HEALTH INSURANCE

Health Insurance Plans: How To Choose One That's Right For You


Today there are more types of Health Insurance and more choices than ever before. This basic guide should help you choose a plan that is right for you. Perhaps you are buying health insurance for the first time or thinking about changing plans. You may be married or single, have children or not. You'll want to consider your needs as you seek out information to help you find the right plan for you. The following information will be very basic, certainly you should research further before making any Health Insurance decisions.


Why Do I Need Health Insurance?

For the same reason you need car insurance or mortgage or life insurance: To protect yourself and your family financially in the event of an illness. Health costs are high, and it doesn't take much to run up a bill of $20,000 or more should you need an emergency appendectomy, gall bladder surgery, or other relatively minor procedure. Have a heart attack or be diagnosed with cancer and those costs can reach $100,000 and go even higher.


How Can I Get Health Insurance?

Most people get health insurance coverage through their employment. If you work for a large company, your costs may be lower as the company can get better rates when they insure a large group of people. There are provisions for smaller companies for health insurance too. And if you happen to be self-employed or cannot get coverage through your employment, there are private insurers and health plans with this in mind. Many online companies will help you find the health insurance just right for you and your family. Here is a sampling of just a few of them. Most will ask you where you live so that the availability is applicable to your location.

Insure Me: Affordable Health Insurance at Insure Me. Specializing in health insurance quotes, instant health insurance quotes, health insurance rates and health insurance comparisons.
NetQuote: Since 1989 they've assisted over 10,000,000 consumers and businesses with their Health Insurance Quotes.
Health Insurance Finders: Find medical health insurance quotes for affordable health insurance in all states from leading medical insurance companies.
4 Health Insurance Rates: For years they have offered Instant health insurance quotes to customers looking for health insurance Quotes, among other types of insurance.
eHealthInsurance: Get quotes, compare, and apply online; individual and family plans, short term health insurance, small business health insurance.

Shopping Tips

Shop carefully. Policies differ widely in both coverage and cost. Compare both with different agencies.
Know what the policy covers. Will it cover you in the event of a major medical emergency?
Read and understand the policy. Know when coverage begins (some have a waiting period), and what is covered and not covered.
Be wary of "single disease" insurance policies. There are some that offer coverage on only one disease, such as cancer. If you already have health insurance coverage, your existing plan may already have all the coverage you need.
Know your needs. If you are a couple with no children, buying individual policies may be cheaper than a family plan. If you plan on having children, then a family plan may be your best bet, or check to see if you can convert to a family plan later on.


Types of Insurance

1. Fee-for-Service: Traditional type of coverage, costs would be your monthly premium; a deductible (typically $250 a year per person or $500 for 2 in a family plan) would be spent before the insurance kicks in.
2. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Prepaid health plans; pay a monthly premium and perhaps a small co-pay ($5-25 per doctor visit is typical). Limited to doctors who practice within that HMO.
3. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Combination of Fee-for-Service & HMO, you are not as limited in choice of doctors.

In Conclusion...

Having health insurance is very important to you and your family. A major illness or surgery can wipe out all your assets in a relatively short period of time. There are many options for health insurance. For this reason, it's important to study your options carefully. Choosing a health insurance policy will take more study and planning than choosing a car or mortgage insurance policy because there are so many choices. What's best for one person or family may not necessarily be best for you. Examine your needs, the policies offered, and your budget. Consider what is important to you in the terms of coverage. Visit online sites to get an idea of what is available and for how much money.

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes