Archive for April, 2008
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Save on Premiums – Spouse Coverage
There are ways to save on health insurance premiums and one is having separate coverage for couples. Working couples usually receive insurance from two employers and may be able to get more benefits or pay lesser premium as compared to one-income couples. The best deal may be a separate coverage for each of the spouses depending on the payments and benefits of each offered plan. It is also possible to apply for double coverage for both party; or relinquishing one spouse’s coverage in preference of the other’s. For couples with children, compare also your options for a family coverage. The computations can be mind-blowing and, even if you availed of a double coverage, a couple can’t reimburse more than 100 percent on the same claim.
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
In choosing a Managed Care Organization
by: Djai Tanji
Managed Care Organization (MCO) takes care of selecting an organization that will collect the premiums paid out of a person’s Social Security money from the Medicare program. In choosing MCO, pay attention how much a plan costs and what it covers. An MCO is intended to permit people to acquire full Medicare coverage at a minimum cost. Find out if an MCO allows you to choose your own doctor or not. MCOs that allow wider choices of doctors and hospitals mean that it include higher co-payments and deductibles. By choosing an MCO that offers additional benefits, you will have access to needed supplies and services that may not be covered by Medicare.
Monday, April 14th, 2008
Make Your Health Benefits Work for You
Health plans vary in the number and types of benefits they will cover. Study the plans offered and look for the best option that matches your needs and paying capacity. Carefully review the benefits available, what is covered and what is not. Does it cover infant care, preventive care or dental care? What percentage, if there are any, of the cost of medical care are you required to shoulder? This could help you determine the out of pocket expenses that you may have to take care of. Gathering this information will aid you in your choice of health insurance plan.
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Long-term Care Insurance: the basic
by: Djai Tanji
LTC or LTCI is an insurance product being sold in the US and UK that aids in providing for the cost of “long-term care” (a variety of services that helps to meet both the medical and non-medical need of people with chronic illness or disability who cannot take care of themselves for long periods of time) beyond a prearranged period. Health Insurance, Medicare or Medicaid generally does not cover this long-term care insurance. Long-term care does not necessarily mean long term because a person may call for care for only a few months to fully recover from sickness or surgery.
Friday, April 11th, 2008
Medical Care Costs
Health insurance shields you from prohibitive medical care costs. A lot of people get a health insurance policy through their employers. At times, the employer helps pay for that insurance. Insurance coursed through employers is often with a managed care plan. These are contracted with health care providers and medical facilities to be able to provide care for members at lower costs.
You can also buy your own health insurance, but it usually is higher than an employer-based insurance. People who meet specific requirements can avail of government health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. The disadvantage of not having a medical insurance would be paying of your own medical bills or depend on health organizations that donate care.
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Guide to Health Insurance
Health insurance is a vital part of every person’s physical and monetary stability, but only a few people recognize exactly how health insurance works and what are their privileges as customers of medical insurance. Some online resources provide wide range of information that can assist you in understanding how the system works, what are the rights of a health consumer. It would be very useful for a person to know everything that will help in your decision to procure a health insurance coverage. These coverage are classified as either employment-based – private coverage; or government sponsored coverage – Medicare, Medicaid, or state specific plans.
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Health Insurance Coverage
What services are covered - Your health insurance policy provides a list of medical services such as tests, drugs and treatment services that they will cover based on your agreement. Your policy will also list the types of services that are not covered and if avail of these services you will pay for it out of your own pocket.
What is considered a medical necessity – A medical necessity is a condition that your doctor has advised you as necessary. Some tests that may be required by your doctor are not included in the insurer’s list of medical benefits. The insurance companies choices of tests, drugs and laboratory exams to be included are based on what they believe are the types of medical care needed most by patients.
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
Social Health Insurance
The scheme of paying for health care costs through a public insurance program based on fund contributions of individuals, company owners, and government grants is called Social Health Insurance. It is typified by the existence of sickness benefits fund which usually receive a relative contribution of their members’ earnings. Using these insurance contributions these funds pay for the medical expenses of their members, and may come to a point that these services are incorporated in the benefit package. Membership to those funds is basically dependent on professional, geographic, religious/political and/or nonpartisan standard. Generally, user fees are collected for a number of health care services to prevent indiscriminate use and to keep costs of social health insurance within their means.