Friday, August 28, 2009

What's the best health insurance company not tied to a single location

What's the best health insurance company not tied to a single location?
I'm a travelling sales person with multiple mailing addresses. What location in the United States has the best health insurance rates and best health care? I'm in my mid 30's, non-smoker, healthy.
Insurance - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You can have a thousand mailing addresses, but a health insurance company is only allowed to sell you a policy if your one permanent, legal residence is in a state where they have a license. The best company is whichever one has a license there, because you are not allowed to use a mailing address in a state other than your state of residence to obtain insurance from a company that is not licensed where your legal residence is. If you do manage to get a policy this way, then you have given them a perfect excuse to cancel your policy whenever they want, usually right after they receive a large claim, and before they pay it. (If a policy is rescinded due to fraud, the decision is retroactive, and you are not covered for the outstanding bills, and you must repay whatever claims have already been paid.)
2 :
It depends on where you live. BlueCross in Maryland AND in California both allow you to move to other states and maintain your coverage. You only have to live in those states when you buy. With other companies you could use your coverage in other states, but if you continuallly changed your address you may either lose your coverage (if they don't sell there) OR te price of the plan could change. Just call an insurance broker that sells in multiple states that knows what they're talking about.
3 :
It doesn't matter how many "mailing addresses" you have. You can only have one legal residence.
4 :
You only have ONE legal residence, where you register to vote and file your taxes. That's the state where you buy your insurance from. You need to talk to a local broker, who can find a carrier in YOUR state, who will cover you out of state, also. You probably won't be able to do this yourself (without spending hundreds of hours researching), and you shouldn't buy online, anyway.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

How can I get health insurance for my family member

How can I get health insurance for my family member?
My little cousin has absolutely no health insurance, and he has never even been to the dentist. Right now, he really needs extensive dental work. Unfortunately, his parents are ill-equipped to help in this situation, and he is not old enough to get his own insurance (nor is he old enough to work).

Basically, it's impossible for his parents to get insurance for him, so I want to help him myself. Since I am not his parent, and our slight age difference makes it impossible for me to pretend to be his parent, I don't see how I can put him on my insurance. He doesn't really speak to his parents, so that makes it even more difficult to coordinate anything with them. I don't make that much money, so I couldn't possibly pay for the work solely out of my pocket. Some sort of financial assistance is simply a must. What can I do to help pay for this dental work?
Dental - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Depending on the insurance company, chances are you probably won't be able to put him on your insurance unless you legally adopt him. What you could look into, is getting Social Services involved & see about getting him government assistance. In the state of Virginia, people in his situation can get Medicaid plans that cover dental work until he turns 21. (With these plans, the patient also has no co-pay, Bonus!)
2 :
Iâ€™m not sure whether you can include your cousin on your health insurance; you should call your insurance company, your state insurance office (link below), or a local insurance agent (link below) if youâ€™d rather not talk with the company. I do know that the definition of â€œdependentâ€ has changed lately regarding health insurance. Some states have extended the eligible age and others have broadened who can have dependents on their health insurance (grandparents, for example). As for financial assistance, Iâ€™ve included several links that might be of use. Some free clinics also provide dental services, so that would be a free or discounted option (also try searching for your countyâ€™s health department. The Childrenâ€™s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), offers health insurance for kids, although you might have to get the parents involved. Insure Kids Now is a Web site where you can look for state-sponsored insurance programs, many of which include dental coverage. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a resource page to help promote childrenâ€™s access to health care, and you might also want to try contacting the American Dental Association to see if they have any dentists that do pro bono work in your area. Hope this helps. It's touching that you want to help out your cousin. Barnes@MostChoice

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Who should verify health insurance coverage and if procedures are approved

Who should verify health insurance coverage and if procedures are approved?
In Illinois (and the entire US, possibly), who is responsible for verifying health insurance coverage (if doctor is in-network) and if any procedures done (echo, stress test, blood draws, etc) are covered? Should it be the patient or the doctor's office? Shouldn't dealing with the professionals in the insurance company be done by professionals in the doctor's office, instead of the patient who sometimes does not understand half of how the health system works?
Insurance - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
It's your health, and your bank account that will be affected, so you should be the one checking the coverage and procedure approvals. You don't have to understand how the entire health system works, you just should be capable of asking an insurance care representative, or your HR representative, whether procedures are covered, and how much.
2 :
it is your responsibility to verify if a provider or service is covered. this is why you are given a plan benefit book that shows your benefits and coverage limits. 95% of people do not read it.
3 :
Ultimately, it's up to the insured person ( or their parent, if they are a minor) to verify health insurance coverage and in network status. Most doctors' offices do it as a courtesy, but what they find out is NOT BINDING. As with all other financial dealings, the patient really really needs to educate himself about how the health system works, instead of relying on someone else to take care of you. People here in the USA have to grow up, and start taking some responsibility for themselves, their health care, and their finances.
4 :
I have seen so many times on Y/A that a person goes to the doctor and they confirm that something is covered, then later get this huge bill they end up paying and get upset since the doctors office called and they relied on that info. To learn how this health system works, you need to get on the phone YOURSELF and ask questions before you treat if possible. The doctor maybe in-network, but the tests they do may not or sent to labs that are out of network, thus you pay a lot more. When YOU talk to YOUR insurance company, they will explain if you will be out of pocket a deductible, co-pays or co-insurance which can add up. Unfortunately in today's world, we think we can get treated and the insurance will pay, but many times even if something is covered, it could be less than your deductible, thus you pay the full amount. Only in the US, no one really knows what any procedure, test costs until you get a bill and find out, since they don't post them at the doctors office so you know ahead of time. Most doctors get paid per procedure/tests that are done, whereas each procedure/test could be on your dime, so sometimes you have to ask? Do I really need this test/procedure? good luck
5 :
try this: http://www.insurance.2arz.com

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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Is expanded health insurance coverage the answer to the health care issue in our country

Is expanded health insurance coverage the answer to the health care issue in our country?
I've seen some of the proposals by the presidential candidates advocating expanded health insurance coverage.

Is this subsidizing health insurance companies? Are companies that are in business for a profit the best means for health care?
Politics - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You should not be making money off of people's health. There is a difference between a doctor paying his bills and having some left over, and a health care organization that is denying people coverage based on profitability. No one should be denied coverage.
2 :
No its not the answer. Until the problems with the litigation process is addressed along with the Problems with the Insurance companies it will never be the answer. It is like using a band aid to stop a leak in the dam.
3 :
"Is this subsidizing health insurance companies?" Yes, all of the health care proposals I've heard so far amount to not much more than the largest corporate welfare ever perpetuated at the expense of the American taxpayers. "Are companies that are in business for a profit the best means for health care?" No, and neither are politicians with their own profit motives. The only thing to debate is which one is worse. I say the politicians are worse because at least if I don't like my coverage I can change companies or cancel my account.
4 :
No, subsidizing for profit companies is ridiculous but something is going to have to be done. I don't by the liability story either as an excuse for high costs and doubt capping claims would do anything except put more money in the pockets of insurers.
5 :
Just expanding the system is not the answer as the system is bloated and inefficient. We need to have more efficient choices in our health care. There was a system which I saw proposed in California where smaller clinics would be opened up in strip malls and community centers. Staffed by Nurse practitioners and Physicians assistants and working in consort with doctors, they would be allowed to take care of simple illnesses and injuries that clog the emergency rooms now. The cost savings alone would more than make up for the initial cash outlay to start the clinics up.
6 :
If people should be making money off of health coverage. Then should people be making money off of food ? Should people be making money off of housing ? Aren't they more important than health care? Americans pay for thier own food and housing, so why not make americans pay for thier own health care?
7 :
Expanded health insurance coverage is not the answer. Spending less money on healthcare is the answer! It's the cost of health care that drives insurance rates up, and it is the high cost of insurance that makes coverage less available. If the cost of healthcare goes down, the cost of health insurance will go down, and more companies will be able to afford to offer Health insurance to their employees.

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

How do the candidates expect to make everyone buy health insurance

How do the candidates expect to make everyone buy health insurance?
Health insurance costs are extraordinary, Hillary and OBama want to force people to buy health insurance (and subsidize the costs for some) but they fail to address the reasons health insurance is so expensive. Medical malpractice insurance costs doctors more than most people make a year, and Insurance companies answer to their stockholders before their customers are two of the main reasons it is so expensive. It seems that insurance companies are the ONLY winners in the field of medicine. The democrat solutions to the "health care crisis" only masks the problem. Whimsey... it didn't work with car insurance did it? everyone is supposed to have it and the costs continue to soar. How will health insurance be different?
Politics - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You know I have health insurance, but what gets me, is how are we expected to pay for the co pay and the medicine? After paying for the insurance, I can't afford to go to the doctor!
2 :
Yeah I love how these two so called candidates are willingly spending our monies even before we earn them. Sorry to say at this moment in time I myself would not be able to cover private funded health care outside of 150.00 a month for the premium and that is really cutting to the minimum..Besides Hillary failed miserably in health care reform 15 yeahs ago or less, why the hell should "We the People" trust her now..? 300 a month for family plan, 25 dollars a run to the doctor co pay, bill arrives and you still owe about 45% of the services due IMMEDIATLY. Plus addition to the cost of perscriptions and travel. ohh my lord and stars can I get to spend my fruits of labor as I see fit or does the government want to come spend my money and just let me work?
3 :
If everyone pays, then costs go down. Further you will not have deductions from your paycheck (as previously) for Insurance, and you employer could pay you more, if they don't have to fund the remainder of your health insurance costs. Thus you may have more net income each pay period than before.
4 :
Only Hillary wants to force them to buy insurance, including attaching their wages if they don't. Obama's is voluntary and will include government assistance to those who cannot afford it. And Obama's plan is for the same insurance that currently covers Congressmen which does not mean as Hillary's does only partial coverage with additional costs for doctor visits, etc.
5 :
They can't and won't do anything. This is just campaign rhetoric. As soon as one of them gets elected they'll 'suddenly find out' that their national health care scheme is unworkable and move on to something easier. Mind you, democrats have a hard time handling even the 'easy' things. Heck, they can't even run something as elementary and straight forward as an election. Something high school kids do every year!
6 :
The problem I have with this is taxes. Where is the money going to come from, me the middle class. The middle class is what keep this country running. Besides, do you think this plan will really benefit all? Will this stop hospitals from closing their doors because illegals immigrants and American trash that go to the emergency room every time they have a cold and they never pay the bill resulting th the hospital having to eat the loss. Read up: 13 hospitals shut down in California as a direct result. Furthermore, this type of heath coverage will result in lower pay for doctors which will go elsewhere for higher paying jobs. The quality will drop and then we will be like Canada who has waiting list for surgeries and people dying as a result. this is madness and we shouldn't elect Hillary or Obama as a direct result.
7 :
I have never been able to understand he reluctance of America to have a National Health Service Free to every Citizen at point of delivery as we have here in U.K.Operations/Medication/Doctors/Nurses./Ambulances.Payed for from your salary during your working life.ICradle to grave we say.(they even have it in Cuba)

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Saturday, August 8, 2009

How should I start going to the doctor - Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none

How should I start going to the doctor - Received Health Insurance after 7 years with none?
An odd question, but stay with me: I haven't had any health insurance for 7 years. Now, finally with a wonderful new job, my excellent health insurance benefits start tomorrow. There is so much that I need.

When should I go to the doctor? I'm posititive they will find little things that I have had for a long time, but done nothing about - will they determine it to be a pre-exsisting condition? I mean, if I go the first day of my insurance, they will know that I had this medical condition before my insurance was in place - does that make a difference? I don't know how it works. Thanks!
Other - General Health Care - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
First of all, if you've been pretty healthy for the past 7 yrs and haven't had any nagging complaints, you probably don't have anything wrong w/ you. Second -- and I'm not sure about this -- I think a preexisting condition would be one that has been detected or diagnosed prior to receiving your coverage. Third, you should start out by finding a doctor (either a general practitioner, internist or family physician) in your plan and making an appointment for a physical.
2 :
Yes, it does make a difference. Unless you have already declared a preexisting condition which was accepted by the insurance company. So, wait till you fall sick and then go. I am sensing from your question that the insurance firm did not ask you to undergo some routine checks before issuing the policy. And you might not have declared any thing since you did not know. I suggest that you wait.
3 :
First, ask your benefits person if insurance covers existing conditions. If you work for a large company, then your Group Health Insurance probably does cover existing conditions. However, most existing conditions are those that are known, not discovered. In any case, set up a full health checkup with your primary doctor. You will be asked to spend about 15 minutes filling out a medical history of known problems and existing issues. The Doc should spend 15 - 60 minutes giving you a check-up. You should type up a page with numbered questions to ask the Doc... and he should be able to take the sheet and address each question in language that you understand. Take a notebook to write notes, and ask him to spell any word that you cannot. If he talks about illness or drugs, slow him down, write down the words, and ask him questions. Then ask him how to look it up on Google. You're not asking for "how to use Google", you are asking what keywords to use, that are related. He will probably ask you to set up another appointment with his front desk, so that you can fast, to get some blood work done. Hopefully, he will have a few follow-up visits, and may schedule you for other doctors.
4 :
Most group plans will consider something to be a pre-existing condition only if you've seen a doctor or received medical treatment for that condition within the past 6-12 months. Unless you've seen a doctor your plan should cover you with no problems.

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Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Where can i get individual health insurance for me and my daughter that also covers pregnancy in connecticut

Where can i get individual health insurance for me and my daughter that also covers pregnancy in connecticut?
I need to get health insurance for me and my 1 year old daughter. I am planning on becoming, or possibly already am pregnant but need insurance for us. Any help? This is in CT, so it is a state that does not require individual policies to cover pregnancy.
Women's Health - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
you can do a search for health care in CT and see what comes up with that. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield, but I live in Oklahoma so I do not know if that will help. They do have pretty good plans though. Also you might see about a company called Metlife.
2 :
There are many web sites online that offer health insurance quotes you can compare with no obligation. Some health insurance plans may include coverage for pregnancy. You want to check with the plan when requesting your quotes. Ask about pre-existing conditions coverage in the health plan and how your coverage and deductibles are applied to pregnancy - What exactly is covered. This way you won't be surprised when you need the coverage during your pregnancy. You want to make sure you understand the coverages offered, coverage limits, deductibles, co-pays, and exclusions for any pre-existing conditions. Try this site http://free-health-quote.blogspot.com/ Here you can get quotes from different health insurance companies in your area, its the best way to find an individual health insurance with a reliable company. Best Wishes,
3 :
You may want to speak with a local health insurance broker. Try one who represents multiple insurance carriers. Be sure to let them know that you need a policy with maternity benefits. After you get quotes from a broker, it may help to call the insurance companies directly to verify their benefits. Try using Yahoo Local to find an agent near you.

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

How do I get health insurance in Canada if I am not yet a Permanent Resident qualifying for OHIP

How do I get health insurance in Canada if I am not yet a Permanent Resident qualifying for OHIP?
I am a US citizen living in Ontario waiting for my permanent residency to be approved. I would like to purchase health insurance to cover me for the time period until I am approved for the Ontario Health coverege.

I don't see this period being more than a year. Are there any companies that offer health insurance to non-canadian permanent resident in the immigration process. I also do not yet have a SIN number.
Insurance - 1 Answers
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1 :
I dont know but if you dont get any answers, try posting into the Travel>Canada section

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