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Discount Plans versus Health Insurance

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:29:38 +0000

A woman from Las Vegas thought she was buying health insurance. It looked and sounded like health insurance. The Las Vegas woman is not 65 yet, which means she can’t get Medicare. So, she went online looking for health insurance. She ended up finding something called Healthcare Advantage, and signed up after paying $100. Come to find out, this was not medical insurance at all and the sales representative never told this poor lady. She found that out when her cards arrived in the mail. In tiny writing at the bottom, it read, “not an HMO, PPO insurance or managed care company”. This was a discount plan. These plans do not have the same coverage as a full medical health insurance policy. Make sure you know what you are getting and if it fits your needs.

So what is a discount plan? The plans claims to save people money by offering discounts on physician visits, prescription drugs, dental work, eye care and other treatments for a monthly fee. Unlike normal health insurance, which is very costly and very selective about who it covers, a discount health plan accepts everyone, no matter what health conditions they may have. You will use a list of doctors that are willing to charge discounted rates to the subscriber. Discount is not the same as coverage, and so you will pay more for visits and other services that you wouldn’t with a regular medical plan. The average savings is only 25% that could be very expensive if you have to see a specialist or require surgery. These networks claim to have as many as 400,000 doctors and 50,000 hospitals available to choose from, but what if none of them are near you? You can get a savings of up to 30% on both generic and brand name drugs, which can also be costly if you have multiple prescriptions or they are costly ones. So if you have a health plan already but have a high deductible, this extra plan may help save you some money. But to use as a complete health plan, it really isn’t designed for that and will cost you more than a great HMO.

HMOs and other medical plans can offer full medical coverage at great rates. Managed care plans are the way to go for those who are limited on funds. They offer the best policies for the least amount of money. Most of these plans are available to anyone and can save you a ton of cash. You can make the plan even more affordable by asking for a deductible, which will lower your monthly expense. Most HMO’s do not have one at all but, you can request one, and most basic PPOs and POS only have a small one, usually $200 to $500 per year, which you can also asked to raised. The co-pays are also very reasonable with these types of plans. If you choose to purchase an HMO, expect to pay about $5-$10 per office visit and per prescription. With PPOs and POSs you will have a 20% co-pay with both visits and medications. The differences are how strict they are and you pay more of a co-pay to have extra flexibility. Usually a PPO or POS plan is less expensive and you have more freedom to see whom you want so the insurer makes you more responsible for payment. HMOs tend to be the least expensive and best policies for people with fixed incomes.

Make sure you know what your needs are and double-check what you are getting. If you need full medical coverage with low co-pay then a discount plan will not work for you. If you are already covered by a medical group but have a large deductible then you might benefit from the extra savings a discount plan can offer. Also, ask whether the plan is insurance that covers your treatment, or is a discount plan that still requires you to pay all medical bills yourself. Beware of slippery sales pitches. Make sure you know what’s being offered. Discount health plans may only sell you access to a large mailing list of medical providers that it purchased commercially. Don’t assume you’re getting access to a large provider network just because your discount card displays the network’s name and logo. If you plan to use a specific listed doctor, hospital, pharmacy or other provider, ask a few questions before you sign up.

Best Car Insurance Company – How Is A Person To

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:56:25 +0000

Best Car Insurance Company – How Is A Person To Choose?

How is the average insurance buyer ever going to determine which car insurance company is the best? That sounds like a nightmare instead of a shopping comparison. Insurance agencies are located in every major city and suburb in America. These agencies are either independent agents that represent several insurance companies or exclusive agents that represent one company. These are insurance companies that use the agent distribution as their method of marketing their products.

Some insurance companies have chosen to eliminate the agent and use the mail, the telephone, or the internet to sell their products. The property and casualty companies are always in a battle for market penetration. The insurance companies have to walk a fine line between new acquisitions and expense to do business. This is important information for the consumer because they are the ones making the final decision on who is winning. The best insurance company for you may be completely different than one preferred by your next door neighbor. Time and experience have a way of guiding you to your choice of companies.

Things to Consider.

1. Insurance Agent The car insurance agent has been the single most successful means of insurance distribution in insurance history. The neighborhood agent has ties to the community and is easily accessible. That is a great value to a great many people especially with people who want person to person advice and counsel.

2. Direct Distribution This is the name that we will give to the insurance companies that sell you insurance with 800 telephone numbers or through the internet and mailing services. They sell direct to you and you are serviced by them through customer service call centers. The direct distributor claims to have lower rates because they have eliminated the agent.

Once you determine how you want to be serviced then you can begin a search for those types of insurance companies. AM Best is a rating guide that you can find in your local library that gives you the financial strength of each insurance company.

I Don’t Want To Pay For Auto Insurance! What’s It

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:52:01 +0000

I Don’t Want To Pay For Auto Insurance! What’s It For Anyway?

There are approximately 20 various types of insurance policies available and auto, home, life and health top the charts.

The concept of insurance has been recorded to be first practiced as far back as 2nd and 3rd millennium B.C. Just about anything you think about or hold value too these days can be insured. Auto or vehicle insurance is one of the most common types of insurance and is a basic policy to protect you against losses incurred from car accidents, theft, vandalism and various other mishaps. Auto insurance can be purchased for different vehicles like cars and trucks as well as recreational items like motorbikes, boats and motor homes. In recent years the internet has been instrumental in helping people to know the various policies available to meet their needs and compare prices.

What’s auto insurance for anyway?

Auto insurance is basically a contract between you the customer or car owner and an insurance company. According to this contract you the customer agree to pay a certain amount of money or premium to the insurance company and the company agrees to payout any losses as defined in the policy.

The main items covered in auto insurance policies are:

1. Property: in case of damage or theft of a car the reimbursement is paid under the property coverage.

2. Liability: covers expenses incurred for bodily injury or property damage to the other person and or yourself.

3. Medical expense: medical coverage helps pay for treating injuries, rehabilitation and funeral expenses.

Most insurance policies are valid for six months to one year and need to be renewed before the policy expires to avoid gaps of coverage where you would be liable if something were to happen. Insurance companies will usually notify you by mail when it is time to renew your policy. Insurance companies charge a flat rate premium regardless of how much the vehicle is used. Some insurance companies also offer various types of discounts.

The Benefits of Auto Insurance:

In order to protect your assets and financial situation it is very important to purchase auto insurance, this is the main purpose of auto insurance. Auto insurance is not only important for the protection of your vehicle but also in most countries it is required mandatory by law.

It is very important to conduct a detailed study when buying auto insurance coverage because there are different types of policies with different benefits. Consult an expert before investing in any insurance to ensure you get the right type and best rates possible.

Turn that Frown Upside Down: How to File Dental Insurance

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:58:51 +0000

Turn that Frown Upside Down: How to File Dental Insurance Claims

If you have ever used dental insurance, you know that it can sometimes be a complicated process. There are papers to fill out, forms to send in, verifications to pass from the dentist to the insurance provider, and co-payments to make.

If everything goes well, your dentist will be reimbursed by your insurance provider within a reasonable amount of time for the services provided to you. But what happens if something is wrong with the paperwork?

If your paperwork is not filled out or submitted correctly, your dentist may have to wait a long time for reimbursement. This can be avoided if you take some time to learn how to file dental insurance claims.

Follow the Instructions Your Insurance Company Provides

Your insurance provider should give you some guidance on how to file dental insurance claims. After all, their requirements dictate the majority of the guidelines you’ll have to follow when filing a claim.

In the literature you receive when you sign up for a dental insurance policy, there should be some paperwork telling you how to file dental insurance claims. Every provider will have different requirements and policies, so the information that they give you should be the first place you go for answers.

If your insurance provider didn’t clearly explain how to file dental insurance claims, there is usually a simple formula that they follow. A patient information form is filled out upon your first visit to a dentist. You record your personal information and insurance information on this form, and it is entered into the dentist’s records.

After the dentist performs the required procedures, the paperwork pertaining to what was done will be added to your record. This record, along with all of your insurance information, should be sent to your insurance provider.

Some providers require you to send all information in by mail, and some allow you to enter most of it electronically. Some providers also require that you use a special form to enter all necessary information, while others accept the standard American Dental Association forms.

If All Else Fails

As you can see, it’s difficult to say how to file dental insurance claims without knowing the specific requirements of your dental insurance provider. The above should give you some basic information about what to expect when you file your claims.

If you are still having trouble figuring out how to file dental insurance claims, it may help to give your insurance provider a call. Insurance companies understand that not everyone is an insurance expert, so they are willing to help. Larger providers often have a dedicated help line for just that reason.

The Top 8 Ways to Save a Ton of Money

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:00:28 +0000

The Top 8 Ways to Save a Ton of Money on Your Auto Insurance

We all hate doing it, but it’s something that we all must do at one time or another… the wonderful task of shopping for car insurance quotes!

Since there’s no avoiding it, you might as well learn a few ways you can save money in the process. Here is a compilation of the top tips you can use to make sure you never overpay for your car insurance premiums…

1. Search for quotes regularly – Many people inadvertantly pay the same premium for years without ever shopping around. As your vehicle ages, it depreciates in value. You shouldn’t pay the same premium on an older vehicle as you would on a newer one… think about it! It’s generally good practice to do a quote search on a yearly basis, but the more often you do it, the better chances you have of getting lower rates.

2. If you have an older vehicle, consider “liability only” insurance – When making a decision like this, you need to consider the value of your vehicle compared to what you’re paying for your premium. If your vehicles wholesale value is, say $1000, why pay almost that much per year (give or take) when that is all you will get from your insurance agency… if you total your vehicle?

3. Take a defensive driving course – A simple 6 hour defensive driving course can save you up to 10% on your insurance premium. Contact your local department of motor vehicles for information on taking this course. Many times, you can also take this course by mail, by video, or even online!

4. If you have more than one vehicle in your household, insure them with the same agency – Most insurance agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple auto insurance policies.

5. If you also have life, home, fire, boat or any other type of insurance, use the same agency – As with having multiple auto policies, most agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple policies.

6. Increase your deductible – The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be, so set your deductible at the highest rate possible… just make sure that if you were to need the insurance you would be able to cover this deductible.

7. Maintain good credit – Insurance agencies, just like any other business, like to be paid… and on time. A good credit rating will lower your premium.

8. Think like an insurance agent – Insurance agencies base their rates foremost on one thing… risk. The more at risk you seem to be, the higher the premium will be, and vice versa.

When talking with an agent, give them reasons that you are at a lower risk, ie: you have a safe vehicle, you have a clean driving record, you don’t use your vehicle for work purposes, you don’t travel often, you’re vehicle has anti-theft devices, you park in a garage, etc. A good idea would be to make a list of why you’re at a lower risk before you even speak to an agent. Be creative!

Term Life Insurance No Exam – Is It Right for

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:33:09 +0000

Term Life Insurance No Exam – Is It Right for You?

Are you in search of term life insurance no exam required? Have you been looking for life insurance online, but maybe you’re overwhelmed with so many choices? So many websites to choose from.

Why put yourself through endless hours of searching online when you already know buying life insurance is the right choice for you and your loved ones? And, term life insurance protection provides you with the maximum amount of protection for your family at the lowest rates.

Today, with the technology available online – it’s quick, easy and affordable for almost everyone to get term life insurance with no medical exam required. There are several insurers who offer Instant Approval Life Insurance, if you qualify.

You can apply online and find out if you qualify in about 15 minutes. That’s right! No more paperwork. No more painful needles or medical exams. No more pushy insurance agents to deal with. And, no more delays of between 4 to 6 weeks to receive your life insurance policy through the mail.

Today, you can buy your life insurance policy online and print your policy immediately after you pay your first premium online, usually with a credit card. With some insurers you can actually get your life insurance coverage “In Force” today, if you qualify.

Not everyone qualifies for coverage though. You do have to be in good health, generally. But, even if you’re on medication, over weight, or a smoker – or even if you may not qualify with other life insurers – you might qualify for no exam life insurance.

You need to know that term life insurance no exam required may cost you a more money than coverage through other life insurers. However, the benefits may outweigh the cost for you. Several benefits include: Instant Approval, No invasive needles, No medical tests, No mailing delays, Coverage “In Force” today, No doctors, No pushy insurance agents to deal with… The list goes on.
As we mentioned before, there are two drawbacks – the premium may be a little higher. And, not everyone qualifies for coverage.

It’s easy to find out if you qualify for term life insurance with no exams. You just answer a few easy health questions to get your instant quotes. Then, you decide if you like the rates. If so, you can apply online in about five minutes. You usually get a response within 10-15 minutes as to whether youre approved for life insurance coverage. Then, you can pay your first month’s premium online, and print your policy right away. It’s that simple. No time delays, no mountains of paperwork and no bothersome medical exams.
Make sure to check the financial rating of your life insurer. Its usually provided on their web site or with your life insurance quote. Also, paying an annual premium for your life insurance coverage is usually less expensive than monthly payments. Finally, when you buy your policy online, you’re cutting out the uncomfortable, pushy sales person at your dinner table trying to talk you into the policy.

Term life insurance no exam policies can provide the protection you and your family need at affordable rates that fit your budget. It’s worth a few minutes to get an instant quote and decide if you want your coverage today. There’s no hassle, and no sales pressure. Its your choice.

The Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:52:51 +0000

The Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs

If your medical expenses are increasing, youll want to know how to lower them and keep them low. Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your health care costs.

1. Maintain a health lifestyle it sounds basic, but it really works. If you take advantage of available wellness programs, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, stop smoking, and have regular checkups, you can greatly reduce your medical expenses.

2. Take advantage of free health screenings if your health insurance doesn’t provide adequate health screenings, or if you don’t have any health insurance coverage at all, look into free health screenings. Local clinics and hospitals often provide a variety of screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and mammograms.

3. Compare your health insurance options youll need to get your own coverage if you dont have employer-sponsored health insurance. Shop around. Because premiums vary widely, you’ll probably save money if you get quotes from several companies. Evaluate each plan’s coverage and features, taking into account exclusions, limitations, and the freedom to choose health-care providers. Also find out how much you’ll end up paying out of pocket in the form of co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles, because even relatively small amounts of money can really add up if you make frequent visits to your doctor.

4. Reduce the costs of your prescription drugs if you take prescription drugs regularly, you know they can eat up a large portion of your budget. To save money, order your prescriptions though the mail by using a traditional or online pharmacy. If you belong to a prescription drug plan through your health insurance plan, you may be able to get a three-month supply of your prescription drug through the mail for the same price you would pay for a one-month supply at your neighborhood pharmacy. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor to recommend a less-expensive generic drug whenever possible.

5. Always check your medical bills for errors taking a few minutes to go over the charges can save you money in the long run. Check to make sure that the bill accurately reflects the procedures you have undergone and takes into account any applicable insurance coverage you may have. Some errors, such as wrong computer codes, are common, and you may be billed for health care you never received. Contact the appropriate billing office if you think you’ve found a mistake. If you’ve received an explanation of benefits from your insurance company that you believe is wrong, ask the company to review your claim.

6. Keep track of your medical expenses at tax time, you may be able to deduct certain medical expenses if you itemize, and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Allowable medical expenses include everything from health-care services to medical aids such as eyeglasses and hearing aids. Keep track of these expenses during the year.

7. Consider joining your spouse’s health plan review both your coverage and your spouse’s coverage to see if it makes sense for either of you to join the other’s plan. Keep in mind that most plans allow you to add a spouse to your plan within a certain time period after you get married. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the plans’ annual open enrollment period.

8. Negotiate a discount with your healthcare provider you can sometimes negotiate to lower your medical bills. While it may not always work, it doesn’t hurt to ask your doctor, hospital, or pharmacy if they’re willing to come down in price. Before you begin to negotiate, do a little research to find out what other healthcare providers in your area are charging. You can also ask your healthcare provider if they’ll lower their price if you pay in cash up front.

9. Contribute to a flexible spending account check to see if your employer offers a flexible spending plan that will allow you to put pretax dollars in an account. If so, consider participating. You will be reimbursed for your out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and co-payments. Because flexible spending contributions are taken out of your pay before federal and state taxes are calculated, you get to use pretax dollars to pay your medical bills.

10. Understand your health insurance benefits your health insurance may cover more than you think. Many insurance companies now provide services that are designed to help you stay safe and healthy. For example, you may receive discounts on vitamins, alternative medicines, health club memberships, or bike helmets. You may also be surprised at the range of coverage your health plan offers. For instance, it may cover dental care for young children, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. Read your plan membership materials to find out what products and services are available through your health plan before you pay for them on your own.

Staying healthy is the best way to reduce your health care costs. Getting a quality health insurance policy and understanding its benefits will also go a long way to keeping your medical bills as low as possible.

The Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:09:09 +0000

The Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs

If your medical expenses are increasing, youll want to know how to lower them and keep them low. Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your health care costs.

Compare car, travel and more cheap insurance quotes » Mail

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