Do you need health insurance coverage? Learn to choose your health insurance with confidence and ease
Four Steps to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Health Insurance Coverage Finding, shopping, and understanding health insurance coverage options are not always easy. Here are some simple tips to follow on how to begin your journey through all the online healthcare craze.
Step One: Make a list of your current health conditions, medications, and any other current health-related problems. You’ll also want to take note of your top concerns and questions about choosing the right health insurance.
Step Two: Get Information from Multiple Health Insurance Providers. Not all health care plans are the same. It is worth the time and effort to review your health insurance policy more than once. It can save you time, money, and improve the quality of your health care in the future.
Some of the big names in health insurance can be a great place to start your comparisons, such as: Golden Rule Insurance, Celtic Insurance, American Medical Security Insurance, Time Insurance, UNICARE Insurance, Humana Insurance, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Insurance alone to name a few.
Those of you seeking help from Michigan Medicaid and Medicare must first meet the qualification requirements. Each county may have different requirements, such as income and more. Check with your local health department for more information.
Step Three: Review each health insurance plan noting the benefits provided for these basic coverage sections: Physical Exams, Specialist Care, Hospitalization, Prescription Drugs, Dental Care, Vision Care, Emergency Care, OB / GYN Care , preventive care and alternative care coverage. Remember to evaluate using the notes you made in step one.
Pay particular attention to the copays, spending limits, and deductible amounts in each section for each health insurance plan you are reviewing. The goal is to do what is called a “price comparison”. As you go through this process, one or two health care policies will most likely seem to meet your needs better than the others.
Step Four: Once you have chosen two or three possible health insurance plans, take note of the questions and concerns about each one. Now is the time to get your questions answered and make a decision.
It is important to make sure you speak with a licensed and qualified health insurance agent. Feel free to keep asking questions until you feel like you have all the information you need to make a good decision.
Other useful information
Compare health insurance plans online and save time
Take the time to find what you need at an affordable price. The great thing about looking for health insurance options online is that you can compare plans and benefits first on your own, without talking to different representatives. Most health insurance companies offer FREE online services and FREE instant rate quotes online. All that is required is that you quickly complete a secure application. In a matter of minutes you should have your results in front of you. In case you have questions, these companies have licensed health insurance professionals waiting for your call.
Keep it up! Who can benefit from temporary health insurance?
Temporary health insurance or short-term health insurance is also available in Michigan and will allow you to have coverage for a temporary period of time. This type of insurance is not suitable for everyone. Inquiries about this form of health care typically come from people who are between jobs, seasonal employees, laid off, and may even benefit young adults who recently exited their parents’ health plan. Plans tend to last between six months, but some are known to last twelve months.
Temporary health insurance forms are much simpler than permanent insurance. Coverage in a short-term plan can start as early as twenty-four hours. This insurance covers invisible accidents and illnesses. Because it is temporary, they generally do not cover preventive care, vision, dental or pre-existing conditions. For pre-existing conditions, you may want to verify your COBRA benefits. There are other ways to keep your health insurance after losing your job
Don’t let recent unemployment keep you from getting the care you need! For example, if a loved one is waiting, the last thing you want is to lose your maternity insurance. There is another alternative called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Law or COBRA. This type of insurance usually lasts longer than term or short term insurance, but it is still a type of term insurance. Typically, COBRA policies can last for about eighteen months. For more detailed information on extended COBRA policy plans, talk to your employer about the specific plan from your health insurance company. Many people are unfamiliar with temporary health insurance coverage. In fact, people take risks between hedges all the time due to lack of knowledge. The advantage of temporary health insurance coverage is to fill a gap in coverage. While it is nice to have this temporary coverage, it does not replace permanent coverage. Michigan HIPAA Laws and How They May Affect You
If you currently have pre-existing conditions and are looking for short-term health insurance coverage, WAIT! You may be buying health coverage that doesn’t cover you and then not eligible for the care you need. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA plans are primarily for those who have pre-existing conditions and may have trouble obtaining health insurance. These plans can be extremely expensive. Federal HIPAA law gives a person immediate access to comparable coverage when they leave a job that provided coverage.
Familiarize yourself with your rights and consult your benefits advisor to discuss the best options for you. You can get your health back with health insurance companies where there is a plan that suits everyone’s needs. Reading and doing your homework about the plans that relate to your needs can help you eliminate useless information and help you find the right health insurance plan much faster.
Copyright 2006 Lisa Ip