, so is health insurance a good idea? i really need to see a doctor.
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Hi, My name is Tiffany Brackens, broker for Ameriplan Healthcare Benefits, and I'd like to offer you a cheaper alternative for savings on dental, vision, chiropractic, and medical care. AmeriPlanUSA® offers an unmatched benefits program. The program starts at $11.95 for a individual membership or just $19.95 for the entire household!!! If you are interested in discounts for your dental, vision, chiropractic, or medical needs, please visit: http://tiffanybrackens.onesimplecard.com… More info on SAVING MONEY call (212)990-7215 (Explanation of Healthcare Benefits). You can also contact me directly: Tiffany Brackens (817) 232-9723 tbrackens@ameriplan.net
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Hi, My name is Tiffany Brackens, broker for Ameriplan Healthcare Benefits, and I'd like to offer you a cheaper alternative for savings on dental, vision, chiropractic, and medical care. AmeriPlanUSA® offers an unmatched benefits program. The program starts at $11.95 for a individual membership or just $19.95 for the entire household!!! If you are interested in discounts for your dental, vision, chiropractic, or medical needs, please visit: http://tiffanybrackens.onesimplecard.com… More info on SAVING MONEY call (212)990-7215 (Explanation of Healthcare Benefits). You can also contact me directly: Tiffany Brackens (817) 232-9723 tbrackens@ameriplan.net
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question about the HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)?
im 20 years old & just recently left my parents' CONTROLING household.i wanted 2 get a check up & be put on birthcontrol with out my parents knowing. well my aunt works at my doctors office & i went 2 get a PAP smear, pelvic exam, & be put on the depo shot. i had all my mail sent 2 my friend (who went with me) address & used the friends home phone number. so if word got back to my parents i knew my aunt is who told. what do i do if & when she tells? how do i go about fileing complaints on her? what does the HIPPA say i can do to her for violating federal laws on privacy?
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The Supreme Court ruling in the first answer is COMPLETELY WRONG! People 17 and over have the rights. Anyone under the age of 17 needs parental consent. ANYTHING...ANYONE. Parents have the rights to know of certain things regarding children.
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The Supreme Court ruling in the first answer is COMPLETELY WRONG! People 17 and over have the rights. Anyone under the age of 17 needs parental consent. ANYTHING...ANYONE. Parents have the rights to know of certain things regarding children.
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Is there a good PPO health insurance provider that is known to be better value for an individual.?
After examining the usual suspects (Nationwide, HealthNet, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Pacificare) I find that the plans are almost identical. PPOs with $4000/5000 deductable or out of pocket maximum, 100% coinsurance etc for example, cost almost the same from each provider. What about WallMart, Costco, Kaiser ??? is there something I should know?
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A lot will depend on where you live, but in general, at least in California, you will want to look at which carrier is used by the largest number of doctors in your area. Blue Cross tends to be accepted by most doctors in California. A PPO is only as good as the doctors who accept it, so a cheaper one is not necessarily a good deal. You might find cheaper plans, but if no doctors accept it, it's worthless. The other plans you mentioned are good too. Find out what your personal doctor and the hospital near you use, and if everything else is equal, you know which plan to go with. Wishing you good health, Kim, a former life/health ins. agent
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A lot will depend on where you live, but in general, at least in California, you will want to look at which carrier is used by the largest number of doctors in your area. Blue Cross tends to be accepted by most doctors in California. A PPO is only as good as the doctors who accept it, so a cheaper one is not necessarily a good deal. You might find cheaper plans, but if no doctors accept it, it's worthless. The other plans you mentioned are good too. Find out what your personal doctor and the hospital near you use, and if everything else is equal, you know which plan to go with. Wishing you good health, Kim, a former life/health ins. agent
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Health insurance while playing junior hockey?
Im playing junior B hockey the year after I graduate, but since i won't be a full time student i won't have health insurance. Does the hockey program provide health insurance. If not how expensive is it.
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healthplans.my-age.net - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.
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healthplans.my-age.net - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.
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What is the best health care insurance for an 18 year old?
-good insurance companies -what i will be paying -your feedback Thank You!
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see if your employer offers an HSA or MSA. these are medical savings accounts that you can put money into each pay period. if you pay for regular health insurance the money you pay goes for the premium each month, like social security, you'll never see your money again. if you have an HSA, the money you contribute goes into a special checking account, which you have access to 24/7 and can use it for doctor visits, pharmacy and over the counter meds. at 18, if you are healthy, it is a waste of money to give your money away to an insurance company. with an HSA, any money you put in, you keep, FOREVER. unless of course you get sick, then its there if you need it
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see if your employer offers an HSA or MSA. these are medical savings accounts that you can put money into each pay period. if you pay for regular health insurance the money you pay goes for the premium each month, like social security, you'll never see your money again. if you have an HSA, the money you contribute goes into a special checking account, which you have access to 24/7 and can use it for doctor visits, pharmacy and over the counter meds. at 18, if you are healthy, it is a waste of money to give your money away to an insurance company. with an HSA, any money you put in, you keep, FOREVER. unless of course you get sick, then its there if you need it
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