Tag Archives: health insurance

Health Insurance in the United States

Many industrialized nations have universal health care plans that their residents might claim to be a better system that the one offered in the United States. People in the United States might be divided on this issue just by looking at their own income – those above a certain income would feel that they can access the best treatment money can buy while those below a certain income threshold may feel marginalized because they can barely access the most basic of treatments.

For this reason looking at health insurance in the United States can be a divisive issue. For example, because the United States’ system is privatized and market-based there can be a lot more red tape to cut through before we decide when and where we can access treatment and whether or not we qualify for certain drugs that may have helped our condition had we been in a better insurance plan.

Unlike with the United States, some industrialized countries such as the United Kingdom have insurance systems centralized with their government. Because of this organizational method, everyone living in these countries gets universal treatment should they require emergency care, which is available immediately.

The concept of the medical insurance system in the United States is something that has developed through a number of voluntary programs. In the mid 1800s, medical insurance policies were being made available provided mainly by fraternal beneficiary associations and cooperative mutual benefit organizations. Many of these may have come from Christian organizations or being associated with a certain trade or employment.

It was mainly due to the change of mindset in the depression years that people began to seek peace of mind and access to treatment, and for this reason insurance as we see it now can be traced back to such developments in the 1920s and 1930s.

A problem that is often cited as affecting health insurance in the United States is how inefficient its structure is. Despite strong beliefs in free market principles, it is common sense that health care administration actually works better when done universally instead of privately. If that were the case, then, fewer restrictions would be in effect, allowing patients the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital they wanted, rather than being only able to choose one in their health plan.

Whatever you may think about the medical insurance system in the United States, it is still considered to be one of the most well-regulated and well-designed insurance systems in the world. It is well-known that the costs of medical care in the United States are extremely expensive, which is why it is important to consider buying a medical insurance plan and have your medical care expenses covered by the health insurance company.

In these hard times, many people see health insurance in the United States as more of a luxury than a privilege, with some reports showing that many people are marginalized and excluded from basic health care. Surely this has to be a moral question more than a financial one and health insurance in the United States must find a way of including everyone!

Medical Underwriting – Health Insurance Underwriting

Medical underwriting is simply the process whereby an insurance carrier examines the medical history of a prospective client with the view of deciding what can be contained in their health insurance coverage and for what cost.  It is crucial for someone considering health insurance options to research medical underwriting and follow steps to lower their prospective health insurance costs.

The two ways in which an insurance providers assess applications for coverage are known as moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting. Like anything else when you have a choice both have their advantages and disadvantages and depending on the specific needs of a client he may decide that one suits him more than the other.

Moratorium underwriting

When undertaking moratorium underwriting only three or four questions are asked about the client’s medical history. These can be as straightforward as, “Have you been to a doctor in a certain period?” Normally if you can state that you have been free of being given treatment and advice for a medical condition for a given period before the policy starts, you’ll receive coverage for it.

The main upside of moratorium underwriting is that there is no need to fill in a detailed health assessment questionnaire, and any pre-existing conditions for which you have received treatment or advice are automatically excluded although cover for these conditions can be reinstated after two continuous years from the start of the policy, should you remain symptom, treatment and advice-free in that time.

Another positive aspect of a moratorium underwriting is that it is fast to implement.  However, the main disadvantage is that the policyholder will continue to be underwritten every time they make a new claim.

The main purpose of any type of health insurance is to provide the insured peace of mind, allowing him or her to sleep easier knowing that they have done everything required of them at the time of purchase. Health insurance companies like to assure customers that if they require treatment, their insurance is ready to take care of it promptly and without raising any issue.

Full medical underwriting

Full medical underwriting may be the preferable option in for many people as, in this case, the insurance provider asks a number of detailed questions about the customer’s medical history at the time of your application. However, this process can take some time, averaging about a week in order that all information and files are gathered. They are then in a position to decide on what will and won’t be covered on the health insurance policy.  As you might have guessed, full medical underwriting may be preferable for those in good health and with good medical histories.

The upside of full medical underwriting is that you know exactly what you are and are not covered for. This, once again, helps with the “peace of mind” of anyone who has gone to the trouble of buying an insurance policy.

Full medical underwriting is not entirely free of problems. Just as the name suggests, it is comprehensive and for this reason it takes longer to create a working policy. It also means that the underwriter will want to know lots of intimate details about the applicants.

Full medical underwriting can be advantageous as well as being disadvantageous. It is important that everyone looking for the best health insurance plan carefully read the conditions of each plan they are offered, and be assured that they have found the best option that suits their own situation.

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.

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.

Should I Get Health Insurance?

In today’s world with ever-increasing healthcare costs, health insurance is one of the only options available for you and your family.  Being insured by an insurance company is a total necessity, as it will keep you and your family financially safe and healthy.  Without health insurance, you may be inundated with health care costs should one of the members of your family get into an accident.

Many people view health insurance as a waste of money since they think health insurance is too expensive and do not view the risks.  However, you can get health insurance for a low cost and will save you money in the long run.

If you are employed by a company, you can find that getting health insurance via your employer is one of the best ways to get a health insurance plan that suits your needs.  However, you must remember that if you leave your job, you may lose coverage.  Another good way to get coverage is using a personal plan.  If you are not employed by a company or your company does not offer an insurance policy for you, a personal insurance policy is the best choice.

If you must go with a personal health insurance plan, then you should be sure to shop around to get the best deal as well as coverage for you and your family.  Many insurance companies offer different plans, so you should take factors such as your age, medical history, and other habits before choosing one.  You will also need to take your family’s health needs into account if you are buying a family plan.  Be sure not to hide any information from your insurance company, as you will find that this might be very costly if your claim is denied.

By researching different healthcare plans, you will be able to find a plan that suits your needs as well as cut your expenses.  This might be very time-consuming, but you will end up saving a lot of money in the long run with a few hours of research.