Monthly Archives: October 2011

Benefits of Low Cost Health Insurance

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are rising, and according to government statistics over 40 million Americans may not have affordable health insurance. Health insurance plans that offer services at much lower costs are a necessity to individuals such as students, the unemployed, and those on a fixed income. These plans need to be not only reasonably priced, but also they need to cover the health needs of the individuals who they are insuring. This should include regular medical care, as well as major medical expenses resulting from illnesses such as cancer or diabetes.

Many colleges, especially those that are accredited by the state, may already offer low cost health insurance coverage to students who are enrolled full time and are between the ages of 17 and 19. It is important to check each of these programs out before enrolling because they are all different. There are some advantages to these college programs such as lower cost and the ability to transfer to another university without losing their insurance.

However, there are problems with these low cost plans, whether they are plans for students or others who need this service. Often these programs compensate for having lower premiums by having fewer benefits. Services that may be covered on higher cost plans are often times left out of these plans. Some of these services may be ambulance service, blood transfusions, oxygen, or even prescription medications.

Warning: Cheap Travel Health Insurance

All of us like discounts, and we all want to pay less for something. That includes health insurance. However, we should remember that buying “cheap” may result in later paying more, and the savings aren’t always worth it, especially when it comes to your health and life. You should be aware that you may receive less benefits if you choose a discounted travel health insurance policy.

For example, if the plan you choose does not cover some medical costs when travelling, you may regret it later. Also, you can find better ways to cut your costs rather than simply removing the medical costs covered in your plan. For instance, if you travel frequently, you can usually get cheaper travel health insurance by buying a multi-trip plan rather than one for a single trip.

Another choice for ones who travel often is to purchase an annaul plan or a plan with the option to renew it after a certain period, for a cheaper price. Also, buying a health insurance policy for a single country may save you money as well, which is a good choice for those who are visiting relatives. Though most insurance companies offer plans that cover all countries outside the US as a whole, you can find a suitable and cheaper plan with some research.

If traveling with relatives, buying a family insurance plan is your best option in most cases. If you are an individual, you can find that buying insurance in a group can also save you money.
Also, a risky but money-saving alternative is to buy a travel plan that does not cover all medical costs, but you are co-paying for the plan. These plans are cheaper, but you will be less covered.

How much you want to risk and pay is up to you, but there are always good ways for you to save money on health insurance. Many online insurance companies allow you to use a calculator to check the cost of plans covering different medical expenses. Remember, when buying travel health insurance, cheaper plans are only a bargain if you are covered for the same expenses!

Travel Insurance In Canada

Even though Canada is bordering the US and very similar to the US, we need to remember that Canada is not the US and our health insurance plans may not cover us there.

That’s why having a travel health insurance plan in Canada is crucial, as most American health insurance plans don’t pay for treatment outside the US.  In fact, there’s nothing different about Canada compared to the rest of the world, as to whether or not to purchase travel health insurance.

Canada does have a high living standard and you will receive health and dental services that are as good as those you receive at home.  However, these services may be more expensive than services in other less developed countries.  The expensive cost of healthcare in Canada is another reason to buy a travel health insurance plan with more coverage.

On average, one of the most basic travel health insurance plans provides you and your family coverage to as much as $50,000 Canadian dollars, around $40,000 USD.  This is usually enough to cover emergency room service, diagnosis, a brief stay in a hospital, and even surgery.  However, if you have a long-term or risky health problem, or do not feel safe with only $50,000, there are plans that offer more than $1,000,000 USD in a plan!

Many companies in both Canada as well as the United States offer insurance to tourists going to Canada, so you will have a huge price range to choose from.  WIth only a while of research on the Internet, you can find a plan that fits your health needs and your budget, as well as save money.  Some insurance companies also allow you to enter your personal information, duration of your trip, and more.  You will easily get a lot of offers for coverage.  Don’t risk your financial well-being when it comes to your health!

Benefits of Travel Health Insurance

Some people going on international trips consider it unnecessary to have any kind of insurance. They do so with the idea that the trip is just for two or three days and nothing is going to happen, so why pay out some money for nothing? But, anything can happen at any moment and anyone traveling abroad should have international health insurance.

While abroad a person can get sick or be part of an accident. Having international health insurance can help you with benefits such as:

  1. The latest in medical treatment at any of the advanced hospitals of the visiting country
  2. Chronic diseases even if the disease was discovered after the sign up
  3. Services of a translator within twenty-four hours
  4. Be able to consult with the best doctors in the visiting country
  5. Insurance covers terrorist attacks as well
  6. Annual medical checkups against the insurance
  7. The policy can be renewed and continued for life
  8. Insurance policy can be managed through the company’s website which has all the information and also the updates

Various types of insurance policies are available and there are a lot of similarities between all these policies, except for some minor differences. However, while traveling abroad international health insurance is a must. Companies that provide international health insurance also take care of other aspects like lost luggage, trip cancellations, rental car damage and evacuations.

One can get the details of international health insurance from the travel agent who will be able to recommend a reliable company. One can check the internet for the best deal that can be availed.

The cost of such insurance will largely depend on the type of insurance the individual wants. Two types of rates operate in international health insurance; one is the group rate and the other is the single rate. A person can choose between the two types of international health insurance for their travels.

Travel medical insurance

Individuals going abroad for short trips should get this type of insurance, valid for three years. The amount that can be got in this plan is $50,000 to $1,000,000 for a single trip. This type of insurance does not cover medical expenses incurred before the trip.

Long term medical insurance

Companies that send its employees abroad on a routine basis prefer this type of insurance that includes routine checkups and can be renewed. The upper limit of coverage per year can be from $500,000 to $8,500,000 or $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 per lifetime. However, the coverage depends on the visiting country and therefore it will be best to read the terms and conditions very carefully before committing to a plan.

Traveling abroad for fun or work can have its risks and it would be wise to have international health insurance to ensure that you are protected from unfortunate happenings.

Getting The Best Health Insurance Quote

Everyone wants to get the cheapest health insurance quote possible, but many do not know how to do so.  Consumers must take into account many factors while comparing different insurance companies’ quotes.  This article will show how to get the best health insurance quote for your needs easily and comfortably.

Do In-depth Research

You should research more about your needs and other plans before buying any plan for health insurance.  With a better understanding of your needs and factors that result in a quote’s value, you will be able to get a cheaper quote.  Just with a short while of research, you will save lots of money in the long run.

Compare quotes

Though getting quotes from different insurance companies and comparing them may be tedious, doing so will save you money in the future.  While comparing different insurance quotes, you should compare more than just the value.  You should consider other factors that relate to the quote, such as the coverage of the plan.  When comparing different plans, always analyze the plans that give the same amount of benefits and coverage.  A great way to compare quotes is on the Internet, since you can compare quotes from different companies side-by-side.

Comparing quotes on the Internet

One of the easiest ways to compare quotes for health insurance is using the Internet.  Many websites offer an independent quote comparison tool, which allows you to compare the prices of different companies.  Usually, you only need to give your zip code to the tool, and you will be able to compare quotes instantly.  Be sure not to buy health insurance from websites selling it, as these may provide false quotes to trick you into purchasing a certain overpriced plan.

Don’t fall for lower deductibles

Getting a plan with a lower deductible seems like a great gain.  However, think about the long run and choose a higher deductible rather than falling for the short-term benefits.  If you get a plan with a lower deductible, you’ll actually have to pay more in the long run!

Inexpensive Health Insurance For The Unemployed

Being jobless can represent a financial downside. You could be depending on somebody else to compensate your day-to-day expenses such as a home to live and food to eat. Health insurance is something that everybody necessitates and not enough people have accessible because of these additional financial burdens. Whatever emergency such as a automobile accident or broken bone will call for decent medical aid. What do you do once you don’t hold insurance and can not afford costly medical examination bills? If you’re unemployed, you need to ascertain health insurance to prevent this from happening.

COBRA is a law in which many people could be eligible to remain on an employer’s health insurance plan even after they lose their employment. The most ideal person for this coverage is someone who’s between jobs and isn’t in need of long-term aid. It can last at any rate a year to those who qualify, but the premium amount is still an expense that some unemployed individuals may not be capable to take care of with their lack of income. If you are able to pay the premium and are eligible, COBRA will also cover your spouse and children who are dependent on you for insurance. The best way to determine if you could receive health insurance is to contact your local employer’s benefits department and fill out the required forms.

You can also shop around for typical health insurance. Many free Internet services are proven reliable by the Better Business Bureau Online. By speaking with one of these insurance experts, you can get help finding the most affordable health insurance that will fit your specific needs. They know the rates of thousands of insurance companies and can fix you up with appropriate coverage for your specific needs. If you have a spouse or children, having health coverage is a necessity. Life is full of unexpected events and you cannot ensure that everyone will stay completely healthy until you have insurance again because accidents do happen. Finding an affordable coverage rate on your own can be a hassle. The experts at these companies are offering their assistance to you, often as a free service. Whether you need to find something short-term or for an extended period, they are qualified and dedicated to helping you.

If you find yourself unemployed at any time in your life, you are probably without health insurance. This can be a nightmare whether you have a family or not because medical expenses can put you into debt quickly. Luckily, there are ways of finding affordable coverage providers that can keep your health, as well as your finances, safe. A simple doctor visit can cost you significantly more money than it would with insurance. Do not let yourself become one of the many people who are unfortunately living life without proper insurance coverage.

Five Fastest Ways To Lower Your Health Insurance Premium

It is important to get a health insurance policy for you as well as your family. However, some of these plans may not be in your budget range. This article will provide five helpful ways to decrease your health insurance premium.

“Health is wealth” is an old saying. To maintain your wealth and your health, you must obtain a health insurance policy for you and your family. However, sometimes the premiums that these policies charge can cause you to leave your budget range. But, there are many ways to do something about bringing down your premium.

Healthy lifestyle

By living a healthy life, exercising regularly, eating healthily, and abstaining from smoking or heavy drinking, you will definitely need to visit the doctor less often. In fact, the healthier you are, the less risk you are to your insurance company, and your premium will be decreased.

Shopping for the best price

One of the best ways to lower your premium is to shop around for the cheapest health care policy that fits your budget and needs. You should do a good search for other plans before investing in a single policy. You can also ask your friends and families for advice, or even check the Internet.

Plans with higher deductibles

Health insurance plans that come with higher deductibles usually have lower premiums. Usually, a deductible is the amount that you must pay to a hospital, doctor, and other medical bills. However, if you take a plan with a higher deductible, it may not cover all expenses. If you are healthy and do not get sick frequently, this is a very good choice for you, as you will be able to keep you premium very low while getting basic health care covered. However, if you have a history of health problems, avoid using a high deductible plan.

Get a policy earlier in life

When buying health insurance, the premium you must pay has a great relation to your age. Therefore, if you get a policy earlier in life, you’ll have to may much less. For example, if you buy a health insurance policy at the age of 20, you’ll most likely have to pay much less than you would have to at the age of 40.

Contact independent health insurance agents

With help from independent insurance agents, you can find insurance with cheaper premiums. These independent agents represent many insurance agencies and can help you to choose the best health insurance policy that fits your budget and needs. Since independent insurance agents must compete to get business, you’ll find that you get great offers very quickly.

How Do I Get A Health Insurance Quote?

When searching for the best health insurance plan that matches your financial and health needs, it’s hard to digest the information that comes with health insurance quotes.  Health insurance quotes contain many different values, and just shopping for health insurance can be very time consuming.  This article describes what you need to know about health insurance quotes to find the best plan that suits you and your family.

Though you may find calling health insurance companies for quotes a huge headache, it is one of the best ways to find the answers to your questions about the best policy for you.  You can get answers to your questions answered by a professional who understands the factors determining a quote amount.  However, you will find that most insurance companies will have an automated reply and put you on hold, causing a lot of frustration.  Though this is very time consuming, you will find that getting a health insurance quote by phone has many benefits.

Eventually, you will be able to talk to an actual human, who is knowledgable about the company’s plan and can answer any questions you may have.  You will also be able to learn about the different options you have, such as premiums, by calling a insurance company.  This will allow you to change your plan to suit your needs the best.

By calling an insurance company for a quote, you will be able to buy a policy immediately, if you are satisfied with the conditions.  You are usually able to pay by check, phone, or a credit card.  This process is very fast, without the need to fill out any forms.

Getting health insurance quotes via the Internet is also a very good choice.  Using the Internet is a fast and simple method of shopping for health insurance, and you are able to go to a company’s website and learn about their policies.  Most companies also have a calculator that allows you to change settings and view how much your plan will cost.  You are also able to compare the costs of different companies at the same time, as well as receive many more quotes in a shorter amount of time.

By shopping for health insurance via the Internet, you can compare lots of health insurance quotes side-by-side, making comparing different plans very simple.  You can also purchase a health insurance plan quickly online securely using your credit card or another method.  By buying health insurance on the Internet, you can get your plan as soon as possible so your coverage can start right away.

If you don’t want to spend time searching for plans on the Internet or via the phone, an independent agent is your best choice.  Independent agents do not work for any company, and can provide you with an unbiased recommendation.  Independent agents can usually get a much cheaper plan, as insurance companies offer agents discounts just for bringing in new customers.  Independent agents can help you find the best health insurance quotes, so you pay less while receiving just as much coverage for your family.