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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Medical Insurance -- Ways To Get It Cheap

By Chimezirim Odimba

I'll share more tips anyone can use to get massive discounts without downgrading their coverage. Don't fail to take note of the precaution you are advised to take as you make use of these tips...

Don't be shortchanged by the cheapest rate as you shop for affordable health insurance. You want a cheap quote that also offers the right value. And, doing extensive shopping is crucial to landing the best price/value. But be prepared to pay a little more if necessary to get adequate coverage.

There are many cases where very cheap rates also come with great value but sometimes they could have a poor quality. Such cheap offers won't be a wise choice since it is not the right coverage for you.

1. Deciding to be more flexible in your choice of health care providers will help you get better rates. The reason for this is that you may be required to restrict yourself to doctors and hospitals within a certain network in order to enjoy very low rates. This may mean you'll have to part with your favorite doctor.

If you consider this to be too much for you to sacrifice then you can't lower your rate this way. Don't forget that it's highly recommended that you weigh the pros and cons.

2. Premiums paid by self employed persons may be tax-deductible. And you can also be entitled to a tax break if you open a flexible spending account. This suggests that it's wise to talk with your tax professional. This will help you know for sure what will give you a tax break and what won't.

3. Being on the same policy will save you a lot if you're married. You have to check your options though to determine which gets you more savings.

This is due to the fact that sometimes it will save you more to be on different plans and in certain cases it saves more to be on the same plan.

individual health insurance quote online

4. If you are the type that is hardly ever ill you'll you'll save considerably by settling for catastrophic health insurance instead. For folks who might not know what it is, it's a type of policy that takes care of you if you fall sick suddenly or get involved in an accident.

The greatest advantage of this policy is where sudden ailments or accidents give rise to huge bills that could at best be described as catastrophic. The name surely does give an idea of what it provides coverage against. They are sold at very cheap rates.

But take note that it has deductibles that are as high as $2,000. Albeit, you'll be happy to contribute such if your medical bills total as high as $50,000 which is where catastrophic health insurance really shines.

5. Raising your deductible will lower your cost. This is the amount you will pay before the insurer is obligated to fulfill the policy terms. So make your deductible as high as possible but within easy reach.

6. There are drugs that are big brand names. If you buy such drugs, your rates will go up. But are you aware that every generic drug has the same active agents as its big brand name version? Where the dissimilarities begin and end are in their selection of inactive agents.

The truth then is that you only pay more when you use an established brand name drug and do NOT get anything extra in value. However, take the time to ask a doctor you can really trust about this before you settle for any drug.

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Health Insurance -- More Ways To Massive Discounts

By Chimezirim Odimba

There are tips you must take note of and apply if you're really keen on getting huge discounts. I'll show you a good number of them in this article...

1. There's a unique type of savings account called the Flexible Spending Account. You can put away tax-free dollars to take care of your health needs. Any money not used could be rolled over into the subsequent year (still tax free). This offers you a tax free method of building considerable reserves of funds to cater for your future health needs.

2. Your drug cost might often be cheaper than your co-pay. It may also be cheaper for you to buy a prescription out of the pocket (without using insurance). Use the option that gives you bigger savings.

Being careful enough to always check will help you make huge savings over time.

3. Maintain a healthy life style and you will get cheaper rates over time. The quality of what you eat will eventually affect your rate. Cutting off fats, cholesterol and high carb from your diet will make it easier for you to retain the right weight, live a healthier life and, as a consequence, get more affordable rates.

Beside your diet, your commitment to daily exercise will help you live better and also eventually get you lower rates.

online health insurance quotation

4. Your health insurance plan may already offer you up to two free visits to a doctor for preventative health care check ups.

In case you would like to know why this leads to more affordable rates, here it is...

It does because the cost of dealing with health conditions in their early stages is much less than malignant ailments. Your insurer in return gives you more affordable rates over time since you take active steps to lower their risk.

5. You can lower your rates by avoiding alcoholic beverages. Alcoholics pay more for health insurance.

Drinking is the source of many ailments and that is apart from the fact that it will also add to your risk to health insurance companies.

What quantity of alcohol can you take without dire consequences? I can't advise you on that since I'm not an expert on such matters.

What I'm sure of is that avoiding alcoholics completely is very safe. So you can lower your rates (Apart from reducing the probability of developing certain diseases) by avoiding alcohol if you can or drinking responsibly if you can't.

It's just that for most people drinking responsibly is even more difficult than total abstainance. There are groups that are out to help alcoholics quit drinking. Simply search for them.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Cheaper Denver Colorado Medical Insurance -- Do The Following And You'll Enjoy It

By Chimezirim Odimba

Everyone can enjoy more affordable Denver Colorado medical insurance if they know what to do. There are certain overlooked things that will go a long way in helping you get the right coverage at lower rates. Do you know those things? Here are some...

1. Your drug cost might often be cheaper than your co-pay. It might be cheaper for you to buy a prescription from your purse (without using insurance). Know which is applicable in each situation and do what saves you more.

Always compare before you use your insurance.

2. You will pay higher rates just because your occupation exposes you to much hazards. Switching to a non-hazardous vocation will bring down your premium by a remarkable margin. If your profession exposes you to toxic substances, for instance, your health insurance Denver Colorado rates will be much more than that paid by a comparable profile who maybe works as a receptionist in a shop.

3. How much can you pay out of your pocket each time you see a doctor? This is what is referred to as your co-pay in case you don't know already. Your rate will be cheaper if you opt for a higher co-pay. If you hardly ever go to visit a doctor, you may make much savings by opting for a high co-pay.

4. You can lower your Denver Colorado individual health insurance costs by buying prescriptions online. You can as well get lower prices if you buy by phone. Companies who sell online have lower overheads than brick and mortar businesses and these suggest that they can and (do sell) at lower prices. But if you've choosen to buy online try to find out a little about whom you're buying from because there are wolves online. It's very easy to do this by checking a resource like BBB. While we want to reduce our health care rates we also need to ensure that we safeguard our health and our lives.

5. The use of tobacco in any form will add to your rates. Chewing or snuffing tobacco, for example will cost you in higher premium.

Steering off all tobacco products will attract less expense in health insurance.

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Cheaper Texas Health Insurance Coverage -- Have You Tried The Following Time-Proven Tips For Lower Rates?

By Chimezirim Odimba

Affordable Texas state health insurance is easy if you know how it works. I'll discuss more tips anyone can use to get big discounts without downgrading their coverage. Here they are with a precaution you mustn't fail to note...

1. Buying your prescriptions online is a sure way to bring down your health care spend. You can also get affordable prices if you buy by phone. Drugs are cheaper online because the cost of doing business is considerably cheaper with the internet. But to ensure you are buying from the right company, check. Organizations like BBB can tell you if you if a company should be trusted or not so do not fail to check.

While we want to lower our health care costs we also need to ensure that we safeguard our health and our lives.

2. You'll pay less on health medical insurance Texas if you have more knowledge on it|have the right information|if you get the right tips. You will be able to make decisions that will guarantee you the best. Furthermore, you will also be more prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they emerge.

There are toll-free numbers for you to call and get advice on health issues. One of such numbers is that of the National Health Information Center: 1-800-336-4797

3. There are cases for which you really shouldn't visit a doctor. Take, for example, a viral infection like flu. Seeing your doctor will really make no difference in your health if you know the right right steps to take. We all know that your doctor cannot do you much good if you have a viral infection.

There's no way you can justify spending $100 for something you should have dealt with by yourself. This also applies to simple first aid treatment. It pays to know how to handle simple home incidents especially if you have kids. There are many things that you can (and should) handle if you've invested the time to learn and as well have a well-stocked first aid box.

However, if you do not know what to do, go ahead visit a doctor. And, even for those who do are versed in first aid, know your boundaries. There are cases you're not meant to even attempt if you are not a medical doctor. Having the right balance is a must in this and such cases. If you do this right you will get cheaper Texas health insurance and at the same time not endanger lives.

4. Maintain a healthy routine and you'll pay cheaper rates over time. If you can avoid taking junk food you'll pay less over time. It will benefit you to stick with the right diet for you if you want a healthy life and inexpensive rates.

Apart from your diet, your commitment to daily exercise will help you live better and also eventually get you cheaper rates.

5. Just like an HMO, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is generally cheaper than regular health insurance. But in contrast with an HMO it gives you more options and understandably it's also usually more expensive.

You can evaluate your needs and what your profit would be for either joining a PPO or traditional health insurance. If saving is your main concern, you will actually make more savings by using a PPO instead of getting normal health insurance.

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Long Term Care Insurance: Understanding The Value

By Terry Stanfield

Long term care is a reality of growing old. As we get older, the possibility of needing someone to help us take care of ourselves is going to increase. Things could turn out for the best and you may not need long-term care, or they could turn out for the worst and you could need ongoing, long-term care. There is no way to predict what will happen in the future, but there is a way to plan for it.

Long term care insurance is the best option anyone has to make sure their future remains bright and financially secure, and it all comes at the cost of a small monthly payment. No different than car or home insurance, which you use in case you are involved in a car accident, or your home burns down, long-term care insurance protects you in the event you need long term care.

This comes at the price of a small payment, but the rewards it can give you go far beyond that. As a result of the monthly payment you make, your family will not be burdened with the costs of your long-term care, and you will not have to worry about your bank account draining to fund the long-term care, because Medicare does not cover the expenses related to long term care.

That small payment translates into peace of mind as you go into your old age. You will know that in the event of an unfortunate accident or situation, your family will not be struggling to, not only pay their own bills, but yours as well. Of course, that long-term insurance payment also helps you in the event you are injured or need surgery while you are still middle-aged. Long term care can pay your expenses while you recover from an accident, surgery or illness, since it is unlikely your job, or Medicare, will.

The value in long-term care insurance is huge, and the price is small. Like any other insurance, you buy it not to protect you in the case of a tragedy or accident, but to give you the peace of mind that if an accident or tragedy happens, someone has your back. That is an excellent situation to be in and it makes everything much easier for everyone.

Conclusion Long-term care insurance is the safety net that comes at a great value for you. With only monthly payments to your long-term care insurance company, you are securing your financial future and giving your family the ability to provide care for you in the event you need long-term care, without the problems of trying to pay for it.

Medicare does not pay expenses for long-term care patients, but your long-term care insurance does, and is that not worth the price of a monthly payment? It may not happen, but if something bad does and you need long-term care, don't you want to know someone has your back, ensuring you and your family are not strapped for cash simply because you grew old and needed care, or because you were in an accident?

That kind of security and peace of mind is worth its weight in gold, and you can have it for much less.

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Health Insurance -- Ways To Reduce Costs

By Chimezirim Odimba

There are many ways to more affordable but adequate coverage. However, a number of them could leave you slightly compromised. This is, nevertheless, not the case with the options I'll give you in this write-up as you'll save while still maintaining adequate coverage. Here they are...

You will lower your cost if you have an excellent credit rating. A poor credit history will make you pay higher rates. It is usual for insurance carriers to conclude that a person who defaults in credit card payments will also easily miss payments of premiums. This translates to more danger to them and more expensive premiums for you.

You can save much on health insurance in certain states if you are a home business owner. This is because home based businesses enjoy the same cheap rates that insurance providers give their larger counterparts.

In a number of states your home business qualifies for a group rate provided it employs a staff.

Do not forget that a member of your family who works for you in a home business qualifies as a staff. The interesting thing is that such a worker mustn't be full time for you to be eligible.

This alternative gives lower rates because group rates are usually lower than rates for individuals.

You can find out home businesses that are eligible for group rates in your state by checking with your state's department of insurance or its equivalent.

Premiums paid by self employed folks might be tax-deductible. If your employer offers a flexible spending account this might entitle you to a tax break. To to find out if this is true in your case discuss with your tax professional.

An HMO will will get you health insurance at a cheaper rate. They provide a far cheaper alternative than traditional health insurance. Albeit, joining an HMO means you are restricted to the use of only doctors, other health care professionals and hospitals that are approved by the organisation.

If what you think you lose in the limited choices an HMO offers is much more than what you gain, you can still choose traditional health insurance.

You'll pay very low rates for traditional health insurance if you do extensive shopping. This is a proven way to pay more affordable rates while enjoying a standard health insurance plan.

Nevertheless, if you are willing to accept the limited choices, you'll pay cheaper rates with an HMO.

Get Your Free Health Insurance Quotes Now And Save!

There are health insurance guides that the government publishes anually. Although these publications are free, you really shouldn't be without them if you want to be certain you're receiving the best in health care and insurance. These publications will teach you to make more informed choices with respect to your health insurance. Once these is the case, you will get lower rates.

Did you know that your co-pay could cost you more than the cost of your drugs? In some cases, it's less expensive for you to get a prescription without the use of your health insurance. Find out which is best in each situation and do what saves you more.

Endeavour to compare before you use your insurance.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tips For Cheaper Health Insurance --

By Chimezirim Odimba

Those who know the right steps to take don't find it difficult attracting the best rates without compromise to the quality of coverage they enjoy. Read through this article if you would like to join this special group who are paying a lot less while maintaining the right coverage...

It is now commonly understood that smoking will attract higher rates. What many might not appreciate is that this is also true if you use any other form of tobacco product. For example, you'll pay a more expensive premium if you chew or snuff tobacco.

Therefore, you'll help yourself get cheaper rates if you avoid tobacco use in any form.

Some people are not poor enough to be eligible for plans for low-income earner and also have financial constraints that make standard health insurance unaffordable. If you are among such people, you'll benefit much by using a discount medical card. So what are they?

With this special kind of card you get medical attention from a network of doctors who have agreed to provide their services to card carriers at lower rates. They aren't generally affiliated with any health insurance company.

If you've been declared ineligible for regular health insurance because of a pre-existing condition or think your premium is too expensive then you can reduce your cost by using this type of card. This kind of card does not reject anyone for any reason. You just have to pay a monthly fee to be eligible to use their network of doctors.

There is a unique kind of savings account called the Flexible Spending Account. This type of account is meant for you to save tax-free dollars mainly for your health needs. The selling point about this account is that it allows you to roll over unused funds into the subsequent year tax free. This offers you a tax free method of building big reserves of funds to cater for your future health needs.

The amount you're willing to contribute to payments for each visit to the doctor affects your premium. The amount which you pay out of your own pocket is called your co-pay. Raising your co-pay brings down your costs. If you rarely ever need to visit a doctor, you will make much savings by selecting a high co-pay.

Get Your Free Health Insurance Quotes Now And Save!

Several policies give you unreasonable limits. What a company will spend if a policy holder develops cancer or other catastrophic ailments should be given serious consideration. Shop for a better insure and do not just settle for it if you consider what they have as their limits are unreasonable.

Also ensure that you check that the maximum you will be required to spend for treatments within a year is good enough for you. Again, start shopping for another insurer if their maximum is too high for comfort.

Health Insurance -- Superior Protection Affordably

By Chimezirim Odimba

You don't really have to do very difficult things in order to attract the cheapest policy that meets your needs. You may be alarmed to find out that all that's making it difficult for you to get far more affordable rates are minor things you can easily take care of. Following are several tips that will help you achieve that goal...

You'll pay less on health care if you make use of no-appointment ambulatory care centers or emergi-centers. This is particularly so if you are generally healthy and find it a little difficult to pay for traditional health insurance. These centers are cheaper than an emergency room in a hospital.

Your rate will be cheaper if you increase your deductible. For those who don't knwo what a deductible is, it is what you must contribute before your insurance provider pays according to your policy's terms. Yes, select a very high deductible but ensure it is not higher than you can easily provide.

Get Your Free Health Insurance Quotes Now And Save!

You can have your kids insured through state plans if you want to reduce your cost. There are normally criteria for qualification.

They will either cost you nothing or close to that so check to see if you are eligible. If you have a child with a special health condition, you'll spend less if you insure such a kid through a state plan.

Your premiums may be tax-deductible if you're self employed. If your employer offers a flexible spending account this might help you get a tax break. Ask your tax professional. He/she will tell you savings you can or cannot make this way.

Take it upon yourself to ask your agent about all the discounts possible with your chosen insurer. Your agent could choose to not tell you about some discounts that you qualify for. The only way to be sure it's false in your case is by taking the time to ask your agent to list out all discount that your insurance provider offers. You might get a really pleasant surprise!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

What you should know about Long Term Care Insurance

By Britt Lynn

If you want to get a long term care insurance quote, it is essential that you know some of the factors involved. This particular article will give you six essential factors to take into consideration. If you want an ltci quote, there is so much information you will want to know about so that you can make an informed decision. This information is based upon factors such as what type of benefits you want to receive when using your policy.

A long term care insurance quote is contingent upon many factors and following are some of the points to consider. Your age and what type of benefits will cause your quote to vary.

The types of benefits you receive will help determine your cost of long-term care. These types of benefits can include whether you will receive in-home services, care at a nursing home or from services based in your community.

The cost of your ltci quote is contingent upon age so the younger you are when you purchase ltci will cause your premium to be lower.

Different costs for quotes can be based upon what company you request a quote for. You should ask your employer if they offer ltci.

Your quote can be contingent upon how you want benefits to be paid out. Some policies allow you to spend a certain maximum in whatever way you want while others offer a maximum based upon a daily, weekly, or monthly time frame.

You have the option to choose when you are able to start using benefits and this will cause a change in your insurance quote.

You will want to think about what kind of daily benefits you will receive. Your quote will be higher when you want higher daily benefits.

This article should have opened your eyes to a greater degree to what to expect when receiving a long term care insurance quote. You want to have as much information out and on the table when talking about this because it is important to know what to expect with your policy.

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LCTi Myth: I Cannot Afford Long-Term Care Insurance

By Terry Stanfield

As the title of this says, the belief that you cannot afford long-term care insurance is nothing more than a myth. The truth of the matter is that everyone can afford long-term care insurance, and everyone who is interested in retirement planning should. The premiums are not high when they are compared with the long-term care cost that families, or the individual, will have to incur over the course of the long-term care life.

If you are worried that you cannot afford long-term care insurance, then start getting the premiums as early as you can. There is nothing wrong with a 30-year-old doing retirement planning. In fact, the younger you are, the lower your premiums are. Often, a 30-year-old will pay $100 or more less than a senior citizen will in their monthly insurance premiums to pay for their long-term care insurance. The types of young individuals who take the initiative to start retirement planning understand the long-term care cost they may have to pay for without the insurance, and they understand that nearly half of all those who use long-term care services are not over the age of 65.

Long-term care is incredibly important and an individual should make the effort to afford long-term care insurance because it will make things easier, financially speaking, on their family and themselves. Costs can run as high as $5,000 per month for long-term care, and without long-term care insurance, an individual's savings can disappear very quickly.

For the cost of cable television or monthly payments on that exercise machine you bought but never use, you can afford to pay your insurance premiums on your long-term care plan. There is no reason you cannot afford long-term care insurance when you make the effort to cut back on non-essentials. There is nothing more essential than making sure you have the money to get the long-term care you need in case you need help with your day-to-day activities.

Do not think that you will only need it when you are 80. Your life can change in an instant, and even at the young age of 40 you can require long-term care because of an accident, surgery, or illness. Christopher Reeve was healthy and fit at the age of 41, at the age of 42 he was paralyzed from the neck down because of a fall from a horse. He required long-term care for the rest of his life. If it can happen to Superman, it can happen to anyone.

Conclusion

If you believe the myth that only some can afford long-term care insurance, then you need to give your head a shake. Everyone, even if they have to cut back on that latte every day, can afford long-term care insurance when they make the initiative. Retirement planning for long-term care cost is an effective way of taking your future by the horns and ensuring your family does not have to pay for your care, thereby putting financial stresses on them as well. Everyone can afford long-term care insurance, it is just a matter of whether or not they want to take the initiative and pay for it.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Planning For Long-Term Health Care

By Terry Stanfield

The future is uncertain and anything can happen. You may live a long and healthy life, only to die at the age of 102 while you are out on your daily jog, or you may suffer a stroke at the age of 62 and require long-term care to help you accomplish your daily activities. As a result, you need to start planning for long-term health care to ensure you do not suffer from an unexpected event that could leave you as a financial burden on your family.

Planning for long-term health care comes down to two factors: savings and insurance. If you have a large savings, you will be able to use it as a cushion while you get long-term care insurance to help pay your expenses, without dipping into your savings too much. When you get long-term care insurance, you will be paying the premiums for several years before you start to think about collecting benefits on it, but when you do you will have a wonderful monthly income that may leave your savings untouched.

You may have $50,000 saved up in the bank, or even more, but when you factor in all your expenses, especially the fact it can costs $5,000 a month to stay in a nursing home, your $50,000 disappears after only 10 months. If you have $500,000 saved up, then your savings will cover you for about eight years, but if you are 62 when you suffer a stroke that leaves you in need of daily care for 10 years, you are two years too short. However, if you have a plan that pays you $2,000 a month, you are able to extend your ability to pay for your nursing home and your home care by an another five years. That comes from only paying $40 a month or more into your premium!

It is incredibly important to start planning for long-term health care because when you are young, your premiums will be much less than when you are older. As well, nearly half of all individuals who collect on long-term care insurance plans are people below retirement age. Accidents can happen and you don't want to be a burden on your family when you were an asset before. Planning your long-term health care through long-term care insurance programs means that will not happen and you will receive the care you need, while your family does not have to lose out financially.

Conclusion Long-term health care needs can happen to anyone, from the earliest age to the oldest. To ensure that you can afford the high costs of nursing and home care, you will need to start planning your long-term health care. This can be done through getting long-term care insurance policies that will give you the cushion you need to enjoy life in a nursing home, without having to worry about your finances. Savings will run out eventually, so you should prolong them as long as you can by planning your long-term health care with a long-term care insurance plan.

You should ask for help from an insurance representative who specializes in long term care insurance to answer any questions.

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