Health tips and advice

Affordable Health Insurance in Missouri

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:20:59 +0000

Regardless of where you live in Missouri, if you don’t have a job that offers a health benefits package, or if you don’t work at all, you’re most likely going to have trouble finding affordable health insurance in Missouri. The exceptions, of course, are those individuals who are married and have spouses with excellent health benefits packages, or those individuals wealthy enough to purchase individual health insurance policies.

Some Missouri residents have trouble obtaining affordable health insurance in Missouri for various other reasons. Some people find their health insurance policies involuntarily cancelled, while others are being charged more than 300% of the standard health care premiums. These residents also probably need help obtaining affordable health insurance in Missouri.

Missouri offers a special program to Missouri residents who are in these kinds of situations. The program is called the Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP), and it’s governed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield programs of Missouri and of Kansas City. The MHIP isn’t an insurance company; it’s an insurance program for Missouri residents that offers four kinds of comprehensive and major medical health coverage.

You’re eligible for the MHIP if you don’t receive or aren’t eligible for any other health care coverage; haven’t already received the maximum $1 million dollars in coverage from the MHIP; and haven’t been turned down by other health insurance companies due to alcohol or drug abuse. For more information, visit Missouri’s Department of Insurance Web site.

The MHIP works as a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and in order to get the most from the program, members should stay within the PPO when getting health care. The MHIP offers prescription drug and managed care coverage. Although there is a “pre-existing condition” exclusion, there are ways to get that exclusion waived. Other kinds of coverage, as well as costs, depend on which of the four kinds of comprehensive and major medical health coverage in which you’re enrolled.

By: Elizabeth Newberry

How to Find Arizona High Risk Health Insurance

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:12:24 +0000

If you have a major pre-existing condition you might have a hard time finding an Arizona health insurance plan. Most insurers don’t want to insure a high risk person simply because that person uses more health care than a healthy person and therefore costs more to insure. This is a sore subject with many people, especially those who need the health insurance and are denied because of pre-existing conditions. Is there a way to find high risk health insurance in Arizona? Absolutely. In fact, there is one way, and it just happens to be the easiest way.

Arizona High Risk Health Insurance Pools

High risk pools are one of the best ways for those categorized as an above average risk to get the AZ health care they need at an affordable price. Thousands of people use these pools to get the medical care they need. Essentially, the pool is large group health coverage for those who can’t be insured by a typical company with an individual plan.

High risk pools are funded by the federal government and are even beneficial for businesses because the high risk employees can use the high risk pool, which brings the cost of regular group health care down.

Until the health care industry can be revamped, these health pools around the country are definite options to help people who need medical insurance, get the help they need.

Compare Arizona High Risk Health Insurance Quotes

One of the easiest ways to find Arizona high risk medical insurance is to shop around and compare rates. Each company has different underwriting standards and criteria for being approved so even if you are considered a high risk individual to insure by one company it does not necessarily mean that you cannot be approved for high risk health insurance with another company.

By: James J. Robinson

Extensive Health Insurance Coverage Does Exist

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:00:53 +0000

With various consumer awareness programs being conducted by the insurance companies, media reports and general consumer’s interest in benefits of quality insurance, it is not hard to find extensive coverage: it does exist! This is partly due to the emergence of so many new insurance companies entering the market today all of which are offering a wide range of policies across various budgets to meet the needs for extensive health insurance coverage of different market segments.

Of course, with the current state of the global economy, many people are finding it hard to imagine how they will pay up the monthly health insurance premiums, especially those who had opted for an expensive policy and thus, thinking it would be better to get rid of the plan – just to cut back on the monthly budget.

However, experts advise against this thinking: insurance, say professionals, is a necessity, not a luxury and with rising medical costs associated with specialists, there is a greater need to choose policies wisely so you can avail extensive coverage, which does exist.

One way to ensure extensive coverage does exist and that you can locate the right provider according to your individual or family’s insurance needs is to go online and visit all the top coverage providers.

Then get competitive quotes from your preferred providers and compare features of each plan that fits your budget before short-listing the ones offering you the best combination of extensive coverage with low premiums so you can negotiate further for any discounts that can be applicable in your case (e.g. joint policies or group employee policies taken together etc.).

If you have already consulted with your health care adviser regarding the extent of coverage you need from your plan based on your health risks as judged by the doctor, you will be in a better position to discuss various aspects of the policy with the insurance company and get the kind of coverage you actually need.

If you are smart enough to do your homework regarding the different service providers in your state and can narrow down the list of preferred companies offering extensive coverage to 4 or 5 providers, you stand a good chance of saving several hundred dollars per month should you be able to negotiate for lower premiums under sections that make you eligible for discounts.

However, you need to be aware of these ways to save on insurance without compromising on the extensive coverage you need, since this is a necessary aspect of modern living as costs of quality medical care are rising having good coverage makes all the difference in ensuring you get the best medical treatment – so look for the right combination of insurance policy – extensive coverage, affordable premiums. So, do your research on the reputed companies existing today – and you are sure to find the right provider for your personal needs.

By: John Fagan Jr.

Health Insurance: How to Apply

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:52:29 +0000

If you’re wondering how to apply for health insurance, be aware that application is the second step of the process — after you’ve researched different policies and compared prices and benefits. Whether you apply online or off will depend on your comfort level with the computer, and also whether you’re applying via a group plan.

Before you sit down to fill out an application, you should gather information you will likely need when filling out an application. The names and addresses of doctors for yourself and your family members, the dates of the most recent visits, and information about your most recent insurance policy,

Through Your Employer

If you’re enrolling in a health insurance plan through your employer, you probably won’t need a medical examination, but you may have to wait for the company’s next enrollment period before you can apply. However, if you’re a new hire, you likely can apply immediately. The application process for enrolling in a group plan is quite simple, because most plans will enroll everybody, regardless of pre-existing conditions and current state of health.

Just fill out an enrollment form, which includes personal information like: name, address, social security number, designation of the primary insured and all dependents (including the names, ages, dates of birth and social security numbers for all dependents), employment information including date of hire, and the type of health insurance coverage you select. You’ll probably have to provide information about your prior health insurance coverage, including the insurance company name and policy number.

The completed application goes back to the benefits coordinator, who will process your form, and you’re finished.

On Your Own

If you’re not applying for group coverage, the steps are similar, except you’ll be handling all the paper work yourself. Some insurance companies will send an insurance agent to discuss the application process with you. In these cases, the agent will often work with you to gather the necessary documentation, coordinate an in-home medical examination, and collect your pre-payment check.

The whole process is so simple that some people decide to apply for health insurance online. To do so, just visit the health insurance company’s web site where you’ll find an online application form. You’ll have to provide the same type of personal and employment information as above, and you’ll just enter it onto an online application form. When you’re finished, click the submit button and the system takes over.

Applying for health insurance online really is painless, reliable and fast. However, if you are not comfortable providing that amount of personal information over the internet, it’s probably a good idea to apply for health insurance offline.

Either way, don’t wait until you need it. Because then it might be too late.

By: Ron King

On Accessibility Of Health Care In The United States

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:50:01 +0000

There is no excuse or logic why so many people in the United States remain uninsured or have no accessibility to medical care. In a country so rich, with almost unlimited resources as the United States, I fail to understand any excuses that try and explain it. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have failed to find any reasonable solution to the biggest failure of the American Government (both under democrats and republicans) and to the American way of life.

The only two choices that have been presented to date are: government control of the medical care system (socialized medicine, as in Canada) which needs a lot of thought and consideration, or a private-sector Medical Care system whose accountability remains more involved with its investors. What we have now is a split between private sector control (accessible for those who can afford it) and a public medical care system for others who can’t (Medicaid). We also have non-profit medical providers which are supported partially by the government and private donations.

Although everyone agrees that change is needed, there are many differing views on which of these two choices would solve it. What we really need are enlightened economists/philosophers with vision to come along and propose more creative options, new ways of looking at this problem and perhaps rethink the whole medical structure in this country. The following are some of the current issues which have resulted from a mostly republican philosophy, expressed by the current republican administration.

The pharmaceutical companies control the price of drugs which they claim are high because they need the money to continue researching new drugs for treatment. Yet here in the United States, they spend billions of dollars to advertise new prescription drugs on television, radio and magazines, to manipulate the population to put pressure on their doctors to prescribe brand name medications even though generic drugs are perfectly good to treat most conditions. They claim that this advertising serves to “educate” the public. This money would better be served by putting it into research. These companies also pay undisclosed fees to Physicians for lectures and other services to encourage them to prescribe brand name drugs. They retain strong lobbies in Washington, influencing politicians of both parties to support their positions.

Part of the problem is that the pharmaceutical companies are businesses. Their accountability is to their stockholders not the American people. They are in business to make as much profit as they can. Their accountability always remains with their private investors. This is part of the complex problem of solving the Health Care Crisis in this country.

The cost of using HMO’s (also private corporations) have sharply risen for those who have them. When I started paying for an individual policy three years ago, it was approximately $320 a month, and is now just over $700 a month for standard individual coverage. Most HMO’s won’t touch you if you have any pre-existing conditions. That is standard policy with all HMO’s.

Children, the future of the American society, go uninsured throughout the country. People are forced to crowd the emergency rooms because they don’t have the money or the coverage to go to doctors, while the Medicaid system is forced to absorb all these costs at taxpayers’ expense.

The Republican Administration enacts laws to prevent people from getting medications from cheaper sources like Canada which they claim is for the benefit of the American population. They reason that Canadian drugs have not been proven to be safe for US consumption. The President and his administration, acting as the grand protector of the United States, will do everything to keep the American population safe, so the propaganda goes.

Anyone who has visited Canada, seen their medical system and the quality of their pharmacies, know that all that is a bunch of governmental fabrications aimed at propping up the American pharmaceutical companies to keep them in control of the costs. Everything that the Republican administration (and controlled congress) has done to date has been more for the benefit of the drug companies than for the American population.

The FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION has become more of a political arm for the Republican administration, by creating the illusion they exist to protect the American population. This is also true of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The politicians go on and on. The republicans would put a band-aide approach on the medical care system and prop up the HMO’s and American pharmaceutical companies while continuing to require Americans to pay exorbitant fees for everything medical.

The democrats, newly elected to control both senate and House, are still so lukewarm and disorganized about medical care reform that they provide no concrete leadership to rely on to negotiate a reasonable re-haul of the medical care system.

What we need to do is what Peter Finch did in the film NETWORK, where he told people to go to their window, open it up and yell as loud as they could: “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” We need to tell, not only the politicians, but the universities, the problem-solvers, creative thinkers and economists that they need to step forward and propose new ideas, any idea. It’s from these kinds of thinkers, with focused and dedicated politicians, that the answer must come.

It is very frustrating that solutions to this problem remain bi-polar. No new creative ideas. I believe the United States can do better. The answer won’t come from politicians alone. They will have to come from all of us.

By: Doc Jon Percepto

Health Insurance Rules

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:02:55 +0000

Many dual income couples, include their children on each group health insurance plan to maximize benfits. However, without some sort of system in place to help the health insurance companies coordinate benefits, it’s possible that either you or your doctor would be reimbursed for more than 100 percent of the actual cost of your claim.

To prevent this, health insurance companies typically designate one parent’s health insurance plan as the primary plan and the other as the secondary plan. (That’s why the patient questionnaire at your doctor’s office asks for information on primary and secondary coverage.) The primary plan is responsible for paying covered expenses up to the limits of the policy. If any unpaid costs are left over, the secondary coverage kicks in.

THE DATE OF BIRTH DETERMINES WHICH HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDES COVERAGE

The birthday rule is often used to determine which plan is primary and which is secondary. Under this rule, the plan of the parent whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year is designated as primary. The date of birth is the determining factor not the year so it doesn’t matter which spouse is older.

Like most rules, the birthday rule has exceptions:

- If both parents share the same birthday, the parent who has been covered by his or her plan longest provides the primary coverage for the children.

- If one spouse is currently employed and has health insurance through a current employer, and the other spouse has coverage through a former employer, the plan belonging to the curently employed spouse would be primary.

- In the event of divorce or seperation, the plan of the parent with custody generally provides primary coverage. If the custodial parent remarries, the new new spouse’s coverage becomes secondary. And finally, the non custodial parent’s health insurance plan would provide a third layer of insurance protection. This order of payment can be altered by a court issued divorce decree or by agreement, but the health insurance companies must be notified.

THESE ARE JUST HEALTH INSURANCE RULES NOT THE LAW

Keep in mind that these practices are common among health insurance companies, but they are not governed by law. Practices may vary from one insurer to another. Read your policy carefully to make sure you understand how your insurance company handles dual coverage. If the policy coverage is unclear, ask for help from your employers benefit specialist or your insurer’s customer service department.

By: Ivon T. Hughes

Benefits Of A Health Savings Account

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 05:23:03 +0000

The health savings account is a relatively new tax-savings vehicle, but it’s one that makes a whole lot of sense. Learning to navigate this new option and understanding its benefits really can help people save a ton of money when unexpected medical expenses arrive.

Health savings account plans tend to come in two basic forms – employer sponsored and self-purchased. Since the rules for employer-sponsored plans might differ from business to business, we’ll focus in on ones people who buy their own individual health insurance policies might benefit from.

In a nutshell, these savings plans allow people to save money on a tax-free basis for qualified medial expenses and future retirement medical expenses. To qualify, people must be on High Deductible Health Plans, which means they pay at least $1,000 in deductible for self-only coverage. Most insurance companies will now let customers know when a plan they choose makes this option available to them.

The benefits of the health savings account are many. They include:

* Money in a health savings account is owned by the person who opens it. How to spend that money is entirely up to the person, but if it goes on non-qualified medical expenses, the tax benefit will be lost.

* The money “rolls over.” Whereas some employer-sponsored and supported health savings account set ups don’t allow for roll over from year to year, a self-opened account does. The money put into the account is income tax-free unless it is used for ineligible expenses.

* Helps people save up for expenses faster. Since income tax won’t come into play with these accounts, the money saved can help add up to a better accumulation of cash if and when it’s really needed.

* Easy to open. Most banks, credit unions, insurance companies with high deductible plans and so on will help people set up their own health savings account plans. The only requirement is the right kind of medical insurance policy. It should cost nothing to open one of these plans.

* Easy to use. Most HSAs come with a debit type card that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

These plans are a little tricky to understand as far as all the minute details of what is an allowable expense and what isn’t. The federal government offers highly detailed information on qualified expenses, but there are some generalizations that can be made. The types of things typically included in the qualified list are:

* Insurance premiums. This is allowed for the payment of COBRA insurance and for those who are unemployed.

* Co-payments. Some times co-payment amounts can be charged to the health savings account.

* Prescription medications. These are generally considered eligible expenses as are over-the-counter medications and medical supplies.

* Dental and vision care. In most cases, expenses associated with non-cosmetic dental and vision care are considered fair game.

A health savings account can be a great way to bank up money to pay for medical expenses without having to feel the bite of income tax. As long as the money used in these accounts is spent on qualified medical expenses, the savings extends after use, as well.

By: M. Xavier

Tips for Getting Infertility Health Insurance

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:11:44 +0000

Health insurance for infertility treatment can be a complicated – and touchy – subject. It affects a lot of people – approximately 6 million women experience the pain of infertility each year in the United States. The health insurance laws in the state you live in may have a lot do with the extent of your coverage; for example whether your employer is required to provide infertility insurance or not.

One reason that infertility insurance is so expensive and hard to come by is because the procedures are so complicated – an in-vitro fertilization procedure can cost $10,000 or more. Not surprisingly, many insurance companies simply don’t provide – or provide very limited – insurance coverage for infertility.

There are some things you can do if you aren’t covered for infertility treatment under your health insurance. Firstly, make sure you read and fully understand your insurance policy – some policies exclude actual treatments only, some exclude diagnosis too.

Determine whether you live in a state that has mandatory infertility insurance coverage – New York, for example is one of several such states. Under the mandate, your state must ensure that insurers provide fertility insurance as part of a standard plan, or as an option to purchase for a reasonable price.

If you are shopping around for health insurance, never mention that you are looking specifically for fertility insurance, or that this may later be a concern. As this coverage is so costly, insurance companies have the right by law to turn down your application for insurance – without giving you a reason.

If you are denied coverage, it is also possible to appeal to your insurance company on the grounds that the fertility coverage is a legitimate and necessary medical procedure. To appeal any decision successfully, always obtain legal advice, and you may need the support of your doctor.

And if your insurance company just won’t cover it, the good news is that infertility treatment, like most medical procedures are tax-deductible. This includes the actual procedures as well as general physician’s visits, drug costs, etc.

By: Elizabeth Newberry

Health Insurance Help

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:03:21 +0000

Health insurance is perhaps the most important product we will spend our hard earned cash on and making sure we our adequately covered should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Too many Americans are running the risk of living their lives with no health insurance whatsoever and whilst the cost of health insurance is admittedly rising and rising, every effort should be made to ensure you have a policy which reflects your needs.

It is these rising costs that are leading many people to risk living uninsured, however there are many things you can do to reduce the costs. For example, buying your health insurance whilst you are still young will present you significant savings, obviously because the youthful are thought to be more healthier. It is also imperative you compare the market a few times a year to make sure that your policy is still up to date and competitive, if it’s not it is time to start renegotiations. Do not assume that the cheaper health insurance option is the best for you simply because “nothing will ever happen to me”. Think carefully about how much you value your health and make sure you insurance reflects your lifestyle.

There are things you can physically do to reduce your health insurance premiums, for example if you smoke, then quitting can reduce the annual premium by around $250, you will also be less likely to call upon the insurance plan! If you can afford it, pay for your policy annually as you will save on any interest payments which your provider may charge. If you are fresh out of university you may be able to be included on your parent’s policy for a little while, to ease the pressure of all the expenditure you have recently incurred.

Although health insurance premiums continue to rise, with no plans for any government reform it is still one of the most important purchases you will make. Make sure you invest a reasonable amount of time in researching and buying your health insurance, for affordable life protection and peace of mind.

By: Thomas Coyle

Utah Uninsurable Canidates for Health Insurance

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 03:38:33 +0000

To understand your problem is to understand state health insurance regulations in Utah. They allow insurance carriers to decline and or rate up pricing for private health insurance based upon certain health conditions which cause you to be labeled uninsurable. This is very much different than employer offered insurance which is controlled by federal laws that prohibit denial of coverage for health conditions. Most people get stuck in this “denial jam” if they are between jobs or self employed. The good news is that coverage is available EVEN with carriers that may have declined you already. You just have to know how to secure it.

What is “High risk health insurance”? You can define this in several ways such as coverage obtainable from three sources. Source 1 would be from a COBRA policy. COBRA policy is usually very expensive with the trade off being that your medical conditions are covered for at least 18 months. From a underwriters perspective, COBRA is a high risk insurer proposition because of the carrier being locked into liability of claim payments for 18 months. Most COBRA premiums run around $900 per month for a middle aged family. Source 2 would be with the STATE HIGH RISK POOL. You would qualify for that if you didn’t have access to COBRA benefits or a private health insurance policy. They require you to be declared “uninsurable” by private health insurance issued by either ALTIUS, SelectHealth Plans (IHC) and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.

The premium for the state pool is around $400 per month per family member whom is determined to be uninsurable. Only the uninsurable family members will be issued a policy through this program. The other insurable family members would have to secure a policy through channels such as ALTIUS, SelectHealth Plans (IHC) and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah. The State high risk pool deductible is around $2,500 with options of 50/50 coinsurance. Source 3 would be a INTERIM or SHORT TERM policy.

Typically the coverage is very low priced if the insured agrees to accept a medical rider for the health conditions that caused “declined health insurance”. The trade off is beneficial for people that are not being actively treated for the medical condition that caused the decline in the first place! You have to understand that logic does not apply with an normal healthy person being declined for a medical condition or use of prescriptions in the past. The state insurance regulations allow these declinations. We have always said that if in the next life there is not a hell…there should be just to burn underwriters! Many people can actually secure a reputable health insurance policy to cover them for everything else and elevate the risk of going “Uninsurable”. We can make recommendations of getting prescription coverage as long as you take the responsible step of securing a health insurance policy to hedge off financial disaster.

At BenefitsManager.net we like to clarify and warn Utah residents of the following:

What “High risk health insurance” IS NOT! Basically any type of indemnity insurance policy. Many reputable carriers such as AFLAC and ALLSTATE offer these. They are normally called hospital plans, accident plans, cancer policies, etc. These are not functioning health insurance policies! They only pay a limited and or specified amount of money per occurrence. They will not cover the costs of treatments or the bills associated. Unfortunately much mis-representation takes place in the market of how these policies actually work.

Discount health plans are dangerous and currently under investigation by the Utah State Insurance Department. We must make it clear that these type of plans are NOT insurance. They only give you access to a limited doctor panel that will agree to treat you at a discounted rate. Currently there are several entities making claims that it is an insurance policy which in fact they are not and they have not been approved so by the Utah State Insurance Department. These discount health plans do not meet the basic definition of insurance policy. Nor do they provide coverage for medical conditions or the definition here in.

By: Mike Oliphant