First of all, what’s health insurance?
Health insurance is basically a contract between you & an insurance company. The essence of it is, if you pay a certain amount to them per month they will pay your medical bills in the event that you have to see a doctor, have surgery, or have a course of prescription drugs.
What Kinds of Health Insurance are there?
There are basically two broad categories of health insurance: basic & major medical plans. Basic plans usually include hospital stays, surgeries, & emergency treatment. These types of plans usually pay one hundred percent of the costs incurred; however their payment limit can be as low as $10,000 & often max out at $100,000 leaving the individual to cover all other costs.
Major health insurance usually includes hospital stays, surgeries, emergency treatment, prescription medications, x-ray & laboratory services, preventive care (for example yearly physicals), ambulance expenses, dental & mental heath care. Major health plans will often pay deductibles (i.e. cover the entire medical bill) up to $100 to $500 per year, depending on the plan, & then require the customer to pay twenty percent of their medical bills while the company covers eighty percent. Major health plans payment limits can reach $500,000 or $1,000,000 or even more.
So, while your basic plan may seem more cost effective, in the long run you had be better off with a major health plan.
Pre-existing conditions clauses
Be sure to be fully aware of any pre-existing conditions clauses for non-payment when signing up for health insurance as these plans can include conditions that came into play up to six months before you got insurance but were not treated for. For example if you were in a car accident & had a herniated disc in your back & were not treated for it, but then you got health insurance & went to a doctor, technically if there is a pre-existing condition clause your health insurance does not have to pay for any of your medical bills that have to do with your herniated back.
Choosing Health Insurance
When choosing health insurance it’s best if you compare plans prior to signing any contracts. Ehealthinsurance.com is available for speedy on line quotes from many health insurance companies in your area. Be sure to fill out all parts of the application process as the smallest detail can affect your policy price. Health insurance is a highly competitive market so by shopping around you can be sure to get a good deal.
Find more ideas & resources on health related matters at Questions On Health Answered a website offering views, opinions & factual resources on topics such as using a heart rate monitor, healthy eating advice & even understanding the causes of blood pressure.
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