Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Five Pointers for Picking an Individual Health Insurance Plan

Election of the health insurance plan is the single most complicated decision to buy most of us never have to do. Even when you work at a company that offers coverage group, choosing the best plan can be confusing. When you are an individual seeking coverage for you or your family, the task can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to make the process easier:
1. Affordability. The price is the last thing insurance companies often argue, but it should be the first thing to consider. The most comprehensive plan is not going to do much good if you drive in debt. You need to be realistic about what you can afford, and work from there. Compare monthly premiums, but also factor in the amount yearly deductible and co-payments for office visits, emergency room treatment, care and prevention, such as mammograms and pap smears.
2. Continuity. If you want to continue going to their current doctor, the choice of an individual plan of health insurance could be affected. Todos los planes de cuidado administrado de las HMO (Organizaciones de Mantenimiento de Salud), PPO (Organizaciones de Proveedores Preferidos), organismos de promoci n de inversiones (Asociaciones de Pr ctica Individual), y el POS (Punto de Servicio) de uso de una red doctors. If your doctor is not in any network, their only option is a compensation or " fee-for-service plan ". With a compensation plan, to go to any doctor or hospital you want. For this flexibility, you pay a greater amount deductible and co-payments higher. In addition, the plan will only be paid compensation in the usual and customary " " for different types of services and procedures. If your doctor charges more than those rates, you are responsible for making up the difference.
3. Health. If you are in good health, their insurance options remain open. If you have been diagnosed or treated by a medical condition, their options may be limited. Insurance companies call these preexisting conditions " ". The insurance company could refuse to completely cover or who choose not to cover the state during a waiting period. Some states, like New York and New Jersey, have laws requiring insurance companies to cover those at highest risk, a practice known as " guaranteed issue. " Other states have created insurance provide coverage to high-risk individuals who were denied coverage in the individual health insurance market.
4. Medication. If you are on prescription medications, you should compare the various drug benefit plans. Some plans require you to meet the annual deductible before paying for prescription drugs. The treatment of other drugs separately. Almost all plans require a co-payment for medicines, but the amount of the co-payment varies from plan to plan. Some plans limit to the amount spent on prescription drugs for one year. Insurance companies also create forms of approved drugs. Some insurers offer different types of coverage, or levels, depending on whether the use of generic drugs, preferred brand-name drugs, rather than the brand name preferred drugs.
5. Health Savings Accounts. Usted puede ser capaz de reducir el costo de la atenci n de su salud, tomando ventaja de una Cuenta de Ahorros de Salud, un programa federal que permite el uso de d lares antes de impuestos a pagar de su bolsillo los gastos m dicos. This program increases the purchasing power of their medical dollars up to 45%, depending on where you live and your arm prosecutor. For example, if you live in California, you could be charged 9.3% in the state income tax, 28% in federal income tax, and 7.65% in the Law on Contributions Federal Security (FICA) tax. Sus contribuciones anuales a una cuenta HSA-hasta un m ximo de $ 2850 para una persona y hasta un m ximo de $ 5650 para una familia-est n al abrigo de esos impuestos, siempre y cuando usted pasa en los gastos m dicos o las retiren despu s de la retirement. The HSA funds can be invested, and earnings are tax-deferred, like an IRA. To qualify for an HSA, you must join a " " qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). This is a health insurance with high deductibles amounts. The minimum deductible on a plan HDHP is $ 1100 for an individual and $ 2200 for a family. Because the deductible is high, monthly premiums are low. By combining the low increase in premiums with the purchasing power of the HSA funds used to pay his pocket expenses, a plan HDHP might give the best value for money.
By focused on these five areas, you should be able - Reduce the options and quickly find the plan that is best for you. tonya trina



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