HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTES ONLINE

affordable health insurance

Selecting an affordable health insurance plan that's realistic for you and your family.

Sound affordable health insurance coverage is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. It also means ensuring that everyone in your family has reliable, meaningful, affordable health coverage as well. A good health plan helps keep you healthy now and takes care of you in case of a unlucky illness or accident.

In the past decade, health insurance premiums for most people have more than doubled, and without reform, experts say they will double again by 2016. As congress considers reforms to our national health insurance markets, it must consider changes that will help all citizens have access to affordable health coverage. If you think finding affordable health insurance is hard to do, think again, there are more options available than you realize.

Prior to selecting an insurance policy, carefully consider your financial and personal circumstances. Doing so will enable you to choose the most appropriate plan for your family and employees and more effectively manage your liabilities. The general rule of thumb: Try to insure you and your loved ones against the most serious and financially disastrous losses that can result from an illness or accident.

COMPARE FREE HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTES ONLINE

eHEALTHINSURANCE - Compare plans side-by-side and request FREE Instant Quotes online!
Request a free health insurance quote online from eHealthInsurance.

HEALTH PLAN ONE - Shop and compare over 100 health companies and health plan quotes online.
Request a free health insurance quote online from Health Plan One.

Options for Individual Health Plans...

There are two primary kinds of health insurance. The first is "group health" and is administered through a group entity, such as a company or union. The second type is "individual health insurance," purchased by an individual directly from an insurance company. Each type has different costs and benefits.

The fundamental difference between individual and group health insurance is that insurers cannot deny service to people eligible for group coverage via their employer or union. In contrast, an individual seeking health insurance on their own can be denied coverage. For instance, if an individual doesn't meet specific state and federal requirements they can be deemed a "bad risk" by an insurer and denied coverage.

Because insurers must cover all individuals in a group, regardless of each member's health and lifestyle, group health plans are intrinsically risky for insurers. Higher risk for insurers usually means higher costs to you because premiums for employers offering group plans are higher.

Essentially, insurers hedge their bets by charging employers higher rates. This often goes unnoticed by employees and other plan benefactors because they usually only pay a portion of the plan premiums (minimum premium plan). As a result, many people mistakenly assume that group health insurance is less expensive than individual health insurance. It's actually not. What's less expensive than individual health insurance is the typical group member's portion of group health insurance.

What this means for you...

Try to obtain group health insurance whenever possible. Group health insurance will usually be less expensive for you and will offer better guaranteed benefits than individual health insurance.

However, remember that there are benefits to purchasing individual health plans. People can work with a broker to tailor a plan to their needs from the insurance company of their choice. When comparing policies and health insurance quotes, consider what medical services are covered, what benefits are paid, and how much you must pay in deductibles and co-insurance. Getting affordable health insurance is possible, and the best health plans can save you money.

COMPARE FREE HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTES ONLINE

ASSURANT HEALTH - Health insurance from the oldest provider of affordable health insurance.
Request a free health insurance quote online from Assurant Health.

QUALIFIED HEALTH - Specializes in providing a comprehensive nationwide medical discount program.
Request a free health insurance quote online from Qualified Health.

How health insurance works...

Regardless if you are an individual or a member of a group, health care is administered in two basic systems (if you are not over 65 or eligible for federal aid). Medical care is either provided through an indemnity (fee-for-service) plan or a managed care plan.

Both plans cover various medical, surgical, and hospital expenses. Many also offer a prescription-drug and dental-care benefit. However, there are some important differences between indemnity/fee-for-service and managed care plans:

  • Indemnity/Fee-for-service - This is the most flexible and the most expensive option. Policyholders select the doctor of their choice and pay each time they receive services. You or your doctor then submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement, minus a negotiated deductible. You are reimbursed for the "covered" medical expenses listed in the plan's benefits summary. Generally, your insurance company pays 80 percent of the "reasonable and customary charge," while you pay a 20 percent coinsurance. Lifetime benefit limits also are set, usually at $1 million.

  • Managed Care - These plans provide comprehensive health services at a lower cost, but your choice of doctors is limited. You must pay for your coverage in advance, instead of per visit or service. There are three popular types of managed or prepaid care: HMO, PPO, and POS. For more detail, see Individual Healthcare or Group Health.
  • Good to know options for affordable health insurance...

    Be aware that on a Managed Care plan, before you receive specialized care you can be evaluated on whether physician-recommended services are medically necessary. This is known as a "utilization review". If you don't want to risk denial of service, indemnity plans may be the better option.

    Also, please note that Managed Care plans use "discharge planning" to reduce expenses. Patients that don't require hospitalization are often transferred to more cost-effective facilities, such as nursing facilities.

    Request a quote from a top rated insurance provider, an find the best affordable health insurance for you. Get your free health insurance quotes online today.

    The type of health insurance you decide to purchase will depend on your personal needs and the needs of your family. By doing your research and understanding the different types of insurance available you will be better equipped to buy the right health insurance. Save money and buy health insurance from your computer.


    Relevant Health Insurance Topics

    Great Health Insurance Resources

    eHealthinsurance
    Compare health insurance quotes from 100's of plans from a variety of health insurance companies. Complete Quick and Easy online application to compare FREE health insurance quotes online.
    Health Plan One
    Shop over 100 affordable health insurance plans from a variety of health insurance carriers. With Health Plan One, you can easily apply and instantly compare complimentary health insurance quotes online.
    Assurant Health
    Individual health insurance and family health insurance from the the oldest national provider of affordable health insurance. individual health plans.
    Health Insurance Resource Center
    The Health Insurance Resource Center strives to make you a better-informed consumer to aid you in your quest for health insurance.

    health insurance quotes online

    individual health insurance


    Health Insurance Quotes Online is a free online resource for health insurance quotes. Our tools can help you find affordable health coverage, personal health insurance, self employed health insurance, and Health Savings Accounts. Browse by Health Insurance Providers: Aetna | Anthem Blue Cross | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas | Healthnet