Health Insurance Questions - Page "B"
Baby needs insurance for international trip
posted on: 5/03/2005 revised:
Q: I am trying to find a plan to best fit our needs. I need health coverage for a male child of 14 months from May 15th until October 2007 both overseas and in the U.S. He needs well baby care to be covered as well as immunizations and routine blood work. We live in Israel right now but will be traveling to the U.S. in July, returning to Israel in August and back to the U.S. in October. The child is a US Citizen with a valid passport.
A: Assuming that you will be using your U.S. address on the policy application, then any of the international medical plans listed at Freedom Benefits will work. The "Liaison International" plan seems to be a likely choice, but you may wish to consider the coverage options provided in the other plans as well. In this case you would wish to pay for routine care out-of-pocket and then settle the claims after you return home. Choosing a higher policy deductible might make this accounting easier as well as reduce the overall expense. Most international insurance applications are made online but the physical address listed on the application is still important for contractual reasons and this determines which specific insurance options are available.
Basic Health Insurance
posted on: 8/16/2005 revised:
Q: The coverage and pricing of "Basic Health Insurance" seems too good to be true in comparison with other health insurance plans. What am I missing?
A: It is true that Basic Health Insurance is one of the least expensive health insurance plans available today. It is also unique in that issued regardless of the applicant’s medical history and covers all pre-existing medical conditions after the policy has been in force for 6 months. This policy has no deductible or co-payments and can be used with any doctor or hospital in the United States. There is no network of providers and no required pre-authorization of treatment. Benefits are paid to the policyholder in cash even if other health insurance is available. All this adds up to a perception that this coverage is “too good to be true”. But this insurance provides only limited coverage, as the name implies. The maximum dollar amount of benefits available for each covered medical procedure is listed on the online quotation page, on the Web site, and in the policy itself. This health insurance policy is not designed to pay for all of your medical bills. It is great for covering part of the cost of an occasional doctor visit or lab work, but it would be silly to rely on this as the only insurance coverage for a surgery or hospital stay. This insurance is most appropriately used when used in combination with other catastrophic health insurance. It should not be the only health insurance except as a last resort.
Basic Health Insurance with Health Savings Account
posted on: 9/25/2005 revised:
Q: Can Basic Health Insurance be combined with other health insurance and still allow me to be eligible for a Health Savings Account?
A: Yes, Basic Health Insurance is supplemental coverage that does not affect eligibility for a health savings account. These “qualifying insurance plans” under health savings account rules. (This clarification is applicable only to the Basic Health Insurance plans at www.basichealthinsurance.net . Other insurance plans that use the same name “Basic Health Insurance may be treated differently). For more information on this topic, see the “Frequently Asked Questions” section at www.healthsavingsaccount-hsa.com .
Other Resources:
Basic Health Insurance for follow-up visits
posted on: 6/05/2007 revised:
Q: I need supplemental health insurance due to the fact that I have been diagnosed with angiomyolipoma of the right kidney and my current health insurance has denied any coverage for that "pre-existing". Will the Basic Health Insurance plan cover any expenses incurred for treatment of angiomyolipoma, which consist of a follow up x-ray to check the size of the benign tumor every six months? I know that this plan has a six month waiting period still. I'm just trying to find coverage to cover any follow up visits and treatment regarding this condition only.
A: Basic Health Insurance covers pre-existing medical conditions after six months but keep in mind that this is intended as supplemental insurance, not as primary coverage. The amount that Basic Health Insurance for a doctor's visit, lab test or each other type of medical procedure will pay is listed at www.basichealthinsurance.net by clicking "Get a Quote" and then "Highlights". Notice that the benefit amount paid depends on the plan that you select.
Basic Health Insurance enrollment site
posted on:11/16/2005 revised:
Q: I need Basic Health Insurance coverage today. The page is not available for me to download a form.
A: Occasionally online insurance enrollment services have outages due to technical problems or scheduled maintenance. Try again now at www.basichealthinsurance.net . The site is working properly now.
Basic Health Insurance is not a primary coverage
posted on: 3/05/2007 revised: 12/15/2009
Q: I have some questions regarding eligibility for Basic Health Insurance and pre-existing conditions. My father has lymphoma and has recently been laid off from work. He was diagnosed last January and has been receiving treatment since under the coverage provided by his employer. He will continue to be covered until the end of may and then he will go on cobra for 18 months. As of right now his prognosis looks a s though he may need coverage after cobra so I was just wondering if he would be eligible for coverage with Basic Health insurance, and what his monthly payments will be along with what treatments the insurance will cover. He is currently having Rituxin treatments every six months and may need to undergo chemotherapy in the future.
A: Basic Health Insurance is meant to be a supplemental insurance that should not be relied on to pay for your father's serious treatment. This small amount of health insurance pays cash to fill the deductibles and coverage holes left by other more comprehensive health insurance. Once you have primary insurance, you can easily answer the other questions about eligibility and price of this secondary insurance.
Basic Health Insurance over age 65
posted on: 6/07/2006 revised: 12/15/2009
Q: You wrote that basic health insurance coverage can be continued after qualifying for Medicare as a supplement, yet when I try to get rates for someone 65 or over at www.BasicHealthInsurance.net the site does not allow that.
A: Basic Health Insurance is issued to individuals online only up to age 65 but once a policy is issued it may be kept in force until age 70 in addition to Medicare. When this health insurance is offered through an employer-sponsored group plan there are no age restrictions under federal law. Rates for group plans are not quoted online but are available in the employer's enrollment brochure available online. The employer enrollment materials are available from the home page at www.Basichealthinsurance.net just below the section for individuals and families.
Basic Health Insurance questions
posted on: 1/20/2006 revised:
Q: For the basic health insurance, do you get a card in the mail? This is the one that is $38 a month. Do I get a booklet on which providers I can go to? or is all of the info online? I will need this to start at the end of April, do I just sign up then? or do I need to do it earlier?
A: Yes, ID cards are mailed at the end of the month following enrollment and coverage starts on the following 1st day of the month. This policy does not offer downloadable ID cards. You may use any medical provider in the U.S. You may wish to read the article titled "Does My Doctor Accept this Insurance?" for more information on the claims handling procedures with this type of "cash indemnity" type health insurance that can be used with any doctor. There is a toll-free number for all member support printed on the ID card and listed in the FAQs on the Web site. For coverage to start April 1, sign up online in the middle of March. You will receive an immediate confirmation by e-mail but the actual policy will be mailed on or after April 1. Please be aware that Basic Health Insurance is intended as a supplemental coverage and will not provide adequate coverage for catastrophic medical claims but may satisfy the requirement by your employer.
Basic Health Insurance plus Short Term Medical
posted on: 6/21/2006 revised:
Q: I recently read a suggestion you gave to a reader to purchase Basic Health Insurance in order to cover pre-existing conditions. However, when I followed the link provided in your column, the Basic Health Insurance page warned that it should only be purchased in combination with other insurance, such as Short Term Insurance. I don't understand why this is necessary. And isn't Short Term by its very name intended to be used as a temporary fix?
A: In reality, almost all health insurance policies purchased by individuals are a "temporary fix". Remember that the large majority of people obtain group health insurance through employers or associations or through public programs like Medicare and Medicaid. According to statements made by some insurance companies, the average life of a health insurance policy is less than one year and less than 2% of individual health insurance policies issued last more than two years. We purchase individual health insurance only until a better deal comes along; in the large majority of cases a better deal is only a matter of months away. The terms "Basic Health Insurance" as well as "mini-med" and "limited benefit policy" refer to health insurance that is not designed to cover the whole amount of a medical bill. They can be used to supplement other coverage or as a "starter" coverage when other insurance is unavailable or unaffordable. In the case where coverage is needed for pre-existing medical conditions, Basic Health Insurance is the only policy that offers this benefit for policies that have been in force for more than six months.
In addition, since Basic Health Insurance allows you to use any doctor and pays a cash benefit to the policyholder regardless of other insurance, this is an easy way to supplement the out-of-pocket risks left by other health insurance. In contrast, the term "Short Term Medical Insurance" means a major medical insurance that is designed to cover the entire amount of catastrophic bills above the chosen policy deductible and any required co-pay. Despite the name, short term medical insurance policies can be in force for up to three years and subsequent policies can extend the coverage period even longer. Ideally, the two types of health insurance coverage are used together in combination to provide the most complete coverage, especially where pre-existing medical conditions are involved.
Granted, the terminology used in health plans can be confusing. When in doubt, get a personal recommendation from OnlineAdviser service. This is a free service and can help avoid a misunderstanding later.
What does Basic Health Insurance cover?
posted on: 5/12/2006 revised:
Q: What does basic health insurance cover?
A: Basic Health Insurance provides a specified dollar amount of payment for doctors visits, child well care visits, adult well care visits or annual exam (one per year), diagnostic testing (up to three per year), hospitalization, intensive care, mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse confinement, convalescent facility, emergency room treatment, and surgery. Prescription drug benefits are provided separately through a discount card and are not part of the insurance policy. Each of these benefits is limited in total dollar amount and this dollar amount is not intended to cover the entire cost of any medical bill. There are no deductibles or co-payments with Basic Health Insurance and the benefit is paid even if you have other overlapping health insurance. For more information, see www.basichealthinsurance.net .
When does Basic Health Insurance start?
posted on: 5/12/2006 revised:
Q: When does Basic Health Insurance start?
A: Basic Health Insurance starts on the first day of the month following your enrollment. For example, if you enroll online today, May 12, 2006, then your benefits start June 1, 2006. There is no medical underwriting so your application cannot be declined for health reasons. The only reason that an application is not accepted are 1) incomplete application and 2) no payment (credit card declined or check is not honored).
Does my doctor accept Basic Health Insurance?
posted on: 4/13/2007 revised: 12/15/2009
Q: Where on the Web can I see what doctors accept Basic Health Insurance?
A: Basic Health Insurance is a cash indemnity policy that pays cash directly to the insured person and not to the doctor or hospital. This is true of any medical insurance policy that is called "supplemental insurance". In contrast, the other policies listed at Freedom Benefits may be paid to any doctor or hospital in the U.S. It is simply up to the doctor as to whether they want to accept assignment of the payment or have you pay directly.
Best catastrophic health insurance
posted on: 12/04/2006 revised:
Q: What is the best catastrophic individual health insurance?
A: "Secure STM" with a $5000 deductible is the highest quality coverage. There are no network restrictions to this national coverage. Both the insurer and the plan administrator have an excellent consumer reputation. Policies are issued online in lengths of one month to 36 months.
Best health plan for self-employed
posted on: 8/16/2006 revised:
Q: I am self-employed and have an Assurant Health plan for myself and my son. We both have exclusions that truly are "estimates" by underwriters versus factual assessments of our health status. The more I think about the exclusions, the more I feel they are discriminatory.
For me as a woman to have an exclusion related to reproductive system is discriminatory, especially since I have not had a major illness that would warrant this.
I pay Assurant premiums on a quarterly basis. I have barely used any health benefits in the last year, except a few discounts for routine services for my son. I have not gone to a doctor myself due to trying to figure out how to navigate Assurant's medical network options/limits, which separates providers and lab services. I want a one-stop option for health care. I need to get an annual physical and have not proceeded in doing so due to not being clear about what I will have as coverage as a female, even after paying the deductibles out of pocket. It's all very confusing -- and I have a master's degree, so I'm definitely not a dummy!
I am planning to investigate other health insurance options in order to switch plans in the near future for these reasons.
A: We agree and that is why few of the health plans supported by OnlineAdviser have medical exclusion riders. The best way for a self-employed person to cover health benefits is through a Health Savings Account combined with a high deductible PPO insurance policy. The insurance only comes into play in the event of a catastrophic claim but the PPO provides pricing for all types of medical and procedures as well as prescriptions. After funding the HSA, you the peace of mind of knowing that you have 100% coverage for all health expenses for any provider you may choose, no matter what happens. For routine expenses like an annual physical exam, there is no need to consult your insurance policy for procedures or obtain a referral. Just schedule it with your doctor, pay cash, and if desired, reimburse yourself tax-free for 100% of the cost. You may notice that as a cash-paying patient that the quality of your medical care improves, that you find it easier to make appointments, that your doctor takes more time with you, that you have the opportunity to develop a personal relationship, your doctor is more likely to discuss other options not covered by insurance and that, in general, the quality of your health care improves over the long term. You seem like a person who strives to get more from life through your work and personal efforts, and health care should be no exception. It makes no sense to deny yourself the a complete routine examination just because you cannot determine what is covered by your insurance. As far as recommendations for a specific insurance company, there are few low cost choices in your home state. Try making an online application with Celtic Insurance. This top quality insurance company is known to be picky but if you are not accepted a report is not made to Medical Information Bureau so you have little to lose. As of May 1, 2006 there is no longer an application fee for online applications. A second choice would be the Secure 12x3 STM. This plan can last only for 3 years before it must be replaced by a new insurance but you will probably switch insurance before then anyway.
Best Health Savings Account in Pennsylvania
posted on: 1/01/2006 revised: 12/15/2009
Q: What HSA insurance do your recommend in Pennsylvania?
A: The lowest priced coverage is available through Unitedhealthcare and the best overall quality/value is Celtic Insurance. Both plans use the same PHCS provider network, so the treatment plans are likely to be similar under either plan Both offer online enrollment and fast approval for healthy applicants. Neither plan offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Either insurance can be paired with a free Health Savings Account.
Best priced health insurance
posted on: 3/22/2006 revised:
Q: Which health insurance do you recommend as the best inexpensive coverage? I must stay under $100 per month.
A: The best values are with the short term policies. These cover the usual expenses medical treatment with any doctor, hospital, lab, etc. of your choice. It really does not make much difference which brand of insurance you use; a young person should be able to find coverage for less than $100 per month. Try the most popular policies like American Health Shield, Secure STM or Simple STM that are all priced and issued online. The downside is that you must re-apply every six months and pre-existing conditions are not covered.
A.M. Best rating for American Health Shield
posted on: 3/26/2007 revised:
Q: I am interested in applying for and individual health insurance plan from American Home Shield Short Term Medical Plan. Is this plan rated by A.M. Best Co.? If so, what is the rating?
A: The company has an A- rating.
American Health Shield is a popular low cost short term medical insurance plan hat is available throughout most of the United States. Despite its low cost this policy offers a liberal $1 million traditional major medical coverage without restrictions on the choice of doctors and hospitals. American Health Shield is actually an insurance product brand name, not the name of an insurance company. The underlying insurance company's name is Fairmont Specialty Group. A.M. Best is an independent rating service that evaluates the strength of insurance companies. A is considered good for life insurance companies but health insurance companies generally receive lower ratings due to the more volatile nature of the industry. For a health insurance company, a rating of B+ or higher is usually considered to be the goal.
Best Value Health Insurance
posted on: 11/20/2006 revised:
Q: I have a Secure STM policy with a $5000 deductible that will expire next month. My job does not provide health benefits until I have been employed for two years and I have more than a year to go. I want the best value policy that covers doctor's and OB/GYN visits but need to keep the price under $100 per month.
A: You made a smart decision last time and you situation remains the same. Secure STM is the nation's highest quality short term medical insurance and you can apply for another policy a the same terms and price. This policy does cover doctor's visits and state mandates require that the specified PAP smear and mammogram be provided without a deductible or co-pay. You already have the best available coverage at the lowest possible price, so just go back to the Freedom Benefits Web site and apply for a new policy to start when your current policy expires.
Blue Cross benefits
posted on: 11/10/2006 revised:
Q: Regarding your recent answer to an inquiry regarding low cost insurance from Blue Cross in which you said: "This is apparently just a new e-mail spam campaign with no basis in reality. Blue Cross is an managed care provider that averages prices among its membership pool but does not does not issue low cost health insurance." Blue Cross in Pennsylvania does offer Adult Basic and Special Care, both low cost policies for people with low incomes.
A: Yes, Independence Blue Cross and Blue Shield operating in eastern Pennsylvania as well as some of the other Blue Cross associations in other parts of the country do offer reduced cost health plans where eligibility is based on income. In some cases single adults earning a full salary can qualify for this reduced cost coverage. It is a great deal for those who quality. The basic point of the original writing is that it appears that e-mail marketers are incorrectly using the Blue Cross name for some other purpose. A person who is shopping for health insurance - who are not usually in the low income category - would generally not consider Blue Cross to be one of the limited benefit / reduced cost insurance providers. So in this case the promise of "low cost health insurance from Blue Cross" is really a false advertisement where the marketer has no intention of offering a Blue Cross product. The original question stemmed from Freedom Benefit's involvement in two distinct services; 1) the low cost health insurance offered online and 2) personal enrollment assistance for other types of health plans that is useful in special situations but has nothing to do with the low cost insurance. Someone had apparently read an e-mail advertisement (from some spammer not associated with Blue Cross or MedSave.com) and then decided to check out the possibility of finding low cost health insurance from a reputable source but Freedom Benefits does not promote or imply that Blue Cross is one of the nation's lower cost health insurance providers. We recognize that the basic strategies used to reduce health insurance costs including using selective medical underwriting with exclusion riders, eliminating benefits that are not likely to be used, customizing benefits for each enrolled person, avoiding managed care plan designs and using high deductibles, are all in conflict with the underlying business model and belief of the Blue Cross associations. But Blue Cross is still an invaluable resource for millions of Americans who better suited to managed care plans.
Blue Choice cost comparison
posted on: 5/08/2007 revised:
Q: How do I compare the cost of Blue Choice COBRA with Secure STM 3 year plan?
A: Rates for Secure 12x3 STM are easily available online. Unfortunately, Blue Choice COBRA rates are usually not available online. You must call the administrator for your health plan. You can expect the Secure STM rates to be lower because, assuming other factors are equal, short term medical insurance is almost always less expensive than permanent coverage. Since less than 1 in 100 individual health insurance buyers keeps the same policy for more than three years anyway, this is a logical way to save on premiums and still get excellent coverage.
Blue Cross pricing
posted on: 11/4/2006 revised:
Q: I saw an advertisement for low cost health insurance from Blue Cross but could not find any details.
A: This is apparently just a new e-mail spam campaign with no basis in reality. Blue Cross is an managed care provider that averages prices among its membership pool but does not does not issue low cost health insurance. Unfortunately, this means that Blue Cross rates are among the highest in the health insurance industry. More information on Blue Cross plans and low cost health plans is available at Freedom Benefits.
