Health Insurance

HEALTH INSURANCE is a necessity from protecting yourself and your family from illness and disaster. But not all health insurance plans are created equal.

Health insurance quotes are important to shop around for because the deductible and premium you are expected to pay will vary greatly. Additionally, some insurance companies have better reputations than others for efficiently and correctly processing claims.

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of shopping around for your health insurance quotes because of the difference in costs and coverage you will encounter. There are three general types of insurance you will encounter:

Fee-For-Service (typical health insurance)
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

Keep in mind as well when comparing your health insurance quotes that some plans give you wider choice of doctors and hospitals that will cover you. This can be an important consideration if you would like to avoid lengthy travel to see a doctor that is covered by your health insurance.

Common Questions:

1 How do I get individual health insurance quotes?
If your employer provides inadequate insurance or you are self employed you should seek individual insurance in the form of an HMP, PPO or fee-for-service. After receiving your quote, speak with your agent and read the policy carefully. Most companies give you up to 10 days to cancel the policy if you find something in the small print you disagree with.

2 If I lose my job can I stay on the same policy?
A federal law called COBRA established in 1985 makes it possible for you to stay on the same policy for up to 18 months provided that your business has more than 20 employees. 18 months is typically enough time to find a new job that will cover you under their policy.

3 What is a customary fee?
If you have an operation and your doctor charges you more than your insurance company expects the operation to cost in your area, you may be expected to pay the difference. To avoid extra fees like this make sure your doctor will accept your insurance as full payment for your operation or treatment.