Saturday, November 28, 2009

How is the health care overhaul different from auto insurance

How is the health care overhaul different from auto insurance?
I'm not well versed in the world of politics, but I just read that there are 13 states that are going to sue because they claim it is unconstitutional for the government to mandate that we have health care. How can they require us to keep auto insurance then? Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure it's illegal to not have auto insurance; I don't see how that's different than health insurance. ah, good point, Chicagok - haha.
Government - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
They don't force you to have a car, that is a choice.
2 :
Driving a car is a choice.
3 :
Honey, please don't confuse the angry by highlighting their fallacies and hypocrisy.
4 :
So basically the government is â€œgivingâ€ us health care by forcing us to pay for it. Americans were hit with a similar swindle before in the form of mandatory car insurance. State after state forced their citizens to buy insurance because the politicians just couldnâ€™t bare the thought of uninsured drivers running loose on the roads. The insurance companies gained hundreds of billions of dollars in premiums, and gouged the hell out of consumers charging outrageous rates while the politicians provided no oversight. Then, to cap this swindle off, the polticians allowed in millions of illegal aliens, who are driving around our streets and highways with no insurance, proving that the politicians never really cared about drivers being insured in the first place. It was all a gigantic swindle for the insurance companies.
5 :
So true Chicago! You have the choice to have a car. I mean, I guess you have the choice to live or not, but if your dead then why would you need health insurance in the first place. I am a very health 21 year old and I don't have health insurance right now, and I don't want it. I will be FORCED to buy it in 2014 and I'm not okay with it, but it doesn't matter what the people are or aren't okay with now. If you don't have it you will get fined no matter what. You may be able to get away with no insurance on your car for years without getting caught, but its a little harder to get away with health insurance when your tax man has to see the receipt of you paying for it. Pathetic.
6 :
purely a political statement. Federal social law trumps states rights. Isn't the right glad they didn't push tort reform through so that they can clog up the court system with these frivolous lawsuits? EDIT: To the person above: Problem with people like you who don't want insurance is that when you do use the health system, people who have insurance, like me, end up paying for your services with higher premiums and fees. Why should I have to pay for your poor choices? EDIT: To Ali. Your fearful speculation about premiums is unfounded as there is no indication in the legislation that says they will go up [although conservative talk radio has beaten that into you head pretty well]. But I know for a fact that a $500 a night stay in a semi-private room [the room only] is overinflated so that the uninsured are cared for.
7 :
The difference between auto insurance and health insurance is that for auto insurance, you have to own a car before you need to get 1. Second, you only need to get liability insurance, ie insurance in case you hit somebody or damage someone else property, the money will be set aside to pay for those damages. Thirdly, auto insurance are used only when something bad happens, ie unintended accidents. In the most likely case, you are never going to make a claim on auto insurance. Health-care insurance is totally different. Its not really insurance, it is prepaid health-care. You use it if you get a cold, flu, vaccinations, etc. With this new bill, you HAVE to buy prepaid health-care no matter what the cost is and no matter who you are. Even if the prepaid health-care cost a million dollars a year, you have to buy it, its illegal not to. All this bill does is to say that insurance companies cannot discriminate against pre-existing conditions. It does not prevent them from raising premiums to ridiculous levels. Normally, in a market, companies are unable to raise their prices too high because no one would buy them otherwise. Now, you have the government forcing everyone to buy them regardless. Why do I need to care about pre-existing conditions if I can raise my price to any amount and you HAVE to buy my product? Big difference. EDIT: To person above You shouldn't have to pay. But this bill makes you pay. Lets see what your attitude will be when your premium doubles or triples. The US constitution trumps ALL. EDIT: "Your fearful speculation about premiums is unfounded " Doesn't matter whether its unfounded or not or whether you believe it will or not. You cannot have something for nothing. Its not speculation, its just common sense. It will go up. When social security was passed, they said the same thing. Now social security is 10 trillion down the hole. The same with medicare, 30 trillion down the hole. Btw, I DON'T listen to conservative talk radio. Don't group me with them.
8 :
ha i'm young like all people who say "i don't need it, i'm healthy" haha that's the funniest thing ever. like for real. it's like i understand that i have felt the same way but then again you never know what could happen to you, car accident, develop asthma, break a arm, hecks you never know. again i'm not knocking peoples personal views and opinions here but lets be honest you never know what could happen. i'm just glad i can stay on my parents health insurance anyway even though i'm not in grad school at the moment. get real with yourself kinda sounds silly when you don't want to take care of yourself but like i said before (ha i sound a little condescending) i understand where you are coming from being forced is not cool but think about the topic of what is being discussed, your health.

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

How to get individual health insurance in US as a new immigrant

How to get individual health insurance in US as a new immigrant?
I will be moving to the US next week and am shopping around for individual health insurance. I am shocked that all the companies I have tried to apply at so far require applicants to have lived in the United States for 1 or more years.

How are immigrants supposed to get health insurance?
Insurance - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Depends on where you're moving but immigrants, oddly enough get immigrant health insurance.. http://insurancepickle.com/international-travel/immigrant-health.shtml I have 4 links to plans on that page.
2 :
Most major US health insurance companies require a person to have lived in the US at least 6 months to 1 year. Your best bet will be to find a worldwide international travel health insurance company and get a plan from them for a year or so until you are eligible for a regular US individual health insurance policy. Here is some more information on international travel health insurance plans:

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Friday, November 20, 2009

How to get afforable health insurance for my family

How to get afforable health insurance for my family?
I applied for Antea Health insurance a few months back. I had to cancel it because I was not able to afford the exam they needed for my family. Is there any insurance companies that do not need the exams? I haven't had one in years. I really need to get some insurance because I have a 20 month old son. Any suggestions? I have looked online but I can't afford more than $200.00 a month.
Insurance - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
look at the deuductibe rates. you can also select a yearly plan where you use it or loose it - so you can leave dental out with hearing and sight. Those are readily affordable. YOu can also set a small portion in the bank as savins which is quite hard to keep saved. All in all with a 500 deductible, use it or loose it plan and a small savings @ 500 you should be able to afford one for about 250 month or try select. Go to your State Department of Insurance, once you have insurance you can also file it in your IRS
2 :
Most insurance companies don't need exams unless there is a questionable condition or if you are over a certain age and are looking for preferred rates. So if Aetna wanted an exam there must be a reason and all other companies may also require the exam. Visit a local agent that works with all the major companies in your area. The agent can work with you to find the best plan for your situation and budget. The agent will explain the coverage you get with any particular policy and, more important, what coverage you don't get if you are looking for a less expensive plan. There is no extra charge using an agent.
3 :
Try this one - http://healthplans.my-age.net - I personally have their health insurance. As I know it is the cheapest one for my family in our area.
4 :
"Most insurance companies don't need exams unless there is a questionable condition" haha most insurance will require countless test either to increase your premium as possible an not pay for future treatment saying that it's a preexisting condition. Also they probably want EVERY MEDICAL RECORD for like the past 5 year. Even if you don't report a cold .. they can refuse treatment. Yea check the contract. As an American you should be entitled to Health care provided by your government. "promote the general Welfare" like EVERY other DEVELOPED nation. Have you tried applying for medicaid. As a pharm. Tech I assure you that's the best insurance that I ever ran. If not get a copy of the walmart $4 plan for your next doc visit.
5 :
Online is the best place to get scammed. Or sold a list, instead of insurance. $200 a month isn't going to buy insurance for two people, unless you're taking on a $5,000 deductible. Go talk to a local insurance agent - local to you - and discuss the LOCAL options. He'll have the best suggestions, and the most accurate ones for YOUR LOCATION.

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Monday, November 16, 2009

Why is the co-pay for dental insurance more expensive than health insurance

Why is the co-pay for dental insurance more expensive than health insurance?
I compared the co pays on several reputable dental insurance companies and it is very expensive. Many things are not covered, even with the best dental insurance. Health insurance is usually a 10 dollar co pay for primary physicians and a 35-50 dollar co pay for specialty physicians.

Is there any reason why dental insurance co pay is as expensive as it is?
Insurance - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You only go to the dentist one or twice a year if you don't have any problems, and even if you do have a problem, you only go a few times more than that. I'd rather pay 10 dollars for a physician because I go there more often than I do the dentist. Also, dental care is really, really expensive, and it's hard for dental insurance companies to make money because people put the dentist last on their list of places to go unless they're in unbearable agony. Braces cost $5,000 and up where I live, and even a regular teeth cleaning costs three figures. We have a good friend who is a dentist, and he has a hard time earning a living because people put off going, and when they do come they don't like to have any work done anyway. I'm sure there are many other reasons for the copays being so high, but this is just my experience.
2 :
Actually, the only time the copays are so low for health insurance is when you're dealing with those high-dollar plans provided by a lot of employers. (At least those are the types of plans that were provided be employers in the past; that's changing significantly because of the cost involved.) Trust me, these are FAR from the "norm." As for dental insurance, the fact is that there are nearly as many organized networks for dental providers as there are for medical providers (where belonging to as many networks as possible is the best way to ensure you keep new clients coming in to your practice.) Dental insurance, by comparison to what you pay for medical coverage (particularly of the variety you mention) is also CHEAP. And I don't know very many people who would pay triple the price for dental insurance so they could get the $10 copay. In the end, it's really that simple.
3 :
Because the cost of dental insurance is usually so low....
4 :
Generally, people don't buy dental insurance unless they are going to have extensive work done so it's a heavily used product. Unlike medical, people can put off having dental work done (except emergencies) so it's easier to plan to be insured when it's needed and that throws off the "unknown" that is usually a part of insurance purchases. So, it's priced and copays set with a little more cost shifted to the consumer.
5 :
Generally speaking people go to the dentist more than they do a general doctor. Most dental plans cover 2 visits a year. I have not been to the docter in over 2 years.
6 :
You're wrong about medical copays. Some are still $10, but most copays have been getting higher and higher. Currently, I'm paying a $25 copay, and I have excellent health insurance. Typically there are no "copays" with dental coverage. You would be covered at 100% for preventative services, with no deductible. Basic restorative services are subject to deductible (usually around $50) and then paid at 80%, so you owe the remaining 20%. Major services are also subject to deductible, and then payable at 50%.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

How do you find affordable health insurance

Sunday, November 8, 2009

How do you get health insurance if you suffer from depression

How do you get health insurance if you suffer from depression?
I have a friend who's been turned down for salary protection because he was once treated with depression. He's afraid now that he's becoming self-employed he's going to have trouble getting health insurance. Is there anything he should be doing to get covered?

Mental Health - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
There are lots of insurance companies that cover mental illness, including Compsych and UBH (united behavioral health). Tell him to check those out.
2 :
I've never been turned down and always been open about my propensity for depression. i had bcbs. It could be that he has to pay a little more, but depression isn't the stamp of denial that, say, cancer, is. his last employer might have just had a really crappy plan. he might have to pay a little more than your average, never been sick adult.
3 :
Tell your friend that he must 'look' at the 'insurance plans' ... and he must have 'good paperwork' about his 'treatment for depression' ... I've had malignant melanoma twice, and it's possible for me to get insurance ... but the insurance costs more than it's worth (it's well over $350 per month) unless I get admitted to a hospital. If your friend can 'prove' that his 'depression' wasn't more than a 'blip' he may not be 'charged' as much for his insurance, but the depression will be considered a 'pre-existing condition' and that won't be treated for up to one year following the contract taking effect. In my state it's only three months, but that is one of the reasons why the 'cost' is so high for me.
4 :
It's my understanding that it is illegal to be turned down for medical coverage for certain things. Depression could be one of them. Is this friend, telling his/her personal medical history to someone who is not a doctor or covered by HIPA confidentiality laws?
5 :
Iam bipolar and also suffer from depression. I have never been turned down. I would advise him to not include it in the paperwork. Depression is such a changable disorder. You can be treated and never need treatment again. So there really is no need to say anything about prior issues to the insurance company. It is your doctor who will need to know the history. Many companies even offer free sessions with a theripist, so dont worry, I have never heard of an issue like being turned down and I worked for United Health Care
6 :
I don't understand the link with "salary protection" & depression but... If your friend is in the US & has been covered by employer-provided insurance, he should also be covered by the HIPAA laws & should be able to look at COBRA or conversion coverage, regardless of why he's leaving his old job. Next, most insurance companies that offer individual policies have specific underwriting guidelines for how recently, & how, pre-existing conditions have been treated to decide whether to apply a pre-existing condition exclusion & for how long. If your friend's depression was treated more than a year ago, then it's probably a non-issue. If it's more recently, he may just be subject to a pre-existing condition exclusion for some period of time. Some companies also "rate up" (read: raise) their premiums for people who have pre-x exclusions but it's typically not a huge increase. I'd suggest he look into HIPAA & get prices from a few different insurance companies to find the best deal. If he's in the US, he's not uninsurable - it just may be more than he's willing to pay.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

How do you find affordable health insurance

How do you find affordable health insurance?
I have a friend of mine who lives in Florida. He had open heart surgery a few years ago. After the surgery was done, the Dr walked in the room and told my friend he really never needed the surgery to begin with. He is trying to find health insurance and he is having trouble finding it because of his heart condition even though now he doesn't have one. Most of the health insurance companies want more then $1500 a month to insure him. How does he find affordable insurance in the US?
Insurance - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
if he's not had any heart problems for that long then by law the companies can not count that as pre-existing! according to the portability act they can't go back more than a year for pre-existing. have him call his local Blue cross blue shield of Florida and get a price quote. the only thing that can be pre-existing is care/treatment within the past year...
2 :
I beg to differ with Heather. The pre-existing clause in the portability act only refers to group policies. Individual policies will usually look back 5 - 10 years for surgeries and heart conditions. They can choose to decline you, rider the condtion for a period of time (1 year to permanent) or increase the premium, as you are finding out. You can try increasing the deductible. A higher deductible can result in a much lower premium. Your only other options would be Medicaid or a medical discount plan. Be very wary of these plans. They are not regulated by the Department of Insurance nor do the people that sell them need to be licensed. This means you have little recourse when you have problems with the plan. If you are tempted by the low price and claims of â€œsave up to 80%â€ be aware that very few doctors actually take these cards. It does you little good if you have to drive 4 hours to find a doctor that will accept the card. Montana couldnâ€™t find any doctors in the whole state that actually took the card and only one dentist who was on probation for unlawful activities so they banned the sale of the card and fined the company. See this link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2006/11/22/74554.htm for more information. Many other states are starting to ban these cards as well. Before signing up with any discount plan get a list of doctors. If they wonâ€™t give you a list consider it to be a scam. Call the doctors on the list to make sure theyâ€™re still taking the card (many donâ€™t even know that theyâ€™re listed as a provider) and that theyâ€™re accepting new patients.
3 :
please try this <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1748196-10425138" target="_top">help!</a>
4 :
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

What are some affordable Health Insurance Options in NYC for Latin American father and his child to be

What are some affordable Health Insurance Options in NYC for Latin American father and his child to be?
My friend doesn't have health insurance and is planning on putting his new baby (born around Oct.) on his policy with him. He's Latin American and has his permanent residence card, but is not yet a citizen.

Anyone know of any affordable plans for him to look into in the Manhattan area?
Insurance - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'm sorry that answers so far appear to be spam. An insurance company will require a SSN. I don't know if your friend has a SSN. Without a SSN, your friend will not be able to obtain quotes from any company that I am aware of. I am assuming he is employed with a green card, so he should first ask the HR department of his company regarding health insurance options. If his employer offers no health benefits, AND he has a SSN, then he can shop for personal health insurance. Whether or not the plan is "affordable" depends on the types of coverages he is looking for. A high deductible plan will always be more affordable in terms of premiums, but he will end up paying more out-of-pocket on expenses. If his wages are low, his child might qualify for the NY SCHIPS program, which is state government health insurance specific for children.
2 :
He's not going to be able to do this. Private health insurers in NY aren't going to give you a policy on a new baby. That first year, IF nothing goes wrong, costs thousands and thousands of dollars, in all those well baby checkups and innoculations. But, let's pretend he's 30 and perfectly healthy. A family plan, would cost about $1200 a month, for a low/no deductible plan. Or private coverage for him, would cost around $300 a month, or theoretically, private coverage for a healthy 2 year old, would cost around $200 a month, assuming a good, low/no deductible plan. So, when you say affordable, you're probably not talking about $500 a month - which is what it would cost for a low/no deductible plan. He should sit down with a local agent, who can explain how it works, and show him how to balance deductibles with premiums, to get something that's a happy compromise.
3 :
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4 :
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5 :
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6 :
The SmartSuite programme is one programme which is offered to employers and covers employees where they need it and it helps the employee maintain their costs to a reasonable level. Also offered by this agency is a high deductible Health Care plan which offers a no copayment service.
7 :
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8 :
Try this site http://best-health-insurances-usa-quote.blogspot.com/ Here you can get quotes from different health insurance companies in your area, its the best way to find an affordable health insurance with a reliable company.

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