The Increasing Surge of Health Care

While sitting back in her blue jeans and wearing a heavy workout sweater at the Legacy Emanuel Hospital's Emergency room, Angela Jones has her feet prompted up and crossed atop of a small table. When asked about health care issues and how they affect her, Angela explains that there is a portion of people who suffer from not having health care insurance. She makes it clear that some of those who suffer most are young people. Jones, who is a college student, declared her passion for the young because it falls under her own age group.

Says Jones, "The Oregon Health Plan should be open to more people who are under 21 years old. Private insurance shouldn't be so expensive for young people."

According to national surveys, the primary reason people are uninsured is the high cost of health insurance coverage. Notwithstanding, nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of the uninsured reported changing their way of life significantly in order to pay medical bills. Economists have discovered that increasing health care costs correlate to drops in health insurance coverage.

Jones believes that some of the greatest challenges that people face across this nation is obtaining affordable health care. "I would open an Oregon Health Plan to a variety of people who don't have insurance. It is hard to get health insurance."

Terri Heer, a registered nurse at a local hospital, claims that in order to improve America's health care system a key ingredient is to "make sure that everyone (has) access."

This would include cutting out on expenses that are not palpable to so called "health care needs". Heer says, "First, we spend a lot of money servicing people for illnesses that can be prevented. Some of the money spent can go to other things."

Over the long haul, should the nations health care system undergo significant changes, the typical patient may not necessarily see the improvements firsthand. "I would love to say there will be a lot of changes. I am not a pessimist, but I don't think there will be any change," says Heer. Heer does allude to the fact that if more money were spent for people in the health care arena, she says that there is a possibility that the necessary changes would be more evident.

Whether health care is affordable or not is an issue that affects everyone. According to a recent study last year, health care spending in the United States reached $2.3 trillion, and is projected to reach $3 trillion by 2011. By 2016, it is projected to reach $4.2 trillion. Although it is estimated that nearly 47 million Americans are uninsured, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other nation.

The rising tide of health care stems from several factors that has an affect on us all. First, there is an intensity of services in the U.S. health care system that has undergone a dramatic change when you consider that people are living longer coupled with greater chronic illnesses.

Secondly, prescription drugs and technology have gone through significant changes. The fact that major drugs and technological advancement has been a contributing factor for the increase in health care spending. Some analysts suggest that the improvement of state-of-art technologies and drugs increase health care spending. This increase not only attributes to the high-tech inventions, but also because consumer demand for these products has gone through the roof, so to speak.

Thirdly, there is an aging of the population. Since the baby boomers have reached their middle years, there is a tremendous need to take care of them. This trend will continue as baby boomers will qualify for more Medicare in 2011.

Lastly, there is the factor of administrative costs. Some would argue that the private sector plays a critical role in the rise of health care costs and the economic increase they produce in overhead costs. At the same time, 7 percent of health care expenses are a result of administrative costs. This would include aspects of billing and marketing.

Terra Lincoln is a woman who was found waiting in the Emergency room at the Providence Portland Medical Center. When asked about the rising costs of health care, she said, "If you don't have medical coverage, it'll cost you too much money. If I leave the hospital right now and I need to buy two (types) of medicines, I couldn't afford it." Lincoln says that she is a member of the OHP, but she believes that there are still issues that need to be addressed.

Terra recognizes that to reduce medical costs, she would have to start by getting regular checkups. "Sometimes people of color wait till they're in pain before they get a checkup," she said.

A national survey shows that the primary reason why people cannot afford health care is because of soaring costs of health care coverage. In a recent Wall-Street Journal-NBC survey it is reported that 50% of the American public claims that their highest and most significant economic concern is health care. Consequently, the rising cost of health care is the number one concern for Democratic voters.

Regarding the rising tide of health care, Kristin Venderbush, a native Wisconsin, and another patient in emergency at Providence says, "I worry a lot about what happens to the working poor. They don't have OHP. If you can't advocate for yourself, you will not get the health care you need...on every level."

Harvard University researchers conducted a recent study that discovered that the out-of-pocket medical debt for an average consumer who filed bankruptcy was $12,000. This study noted that 68 percent of those who had filed for bankruptcy carried health insurance. Apparently, these bankruptcy's were results from medical expenses. It was also noted in this study that every 30 seconds someone files for bankruptcy after they have had some type of serious health problem.

In spite of all the social and economic bureaucracy in the health care arena, some changes were made in Washington on January 28, 2008. In his State of the Union address, President Bush made inquired Congress to eliminate the unfair bias of the tax code against people who do not get their health care from their employer. Millions would then have more options that were not previously available and health care would be more accessible for people who could not afford it.

Consequently, the President believes that the Federal government can make health care more affordable and available for those who need it most. Some sources suggest that the President not only wants health care to be available for people, but also for patients and their private physicians so that they will be free to make choices as well. One of the main purposes for the health care agenda is to insure that consumers will not only have the freedom to make choices, but to also enable those to make decisions that will best meet their health care needs.

Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, oversees the State Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as SCHIP. This is a critical program because it pays for the health care of more than six and a half million children who come from homes that cannot afford adequate health insurance. These homes exceed the pay scale for Medicaid programs, therefore are not able to participate.

During SCHIP's ten year span, states have used the program to assist families with low-income and uninsured children for their sense of well-being in the health care arena. The Bush Administration believes that states should do more of an effort to provide for the neediest children and enable them to get insurance immediately. The SCHIP was originally intended to cover children who had family incomes ranging from $20,650. This amount would typically include a family of four. According to sources, all states throughout the U.S. have SCHIP programs in place and just over six million children are served.

Children and Health Care

Washington's Perspective

What is driving health care costs?

The fact that the U.S. faces ever increasing health care woes, has left many to believe that the country's current crisis is on a lock-step path toward insolvability.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_White

Missouri Health Insurance and Medical Coverage

Consumers who need health insurance quotes and coverage in Missouri have numerous options available to them. There are several well known carriers offering affordable coverage in MO including Aetna, Anthem, American Community, Assurant and United Health Care. Individual and family units can choose from high deductible, catastrophic plans as well as low deductible, comprehensive plans.

Self-employed individuals, small business owners, those losing COBRA, and the unemployed usually seek health insurance in the individual market. Consumers can purchase short term insurance that provide coverage for up to six months - ideal for those who are certain they will soon be eligible for benefits with an employer. And consumers can enroll in permanent plans that cover maternity, prescriptions and hospitalization if group coverage is not available to them.

Benefits, Coinsurance, and Deductible Options

Most carriers offer plans with a wide range of benefits, deductibles, coinsurance, and co-pay options. Typically, consumers can select from deductible amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000. Insurance carriers also offer several coinsurance options including, but not limited to 20%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. (In most plans, the consumer is responsible for the coinsurance percentage up to $10,000.) Lifetime maximum benefits will range from 3 million to 8 million per individual with most policies.

Additionally, all plans in Missouri will have a large network of doctors and hospitals for the insured to choose from. Before purchasing a policy however, it is important to confirm the availability of health care provider in the insured's area. Additionally, some carriers offer plans with no networks at all. These plans are more expensive, but the insured can choose from any doctor or hospital they wish.

Health Saving Accounts

Recently, legislation was passed approving tax-favored savings accounts that can be coupled with a high deductible health insurance policy. Health Savings Accounts (or HSA's as they are also known) are now a viable alternative to traditional insurance plans. They allow consumers to self-insure for small claims through a tax deferred savings account, but also offer peace of mind that the insurance policy will pay benefits once the deductible has been met.

They are gaining in popularity due to their tax advantages and flexibility. Money deposited in an HSA grows tax-deferred and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified medical expenses. Common expenses could include meeting a deductible or coinsurance amount as well as paying for prescriptions, vision, and/or dental care. Unused funds remain in the account year after year for future medical expenses. The funds always belong to the insured even if the insurance needs to be cancelled.

In summary, those in need of Missouri health insurance quotes will have several options from well rated carries. Plans can be tailored to fit most budgets and nearly all plans are portable should the insured need to move out of state. The agents of Hyers and Associates look forward to helping clients in MO who would like to compare policies today.

A.M. Hyers has been working in the insurance and investment industry for over ten years. He owns and operates Hyers and Associates, Inc. an independent insurance agency doing business in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.

His agency offers insurance products in the individual, family, and small business group marketplace. They use the leading national insurance carriers to quote health insurance, health savings accounts, dental, and vision plans.

Other lines of insurance offered include life insurance, disability insurance, and long term care insurance. They use several carriers to quote Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Part D coverage for seniors. Additionally, the independent agents of Hyers and Associates Inc. offer fixed, indexed, and immediate annuity policies for individual and group retirement plans.

Insurance quotes in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Hyers

Free Health Insurance?

Now, we all know there is no such thing as a FREE lunch. People say that Health Insurance isn't affordable. Can you imagine that the government knows it is affordable and they are giving you incentive to go buy your own insurance?

HSA (Health Savings Account) is designed and introduced to reduce the health care cost for both employers and employees since their inception in 2003 by Congress as defined in section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. HSA is tax privilege savings plan offer to tax payers in the U.S. to deposit money to cover current and future medical expenses. HSA provides tax-free savings account for medical expenses and introduced to reduce the current health care costs.

Your HSA account can be used for a wide range of medical goods and services. Of these expenses they do have to be "Qualified" medical expense. Here is a list of some, but not limited to, "Qualified" medical expenses:

• Acupuncture
• Artificial Teeth
• Car Modifications
• Chiropractor
• Contact Lenses
• Eye Surgery and Glasses
• Guide Dog
• Legal fees to authorize treatment of mental illness
• Long-term care
• Non-prescription medications
• Nursing home and services
• Oxygen
• Prescription Medication

If you want a full list Qualified and non-Qualified medical expense refer to your HSA coordinator, Health Insurance Specialist or an on-line search for resources.

Not all HSAs are the same
You can't just set aside your HSA contributions in a shoe box, or even a safe deposit box or in an ordinary bank or other account-the money has to be set aside in an account specially designed for this purpose.

An institution that holds your balances for your, receives and records contributions and processes distributions. In general, an insurance company or a bank can be an HSA trustee or institution, as can any entity already approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, be warned, not all of theses companies will provide the same level of service or support. Many banks that offer HSAs know little about the health care side of these accounts, while insurance companies may lack knowledge about the banking aspect. Do your homework about the quality of products offered before you sign up with a provider. This includes Set up fees, transaction fees, maintenance fees, other fees and your interest rate based on the balance in the accounts.

Why now?
Health care costs are escalating to an all time high for many reasons, including new medical technologies that increase life expectancy, medications that increase quality of life, increasing number of patients with chronic illness, over-utilization of health care and administrative waste. Everyone is challenged by health coverage rates increases, and is searching for reasonable ways to control costs. Changes in the practice of medicine, as well as consumer preferences, also affect the way health care dollars are assigned and spent.

This type of plans eliminates any type of Co-pays, Service Deductibles and has only one family deductible vs. multiple family deductibles like your current policy. This has an advantage due to the entire family accumulating to one deductible (and possibly co-insurance). Once the deductible and co-insurance maximums are met it's 100% for the remainder of the year (Calendar or policy year, read your policy or check with your Health Insurance Specialist) for the entire family.

2008 IRS HSA requirements for an HSA:

Annual HDHP Deductibles

Minimum's: Single $1,100 and Family $2,200.

Maximum OOP (Out-of-Pocket) Single $5,600 and Family $11,200.

Maximum HSA Yearly Contributions:

Single $2,900 and Family $5,800

NOTE: Not all plans are HSA qualified. This is typically a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that is filled with the department of insurance meeting all the mandated requirements set in place to be HSA qualified. Check with your health advisor to make sure you find one that is qualified in addition to the things listed previously in this report.

That's not even the good part. Everyone needs Health Insurance to cover medical expenses, future as well as current. The good part is you get a tax break of the amount you put into your account equivalent to your tax bracket. Another words, the more you make, the more you can deduct from you over all taxes. This concept is very similar to an IRA. Now if you are self-employed, you know you have the ability to deduct your health insurance premiums. Thus, bringing your over all Health Insurance costs down to a more manageable level or in some cases get it for FREE, or pretty close to it.

Here is an example: Family of 4, 40 year old male non-smoker, 38 year old female non-smoker and 2 kids, paying $3,600 per year. For a family the max you can contribute to your HSA account is $5,800 for the year. If you were in a 30% tax bracket (most who read this will be in a higher one) this is giving you a tax benefit of $1,740.00 for the year for your contributions. If you are self-employed and deducting the premiums as well this will give you an additional $1,080.00 per year. This brings your total yearly savings to $2,820. Your net cost on paying $3,600 on your premium is $780.00 per year for the entire family. If you break it down it would be $65.00 per month, or $2.17 per day. That's the cost of a can of pop and chips per day. Wouldn't you say that's affordable? There is no excuse why your family shouldn't be without insurance.

Now take a single male, Johnny, striking it on his own on his Million dollar idea. Let's say he is 31 years old non-smoker. His yearly premium is $1,020. The max an individual can contribute to your account is $2,900. This will give him a deduction of $870.00 on his contribution and $306.00 from his health insurance, for a total savings of $1,176 per year. Johnny's net expenses is $-156.00. In other words, the government is allowing him to deduct a qualified tax expense and get his Health Insurance for FREE! Now he can run his business without the fear of losing it if something happened to him and he was stuck with the medical bills.

But what about my co-pay?
Believe it or not, I just saved you approx. $2,800 for the year on your family's health insurance and someone is worried about the Co-pay. "But, what if my doctor visit is $1,000 or my lab work was $2,000." If your doctor visit or lab work is that much, either you have something serious going on or you have to find a doctor that isn't over charging for services. Believe it or not people have said this. Most people have no idea what doctors charge. The average adult goes to the doctor less than 2 times per year (unless their employer is paying for it giving you incentive to use it by not seeing what it truly cost for those benefits. Children may go a few more times than the adults. The average doctor visit in America is approximately $100-120 per visit, depending on where you live. If we used $100.00 for example, if the parents go 2 times each and the kids go 4 each, that's only $1,200 for the year. Keep in mind, this is being deducted from your calendar deductible. Also, if you really needed to you can use a portion of the $5,800 that you contributed to your HSA account.

MY BEST ADVICE: Fully fund your account every year. DO NOT wait until April 15th, tax day, to contribute for the previous year's tax return (the government allows you contribute up to tax day for the previous year). The reason for this is you are missing out on your TAX-FREE growth of your account due to it being interest bearing.

And you say health insurance isn't affordable?

Now, let's not get a head of ourselves here with the savings we have here. You may have saved over all monthly premium compared to your previous plan by switching to an HSA. I wouldn't recommend going out and buy a new car, new fishing boat or spend it on a luxury vacation. I would recommend investing it in your family.

First, take a portion of the savings and buy yourself and your spouse what's called a Critical Illness insurance policy. This a policy that writes you a check for the amount you choose based on what you can afford, not tied to your income when diagnosed with a critical illness such as cancer, stroke or heart attack. Wouldn't it be better to pay off your house at a time like this instead of losing your house? Granted, even on the HSA plan you cannot deduct Critical Illness Insurance or Life Insurance premiums for tax purposes or use your Account to pay for the premiums. More important than tax savings you are protecting your income and your assets. Your income and assets are what supports your family's lifestyle. The remaining premium savings should go towards other long term investments such as Long Term Care, college funding, IRA or other Retirement Portfolio and whatever else you need to help your family to live more comfortable and secure.

Arthur "Butch" Zemar is a health insurance specialist and author. He is committed to preserving the health and wealth protection interests of his client and sincerely believes that quality, affordable health insurance should top your list of necessities - right after food, shelter and clothing. For more information please visit http://www.EliteBenefits.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Butch_Zemar

Lower Your Premiums With Florida Health Savings Account Plans (HSA)

I would like to talk to you today about Florida Health Savings Account plans (Florida HSA). This is a type of health insurance plan that offers very low cost premiums with a somewhat higher deductible.

Many of you have discovered how great these plans can be and have already taken advantage of them. The rest of you still have a frame of mind that prevents you from buying these cost-saving Florida health insurance plans. You still think that you will be able to buy a plan with low co-pays, covers everything and has a $100 deductible. Then again, many of you still hold on to the hope that Santa Claus is a real person.

Let's say you are sitting in your living room and a baseball flies through the window. It breaks a pane of glass. You call to have it repaired and the charges total $100. Your homeowner's policy has a $5,000 deductible so you pay out of pocket.

Chances are you do not spend the next day shouting about your rotten homeowner's policy that would not reimburse you the $100. Chances are that you do not shout at your home owner's insurance agent about "What the hell do I pay premiums for?"

Why? It is because you bought the policy to help pay for the things that can happen to a home that cost a lot of money. Situations like a fire or a hurricane. You are smart enough to know that if they paid for the broken window, your homeowner's plan would be even more outrageously expensive than it already is. You can pay for the window and your children will still eat tomorrow.

The purpose of insurance, any type of insurance, is to provide financial help for those situations that would be a hardship if we had to pay out of own pockets. The degree to which you want to be protected, in other words the amount of compensation you receive and the deductible (the amount you have to pay before the insurance company does), will determine how much you pay for insurance. It is as simple as that.

Those of you looking for a Florida health insurance plan with $10 co-pays, $100 deductibles, vision, dental and a limo to pick you up and take you to the doctor are living in a dream world. Health insurance premiums in Florida, in case you did not notice, are going up each year 8% to 20% depending on the carrier and plan.

Now, let's talk about an intelligent solution. The rest of this discussion will assume a working knowledge of 4th grade arithmetic. You do NOT have to smarter than a 5^th grader to understand all of this.

All of our HSA plans are PPO's. In other words, if you go to a network provider (physician, lab, testing facility, etc.) you are entitled to the discounted PPO rate for services. You will pay the reduced rate the insurance company pays. A physician visit may be reduced from $100 down to $60 under these circumstances.

You pay a premium each month for the health insurance plan, just like any other Florida health insurance. However, this plan has a somewhat higher deductible and a lower monthly premium. If you meet the deductible, the insurance company pays the rest of your expenses. It is still multi-million dollar major medical coverage.

What about doctor's visits and prescriptions? You pay them. But here is the catch. Uncle Sam allows you to set up a special savings account. This is an interest bearing account, the money is yours, and it does not disappear at the end of the year.

For every dollar you put into the savings account, you can take a dollar off of your gross income at tax time. Your "Uncle" is helping you to pay for your health insurance. You are paying medical expenses with pre-tax money.

Here is an example. A couple (Male 40 and Female 35) living in Pinellas County would pay $130 a month for a $6000 deductible HSA plan. A plan with a similar out of pocket expense and some doctor co-pays would be $270 a month.

For the privilege of paying a doctor visit for $35 instead of $60, it will cost them more than $1600 a year. From my stand point, that is insane. If something terrible happened to you, the coverage is the same. Actually, you would pay a little less in out-of-pocket expenses with the HSA plan.

If this couple were in a 25% tax bracket and put the $1600 into their Health Savings Account, they would save $400 a year in taxes and get interest on the money as well. If you factor that in, they are paying less than $100 a month for multi-million dollar PPO Florida health insurance. Not bad.

I am not going to go through a complete explanation as to how the HSA plans work. It is discussed on our website flquote.com. Plus, I would be glad to email you a complete brochure.

You need to approach health insurance (or any type of insurance) with a business mindset. The question you need to ask yourself or your agent is "What do I get for the extra dollar of premium?" In our aforementioned example, what did they get for the extra $1,600 a year? Not much really.

Believe it or not, the insurance carriers want you to buy the cheaper high deductible plans. They structure their prices to make it much more attractive. It is good for you and it is even better for them. Plus, the rate increases tend to be much lower.

Florida HSA plans are almost always the best choice for health insurance. How much are you paying for your low deductible health insurance plan? You think you are going to the doctor for $20. But, if you pay an extra $1,000 a year for the plan and go to the doctor 4 times in a year, the visit is costing you $220. Not such a bargain after all.

Has the light gone on yet? Are you starting to understand that the insurance company is trying to rip you off? Call us at 800-2727-0512 and we will walk you through a quote that will compare your plan to a Florida HSA plan.

Martin Unger is a nationally known expert in health insurance. He started flquote.com, one of the first online health insurance agencies in the United States.

For more information on this topic, go to http://www.flquote.com or call the author at 800-272-0512.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Unger

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Insurance Company Review

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has a number of top notch health care solutions for Arizona residents. Perhaps one of the most famous health insurance companies in the United States is Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The company itself was found in the year 1929 in the state of Texas. Nowadays it is estimated that 99 million Americans are members of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

This means that one out of three Americans s covered by perhaps the biggest insurance company in the entire country. Today the company has access to all 50 states of the nation with its well developed plans and services. Since Blue Cross and Blue Shield is comprised of 39 independent, community-based and local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies they each operate individually within their own state. It is known that the 39 independent entities represent the oldest and largest family of health benefit companies.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is no different than all the other states independent agencies. The entity on this state was founded on 1939, just ten years after the first independent BCBS was founded in the state of Texas. The company has main offices in the cities of Phoenix (headquarters), Tucson, Tempe and Flagstaff and is the place of work of an estimated 1500 employers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is given the A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent) because it provides great quality health care at an accessible price for their members and because it provides different plans that will perfectly meet the diverse population within the state. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona is one of the first options for the residents of the state because not only does it do business, but it volunteers with about 200 organizations through out the state.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona as said before offers excellent plans that can be purchased by anyone. From high deductibles with low monthly premiums to no deductible and low out-of-pocket expenses which can guarantee you a little higher premiums BCBS has it all. Because they are independent health insurance agencies they make up their own health insurance plans that they think will be liked by the consumer.

Below you will find a detailed description of the six plans offered within the state with the rates you should expect to pay when using the services. It is also worth mentioning that the plans offer different deductible and different copays for each deductible so you can basically choose whichever deductible option you wish from within the plan itself.

1. BluePreferred Copay: This plan works within the Arizona Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network with a choice of you to visit providers of different networks. If you choose to follow the out of network path however, you will end up paying much higher than if you stick with the large PPO network. This plan offers deductibles of $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 for an individual per calendar year with the family deductible being double those prices. The co-insurance for this plan is 20%, which means you will have to pay 20% of what the bill is in case you use a service which requires co-insurance.

The doctor visits are different for each deductible category, but they range from $15 if you choose the plan with a $500 deductible; to $35 if you choose the $5,000 deductible. Pharmacy coverage is a little different within this state because instead of dividing the drugs into three tiers, BCBS of Arizona divides them into four levels. Level one drugs will cost you $15, level two will be $34, level three $65 and the with a level four drug you will have to pay $120.

Inpatient and outpatient hospital care is subject to the deductible first and then to the 20% co-insurance and the emergency room fee if you happen to go and are not admitted in is $150. Other inpatient care such as maternity care, behavioral and mental health, rehabilitation and home care would be 20% co-insurance after you pay the deductible and it's important to mention that preventive eye exams are covered by the plan and range from $15 to $35 depending on your deductible choice.

2. BluePreferred Saver: This plan also is part of the Arizona Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network and gives you the choice to go out-of-network for a higher rate. With these plan you will have the choice of three deductible options that will double if you have a family coverage; those options are $1.500, $2,600, and $5,000. The co-insurance of this plan once you meet your deductible is of 0%, which means that you will be able to go use the services for no cost at all. BCBS of Arizona will pay 100% of the bill in selected services if you meet your deductible.

This plan is pretty much self explanatory because for doctor visits, preventive care, lab services, prescription coverage, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, inpatient mental health, inpatient rehabilitation services, ambulance services and urgent care you won't have to pay a single dollar once you meet your deductible. You will pay $150 if you happen to go to the emergency room and are not admitted in before you pay your deductible, after you meet the deductible dollar amount however, this too is covered 100%. It is also worth mentioning that this plan is one of the two that BCBS of Arizona offers that is compatible with Health Savings Accounts.

3. BluePreferred Basic: This is another plan that operates within the Arizona PPO network but will give the member a chance to go out-of-network for a higher price. They have choices of $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 deductibles for individuals with family deductibles doubling those costs. For most covered services you will have to pay a 20% co-insurance after you meet the deductible option you selected, although a few services give you copay prices. For doctor visits they you will pay based on the deductible you selected, this means that if you selected a $1,500 dollar deductible you will pay $25, if you picked a $2,500 deductible your cost will be $30, for a $5000 deductible your rate will be $35 and for a person selecting the $10,000 deductible their doctor visits cost would be $40. Preventive services will not be counted towards the deductible so you will be allowed to pay 20% co-insurance from the start.

Prescription medications in this plan are divided only into generic drugs which you will pay $30 and brand name which you will pay $125. Other than those services all the other coverage which includes inpatient and inpatient care such as mental health services, rehabilitation services, skilled nursing facility and home care you will have to pay 20% co-insurance after meeting your deductible. The emergency room fee in this plan is $150 if you are not admitted and after meeting your deductible you will only have to pay 20% co-insurance.

4. BlueClassic: This type of coverage doesn't follow any network because it is an indemnity plan. This means that the plan gives the member more freedom to go use services under any other network, but the plan is a little bit more expensive. It gives choices of $250, $500, $750, $1;250, $2;500 and $5;000 for individuals, with family deductibles being double the individual levels. The co-insurance for most services is 20% after you meet the deductible of choice if the service involves a co-insurance. For doctor visits and preventive care you will have to pay full price until you meet your deductible and then the company will pay 80% while you pay 20%.

Prescription medications once again are divided into four levels with level one being $15, level two being $35, level three $65 and the most expensive is level four which will require you to pay $120. Lab services, inpatient care, outpatient care and urgent services are all subject to deductible and co-insurance, as well as maternity care, behavioral and mental services, rehab services, skilled nursing facility services and home health services. For an emergency room fee you will have to pay $150 at first and then its subject to deductible and co-insurance.

5. BlueClassic Saver: This is another indemnity plan that gives the customer more freedom when deciding to use the services. With these plan you will only have the choice of a $5,000 deductible for an individual, $10,000 for a family. This plan is also easy to describe because the co-insurance that BCBS of Arizona pays is 100% after you meet the deductible. This means that after you pay the $5,000 your services such as doctor visits, preventive care, lab services, inpatient care, outpatient care, urgent care, maternity care, behavioral and mental care, home health care, rehabilitation care and skilled nursing facility care will all be covered 100%. It is important to mention that this is the other plan that BCBS of Arizona has for people that want a plan compatible with their Health Savings Account.

6. BlueSelect: The BlueSelect plan is an Arizona Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) network plan in which the person will be asked to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and will need referrals in case they want to go ask for a second opinion or see a specialist. With Plan 2 you will not have a deductible and you will pay $25 to go see your PCP and $40 for other doctors. Pharmacy coverage is divided once again into four levels for which you will pay $15, $35, $65 and $120 respectively. You will pay $750 for admission to inpatient surgery and $200 for outpatient. The only difference with Plan 3 is that you are required to have a deductible of $1,000, doctor visits will be $30 for a PCP and $40 for specialist and inpatient care would be subject to deductible while outpatient would be $300.

If you want more information about BCBS of Arizona and other top Arizona health insurance companies then be sure and compare Arizona health insurance quotes from top companies side by side in order to find the company that will best meet your healthcare needs. Get started finding medical insurance today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

Assurant Health Insurance Company of Arizona Review

Assurant Health Insurance Company of Arizona is one of the premier medical insurance companies in the state of Arizona. Of course, Assurant of Arizona is not the only choice in the Arizona health insurance market so read on to learn a little more about the different Assurant AZ health insurance plans available and if they make sense for your health insurance needs.

A company that has been growing within the United States, Assurant is given a rating of A- by A.M. Best meaning that they are doing everything they are financially stable and able to pay claims. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in New York; however the health care division of this great company didn't get founded until 1982; so it's a relatively new company within the "top dogs" of health insurance. Although it is relatively new to the United States, Assurant has established themselves as a global company that operated in the countries of Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Although Assurant is not as big as some other ones in the state of Arizona, they do offer some great plans that can be of benefit to many people. They offer health care coverage to people that aren't covered through their employers or other groups and they cover about 1 million people within the United States. It is important however, to shop around before deciding on which Arizona health insurance company to sign up with. Based on their ratings by A.M. Best, Assurant's underwriting companies (Time Insurance Company and John Alden Life) are one of the top sellers in temporary health insurance and the company was one of the first ones to introduce Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) into the market.

Within the state of Arizona the company offers 4 plans that are all fairly comprehensive in nature. Below you will find the 4 plans listed with a brief description of each one. The description will not include every piece of information possible about the plan, but it will summarize the most important things about it and the cost for each coverage option.

1. Coremed: One of the best things about this AZ health plan is that it offers you the option of locking in your rate for up to 36 months if you were to enroll and that you will be protected anywhere in the world. You will use the PPO network meaning that you won't need the need of referrals when it comes to getting a second opinion or going to another doctor. You can also receive what they call a "Healthy Discount" if you maintain good health, which will give you 10% off services.

The beauty of this plan is that you can choose from a variety of deductibles according to your health care need. They offer deductibles from $0 to $10,000 with the highest deductibles having a lower monthly premium because they pay higher out of pocket expenses. Copays for doctor visits in case you have a deductible are $35, while you have to pay $45 if you don't have a deductible. For prescription medications you will only pay $15, however if you want more than a generic medication you will have to pay $25 plus 50% co-insurance after a $500 deductible (the family deductible is $1,000). Hospitalization cost varies with deductible (it can be $0, $200 or $750) and you will pay a $75 fee for going to the emergency room.

2. Maxplan: When you apply for this plan you can expect a response within 48 hours and you can also lock in your rate up to 36 months depending on the coverage. You will also be covered everywhere in the world, be offered the "Healthy Discount" if you maintain good health and be using the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network. The deductibles on this plan range from $0 to $25000 making some of the rates lower than the Coremed plans.

Co-insurance for the services range from 0 to 50% and the out-of-pocket maximum can be $7500 or $10,000 depending on the plan you choose to purchase. Just like the other plan, you only pay $15 for generic medicines and refills, while brand name and specialty medicines have a deductible of $500 for individual and $1,000 for families.

Apart from the deductible you will have to pay a $25 copay plus 20% co-insurance. There is no limit on office visits and if you have a deductible you should expect to pay $25 while no deductible plans should expect to pay $35. The emergency room fee is also $75 and hospitalization is covered after you meet the deductible.

3. OneDeductible: This type of plans is Health Savings Account compatible and is very famous within the state for that same reason. It is chosen by many members because the plan can protect you from large medical bills, provides tax advantages ad keep premiums affordable. This type of plan has an individual deductible plan ranging from $0 to $5,000 and a family deductible from $2,000 to $10,000 accordingly. The prescription coverage, office visits and preventive services are covered with an emergency room fee of $75. Hospitalization is also covered.

4. SaveRight: This is the other side that Assurant offers to Health Savings Account members. The customer will only have three choices of deductibles: $2,200, $3,000 and $5,100 for an individual with the family deductible being two times that. Office visits and prescription medications are covered, however with prescription medications you will have a $2000 out-of-pocket maximum for brand and generic combined. Hospitalizations are also covered and emergency room visits are the same as the other plan ($75).

Although Assurant is not as big within the United States yet as compared to the more familiar names like United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and Humana it has accomplished many things in the little time is has been in the Arizona health insurance market. The numerous plans and choices that they offer are very beneficial for people looking to save money on insurance. The best way to decide which Arizona health insurance company is right for you is to compare quotes from multiple companies. Get started finding Arizona health insurance today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

Aetna Health Insurance Company of Arizona Review

Aetna Health Insurance Company of Arizona is a top notch choice for Arizona health insurance. Of course, no one insurance company is the best fit for everyone's needs so let's take a closer look at some of the Arizona health insurance plans offered by Aetna and see if they may be a good fit for your medical insurance needs.

Aetna has been in the picture of the American consumer since 1850. In that year it was founded in the state of Connecticut to sell life insurance. Nowadays this insurance company is one of the nation's leaders in health care, dental, group plan and disability insurance. It is because of their continual growth within the United States that the company now has an estimated 15.8 million medical members, 13 million dental members and 10.6 million pharmacy members. They serve in all 50 states of the nation including the state of Arizona and it is in this state that just recently in 2005, the company introduced Medicare advantage plans.

The state of Arizona with approximately 6,166,318 million inhabitants is one of the fastest growing states in the nation with a 20% increase in population from 2000 to 2006. What the company does to accommodate their members in the state of Arizona is split the counties in which it offers coverage into two areas. The rate of your health plan and your providers will change according to the area in which you live in.

The areas will also determine which network of specialists they will be using when is time for them to receive health coverage. Area one includes the following counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma. These counties are all under the Preferred Provider Organization Network or PPO, meaning that their in-network coverage will include all the PPO network providers. In case that they use someone that is not included under the PPO network, they will have to pay out of network costs.

The second area is very different than the first one in that it only covers the counties of Maricopa and Pina. These two counties fall under what Aetna calls the Aexcel Network. This type of network is very different than any other one simply because is a network exclusively for specialists. These specialists are classified by Aetna because they have demonstrated cost-effective coverage and excelled in medical coverage efficiency. Members of this network can choose to select specialists within twelve areas. Those twelve areas involve cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, neurology, neurosurgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, plastic surgery, urology and vascular surgery.

It is also important to highlight that Aetna members that chose any specialist within this network will not be charged more because of it. They are covered under their plan and they can choose to attend anyone in the network of specialists at any time.

The first insurance company to offer consumer directed health plans, Aetna receives a rating of A by A.M. Best making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to purchase health care coverage. They have over 793,000 health care professionals affiliated to them, 462,000 primary care doctors and physicians and 4,716 hospitals within the United States and they continue to grow. In the state of Arizona, they have established themselves are one of he biggest health insurance companies and at the moment they offer 8 plans that people looking for health coverage can choose from. Below you will see each plan listed and a brief description of what it offers.

PPO 1000: With this plan you will have a $1000 deductible per individual and $2000 per family. All members of this plan will use the PPO network and their out-of-pocket maximum would be $2500 for individual and $5000 for family. You will be paying a $20 for office visits ($35 if the visit involves a specialist) and prescription coverage is divided into three tiers (generic, brand name and specialty) with prices of $15, $25 and $40 respectively. The last thing worth mentioning about this plan is that for hospitalization you will pay 20% after you meet your deductible.

PPO 1500: The premiums in this plan are moderately high and they offer a $1500 deductible for individuals and $3000 for family. The coverage is almost the same as the first plan described because they shared the same copayments when for doctor visits, specialists and hospitalization. Some different things are the prescription coverage which would range from $15 to $40 and that the maximum out of pocket would be a little more expensive, $3000 for individual and $6000 for family.

PPO 2500: As expressed in its name the deductible for this coverage is much higher with $2500 for individual and $5000 for a family. The copay for hospitalization is the same as the other two plans discussed before, however the doctor copay varies with $25 for office visits and $45 for specialists. Out-of-pocket maximum is $5000 for individual and $10000 per family, and prescription drug coverage ranges from $15 to $40 dollars.

PPO 5000: Premiums for this plan are much lower than all the other ones simply because it has a high deductible in case of using the services. If you choose this plan you will have a deductible of $5000 for individual and $10000 for family. Your office visits will also be $25 with a higher cost of $40 for specialists. Hospitalization is also 20% after the deductible and prescription coverage also ranges from $15 to $40. The out-of-pocket maximum is much higher however, with $7500 individual and $15,000 per family accordingly.

PPO Value 2500: This plan offers you moderately high out of pocket expenses and copays, but the moderate monthly premiums balance it out. The office visits vary because for your 1^st and 2^nd visit you will only pay $30, however after the 3^rd visit you will be charged 30% after you pay your deductible. The deductible is $2500 for individual and $5000 for family, while the out-of-pocket maximum is $5000 for individual and $1000 for family respectively. Once again we see the prescription coverage divided into three tiers with the copays of $15, $35 and $50 respectively.

First Dollar PPO 35: With moderate premiums, moderate monthly payments and excellent prescription coverage this plan is one of the most famous within the state. You do not have a deductible and your out-of-pocket maximum is $3500 for individual and $7000 for family. Your office visits are $35 and $45 for specialists, while your prescription drug coverage is $15, $25 and $40 divided into the three tiers. The only thing that is a little bit more expensive is hospitalization for which you will have to pay a 35% co-insurance.

Preventive and Hospital Care 1250: This plan gives you the freedom to go to any recognized health care professional for treatment. Premiums are low simply because out-of-pocket expenses are a little bit higher. You have a deductible of $1250 for individual and $2500 for family the same amount of out-of-pocket maximum ($1250 and $25000). You are not covered for doctor visits and prescription coverage because it's only a preventive care plan and for hospitalizations you will have to pay 20% after meeting your deductible.

Preventive and Hospital Care 3000: Like the other preventive plan discussed above, you can go anywhere if you are covered under this plan. Aetna offers this plan as a Health Savings Account compatible coverage, which means that you can pay for medical expenses on tax-advantage basis. With these plan you will have a $3000 deductible for individual and $6000 for family with an out-of-pocket maximum of $5000 for individual and $10000 for family. You will not be covered for doctor visits and prescription medication and you will have to pay a 20% co-insurance for hospitalizations after your deductible.

All of these plans are available within the state of Arizona by Aetna Health Insurance. It is important however to get a quote before you choose which plan to get. Simply because it says that a plan has low monthly premiums doesn't mean that they are affordable for your specific budget. To find the best value in Arizona health insurance then be sure and compare quotes from top health insurance companies side by side. Get started saving some money today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

How to Find Cheap Illinois Health Insurance

Finding a cheap Illinois health insurance policy is not an impossible task. Of course, it may take a little bit of know how on your part and you may need to do a little homework but it certainly is possible.

Many Americans today do not have health insurance and they are driving their cars and going about their daily life risking getting injured or becoming very ill. If you think you do not need health insurance because your healthy, think again. New diseases are forming daily and people are being diagnosed by the thousands. If you are reading this and you drive daily, then you know how dangerous it is to be on the road, especially during rush hour on the highway. Car accidents will happen out of nowhere, regardless if it is your fault or not. But if you are an individual in the state of Illinois that wants health insurance like many of us do, but are unfortunate when it comes to finances, there is an answer to your problem.

One way to find cheap IL health insurance to cover your entire family, would be by taking a trip to your local Division of Family Services office and filling out the application they give you. Not everyone that applies receives this insurance. But you would be surprised at how many people are accepted into this Medicaid program that think they wont ever be giving this privilege. The standards for qualification vary by state and they are different within the state of Illinois versus many other states.

All you need to do is provide information about your finances with your income tax return and wait for an answer.. This is a wonderful option for a single parent or the parents with children that cannot get medical insurance through their work. Plans given by the state cover emergency care, prescriptions, dentistry, eye care, doctor visits and many more. So next time your out of the house, take a little trip and stop by the Division of Family Services office in your district to fill out a few papers. There is much to gain if you do this, and the most you can lose is gas.

If you have access to the iInternet, then this will be a very easy process. All you need to do is take a few minutes out of your day to save you hundreds. If you use a search engine such as Google, and search for "health insurance comparison websites", it will provide you with many options. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions which will only take you a couple minutes. They will automatically supply you with a list of health insurance plans that you are eligible for. It will give you the estimated prices you would have to pay monthly for each company and your deductible.

This is a very convenient way to find the right health insurance for your family. You can even apply right there and then online, to the preferred plan you chose. Most websites will give you a telephone number that you may call and have any of your questions answered. Buying health insurance online is the one of best way to get insurance. You can have your monthly payments charged to your credit card on your due dates, so you will never have to worry about forgetting your payments.

Another great thing about handling insurance online is that you can easily change your deductibles, payments and coverage in a matter if minutes. But before you apply to any health insurance company, you need to make sure they have a good history of paying claims and do some shopping to find out the best Illinois health company for you. Also worth of mentioning is that different circumstances for different people allow them to get cheaper health insurance. For example, if you are in good health or for single people. There are some things you can take to action that will lower your cost for insurance. Such as, setting higher deductibles and removing certain coverage's that you will not need or coverage's that do not apply to you.

If you still feel uneasy about applying for one of these options, you could always turn to a discount card. A discount card IS NOT INSURANCE so you should not consider a medical discount card until you have exhausted all other options. You pay a very low monthly fee which will provide you with discounts for prescription drugs, medical care, dental care, vision care and chiropractic care (discounts for chiropractic care vary). Ameri Plan is a great company that offers the option of applying for a discount card. Of course there are many options, so it is suggested to search around. For most of the companies you can go to the website and join online right away. After joining they will provide with a list of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists and eye doctors that will accept your discount plan. It is a very easy process that will give you great discounts.

No matter which route you decide to take, whether its going to your local state of Illinois Division of Family Services office, searching online and finding affordable Illinois health insurance, or selecting the discount card option; you will reach your goal of saving money if you put in a little time and effort. Don't wait any longer and get started right away, because you never know when an emergency may occur. Get started finding cheap health insurance now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

How to Get Cheap Major Medical Insurance Pregnancy Coverage

For women considering having a baby, health insurance is crucial to both their own health and their health of the baby. Major medical insurance with pregnancy coverage can help you have a stress-free nine months and a healthy baby.

What is Major Medical Insurance?

This type of insurance plan covers serious injuries or illnesses. You pay all medical expenses up to the deductible, after which the insurance company begins to pay.

The deductible can be anywhere from $500 to $10,000, but this is offset by low monthly premiums.

To help cover the deductible, you can often open a Health Savings Account. You can deposit money in this account and then withdraw it pay for medical expenses.

Choosing a Maternity Policy

If you're considering a major medical plan to help pay for pregnancy expenses, you should be aware that many of these plans do not include maternity coverage. So your first step in choosing a policy should be to make sure that maternity care is included. You may be able to purchase a separate maternity rider that will pay childbirth-related expenses.

Second, you should find out if there is a "wait to conceive" period. In many policies, maternity coverage does not begin for up to one year after you purchase the policy. If you conceive before this waiting period ends, your pregnancy will not be covered.

You should also check whether the maternity policy covers

* Routine doctor visits

* Complications during the pregnancy or delivery

* Hospital stays

* Lab work

* Ultrasounds

* Anesthesia

* Prenatal vitamins

* Post-delivery doctor visits

Where to Get a Cheap Rate

To help you find a policy that offers the coverage you need at a cheap rate, go to an insurance comparison website. On this website you'll be able to get fast quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get major medical insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on major medical insurance coverage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Stevens

Aetna Health Insurance Company of Arizona Review

Aetna Health Insurance Company of Arizona is a top notch choice for Arizona health insurance. Of course, no one insurance company is the best fit for everyone's needs so let's take a closer look at some of the Arizona health insurance plans offered by Aetna and see if they may be a good fit for your medical insurance needs.

Aetna has been in the picture of the American consumer since 1850. In that year it was founded in the state of Connecticut to sell life insurance. Nowadays this insurance company is one of the nation's leaders in health care, dental, group plan and disability insurance. It is because of their continual growth within the United States that the company now has an estimated 15.8 million medical members, 13 million dental members and 10.6 million pharmacy members. They serve in all 50 states of the nation including the state of Arizona and it is in this state that just recently in 2005, the company introduced Medicare advantage plans.

The state of Arizona with approximately 6,166,318 million inhabitants is one of the fastest growing states in the nation with a 20% increase in population from 2000 to 2006. What the company does to accommodate their members in the state of Arizona is split the counties in which it offers coverage into two areas. The rate of your health plan and your providers will change according to the area in which you live in.

The areas will also determine which network of specialists they will be using when is time for them to receive health coverage. Area one includes the following counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma. These counties are all under the Preferred Provider Organization Network or PPO, meaning that their in-network coverage will include all the PPO network providers. In case that they use someone that is not included under the PPO network, they will have to pay out of network costs.

The second area is very different than the first one in that it only covers the counties of Maricopa and Pina. These two counties fall under what Aetna calls the Aexcel Network. This type of network is very different than any other one simply because is a network exclusively for specialists. These specialists are classified by Aetna because they have demonstrated cost-effective coverage and excelled in medical coverage efficiency. Members of this network can choose to select specialists within twelve areas. Those twelve areas involve cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, neurology, neurosurgery, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, plastic surgery, urology and vascular surgery.

It is also important to highlight that Aetna members that chose any specialist within this network will not be charged more because of it. They are covered under their plan and they can choose to attend anyone in the network of specialists at any time.

The first insurance company to offer consumer directed health plans, Aetna receives a rating of A by A.M. Best making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to purchase health care coverage. They have over 793,000 health care professionals affiliated to them, 462,000 primary care doctors and physicians and 4,716 hospitals within the United States and they continue to grow. In the state of Arizona, they have established themselves are one of he biggest health insurance companies and at the moment they offer 8 plans that people looking for health coverage can choose from. Below you will see each plan listed and a brief description of what it offers.

PPO 1000: With this plan you will have a $1000 deductible per individual and $2000 per family. All members of this plan will use the PPO network and their out-of-pocket maximum would be $2500 for individual and $5000 for family. You will be paying a $20 for office visits ($35 if the visit involves a specialist) and prescription coverage is divided into three tiers (generic, brand name and specialty) with prices of $15, $25 and $40 respectively. The last thing worth mentioning about this plan is that for hospitalization you will pay 20% after you meet your deductible.

PPO 1500: The premiums in this plan are moderately high and they offer a $1500 deductible for individuals and $3000 for family. The coverage is almost the same as the first plan described because they shared the same copayments when for doctor visits, specialists and hospitalization. Some different things are the prescription coverage which would range from $15 to $40 and that the maximum out of pocket would be a little more expensive, $3000 for individual and $6000 for family.

PPO 2500: As expressed in its name the deductible for this coverage is much higher with $2500 for individual and $5000 for a family. The copay for hospitalization is the same as the other two plans discussed before, however the doctor copay varies with $25 for office visits and $45 for specialists. Out-of-pocket maximum is $5000 for individual and $10000 per family, and prescription drug coverage ranges from $15 to $40 dollars.

PPO 5000: Premiums for this plan are much lower than all the other ones simply because it has a high deductible in case of using the services. If you choose this plan you will have a deductible of $5000 for individual and $10000 for family. Your office visits will also be $25 with a higher cost of $40 for specialists. Hospitalization is also 20% after the deductible and prescription coverage also ranges from $15 to $40. The out-of-pocket maximum is much higher however, with $7500 individual and $15,000 per family accordingly.

PPO Value 2500: This plan offers you moderately high out of pocket expenses and copays, but the moderate monthly premiums balance it out. The office visits vary because for your 1^st and 2^nd visit you will only pay $30, however after the 3^rd visit you will be charged 30% after you pay your deductible. The deductible is $2500 for individual and $5000 for family, while the out-of-pocket maximum is $5000 for individual and $1000 for family respectively. Once again we see the prescription coverage divided into three tiers with the copays of $15, $35 and $50 respectively.

First Dollar PPO 35: With moderate premiums, moderate monthly payments and excellent prescription coverage this plan is one of the most famous within the state. You do not have a deductible and your out-of-pocket maximum is $3500 for individual and $7000 for family. Your office visits are $35 and $45 for specialists, while your prescription drug coverage is $15, $25 and $40 divided into the three tiers. The only thing that is a little bit more expensive is hospitalization for which you will have to pay a 35% co-insurance.

Preventive and Hospital Care 1250: This plan gives you the freedom to go to any recognized health care professional for treatment. Premiums are low simply because out-of-pocket expenses are a little bit higher. You have a deductible of $1250 for individual and $2500 for family the same amount of out-of-pocket maximum ($1250 and $25000). You are not covered for doctor visits and prescription coverage because it's only a preventive care plan and for hospitalizations you will have to pay 20% after meeting your deductible.

Preventive and Hospital Care 3000: Like the other preventive plan discussed above, you can go anywhere if you are covered under this plan. Aetna offers this plan as a Health Savings Account compatible coverage, which means that you can pay for medical expenses on tax-advantage basis. With these plan you will have a $3000 deductible for individual and $6000 for family with an out-of-pocket maximum of $5000 for individual and $10000 for family. You will not be covered for doctor visits and prescription medication and you will have to pay a 20% co-insurance for hospitalizations after your deductible.

All of these plans are available within the state of Arizona by Aetna Health Insurance. It is important however to get a quote before you choose which plan to get. Simply because it says that a plan has low monthly premiums doesn't mean that they are affordable for your specific budget. To find the best value in Arizona health insurance then be sure and compare quotes from top health insurance companies side by side. Get started saving some money today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

How to Find Cheap Illinois Health Insurance

Finding a cheap Illinois health insurance policy is not an impossible task. Of course, it may take a little bit of know how on your part and you may need to do a little homework but it certainly is possible.

Many Americans today do not have health insurance and they are driving their cars and going about their daily life risking getting injured or becoming very ill. If you think you do not need health insurance because your healthy, think again. New diseases are forming daily and people are being diagnosed by the thousands. If you are reading this and you drive daily, then you know how dangerous it is to be on the road, especially during rush hour on the highway. Car accidents will happen out of nowhere, regardless if it is your fault or not. But if you are an individual in the state of Illinois that wants health insurance like many of us do, but are unfortunate when it comes to finances, there is an answer to your problem.

One way to find cheap IL health insurance to cover your entire family, would be by taking a trip to your local Division of Family Services office and filling out the application they give you. Not everyone that applies receives this insurance. But you would be surprised at how many people are accepted into this Medicaid program that think they wont ever be giving this privilege. The standards for qualification vary by state and they are different within the state of Illinois versus many other states.

All you need to do is provide information about your finances with your income tax return and wait for an answer.. This is a wonderful option for a single parent or the parents with children that cannot get medical insurance through their work. Plans given by the state cover emergency care, prescriptions, dentistry, eye care, doctor visits and many more. So next time your out of the house, take a little trip and stop by the Division of Family Services office in your district to fill out a few papers. There is much to gain if you do this, and the most you can lose is gas.

If you have access to the iInternet, then this will be a very easy process. All you need to do is take a few minutes out of your day to save you hundreds. If you use a search engine such as Google, and search for "health insurance comparison websites", it will provide you with many options. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions which will only take you a couple minutes. They will automatically supply you with a list of health insurance plans that you are eligible for. It will give you the estimated prices you would have to pay monthly for each company and your deductible.

This is a very convenient way to find the right health insurance for your family. You can even apply right there and then online, to the preferred plan you chose. Most websites will give you a telephone number that you may call and have any of your questions answered. Buying health insurance online is the one of best way to get insurance. You can have your monthly payments charged to your credit card on your due dates, so you will never have to worry about forgetting your payments.

Another great thing about handling insurance online is that you can easily change your deductibles, payments and coverage in a matter if minutes. But before you apply to any health insurance company, you need to make sure they have a good history of paying claims and do some shopping to find out the best Illinois health company for you. Also worth of mentioning is that different circumstances for different people allow them to get cheaper health insurance. For example, if you are in good health or for single people. There are some things you can take to action that will lower your cost for insurance. Such as, setting higher deductibles and removing certain coverage's that you will not need or coverage's that do not apply to you.

If you still feel uneasy about applying for one of these options, you could always turn to a discount card. A discount card IS NOT INSURANCE so you should not consider a medical discount card until you have exhausted all other options. You pay a very low monthly fee which will provide you with discounts for prescription drugs, medical care, dental care, vision care and chiropractic care (discounts for chiropractic care vary). Ameri Plan is a great company that offers the option of applying for a discount card. Of course there are many options, so it is suggested to search around. For most of the companies you can go to the website and join online right away. After joining they will provide with a list of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists and eye doctors that will accept your discount plan. It is a very easy process that will give you great discounts.

No matter which route you decide to take, whether its going to your local state of Illinois Division of Family Services office, searching online and finding affordable Illinois health insurance, or selecting the discount card option; you will reach your goal of saving money if you put in a little time and effort. Don't wait any longer and get started right away, because you never know when an emergency may occur. Get started finding cheap health insurance now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

How to Find Cheap Illinois Health Insurance

Finding a cheap Illinois health insurance policy is not an impossible task. Of course, it may take a little bit of know how on your part and you may need to do a little homework but it certainly is possible.

Many Americans today do not have health insurance and they are driving their cars and going about their daily life risking getting injured or becoming very ill. If you think you do not need health insurance because your healthy, think again. New diseases are forming daily and people are being diagnosed by the thousands. If you are reading this and you drive daily, then you know how dangerous it is to be on the road, especially during rush hour on the highway. Car accidents will happen out of nowhere, regardless if it is your fault or not. But if you are an individual in the state of Illinois that wants health insurance like many of us do, but are unfortunate when it comes to finances, there is an answer to your problem.

One way to find cheap IL health insurance to cover your entire family, would be by taking a trip to your local Division of Family Services office and filling out the application they give you. Not everyone that applies receives this insurance. But you would be surprised at how many people are accepted into this Medicaid program that think they wont ever be giving this privilege. The standards for qualification vary by state and they are different within the state of Illinois versus many other states.

All you need to do is provide information about your finances with your income tax return and wait for an answer.. This is a wonderful option for a single parent or the parents with children that cannot get medical insurance through their work. Plans given by the state cover emergency care, prescriptions, dentistry, eye care, doctor visits and many more. So next time your out of the house, take a little trip and stop by the Division of Family Services office in your district to fill out a few papers. There is much to gain if you do this, and the most you can lose is gas.

If you have access to the iInternet, then this will be a very easy process. All you need to do is take a few minutes out of your day to save you hundreds. If you use a search engine such as Google, and search for "health insurance comparison websites", it will provide you with many options. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions which will only take you a couple minutes. They will automatically supply you with a list of health insurance plans that you are eligible for. It will give you the estimated prices you would have to pay monthly for each company and your deductible.

This is a very convenient way to find the right health insurance for your family. You can even apply right there and then online, to the preferred plan you chose. Most websites will give you a telephone number that you may call and have any of your questions answered. Buying health insurance online is the one of best way to get insurance. You can have your monthly payments charged to your credit card on your due dates, so you will never have to worry about forgetting your payments.

Another great thing about handling insurance online is that you can easily change your deductibles, payments and coverage in a matter if minutes. But before you apply to any health insurance company, you need to make sure they have a good history of paying claims and do some shopping to find out the best Illinois health company for you. Also worth of mentioning is that different circumstances for different people allow them to get cheaper health insurance. For example, if you are in good health or for single people. There are some things you can take to action that will lower your cost for insurance. Such as, setting higher deductibles and removing certain coverage's that you will not need or coverage's that do not apply to you.

If you still feel uneasy about applying for one of these options, you could always turn to a discount card. A discount card IS NOT INSURANCE so you should not consider a medical discount card until you have exhausted all other options. You pay a very low monthly fee which will provide you with discounts for prescription drugs, medical care, dental care, vision care and chiropractic care (discounts for chiropractic care vary). Ameri Plan is a great company that offers the option of applying for a discount card. Of course there are many options, so it is suggested to search around. For most of the companies you can go to the website and join online right away. After joining they will provide with a list of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists and eye doctors that will accept your discount plan. It is a very easy process that will give you great discounts.

No matter which route you decide to take, whether its going to your local state of Illinois Division of Family Services office, searching online and finding affordable Illinois health insurance, or selecting the discount card option; you will reach your goal of saving money if you put in a little time and effort. Don't wait any longer and get started right away, because you never know when an emergency may occur. Get started finding cheap health insurance now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

How to Get Cheap Major Medical Insurance Pregnancy Coverage

For women considering having a baby, health insurance is crucial to both their own health and their health of the baby. Major medical insurance with pregnancy coverage can help you have a stress-free nine months and a healthy baby.

What is Major Medical Insurance?

This type of insurance plan covers serious injuries or illnesses. You pay all medical expenses up to the deductible, after which the insurance company begins to pay.

The deductible can be anywhere from $500 to $10,000, but this is offset by low monthly premiums.

To help cover the deductible, you can often open a Health Savings Account. You can deposit money in this account and then withdraw it pay for medical expenses.

Choosing a Maternity Policy

If you're considering a major medical plan to help pay for pregnancy expenses, you should be aware that many of these plans do not include maternity coverage. So your first step in choosing a policy should be to make sure that maternity care is included. You may be able to purchase a separate maternity rider that will pay childbirth-related expenses.

Second, you should find out if there is a "wait to conceive" period. In many policies, maternity coverage does not begin for up to one year after you purchase the policy. If you conceive before this waiting period ends, your pregnancy will not be covered.

You should also check whether the maternity policy covers

* Routine doctor visits

* Complications during the pregnancy or delivery

* Hospital stays

* Lab work

* Ultrasounds

* Anesthesia

* Prenatal vitamins

* Post-delivery doctor visits

Where to Get a Cheap Rate

To help you find a policy that offers the coverage you need at a cheap rate, go to an insurance comparison website. On this website you'll be able to get fast quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get major medical insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on major medical insurance coverage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Stevens