The 2013 Federal Employee Benefits Survey showed that government employees have ranked their individual health insurance programs as one of the most important benefits to them. Retirement savings were also ranked highly, and employees have states that these programs “meet their needs and provide value for the money.”
Click here to read the full article by Eric Yoder for Washington Post.
The American population spends millions of dollars every year on diet plans and gym memberships in an attempt to become healthier. The thing that they do not realize is that proper health begins in the mouth and what they really need to do is get a dental insurance quote.
The Surgeon General reports that untreated oral health conditions can potentially result in life-threatening diseases. Heart disease, diabetes, oral cancer, lung disease, and premature births are all conditions that may show their first symptoms in the mouth. These diseases result in the deaths of millions of Americans every single year.
Adults are not the only ones who suffer when they skip their dental visits. Children who do not receive proper dental care can suffer in their long-term development. Height and weight can both be affected by a lack of treatment and children can develop speech problems as well.
Visiting a dentist annually can help to prevent many of these afflictions or help to detect them early on. Your dentist will be able to assess your health condition at your check up and refer you to your regular physician for follow-up analysis. The only problem is that many people do not visit their dentists on a regular basis.
Dental coverage is not typically included in a standard health insurance policy. Some people are lucky enough to be covered by their employers, but others are not and they forego coverage due to the fear of not being able to afford the additional policy. Surprisingly, dental coverage can be quite affordable and a dental insurance quote is easy to get.
Price quotes can be obtained online and over the phone. Insurance brokers and agents can usually provide you with information on multiple dental options and assist you in selecting the one that is right for you. Getting a dental insurance quote and spending a little money now towards the health and well-being of you and your family can save you thousands of dollars in hospital bills in the future.
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Despite policy changes to make insurance more affordable, family health insurance can still be a financial hurdle for some to overcome. For this reason, finding ways to save on health insurance and support your family’s finances are incredibly valuable. If your policy has “a deductible of at least …$2,500 for families in 2014, you may be eligible to open a health savings account.” An HSA allows you to set aside tax-deductible funds to pay your out of pocket medical expenses or deductible fees. Similarly, keeping all receipts to get credits from your insurer or for HSA withdrawals.
Click here to read the full article by Kimberly Lankford for Chicago Tribune Business.
With the recent changes to healthcare, you may be wondering what you need to consider when shopping online for an affordable health insurance plan. Healthcare is not free and you will need to consider the cost of healthcare in relation to the benefits you get under the plans you are interested in. It is important to understand the basics of healthcare so that you can make an informed and intelligent decision about which plan is best for you. Accordingly, you will want to understand what your specific needs are, what plans are available, what they offer you and what that plan means for your financial budget.
It is important to have a working knowledge of healthcare insurance when shopping for affordable health insurance online. You should understand the fee schedules for the plans you are interested in, and pay particular attention to the deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the provider network. Generally speaking, if you are paying more in copayments and deductibles, you are paying less for insurance premiums. Another important consideration is the provider network. Unfortunately, the current healthcare system does allow you the freedom to visit any doctor you would like, unless you want to cover the cost of treatment yourself or pay a higher deductible. Because of this, you will want to review the list of doctors your insurance company includes in its network, especially if you have special needs that cannot be treated by just any doctor.
Generally speaking, there are three types of plans available: healthcare maintenance organizations (HMO), preferred provider organizations (PPO), and point-of-service plans (POS). You will have lower costs with HMOs, but you must stay with a primary care physician within your specific network. PPOs do not require you to select a primary care physician and allow you to choose out of network doctors for a higher fee. A POS plan is a combination of HMOs and PPOs. POS plans allow you to choose an in network primary care physician, and allow you to go out of network and see specialists with a referral from your primary care physician.
You will want to review the plans you are interested in and understand which benefits they offer, and which benefits they do not offer. By understanding this, you can maximize your cost to benefit potential and get the most for your money with an affordable health insurance plan. Make sure to be aware of any changes to coverage if you are switching providers, know what special needs you might have and which physicians are in your network, and balance the cost of the plans with your medical needs.
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The world of health insurance can seem confusing and daunting. If you are looking for the best plan to protect your health, you might be wondering, “What types of health insurance are there?” There are some key distinctions you should know before you pick a plan.
One of the most common types of insurance is a Fee-for-Service policy, or an indemnity plan. As the name suggests, your fee-for-service insurance company will pay the fees for the medical services that you seek after you submit reimbursement forms. These plans are great if you need flexibility because they allow for a great deal of freedom when selecting the healthcare provider that best suits your medical needs.
As you are investigating what types of health insurance are there, you may find yourself familiar with the acronym “HMO,” but unsure of what it stands for. “HMO” refers to “Health Maintenance Organizations.” If you choose this type of plan, you will have access to a network of specific doctors that provide healthcare for members of your HMO, including someone who will become your primary care physician. HMOs are a very affordable option. You can pay a monthly fee to your HMO that can cover the cost of medical services so that you only have to worry about your co-pay upfront.
Another type of health insurance plan is the “PPO,” or the “Preferred Provider Organization” plan. With a PPO plan, you can get your favorite doctor on a list of preferred providers, making your treatment with him or her eligible for coverage. Even if your doctor is not on your PPO’s list, you can still seek treatment with him or her and have the cost partially covered.
Now you have answered the “What types of health insurance are there?” question! As you continue to learn more about your healthcare options, be sure to remember that all insurance policies require you to pay premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. With that in mind, you can move forward and select the best plan for you.
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Authors of a report from the Commonwealth Fund credits the Affordable Care Act and Obama’s healthcare reforms with 20 million enrollments as of the first of May. An estimated 7.8 million of that are people under 26, many of whom are covered as dependents on their parents’ plans. Moreover, for expansion to remain stable, the report encourages that healthcare costs will need to remain low.
Click here to read the full article by Alexandra Sifferlin for TIME.
Reports this week claim that the California health exchange marketplace failed to verify important personal data during the application period. This process is critical in determining whether or not people applying are eligible for subsidies, and failing to resolve discrepancies during the process may have provided healthcare to some Americans who may not be legally entitled to obtain government subsidies.
Click here to read the full article by Judy Lin for the Associated Press, featured on the Sacramento Bee.
Now that health insurance is mandatory, you may be worried about not being able to afford it. However, new tax credits now make it possible to find affordable medical insurance. The government acknowledges that not everyone can afford the premiums that private health insurers are offering, so it is making it easier for everyone to gain access to insurance policies. Depending on your income level, you may receive a credit to help lower your monthly premiums only, or to lower both your premiums and your out-of-pocket costs.
If you do not have insurance yet, or if you are not happy with your current policy, you can get assistance finding a plan by using an insurance professional. There are many different options in terms of insurance companies, specific plans, deductible amounts, and individual co-pays. To help avoid confusion and make sure that you are getting the best plan for you and your family, a professional can help guide you through all of the different policy options.
If finding affordable medical insurance is a priority for you, keep in mind that there are government resources that you can tap into. To help you save money on insurance premiums, there is a tax credit available. According to the government’s healthcare marketplace, a family of two that makes $62,000 or less a year may qualify for a credit. If a family of two makes $38,775 or less, not only will they receive help with premiums, but their out-of-pocket expenses will be lower as well.
Having health insurance is important. Not only is it imperative to have access to the medical care that you need, insurance also protects your other assets. If you do not make a lot of money, or if there are other extenuating circumstances, it is still possible to find affordable medical insurance. Speak with an insurance professional and find out what resources are available to you, and what other things you can do to help lower your costs.
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With the summer in full swing, many individuals may be preparing for vacations and wondering whether or not they might need to purchase any type of travel insurance. Medical travel insurance is a good idea to ensure that any and all unexpected medical necessities are taken care of to safeguard your health while on vacation. However, be sure to check your insurance plan first, in case it already covers overseas medical emergencies.
Click here to read the full article by Lindsay Gellman for Wall Street Journal.
Taking care of your family is one of the most important obligations you will have in life. When it comes to healthcare, you do not want a plan that just covers yourself; you want a plan that covers all of your family members in case of sickness or illness. There are some important considerations to be aware of when shopping for family health insurance in order to ensure that your family gets the best coverage available in light of your specific needs.
There are a lot of plans out there, and you will want to make sure that you review all of the options when it comes to medical, dental, and vision plans. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect in 2010, and consumers were able to begin comparing insurance options starting on October 1st, 2013. It is important to be aware of the changes that this law has made the healthcare insurance industry and how those changes will affect your family. One thing to be aware of is that your children can now remain covered by your family health insurance plan until they reach the age of 26. Additionally, your children under 19 years of age can no longer be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
There are a lot of options available in the healthcare market. As a result, many of the available plans are flexible and allow you to tailor your insurance plan accordingly. For instance, if you or any of your family members have special needs, you will want a family plan that covers those individuals. Depending on the provider, you may be able to place different family members on different individual plans based on their special needs. Additionally, under the ACA, you can now choose a pediatrician as the primary care doctor for your child. If you already have a pediatrician for your child, you will want to make sure that they participate in the healthcare plans you are interested in.
If you make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health insurance, there are still options available for your family. Look into the Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP is administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and provides free or low-cost health insurance for your children, if you qualify.
You can research available health plans through the online marketplace today. Be sure to budget your financial obligations accordingly and choose a family health insurance plan that offers the most benefits for your budget. Family is important, and so is the health of your spouse and children. It is easier than ever to shop online for healthcare now, be sure to make the most of the options available.
If you are reading this on any other blog than JT Insurance Services or via my RSS Feed, it is stolen content without credit.
You can find me on Twitter via @Obamacare_Guru
Come and visit our blog at http://healthplansforyou.com/blog/