Sunday, September 28, 2008

What is the best health insurance company for the self employed

What is the best health insurance company for the self employed?
Searching this topic in Google only gives tons of applications but no info. I just want to know roughly how much it would cost a year for me to get my own health insurance. Are there big names to look for? I do not want a small insurance company.

Insurance - 3 Answers
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1 :
Based on your question I would suggest that you need a trusted adviser to help you through the process of purchasing health insurance so that you understand what you are purchasing. Check with the agent that writes your home or auto insurance he/she can provide you a health insurance proposal that takes into account your budget and health status. He or she can answer questions as to what is and is not covered by the policy, explain deductibles and co-pays and show you the hospitals and doctors that participate in the network. Ultimately, you are the one who determines what is the best insurance because you decide what right balance is between affordability and policy benefits. If you choose a plan that covers everything i.e. doctors office visits, prescription drugs, preventative health benefits, maternity coverage, low deductibles, low co-pays as well as vision and dental benefits your monthly premiums will be significant. On the other hand if you are young, healthy and use the health care system sparingly you could consider a plan that covers only the major health catastrophe. If that is too scary consider a plan with a higher in hospital deductible, higher co-pays for doctor's office visits and perhaps not cover prescription drugs.. Either of these approaches will result in a lower monthly premium. You then can use the monthly premium savings to pay for the occasional doctor visit or prescription and still come out ahead. Some are going to suggest you go to their site so that they earn a few pennies on a "click through". Some are going to suggest going on line to get a quote but you probably already know that there is much more to health insurance than price. Some might even suggest a discount plan as the "best and cheapest" approach but that is not insurance at all.
2 :
Yes you are right, Google will give you so many websites to look at which can be confusing. Plus there are insurers and brokers bidding on google adwords to get your business. I am a broker - Best Health UK ltd. I can tell you that if you are about 30 years old, you could pay about Â£30 per month for a plan. But it all depends on what you are looking for? You would pay more if you wanted cover that gave you full out-patient consultations cover. the cheaper plans wont cover you for that initial consultation but only once you are in hospital. The big names of course are Norwich Union, BUPA, Axa PPP, Standard Life but using a broker like Best Health uk will enable you to obtain a free comparison of all of these plus more. Also specialist brokers like us have access to plans that these insurers dont offer direct to the public. At the moment, we can offer 2 months free cover with NOrwich Union. I would be more than happy to speak to you. You can find out about us by visiting www.besthealthinsurance.co.uk. You can also get a rough quote there. Thanks and good luck! Debbie Kleiner-Gaines
3 :
First of all there is NO insurance that's specifically for the self-employed. AND, any organization marketing it as such is to be avoided. There are two kinds of insurance. One is group and that's sold to businesses for their employees. Everything else is individual coverage...even that which is sold through organizations. So what you need is individual health insurance, because you're not looking to insure your employees. Now you just need to search for "(your state) health insurance broker" and check the 'about us' section of their site and look for a physical address. You do this so you know you're not putting your information into a lead farm so that your name can get sold over and over. Depending on the state you're in you may find the tool on my site helpful to compare plans. No personal information is required to use it. Cost depends on your age, state, type of plan, etc... A broker costs nothing to use and will be able to show you and sell you most, if not all, of the comprehensive health plans that are available to you. Avoid limited benefit plans because you're cutting your benefit, but you're not necessarily cutting your cost.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

What is the best health insurance carrier for those self employed

What is the best health insurance carrier for those self employed?
I'm very confused as to finding health insurance since I'll be self employed soon. Can anyone suggest a health carrier that is easy to get insured and are reliable? Thank you. I'm really not interested in going online, as have been warned.

And I have been online and don't need a million calls wanting my business. Thanks, but no thanks. I am interested in details and sure information. Like seeing an agent.
Other - General Health Care - 2 Answers
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1 :
A lot depends on your personal situation and what state you live in. Generally though you will want to stick with a large and trustworthy company like a United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc. Shop around and compare quotes from at least 3 companies to find the best rate. Here is some more info on some thing you should know when looking for self employed health insurance:
2 :
Finally, someone who is thinking clearly! I am an insurance agent myself and I don't recommend you going on line at all! You are going to get a ton of phone calls from agents who will promise you the world and come through on none of it! If possible, try to find a local agent. But, in health insurance, that can be hard. Not all insurance agents sell it and even some that do, they are not all that good in it because it is not what they do a lot of. You need to find an agent that works only in health and if not only, then at least a large part of their business is health. Now, if you do hear of someone from out of town, or someone recommends an agent out of town, I would trust that because you won't be "applying" on line. You can work with them through email and phone. OK, now to the actual companies. Don't worry about finding someone who is "easy" to get insured with. You won't have a problem with that anyways, UNLESS you have a lot or a major preexisting condition! Reliable and Affordable are the 2 key things. I sold Mega/Midwest for a little while.....and DO NOT recommend them at all! Their plans have a lot of open areas that could cause you to lose a lot of money if something major should happen. I had every single client I wrote on them to switch after I looked into their policies more. Blue Cross/Anthem, reliable and a trust worthy company. Their downfall, cost. They can be MUCH more expensive and even if their rate starts low they tend to raise rates yearly. They do have one of the best maternity plans. Any clients of mine who know they want children, I recommend them. Otherwise, I don't think the rates are worth it. American Family, I'll say one thing...I have an American Family Agent himself who insured himself with one of my other companies because even he won't put his family on their medical plan! Assurant, probably the best plan for self-employed individuals. Rates are very reasonable but you have great coverage. They have rate guarantees for up to 3 years, WONDERFUL! And, they have a stop loss in their plans. My son was put in the Riley Children's Hospital last year, one day alone was $8,000. The second day was $6,000 and the 3rd day $12,000! MY out of pocket expense: $1,000. I always say, you don't get insurance because you want to use it, you don't get it for that once a year check up, you get it for that one day you hope never comes. How comforting to know that if that day does come, your family will be taken care of. Good luck finding someone. If you find a plan/company and want an honest opinion from someone, I would be more than happy to help. There is nothing worse than not knowing a topic very well and having to put all your trust in someone else! You can email me at rkinsurancesales @ gmail . com.

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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Why would a health insurance provider reject someone with a preexisting condition?Does it happen often

Why would a health insurance provider reject someone with a preexisting condition?Does it happen often?
From what I've heard and read,this is supposed to be a big part of the present health insurance and health care coverage debate.Thankfully,I don't know anyone who has this problem.I also know that,debates and all,if Congress passes a health insurance overhaul bill,that it won't take affect until 2014 or later.
Insurance - 4 Answers
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1 :
The reason that a health insurance company rejects a person with pre-existing conditions is that the numbers suggest that such a person will have high expenses in the future. Rather than raise the rates on everyone to make sure that all the expenses are covered, which results in healthy people dropping coverage, the insurance company either rejects the person or issues a policy with a no-coverage rider (ie, if your pre-existing condition is diabetes, the policy won't cover insulin, oral meds, etc.).
2 :
Well, yes, it happens ALL THE TIME. Because once you've got the problem that you need expensive medical coverage for, the insurance company can't charge enough to offset the KNOWN EXPENSE. Insurance only works for UNKNOWN claims - then, all the POTENTIAL claims are divided among people, and the premiums are low. Look at it this way - if everyone could buy a lottery ticket AFTER the drawing, for $1,000,000, why would anyone buy one BEFORE the drawing? And who would pick LOSING numbers, when you know what the winning numbers are? AND, how much would each ticket then have to cost, to keep the same jackpot?? Insurance is kind of like that. Preexisting conditions, mean that an insurance company takes in $300 a month, for maybe $5000 a month in KNOWN chemotherapy costs, or a KNOWN $50,000 back surgery. Then, when the treatment is over, the person cancels. No business can stay in business, paying out more than they take in. That actually includes the US Government - you cannot indefinately run up a deficit, spending more than you take in. Eventually, it will all collapse.
3 :
Insurers try to make profits. Paying out more in claims than they take in in premiums normally loses money. If an insurer agrees to cover a person with certain preexisting conditions, who will certainly cost more than they will pay in premiums, it's bad business. Investors, employees of the insurer, other insureds, would be damaged by that. Insuring many known preexisting conditions will make the insurers fall apart and disappear, then no one (but congress) would have insurance. A BIG advantage of many group plans offered by employers, is that preexisting conditions can be covered. Normally, there's a short window to sign up. In a group plan like that, the extra cost of the insurance for preexisting conditions is shared by all of the employees in the plan. Until now, insurance companies operated for profit. It worked. (Warren Buffet's primary businesses are insurance). It also attracted the shameful greedy, like we saw in AIG. Like any business, there must be profit to stay alive. If the gas station pays $8.00 a gallon for gas and sells it for $3; or if the grocery store buys bread for $10.00 a loaf and sells it for $2; or if the shoe store pays Nike $500 for shoes and sells them for $200, they will go broke. An insurance company that pays $50,000 a year to care for a preexisting condition and collects $5000 a year in premiums will go broke. So, they reject those of us with preexisting conditions, in order that they can stay in business and serve lots of others. If a government will fill the gap in costs, the insurers can cover everyone, including all of us with preexisting conditions. Where does the government get it's money? Taxes. That means everyone paying taxes will be required to pay the healthcare bill for preexisting conditions, which can be expensive. Now ,what if the cost of all that care is too much burden on the government budget and taxpayers? Instead of rejecting people with preexisting conditions, governments have been known to reject payment of certain treatments or procedures that are too expensive. The difference can be that instead of an insurer denying coverage upfront, the government chooses at the time the coverage is needed. If the insurer rejects, there may be other help, including government help. If the government rejects, the rejection seems much more personal - that a bureaucrat is choosing whether I live a bit longer. Being rejected for insurance due to a preexisting condition IS devastating. The possibility of someone choosing not to pay for my treatment is horrifying. There is no easy answer to your question. Thank you for asking. If we keep asking good questions, worthwhile answers will come.
4 :
health-quotes.talk4fun.net - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What is a good health insurance for children with special needs

What is a good health insurance for children with special needs?
My son is on a feeding tube due to a small bowel transplant he received last year. My husband and I are returning to a full work schedule and our health insurance (Tricare) does not cover a nurse for him, or special daycare because his only special need is the feeding tube and the medication he receives through it.

Apparently that's not enough. So is there a good company that I can purchase insurance through who will cover these types of things for him?
Other - Pregnancy & Parenting - 4 Answers
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1 :
that is absolutely sickening to me. i have tricare and they paid for my BREAST IMPLANTS. they should pay for anything that is truely medically needed, have you contested it and brought it to the head of the tricare region you are in? im sure something could be done about this, that is just absolutely horrible!!!! if it comes down to it and they wont cover it, i would contact blue coss blue shield, ive heard great things about their coverage. plus, no insurance can turn your child down because of his pre-existing condition, which is great. i HOPE that tricare ends up covering it, but if not then i hope you get the coverage you need at a fair price.
2 :
Your going to want to get insurance from the company you work at, even if they don't cover your sons expenses. With a company your insurance is being partially covered by the job, if you buy insurance from a third party you have to pay all of it; which will likely be more expensive then trying to cover your sons costs yourself. After all any insurance willing to cover your son will raise the costs due to it. Plus it will take time to switch insurance; I'm not sure but it sounds like your sons condition is temporary and may not last long enough to warrent the change. Your first option would be to contact tricare and speak with them in person. There may be options avilible to you which you were unaware of. If you are in a situation where you simply can't cover the extra costs there are many forms of finacial aid and grants you can look to for assistance instead. I don't know enough about your specific situation to know what applies for you unfortunatly. Here are some links to information about medical aid for children, which may or may not be useful depending on your situation... http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/c/special-needs/resources/financial/funding.htm http://www.php.com/unitedhealthcarefoundation
3 :
You should check with your state Dept of Human Services to see if you can receive this help through the State....most public health agencies will provide this service to a special needs child. You could also appeal the decision through Tricare..but that may take too long...Best of luck.
4 :
Try this site usainsurancequotes.net Here you can compare quotes from different companies

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Friday, September 12, 2008

What is individual and family health insurance

What is individual and family health insurance?
I am planning to have family health insurance in these days but I want to understand the basic difference between individual and family health insurance.
Insurance - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Individual health insurance covers only yourself. Family health coverage should cover you, a spouse and/or your children but will cost much more than single/individual coverage.
2 :
An individual policy covers only one person. With individual insurance, you need separate policies for each person. A family policy typically covers a married couple and their child or their children. With family insurance, you just need one insurance policy for everyone that it covers.
3 :
Individual covers one person. Family covers the adult, their spouse, and any children. Or an adult and their children - you don't NEED to have the spouse there.
4 :
Generally speaking there is individual coverage and there is group coverage. Then in each you can cover the individual or the whole family.
5 :
Individual and family health insurance is a type of health insurance coverage that is made available to individuals and families, rather than to employer groups or organizations. Given the option, most people would prefer to have their employer provide group health insurance coverage. But, if this is not an option for you, it is still important for you to seek coverage. You may be pleasantly surprised with the variety and affordability of the individual and family health insurance options available. try http://CheapInsurance.Tk

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Monday, September 8, 2008

How to get an international health insurance for 5 days to satisfy the Schengen visa requirements for France

The insurance available on the internet looks fake. Does anyone know any genuine website/ company to get a short stay health insurance from? Thanks.
Other - Europe - 1 Answers
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1 :
Depends where you are, but I usually find an insurance broker will handle short-term medical insurance policies without costing very much.

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Thursday, September 4, 2008

How to get an international health insurance for 5 days to satisfy the Schengen visa requirements for France

How to get an international health insurance for 5 days to satisfy the Schengen visa requirements for France?
I am traveling to France soon and the Sheghen visa requires me to produce the follow: "A letter from your insurance company (+ 1 copy) stating that you will be covered for any medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation for at least $45,000 during your stay in Europe." The insurance available on the internet looks fake. Does anyone know any genuine website/ company to get a short stay health insurance from? Thanks.
Other - Europe - 1 Answers
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1 :
Depends where you are, but I usually find an insurance broker will handle short-term medical insurance policies without costing very much.

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Monday, September 1, 2008

How does Health Insurance Application Process work

How does Health Insurance Application Process work?
I applied for health insurance and forgot to mention an out of state doctor's visit a few years back.

Do the health insurance companies have access to all medical records even if you did not list the doctor or doctor's office on the application? Is it a big deal that I forgot to list the visit. A brief explanation of how the application review process works would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Insurance - 5 Answers
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1 :
In the UK, they normally don't bother contacting your Doctor UNTIL YOU CLAIM ... THEN they try to avoid paying out by finding some mistake or 'error' in your application so they can say the Insurance is invalid. I've no idea what happens in the USA, but I bet Insurance companies there are just as reluctant to pay out as they are over here ...
2 :
This is a question you need to ask of your agent because "forgetting" to mention a doctor visit may come back to bite you. Insurance companies do not have access to all medical records if they don't know those records exist. Sometimes, depending on your answers to the health questions, they do not even check the records. However, in the future should you put in a claim which raises a red flag the insurance company will investigate and if they find out you "neglected" to tell them about the doctor visit they could cancel the policy and not pay the claim.
3 :
Don't worry about it... nobody has access to your medical records and there is no database that keeps it all together. If you don't list that Dr.'s visit then nobody is the wiser.
4 :
It is a very big deal, but not during the application process. What they do in the application process is to see whether you would qualify if the application was true. If they decide that you would, then they tell you that you are approved, and start charging you money. If you do not need to use the insurance much (and you are paying them more than the benefits are costing them), they let you keep the insurance, so that they can keep making money. If you need to use the insurance enough that they will lose money if they pay (for example, if you have to go to the hospital), then they conveniently discover the inaccurate information at that time, call it a lie, and use it as an excuse to rescind your policy, so that you have to pay for the treatment, hospital, etc., yourself.
5 :
It depends on what your doctor visit was for. Generally speaking, they can get all your records when you apply. You give them the permission to go through your medical history when you sign. Also the signature says everything is true as far as you know. If it was for something you disclosed other places, you should be fine. If it was for something routine, it shouldn't matter. If it was for something you are taking medicine for, you should have disclosed the medicine. Usually they'll call and do a telephone interview. If it was a visit where you were diagnosed or prescribed drugs, just call the agent and tell him/her if the issue wasn't disclosed other parts of the application. You won't be in trouble for forgetting. They'll probably catch it anyway. If it is a big deal and you file a claim on it, they'll check it and deny the claim. I hope this helps. I don't think it's a big deal, but I don't know what the visit was for. And I don't know what you disclosed on the application.

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