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Health
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Health Insurance options can vary
significantly by state. Most States
have the "Blues" for health
insurance which is typically Blue
Cross Blue Shield. The health
insurance market is starting to offer more
competition by private carriers. It's
important to choose a strong, stable carrier
for your health insurance as rates and benefits can
change for your health insurance policy
based on the how well the carrier is
managed. Whether health insurance for an individual,
family, small group, or person with
Medicare, you will be able to get a
comprehensive quote for the strongest
carriers in the health insurance market.
Just click
here to get your
free health insurance quote and proposal.
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Instant Quote by State
Click here |
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Health
Insurance is one of the most important decisions you can make
to protect yourself, family or employees. Each State's
health insurance options are different but there some
important considerations that are universal in choosing the
right health plan. You can find more detailed
information on health insurance options to the left but first
some key points:
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1.
Insurance Carrier strength.
Health Insurance is
different from other types of coverage in that what you
purchase today...is not necessarily what you will have
tomorrow. Carrier stability is very important. It
will drive rate and benefit stability in the future.
Occasionally, less secure carriers will come into a market
offering health benefits for discounted prices. If it
seems too good to be true, it probably is. Choose wisely
as it may be difficult to move around at a later date based on
health.
2. The trend
towards High Deductible and away from HMO's.
It's pretty obvious but the main
issue today
with health insurance is cost. Premium have roughly
tripled in the last five years and it's partially due to the
design of plans. Plans that offer very rich
benefits will become more and more expensive...at faster pace
in fact. This
traditionally includes HMO's, Indemnity plans, and high-end PPO plans. The cost of these plans will
rarely be worth the
added benefits. It's simple...the plans with the most
utilization will go up faster. You can find more great
information on analyzing the plans based on this here under
Health Insurance 101. Health Savings Accounts are an
example of plans that will be the trend going forward.
3. The Plan Break Down. This is
probably
the best thing you can ever read before looking at the
countless options. It's a rough sketch so make sure to
read the benefits in detail but it will save you from hours of
mind-numbing benefit charts and comparisons.
Typically, health plans break down into three main areas
(assumes in-network for covered benefits):
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Office Consultation.
You usually have some sort of
copay (fixed amount) or co-insurance (percentage) on the
office visit depending on the plan. There are some
catastrophic plans (also called major medical or hospital
plans) which do not cover Office visits at all or include them
in the main deductible.
Prescription. RX is typically broken out
separately with copays. Generally, there is a
distinction between Brand name and Generic with a possible
separate deductible for Brand name. Some
plans do not cover RX at all so double check.
Other Services. For many plans,
other covered benefits are subject to the main deductible.
Usually, you pay a percentage after the deductible is met
until the Max out of pocket is met in a calendar year.
There may be separate copays for specific coverages such as ER
or Maternity.
You can
find more great information on comparing the right direction
for your health insurance options at our Health Insurance 101
section.
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Each State's carriers and plans are
different so it's best to first start with your state's
free health insurance
quote
here. |
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