Harry Bernstein asked:

An Overall Review

There are several things that you should know as an Ohio resident trying to obtain health insurance . First of all, Ohio provides its citizens with some of the best state run companies in the country, and they can do a lot for you. You have a variety of companies and plans to choose from when trying to purchase the right health insurance for you and your family. There are many plans available whether you are an individual looking for a simple plan, or you own a large company which employs and insures hundreds or thousands of families.

Health Insurance as An Employee Benefit

The best place to get health insurance for individuals, couples, and families is to look to your employer, as most employers will have access to some of the best options available at the best rates. Many times you’ll be able to get the best and most affordable health insurance as an extra benefit from your job, and you won’t even have to worry about paying extra for it because it is already included in your contract.

This can be the best way for you to get health insurance because not only will you get the coverage for yourself, but you will also be able to take care of your family as well. This is great for you and for your family, because you never know when you are going to need insurance. If you have a job in Ohio it means that you have access to some of the best in the United States.

Kalvin C. Chinyere, M.D. asked:

I have been following the new health insurance changes in Massachusetts, and I really hope it is a success.

Massachusetts Plan

In Massachusetts, they have made it mandatory for everyone to have health insurance. As a proponent of universal health care, I like the Massachusetts plan because it:

Spreads the health care burden to all tax payers Encourages disease prevention and screening Provides health insurance to people who could not afford it otherwise

What if you can not afford it?

The Massachusetts plan provides their low income residents with either free or subsidized health coverage. Some people will argue that they should not have to pay for other people’s medical insurance. They do not realize they are already doing that through Medicaid and emergency room funding.

These people also do not realize that it will be less expensive to provide disease prevention and screening now than it would be to pay for disease treatment later.

Some people will argue that they can not afford the coverage even if the government says they can. The truth is that they can not afford to not be covered.

No one expects to develop a debilitating disease, but it happens. Health insurance is like a seat belt. It is something you must have, but hope you never have to use.

But I am healthy

Some people will argue that they are healthy and their money will simply provide health care for sick people. Everyone should have medical insurance. No one knows what the future holds and we should all be prepared even if it has to be forced upon us.

Health insurance is not only for the ill. Having health insurance encourages regular doctor visits for disease screening and disease prevention education.

I am not sure if this plan will work in Massachusetts. Even if it works there, it may not work anywhere else. But I sure hope it does. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Ken S asked:

Like many Americans, I found myself without health insurance for a period in my life because I didn’t think I could find affordable health insurance rates. But the whole time, I felt like I was living on the edge and needed to go ahead and get some coverage. So then I wondered if anybody else I knew were in the same boat as me. I decided to ask around to see if any of my friends or associates were currently without health coverage and why. Out of 30 surveyed, 6 had no health benefits (that’s 20%!) - I was stunned. The uninsured ones were self-employed, between jobs, students, or at-home moms.

So I took it upon myself to search for affordable health insurance rates and found quite a few options. I secured my insurance and had a peace of mind that I can not explain. Let’s just say I felt much better, and was prompted to create a website to help others save some time since I had already done the research.

Though it is understandable why certain people were experiencing a lapse in their health coverage thought a rate of 20% was very high. Or at least higher than I expected. So I asked them why they were uninsured. All of them said they ‘never got sick’, but more importantly, they said that individual health insurance rates were too high which meant it would not be affordable in their budgets.

Next, I asked what rates they were quoted (since they said they would not be able afford it). Amazingly, they all had the same response. Each of them indicated that they never even put much effort into finding affordable health insurance rates because they already assumed they were too high, and it was going to cost too much, plus, they ‘never got sick’.

So then I asked, ‘But what about emergencies and accidents? What happens if you twist your ankle and think it’s broken? What happens if you’re making dinner and seriously cut yourself? Are you financially prepared to pay out-of-pocket for emergency and follow-up services without insurance?’ Again, they each had the same response. This time, they all said ‘no’. Then in dramatic fashion, I thanked them for their time and left them with that last question to ponder, and a link to my website.

A week later, one person started a new job and got group medical insurance at work. But, to my surprise, three others emailed me and said they got affordable individual health insurance after using my website and they were thrilled.

The moral of this story is that I think it’s really a shame that people (including me) automatically assume that health coverage is not affordable without even checking around! With so much help finding low health insurance rates, it’s worth a little time. Anything can happen at any time. A low, affordable monthly insurance payment can save you a ton of money, headache, and heartache in the long run. Take the time for your peace of mind. It really is worth it.

- Ken S.

Founder, LowRateSearch

Lorne Zalesin asked:

How healthy is living in Florida?

Florida ranks 46th out of the 50 states for residence without health insurance. A recent study shows that over 21% of Floridians do not have coverage. This is a higher percentage of uninsured than in 2006. The United Health Foundation, in 2007, ranked Florida 41st in overall health of its residents. High violent crime rates, low graduation rates, along with high rates of infectious disease, all contributed to Florida’s low ranking. The high cost of health care in comparison to other states was also a factor.

On the positive side, Florida’s percentage of children in poverty continued to drop. Florida also boasts a low death rate due to cancer, a low obesity rate, and a low rate of binge drinkers.

Some of the significant improvements for Florida include:

A decrease of the percentage of children in poverty from 15.8% to 14.6%. A 10% decrease in the number of smokers since 1990. A significant decrease in violent crime since 1990.

Florida’s gains are great, and so are the challenges for its population. With all of the health risks, and the cost of care, the importance of individual and family health insurance should not be overlooked.

If you are living in Florida, find an online health insurance quote provider. These services are usually free and can also offer the backup of experienced Advisors to help you make sense of the options for you as an individual, or for family health insurance. Talk with an Experienced Health Insurance Advisor. Affordable options are out there for you and your family.

Jim Westin asked:

You can spend your money on high cost insurance plans but you don’t have too. No matter who you are, you could save up to 1/3 to 1/2 off the price of your monthly premium for health care insurance with an (HSA) health savings account.

Missouri Health Insurance Plans

Because 3/4 of us in America only spend $500 per year in medical expenses, a high deductible health insurance plan is a better choice than traditional health insurance. This high deductible insurance plan is joined with a tax-exempt savings account to form complete medical coverage.

This is the plan: You purchase a high deductible health insurance plan which pays for all medical expenses after a $1000 to $5000 deductible. Your new insurance company will automatically set you up a health savings account that you deposit money in each month. The money accumulated in this savings account is used to pay for medical costs until your deductible amount is reached.

A plan like this will usually have up to $300 in doctor visits and prescriptions covered per year with no deductible. Premiums for high deductible insurance plans are substantially lower than other types of health insurance. Next time you’re shopping for health insurance, be sure to look at an HSA plan and see how much you can save.

Health Insurance in Missouri Quotes

One of the best ways to find affordable Missouri health insurance is to go to an insurance quote website and request quotes. Immediately after you complete their short form, you’ll get several low cost HSA, HMO, PPO, and POS quotes while still online. After you have your quotes, you can compare the different policies and see if one will work for you. It’s that easy!

Aazdak Alisimo asked:

Health insurance has been around for five centuries, but it is only recently that it has evolved into its current form. The story of health insurance has now come to a major crossroads.

The story of health insurance might be said to have begun five centuries ago when Hugh the Elder Chamberlen first proposed the concept. It was not until the late 19th century, however, that the current form of insurance first began to develop. The first Insurance Company to offer a contract form of health insurance policy was the Franklin Health Assurance Company of Massachusetts which was founded in 1850. They provided coverage for railroad and steamboat accidents.

This early form of insurance was more on the model of disability insurance. The idea was protection against loss of income and the expenses associated with accidents. Many of the early companies followed this idea offering plans that would protect policy holders from the impact of a serious accident, but not really concerning themselves with routine medical care. By 1866, there were some 60 different organizations providing this type of service in the United States.

It was in 1890, that the idea of “sickness” coverage was first introduced and by 1911, Insurance policies were beginning to take on the more familiar form that included payments for routine, preventive, and emergency medical expenses. In the years leading up to World War II, the programs that would become the Blue Cross organizations first began. This was the golden age of health insurance. Employees were covered by policies that virtually removed all concern about meeting the costs of health care.

However, in recent years, the explosive increase in health care costs has wrought major changes in the health insurance industry. The insurance companies were forced to combat the costs increase by restructuring their policies and increasing premiums. Such things as exclusions and co-payments were introduced in order to try to hold premium costs down. Several innovative insurance plans were introduced and were known as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).

There was a time in the history of health insurance when the difference between free government health care and the low cost insurance policy were very minor. Since the health care industry was not regulated, health costs began to soar forcing insurance companies to struggle to provide their services and retain profitability. The industry appears to be at a major crossroads now as it still struggles to cope with the crisis in health care costs. Today, almost 47 million Americans are without any health insurance at all.

Chimezirim Chinecherem Odimba asked:

There are several things that are considered when your health insurance rate is being calculated. We’ll look at a number of them with the view to helping you make adjustments that will help you get better rates for superior coverage…

1. The older you are the higher your rate will be. Younger persons have better resistance to many health conditions. Furthermore, as people age they become frailer and more susceptible to certain diseases.

2. Women generally require more health care than men. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Apart from the general stress of life (which everyone experiences) women have the added privilege of child birth and the attendant challenges. Furthermore, by the very nature of the female sex, they are more susceptible to certain diseases. Because of this a woman will pay more than a man given a similar profile.

3. There are occupations that are generally considered hazardous. Members of such professions will generally get higher rates. You can’t work in a nuclear plant, for example, and expect to pay the same rates with the clerk at the local grocery.

4. How healthy or otherwise you’ve been in the past is an indication (theoretically) of how often you might need health care in the future. A person who’s been treated for serious health conditions in the past will pay more than someone who has never had a major health crisis.

5. Smokers, heavy drinkers and abusers of prescription drugs will pay a lot more than people who avoid all these.

6. There are many other factors that insurers use to determine your rate. However, it’s interesting to note that different insurers have different loss histories and experience in underwriting prospects. These shape how they bill profiles.

This means that even though the same factors are used, different insurers will have different weightings for each of these factors. The result: A huge disparity in rates from one health insurance provider to the other.

While you should make adjustments (where they are possible) to get the best rates, you have to get and compare health insurance quotes from very many reputable insurers. That way you can take advantage of the disparity in rates among them.

Sam Rosy asked:

California health insurance plans for low income group offers the opportunity for medical care coverage for people with no sufficient funds to cover the cost. Receiving health insurance of this nature might be difficult, but there are varieties of California health insurance providers that offer this. When seeking health coverage, there are many significant things the individual has to know in order to know the basics of low income medical insurance. It is so important to speak with numerous health insurance companies to get the best suitable rates and prices on the policies offered.

A health insurance analyst could as well offer a wealth of information and approaching into this decision. They would answer all your questions about low income medical insurance and would as well make the procedure a lot easier on the consumer. Low income health insurance frequently purchased by many people who do not do sufficient research before buying it. This could further leave the individual with an indecisive policy. Research is very important before carrying out any contractual deal with an agent, particularly for someone in a low income bracket that is trying to save money.

Individuals have the latent to find amazing rates on health policies and coverage options. The consumer must shape up many decisions early in the course of seeking low income health insurance in order to get these affordable rates. They require deciding what kind of deductible they are eager and afford, if any. It is as well imperative to decide how much coverage is needed. There are arrays of options in this area and the consumer should have an obvious understanding of the extent of coverage they might as well need in the near future. Taking the time to make a clear plan of action would surely allow the consumer more time in the decision making process.

When the consumer starts the search for low income health insurance, they should be sure they are being wise in the process. Low income medical insurance is there to assist the people, but could be upsetting if not correctly understood. A health insurance agent would be very obliging with offering rate quotes and other cooperative advice on this subject. Making the choice requires a clear head, understanding, and precious research on the many options that are available.

Ian Pennington asked:

The health insurance market is massive and can be a very confusing place sometimes. There are so many different plans available and it seems that you could spend as much as you want on ensuring coverage for yourself and your family. As we get older, one of our main priorities is often an affordable senior health insurance plan.

With the increase in companies who deal only via the internet, one of the best places to start looking is with one of the well stocked search engines that are available. You may think that anyone looking for an affordable senior health insurance plan would not be up to date with technology. This, it would seem, is not the case. A study carried out in California has reported that seniors spend more time online that any other adult age range! Much of their time is spent in hunting out that health insurance.

If you have a look at the search results for example ‘affordable senior health insurance’, you will be bombarded with offers of help from a variety of companies. Some of these will be the insurers themselves, some will be brokers and some will be agents. If you are unsure about the type of insurance that would suit you best and is within your budget, one of the best solutions may be to use an independent advisor or agent. They will probably charge a fee but do have the advantage of being specialists in the field and having up to date information regarding the rates that the various health care companies are offering. These rates are very changeable, sometimes on a daily basis and can make a big difference to your premiums.

The different types of plans should also be researched. There are a great number of options for seniors when it comes to insurance programs and it can be very confusing. If you are researching the market yourself make sure that you check out all these options including gap plans and subsidiary specialist plans. Medicare has an ‘add-on’ plan which you can subscribe to for example, which expands the Medicare facility through a private health insurance plan. They also have a policy which can be used to reduce any ‘gaps’ in your coverage. This may be a good starting point in your search for affordable senior health insurance and will give you an idea of what is available through the national insurance program.

Although your search may be quite time consuming and you will be hit by the sheer number of possibilities available to you, it will be time well spent. It is important to have good cover as this is a time when you want to be free from stress and worry. Less stress means a healthier life and having organised some affordable senior health insurance is certainly a comfort.

Joseph Kenny asked:

As you graduate college and head into the great, big, scary world, there are probably a lot of things on your mind. First and foremost is finding a good job, then finding a place to live, and then maybe figuring out how to pay back those student loans. One thing that might not cross your mind is health insurance. All of your life, you’ve most likely been a dependent on your parents’ coverage, but that ship is about to sail—if it hasn’t already.

We know what you’re thinking, “Why do I need health insurance? I’m young, I’m healthy, and doctor visits are few and far between. So why pay for something I’ll never use?” Hey, we understand where you’re coming from. But accidents and illnesses happen without warning, even to the strapping young adults such as you. Sure, health insurance is expensive, but not having it will cost you dearly.

First things to know

Let’s get one thing straight, health care in the United States is a nightmare, few will argue that. There are thousands of options when it comes to receiving care and paying for it, some of them good, some of them not so much. When it comes to choosing an insurance policy that’s right for you, confusion abounds. So let’s learn a little more about your options.

There are two essential categories of health insurance: managed care and indemnity plans. Though you’ll pay more for indemnity coverage, it offers much more flexibility than does a managed care plan. Through indemnity coverage, you’ll have your choice of doctor, lab, hospital or specialty clinic. When you seek medical care, you’ll have to pay an out of pocket expense—called a deductible—before your coverage will kick in. Deductibles range from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more, depending on your policy. Also, indemnity plans require a co-payment on medical care; meaning you’ll be responsible for a percentage of the treatment costs along with your deductible. Generally, indemnity plans pay only for accidents or illness; they usually don’t cover preventative care.

Managed care is the complete opposite of indemnity coverage. Deductibles are usually smaller, co-payments are lower, and preventative care is usually covered. Your options, however, are limited. Through a managed care plan, you can only choose between health care providers who are contracted by your health maintenance organization. If you go elsewhere, you pay—the full amount. Since that’s a pretty rough deal, many managed care plans are offering hybrid options that include many of the desirable characteristics of an indemnity plan.

Which way to go

If you find a job that offers health insurance and you’re single, take it. It may not be perfect, but it beats anything you can find on your own. When you sign up through your employer, you’ll probably be confronted with many options. Take a good, long look at them and ask for help from a human resources representative if need be, but make sure you choose the plan that’s right for you. Chances are—if you’re young and healthy— you’ll want a plan with a low premium and higher deductible. Look for a plan that minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses. When it comes to choosing between and indemnity plan or a managed care plan, you may or may not have a choice depending on your employer. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, so make sure to crunch the numbers before committing to one or the other.

Make yourself a deal

Though health insurance is a costly part of our lives, there are ways to save. If you’re self-employed, shop around before you commit to a plan. If you’re under 50 and in good health, insurance companies will want your business, and cut rates are to be had. Also, take advantage of breaks from Uncle Sam. The self-employed can write off up to 45 percent of their insurance premiums. Some employers offer flexible spending accounts, where you can pay for premiums and costs not covered by insurance with cash that isn’t subject to taxes.

If you’re married and your spouse also can get coverage from their employer, weigh your options carefully. It might benefit you financially and coverage-wise if you measure the pros and cons of separate coverage, double coverage, or one of you opting out of your work’s plan and enrolling in the other’s.

Finally, if you’ve been healthy and believe you can get by with minimum health coverage, look into purchasing “catastrophic coverage”. This indemnity policy offers extremely low premiums, but deductibles can be very high—up to $2,500. Coverage is extremely limited to “catastrophic” events, which you’ll need to learn all about.