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Health Insurance Advice That Anyone Can Use

 

 

Knowing what your options are and what to look for in your health insurance plans is vital for getting the best deal. There are many different ways to go about purchasing health care, whether through a group or individual plan, an HMO or a PPO. The options are endless. In this article, we can help you understand some of the tricks to getting the right coverage for you.

If you have multiple prescriptions, lower the cost of your health insurance by signing up for a plan that covers the largest number of your medications. Also, ask your health insurance company to check for generic brand medication, which can significantly reduce your prescription costs. Receiving your prescriptions by mail can sometimes lower costs as well.

If you are having difficulty finding a health insurer who will accept you due to a pre-existing condition, you may be able to get help from your state. State governments have set up insurance pools for high-risk individuals who can't otherwise qualify for coverage. Look online for your state department of health services.

Increase your deductible for lower premiums, but prepare to pay more out-of-pocket expenses. If you feel that you cannot afford your premiums, you can consider a deductible increase, but make sure you take all other expenses into account. You may not actually be saving money if you visit the doctor more frequently.

Learn how to read your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements that are provided by your insurer. These statements show exactly what benefits were applied to every healthcare procedure and what you as the patient will be responsible for. This is not the bill however so don't try to pay off of it, your insurer will send you an invoice separately.

Look for a health insurance plan with broad coverage. This is especially important if you like to travel. Insurance companies with smaller coverage can make it difficult to find a doctor should you be outside of your normal living area. Broad coverage includes many more doctors and hospitals, so it is a must for travelers.

When purchasing a health insurance policy, never pay by cash. Always provide the agent with a check or credit card number instead. Always make the check payable to your insurance company, never the agent. This will provide you with a receipt of your purchase and protect you from any dishonest action on the part of your agent.

Prioritize your concerns. Do you want to stick with a certain doctor or health care facility? Do you want the lowest premiums? Do you have specific health requirements that need to be addressed? Once you make a list of your priorities, you will be able to narrow down the number of health insurance companies that are suitable for your needs.

Ask if your insurance company offers a "money back guarantee". Many companies are trying this route out in order to stay competitive. They will allow you to take a policy out and if you aren't satisfied in a set period of time (usually about thirty days), you get a full refund.

Before you make the jump and purchase a health care plan you should find out what kind of plan will best suit you. There are 3 very different plans to choose from, which include, HMO, PPO and POS plans. You should research which one will work best for you before making a final decision.

Read several unbiased articles online about how to find the best health insurance at the greatest rates. You will be able here to find a wealth of great information and this will help ensure that you are not paying more than you should be for the protection that you need for your health.

Consider putting different family members on different insurance plans. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to put low-risk family members on a cheap insurance plan, and high-risk members on a more comprehensive plan. If you have the plans with the same insurance company you can even get a discount for staying loyal to them.

If you are fortunate enough to have an FSA or HSA (flexible spending account or healthcare spending account) as supplemental health insurance, be sure you are getting the maximum out of it. It can be challenging to figure out how much money you are going to spend in the next calendar year on noncovered expenses, but it's worth the effort since that money is all pretax.

If you like your current doctor and you do not want to change providers then you need to make sure that you find out whether he or she is one of the network providers before signing up with any company. Many health insurance companies will not cover you if you see a doctor that is out of the network.

Make sure you ask your friends and family advice when you're searching for health insurance. You might find that different insurance companies offer different types of plans, so find one that caters more toward your needs. You can also ask and even call some providers you think you may want to select and ask more detailed questions regarding the coverage they provide.

Familiarize yourself with your state laws and regulations in regards to purchasing health insurance individually. There are certain states that may have individual protections if they have pre-existing health issues, but some may not. It is of utmost importance that you know and fully understand the rules where you live.

An interesting and potentially concerning development in the area of health insurance is that some women who have had optional c-sections to deliver their babies are finding their health insurance premiums rising as a result. C-sections cost, on average, several thousand dollars more than a natural birth, and one c-section will often mean future births will require c-section deliveries. While not an issue in employer group plans, these increases have been seen in some private individual plans where cost risks are not spread among so many people.

Before having any sort of medical procedure done, give your insurance a quick call to confirm if you need pre-authorization for it first. Most of the time the answer will be no and you'll be done, but those few times the answer is yes you will have just saved yourself a lot of heartache come claims time.

Once you have a good travel health insurance policy in place, you will be able to relax and fully enjoy your vacation. Without it, you might feel overly cautious and miss some great opportunities for fear of being injured or becoming ill. While you may not need your travel health insurance policy at all, just having it in place will bring you peace of mind and may end up saving you a lot of money should the unexpected occur while you are on vacation.

 

Safety for Essential Providers Using Telemedicine and Telehealth

 

Safety for essential providers using telemedicine and telehealth

OSHA published a number of guidelines and approaches to offer healthcare providers assistance when safeguarding their patients, but it is still necessary for patients to see a provider to discuss concerns about their health, for regular checkups and any post-procedure follow-up appointments.

This eliminates a provider’s capacity to remain socially distant and also requires on-site support staff to sustain the day-to-day business.

Telemedicine offers a workable solution during lockdowns as telemedicine benefits health providers by providing them with the capacity to maintain revenue and care while providing immunocompromised patients with convenience and safety. Notably, both providers and patients don’t need to be computer savvy to use the technology.

Convenience and comfort are driving the rise in popularity of telemedicine and telehealth. Although providers and patients were suddenly dropped into situations where remote services were necessary, comfort and convenience have been acknowledged as an advantage that could be implemented permanently when businesses return to normal operations.

 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19yzaxx2m6q0vjkei6EGUrTMpN_YNOopVBZHdif1c0gQ/edit?usp=sharing

 

Health Insurance Tips You Must Read Today

Too many people take the risk of not having good health insurance just because they think it is too much trouble to find the information that could help them get the right policy. Putting yourself at risk for high medical bills is not necessary if you have the powerful and practical tips below.

When looking for a personal care physician, make sure to check with your insurance company for a doctor in your insurance network. Your insurance co-pays will be higher with an out-of-network provider, or you may find your visits won't be covered at all. Your insurance company should provide an online directory of physicians from which you can choose.

To save money on health insurance, one strategy is to pool your resources with a group of people. Doing so lets employers offer cheaper insurance to their employees. If you're on your own, you may be able to take advantage of these savings by forming your own group or joining an existing one.

If your health is not very good or if you have young children, you should definitely subscribe to a health insurance. Many people do not have a health insurance or are not satisfied with the coverage that comes as a benefit of their job. You could save a lot of money on hospital bills and avoid stress in case of illness with a health insurance.

Expect that there will be loopholes in any health insurance policy. Make sure you read the policy thoroughly, if you do not you may be shocked to learn that your insurance doesn't cover a visit or procedure. Be prepared beforehand to pay for certain things out of your pocket, such as certain medicines or treatments.

Try to go with a more experienced provider when getting dental insurance. These people have more experience and can help you get the plan that is most beneficial for you. If you are unsure who a good, experience provide is, you can research reviews for these companies online or ask family and friends.

Shop around different providers if you do have health problems that could be considered a risk for them to insure. Insurance company requirements vary and if you take the time to shop around, you may find that you are not high risk through one company but that you are through another.

Consider opening a savings account to use as an expense account that you can use to make payments on your co-pays and deductibles that apply to your health insurance. It can be used to pay for things that are not covered under many policies like prescriptions, eye glasses and contact lenses.

If you are employed at any job in the country, take full advantage of your employer's insurance policy. Because of the recently passed healthcare legislation, every employer now has to offer insurance to employees. It might be a bit costly, but it's far more affordable to go through your employer for coverage.

Being aware of laws applicable to health insurers, is vital to protecting yourself and your coverage. Most of the time, an insurance company cannot cancel coverage or deny payment because of a clerical error on your part, including during the application process. Unfortunately, paperwork and red-tape are part of the health insurance process, but knowing your rights up front, enables you to plow through it with greater confidence.

When choosing the right health insurance policy for you and your family, it is extremely important to shop around and research the different ones. Choosing the best valued health insurance can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. The cost savings from plan to plan can be very dramatic.

Many health insurance providers do not want you to know that you can appeal their decision if you are denied. Their decision isn't final. You can appeal the decision and see if you can get it changed. The providers do not want to be upfront about this because it could be more expensive for them. They probably will not explain their appeal process until you require it, so try to find out about it ASAP. You never know when you need to be prepared to launch an appeal.

Low priced health insurance plans usually cover a portion of major health problems and do not cover preventative treatment. Expensive plans cover almost every health need you may have. To decide on the best plan, figure out what your family's current needs are and how much you can afford.

Before you apply for health insurance, go through your medical records. You can request them online for a small fee. Make sure your records are up to date and do not contain any mistakes. Go to your family doctor if you notice something you do not understand on your records.

You need to make sure that you have fully researched as many health insurance plans as you possible can. An insurance broker may be needed if you don't have the time or the desire to go through the large amounts of information. You can also look at websites that specialize in comparing and picking insurance policies that fit the customer's needs.

If you have any firm reason to believe that the health insurance you applied is not going to accept you, you should cancel your application before you are denied. Health insurance companies ask you if you click here have ever been denied insurance, and this raises a red flag. Avoid being denied by researching the conditions for being accepted.

One of the most fundamental health insurance tips is to always use healthcare providers included in your insurance network. This is true for regular office visits as well as for hospital procedures such as surgery. By making certain to use in-network providers, you will be sure to get all of the coverage to which your policy entitles you, and be responsible for fewer out-of-pocket expenses.

Ask your local physician about your medical records before applying for health insurance. Many private health insurance providers will review your 10 year medical history before allowing you to purchase a policy, so make sure that your medical records are up-to-date and discuss any health issues that insurance companies might red flag with your physician.

Look out for health insurance polices that also offer eye and dental care converge. Some health plans now include this extra converge and these plans could save you a lot of money. Paying separately for dental procedures, lens, glasses, annual eye and dental checkups, etc. can really add up.

Hopefully this article has given you more reason to feel capable and in control of your health insurance future than like the "little guy" who is at the mercy of the big corporate machines. Arm yourself with knowledge and put it to practical use because your health is far too important for anything but the best that you can provide for it!

 

People with disabilities left behind by telemedicine and other pandemic medical innovations

 

Divya Goel, a 35-year-old deaf-blind woman in Orlando, Florida, has had two telemedicine doctors' appointments during the pandemic. Each time, she was denied an interpreter.

Her doctors told her she would have to get insurance to pay for an interpreter, which is incorrect: Under federal law, it is the physician's responsibility to provide one.

Goel's mother stepped in to interpret instead. But her signing is limited, so Goel, who has only some vision, is not sure her mother fully conveyed what the doctors said. Goel worries about the medical ramifications — a wrong medicine or treatment — if something got lost in translation.

"It's really, really hard to get real information, and so I feel very stuck in my situation," she signed through an interpreter.

Pandemic-fueled shortages of home health aides strand patients without care

Pandemic-fueled shortages of home health aides strand patients without care

Telemedicine, teleworking, rapid tests, virtual school, and vaccine drive-throughs have become part of Americans' routines as they enter Year 3 of life amid Covid-19. But as innovators have raced to make living in a pandemic world safer, some people with disabilities have been left behind.

Those with a physical disability may find the at-home Covid tests that allow reentry into society hard to perform. Those with limited vision may not be able to read the small print on the instructions, while blind people cannot see the results. The American Council of the Blind is engaged in litigation against the two dominant medical testing companies, Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics, over touch-screen check-in kiosks at their testing locations.

Sometimes the obstacles are basic logistics. "If you're blind or low-vision and you live alone, you don't have a car," said Sheila Young, president of the Florida Council of the Blind, pointing to the long lines of cars at drive-through testing and vaccination sites. "Who can afford an Uber or Lyft to sit in line for three hours?"

One in 4 adults in the US have some sort of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though barriers for the disabled have long existed, the pandemic brings life-or-death stakes to such long-running inequities.

 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QgeK7rJ6U0f66uVa86DUMnAFLjW3g40jFmTFcYD563w/edit?usp=sharing

 

Tips On How To Get Good Health Insurance

Many people get an instant headache just thinking about buying health insurance. Unless someone is an expert, it can all become confusing very quickly. Fortunately, there is help available. Read the information provided in this article. It can help you learn about health insurance policies and how to find the information that you need.

When searching for affordable insurance make sure you get quotes from all available options. Each provider has different rates depending on your history. The best bet to ensure that you save the most money is to compare prices. With that being said, make sure you are comfortable with the choice you make and the type of coverage you obtain.

If your health is not very good or if you have young children, you should definitely subscribe to a health insurance. Many people do not have a health insurance or are not satisfied with the coverage that comes as a benefit of their job. You could save a lot of money on hospital bills and avoid stress in case of illness with a health insurance.

To save money on your health insurance deductible, opt for generic prescriptions. This is especially helpful if your plan does not cover any medications. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as name brand, but they only cost up to pennies on the dollar in comparison. Stop overpaying for your prescription medications.

Depending on the demographic makeup of your office, employer based insurance may not be the best for you. Insurance plans are built upon spreading out the risk. If you are the youngest person in an office, working with a group of people nearing retirement, you will pay more for your insurance to cover for them. Always check with outside insurance before choosing to go with your employers.

Understand that private insurance is regulated on a state-by-state basis and cannot be purchased across state lines due to interstate commerce laws. What this means is that you may not be covered for a hospital visit out-of-state. Check with the insurance company before you sign up for the policy to avoid disappointment later.

Check into individual coverage, as you may get a better rate than with going with a group plan. The downside to group coverage is that everyone is accepted. This means that the premiums must be higher to help account for those who may become ill or need emergency care.

Health insurance can help you pay less on your taxes. Not everyone knows that premiums are deductions. Health insurance premiums, prescription costs, deductibles and other expenses not covered by insurance may be deductible on your tax return. Check your state tax guidelines to ensure you're adhering to both local and federal rules.

There are lots of different options available with different health insurance plans. Before purchasing a health insurance plan from either an insurance agent or through your employer, make sure that you take the time to investigate all of the options available to you. Understand all your costs, and all your benefits, before enrolling in a health insurance plan.

When filling out your enrollment form, do not leave any information out. Keep a copy of this form so that you know exactly what you sent to the insurance company and can contest their decision of rate if necessary. If your insurance company finds a mistake on your enrollment form, they could cancel your policy.

To lower the cost of your health insurance plan, pay your premiums annually. Most insurance companies add on a service charge to each monthly payment you make. If you pay annually, you can often reduce or omit these service charges. In addition to the cost savings, paying annually means you only have to budget for health insurance costs once per year.

If an insurance rate is too good to be true, look at customer reviews of the company to ensure you're paying for good service. If insurance is cheap, it's likely to be because they have a low number of staff, meaning claims could take forever to go through. You get what you pay for.

Try to find a health insurer that provides you with an insurance card as opposed to filing claims. Having to pay for your care upfront can be a stress on your finances and submitting claims is archaic and difficult. It is far easier to use an insurance card which bills the insurer directly.

Think about using a health insurance comparison website here to choose the right plan and rates for you. Contacting each company individually can take a lot of time and quickly become confusing. Using a plan comparison site will allow you to enter your information one time, and then compare many quotes more easily on the same website.

Before applying for health insurance, talk to your doctor about your medical history. Your records will be checked, and they could look at up to 10 years worth of data! Ask your doctor to review your history and let you know if there are any items that might be highlighted by the insurance company as they review you.

Completing a health insurance enrollment form can take you ages! If you want so skip the hassle, find an independent insurance broker who can not only save you all that time applying, but also can help you find the company and policy which are best for your needs. He'll also be there for you when you need an answer to your question, or to assist you file your first claim.

Save yourself time by getting insurance quotes from an health insurance broker. Once you provide the broker with your information you will receive quotes from multiple agencies, saving you the time of calling each one.

It is important to verify that your physician records your health events correctly. This is due to the fact that health insurance can be expensive, but misdiagnoses can lead to increased health insurance premiums or even losing your coverage. If you are misdiagnosed with a fatal illness, your insurance coverage could be cancelled based on incorrect information.

These tips should help you when it comes to health insurance. It doesn't need to be a hard subject or one that intimidates you. Hopefully, after reading this article, you feel a little more prepared to face the world of health insurance, as well as, being better armed with the proper information.

 

At-Home Monitoring Creates Virtual Hospital for UCI Health

 

Outside of its hospital and clinic walls and at the height of the pandemic, University of California Irvine Health (UCI Health) began caring for patients in their homes with technology, diagnostic devices, and a drive to deliver a better patient experience. The public health care system and academic medical center, which operates a 459-bed acute care hospital serving a region of nearly four million people in Orange County, went beyond providing patients with the ability to talk with clinicians via phone and video at home or work and took it to the next level of telehealth: remote patient monitoring.

Under this program, UCI Health patients with such conditions as COVID-19, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are improving can sometimes leave the hospital early if their vitals and symptoms are monitored continuously as they recover at home. Susanna Rustad, UCI Health’s chief procurement officer and executive director of virtual care, and Khurram Mir, senior program manager, spoke with me recently about the ins and outs of this program and their plans to expand this work and establish full-fledged hospital care at home. Such a hospital would provide remote patient monitoring, around-the-clock care, visits by clinicians and care teams, and delivery of medications and meals. This interview was condensed and edited for clarity.

Q: Why did you start this remote patient monitoring program?

 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s0E1pGI7CeRjMyD6-dVGfFMNUq24yRBGWmMBsMGibLA/edit?usp=sharing