Individual health policies are for those who are responsible for their own health insurance expenses. My best recommendation is that you have a Health Insurance Broker licensed in your state assist you make the best decision. The coverage you should choose is determined by your particular needs and those of your family.
Examples of specific considerations:
-Maternity
If your family is young and growing, you will want to consider a policy that includes maternity care from the onset.
-Prescription Plans
Some plans have prescription plans that only cover generic drugs while most do cover preferred brands. It is just good to know what you are going to get.
-Doctor Networks
Check and see if your doctor is included. Typically PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans provide the most freedom of choice and greater flexibility as compare to HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
-Preventative Care Packages
If you can opt for a plan that includes a preventative plan without having to first meet a deductible. Preventative Care usually includes Annual Physical, OB/GYN Exams, Mammograms, PSA screening and well child care.
-Dental and Vision are pretty important but do not allow these to disproportionately affect your Major Medical plan decision. If need be get them separately and focus on a health plan that is solid and that meets your needs.
VALUE NOT PRICE
Be diligent, compare plans and comb through the outlines of coverage. My little rule is that the better insurance companies have simple and easy to understand plans as opposed to those that present you volumes of literature and very little coverage.
REGIONS
DC- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PLANS
Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield probably offers the most coverage for the best price in DC. The savings are pretty substantial.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA PLANS
Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield both serve Northern Virginia but their territories do not overlap. They both offer very comprehensive and competitively priced plans. Most Plans include a nice preventative package - Contact your broker to determine which side of the fence you are on. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts the biggest PPO network in the DC metro area.
Kaiser Permanente (HMO) offer very inclusive and competitive plans in this area too. This company's plans almost always include maternity for no extra cost.
Golden Rule (United Healthcare) also offers Health Plans in some Northern VA zip codes. Great PPO and HSA plans offered.
MARYLAND PLANS
Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield offers very comprehensive and competitively priced plans. The majority of the Plans include the important preventative package. (HMO & PPO) Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts the biggest PPO network in the DC metro area. Do Consider the Blue Preferred Plan.
Kaiser Permanente (HMO) offer very inclusive and competitive plans in this area too. This company's plans almost always include maternity for no extra cost. This is indeed a popular company in this state. For Kaiser Quotes go to http://www.Cartvertising.net
Golden Rule (United Healthcare) also offers Health Plans in Maryland. These plans are very competitive and the Network is large. Great PPO and HSA plans offered.
Tips
-Blue Cross Blue Shield Families may realize substantial savings by submitting separate applications for each individual as opposed to a family application. The savings seem to be greatest for a two parent (adult)-one child family especially when there is a notable age difference between the parents (adult)
-Blue Cross will accept domestic partner family applications.
-For BlueCross and Kaiser Permanente Quotes go to http://www.RxMom.com
-For Golden Rule Quotes go to http://GoldenHealthInsurance.com
Tom Musembi - Licensed Broker in Virginia, DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania
tel 888-490-8782 email tom@rxmom.com
web site RxMom.com
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Solutions for Finding Cheap Health Insurance
While Cheap Health Insurance is quite the oxymoron, there are quite a number of options available to almost everyone and in various circumstances. Health insurance cost may be determined by a range of factors, namely: coverage selected, age, health condition, gender to some extent (some good companies charge males and females the same), and location of residence. Obviously not all of these factors are readily changeable and the other important consideration is that one cannot buy insurance based on price alone; we have to get the best coverage for our money.
Low income will put insurance out of the reach of many people, but thankfully every state has a Medicaid program. Medicaid is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant.
For those with children who are not covered by the parents insurance there is the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which was created to address the growing problem of children without health insurance. SCHIP was designed as a Federal/State partnership, similar to Medicaid, with the goal of expanding health insurance to children whose families earn too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough money to purchase private insurance. For more Visit http://www.insurekidsnow.gov
When you pay for your own health insurance, you really want to spend your money wisely. Insurance companies are very competent they all seem to have similar plans that cost almost the same. Coverage is King, but do consider higher deductibles so as to lower your premiums especially if you and your family are pretty healthy and unlikely to be hospitalized. HSAs do offer additional premium lowering options.
Comparison Shopping on the internet is probably the most powerful tool we have on hand. You want to use the resources of a site that features multiple plans from reputable companies. As you comparison shop do make a keen effort to check out the details e.g. Is pregnancy covered? What is the Out of Pocket Maximum? Are Doctor Visits paid for before I meet the deductible? Does this plan include a prescription plan? ... These are the type of questions one should ask depending on their particular situation. Be diligent and invest your effort upfront by ensuring that you buy a solid plan then sit easy knowing that you are covered.
For Comparison Shopping You may visit =>http://GoldenHealthInsurance.com
Your local independent Health insurance broker is a valuable resource for affordable health insurance choices. Make sure you are dealing with someone who represents multiple companies and not a captive agent, just to make sure you are getting the best deal available; the most coverage for your dollar. Remember you are buying peace of mind.
Tom Musembi - Licensed Broker in Virginia, DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania
tel 888-490-8782
email tom@rxmom.com
web site RxMom.com
Low income will put insurance out of the reach of many people, but thankfully every state has a Medicaid program. Medicaid is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant.
For those with children who are not covered by the parents insurance there is the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which was created to address the growing problem of children without health insurance. SCHIP was designed as a Federal/State partnership, similar to Medicaid, with the goal of expanding health insurance to children whose families earn too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough money to purchase private insurance. For more Visit http://www.insurekidsnow.gov
When you pay for your own health insurance, you really want to spend your money wisely. Insurance companies are very competent they all seem to have similar plans that cost almost the same. Coverage is King, but do consider higher deductibles so as to lower your premiums especially if you and your family are pretty healthy and unlikely to be hospitalized. HSAs do offer additional premium lowering options.
Comparison Shopping on the internet is probably the most powerful tool we have on hand. You want to use the resources of a site that features multiple plans from reputable companies. As you comparison shop do make a keen effort to check out the details e.g. Is pregnancy covered? What is the Out of Pocket Maximum? Are Doctor Visits paid for before I meet the deductible? Does this plan include a prescription plan? ... These are the type of questions one should ask depending on their particular situation. Be diligent and invest your effort upfront by ensuring that you buy a solid plan then sit easy knowing that you are covered.
For Comparison Shopping You may visit =>http://GoldenHealthInsurance.com
Your local independent Health insurance broker is a valuable resource for affordable health insurance choices. Make sure you are dealing with someone who represents multiple companies and not a captive agent, just to make sure you are getting the best deal available; the most coverage for your dollar. Remember you are buying peace of mind.
Tom Musembi - Licensed Broker in Virginia, DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania
tel 888-490-8782
email tom@rxmom.com
web site RxMom.com
Monday, January 9, 2006
Finding the Right Health Insurance for Children and Students
Both children and students require health insurance coverage. Finding the right plan for your child can be a tedious, but not impossible process if you have some help.
Health Insurance for Children
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is a plan called Title XXI, was passed by Congress in 1997. SCHIP was approved in order to deal with the growing number of children in the United States who did not have any kind of health insurance. The incomes of many American families were high enough that they wouldn't get approved for Medicaid. However, their incomes still weren't that large to enable them to afford private health insurance policies for their children. With the SCHIP coverage, a family is charged only 5% of their gross income. Many are even able to receive it free of cost.
The policies for health insurance plans for children differ from one state to another. However, all states are mandated to provide coverage for a minimum healthy baby and healthy child physicals, immunizations and emergency services that a child may need in the future.
If you already have a health insurance policy for your child, be it under your group insurance plan or any other insurance plan you have, your child does not qualify for the state's coverage.
Do some research if you discover that your children are not eligible for state coverage. Oftentimes it may be more economical if you get a policy that covers your entire family. It is certainly better than having each of your children covered by individual policies. However, you can go for an individual policy if you only have one child.
Health Insurance for Students
Most universities have a health care clinic where students can go for minor ailments. However, you cannot, and shouldn't, rely solely on university and school owned clinics to take care of your child's health and well-being. You need to get a health insurance plan for your child that will cover any emergencies and surgeries.
As a student, your child has several options for health insurance coverage. The best option is to have your child covered by your policy. Most family group heath insurance plans will provide coverage for your child as long as he or she is attending school and is actively enrolled. Ask your insurance agent if any changes need to be made on your policy with regards to your child's health insurance coverage, and if this is possible at all.
If you need an individual student health insurance policy for your child, there are many choices available to you. However, be careful in choosing the policy. Conduct some due diligence on your part by researching, gathering information and comparing policies. Exactly what kind of coverage do you need? What's the maximum amount of coverage do you need? What about the deductibles? Don't hesitate to ask questions whenever you have some doubts or you don't understand something. Get to know what an insurance health company will cover and what it won't cover for your child. If you are sending your child to school in another country, ask if you need to pay extra for the period your child is overseas. Investigate and carefully choose a policy to ensure that your child's college life won't be riddled with problems when it comes to their health insurance.
For more information on health insurance for children and students try visiting http://www.easyhealthinsuranceguide.com, a website that specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice and resources to include information on the health insurance claims process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman
Health Insurance for Children
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is a plan called Title XXI, was passed by Congress in 1997. SCHIP was approved in order to deal with the growing number of children in the United States who did not have any kind of health insurance. The incomes of many American families were high enough that they wouldn't get approved for Medicaid. However, their incomes still weren't that large to enable them to afford private health insurance policies for their children. With the SCHIP coverage, a family is charged only 5% of their gross income. Many are even able to receive it free of cost.
The policies for health insurance plans for children differ from one state to another. However, all states are mandated to provide coverage for a minimum healthy baby and healthy child physicals, immunizations and emergency services that a child may need in the future.
If you already have a health insurance policy for your child, be it under your group insurance plan or any other insurance plan you have, your child does not qualify for the state's coverage.
Do some research if you discover that your children are not eligible for state coverage. Oftentimes it may be more economical if you get a policy that covers your entire family. It is certainly better than having each of your children covered by individual policies. However, you can go for an individual policy if you only have one child.
Health Insurance for Students
Most universities have a health care clinic where students can go for minor ailments. However, you cannot, and shouldn't, rely solely on university and school owned clinics to take care of your child's health and well-being. You need to get a health insurance plan for your child that will cover any emergencies and surgeries.
As a student, your child has several options for health insurance coverage. The best option is to have your child covered by your policy. Most family group heath insurance plans will provide coverage for your child as long as he or she is attending school and is actively enrolled. Ask your insurance agent if any changes need to be made on your policy with regards to your child's health insurance coverage, and if this is possible at all.
If you need an individual student health insurance policy for your child, there are many choices available to you. However, be careful in choosing the policy. Conduct some due diligence on your part by researching, gathering information and comparing policies. Exactly what kind of coverage do you need? What's the maximum amount of coverage do you need? What about the deductibles? Don't hesitate to ask questions whenever you have some doubts or you don't understand something. Get to know what an insurance health company will cover and what it won't cover for your child. If you are sending your child to school in another country, ask if you need to pay extra for the period your child is overseas. Investigate and carefully choose a policy to ensure that your child's college life won't be riddled with problems when it comes to their health insurance.
For more information on health insurance for children and students try visiting http://www.easyhealthinsuranceguide.com, a website that specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice and resources to include information on the health insurance claims process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman
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