deductible health http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for deductible health Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:12:45 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/deductible+health Understanding the Tonik Health Plan Deductible http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-the-tonik-health-plan-deductible http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-the-tonik-health-plan-deductible#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:29:58 +0000 tonik health planemergency room servicesgeneric medicationscopaydoctor networkppo networkppo plans http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-the-tonik-health-plan-deductible
For example, if you blow your knee out and it's $15,000 to repair (which isn't too far off) and your has a $1500 deductible, you will need to pay the first $1500 of that $15,000 bill towards your deductible.

How in-network affects the deductible

The Tonik health plans are . This means you can use any doctor but you will pay much less out of pocket when you use providers that are in Tonik's . You can check the the online to make sure your doctor or local hospital of choice is part of the network. In a true emergency (be real careful about this), Tonik will likely not hold you to a network but always try to use in-network providers anyway. Your definition of emergency may be different than the carrier's so you want to be careful.

Benefits carved out from the deductible

Tonik health insurance plans typically offer some benefits before the deductible is met. This usually occurs with office visits where you have a for the consultation and Generic RX wher eyou have a copay for . Some fo the Tonik plans also offer coverage for with a copay that would normally be subject to the deductible with other health plans. For the office copay, some Tonik plans cap the number of copays in a calendar year afterwhich, office visits are subject to the main deductible. These copays give immediate coverage for more day-to-day benefits so they're a nice addition to the core health plan.

Deductible/Max out of pocket

Tonik health insurance is differenct from most insurance plans in that the deductible can also be the max out of pocket. The max out of pocket is important because it tells you when you will stop paying (assuming in-network, covered benefits) for the really big bills. Let's say you have a $50,000 hospital bill. With an in-network provider, your deductible/max out of pocket caps your expenses for covered benefits. Copays may continue but your big bills stop at the max. Most plans have a deductible after which, you pay a percentage until you hit the max out of pocket (two separate numbers). This combination of deductible/max out of pocket makes Tonik plans much cleaner and easier to understand...something that's rare in the health insurance market.

Choice of Deductible and pricing

The different plan options in Tonik are pretty simple as well. Outside of some copay differences, the real item changing is the deductible and the price. Want to lower your monthly premium? Pick a higher deductible. Essentially, you want to find the right of mix of deductible and monthly cost to fit both your budget and your tolerance for out of pocket expense if something happens medically.Dennis Jarvis is a licensed California broker with extensive knowledge of Tonik health insurance plans. Tonik health insurance plans]]> Zero Deductible Insurance: The Pros And Cons http://www.artwoo.com/article/zero-deductible-insurance-the-pros-and-cons http://www.artwoo.com/article/zero-deductible-insurance-the-pros-and-cons#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:20:10 +0000 health insurance providerlower your premiumsinsurance propertyproperty insurancehomeowners insuranceinsurance carinsurance policy http://www.artwoo.com/article/zero-deductible-insurance-the-pros-and-cons property insurance, and car insurance. Luckily life insurance doesn't have a deductible to meet or beneficiaries would be in trouble.

First of all, one must understand what the deductible means for the most common forms of insurance:

=95 Health Insurance: Usually you are required to choose a deductible when signing up for health insurance. The higher the deductible, the . However, you must meet that deductible in the form of how much healthcare you have to pay for before your will give you the full coverage of the policy. This can exist on an individual and/or a family level. An example is an individual who has a $500 deductible and must pay $500 toward their healthcare bills before the full benefits of their policy kicks in. These deductibles can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on what the policy holder chooses.

=95 Property Insurance: This comes in the form of and insurance on various other pieces of property. If the property is damaged in some way, there are stipulations within the that says a certain amount of money must be paid by the policy holder before the insurance will do anything toward repairing or replacing the damaged property. Sometimes this doesn't work if the property damaged is not worth the amount of the deductible.

=95 Car Insurance: Car insurance has deductibles depending on the kind of damage that has occurred to the car. If there has been a collision, then chances are there will be a deductible that must be met before any repairs are paid for by the insurance company. Since collisions result in thousands of dollars in damage to a vehicle, something such as a $250 or $500 deductible will save money instead of having to pay for 100% of the repairs. Occurrences such as vandalism and theft do not have a deductible.

There are other types of insurance such as travel insurance, renter's insurance, and business insurance that may require deductibles, so apparently there's a reason for having a deductible other than it being the amount of a claim that is not covered by the insurance company. It does give the insurance a bit of a financial edge so that they can continue to produce low premiums with reasonable deductibles. What about the insurance policies that don't have deductibles?

No matter the kind of insurance you have, there are some available that do not require deductibles. This can be beneficial in that coverage is provided without having to meet that annoying deductible, but what about the quality of the coverage? Sometimes with non-deductible insurance, the insured may have to eventually pay a deductible amount if there are too many claims on the policy. The quality of the coverage may not be as good as a policy with a deductible as far as the items in small print go. There may be more restrictions in coverage and stricter limitations as far as what is covered goes.

What it comes down to is that insurance with a deductible may provide you with better coverage, lower premiums, and have less underlying clauses. Non-deductible insurance, on the other hand, is cheaper in that you have no deductible and the premiums may be comparable to deductible insurance, but you may run into situations where you are limited on what you can claim and you may find that you will eventually have to pay a deductible anyway, otherwise the insurance company is only receiving money made from premium payments to provide their clients coverage. Zero deductible insurance does not necessarily save you money. Premiums are often higher and the coverage isn't as adequate. It's important to always get an insurance quote http://www.belairdirect.com when shopping for insurance. ]]> Affordable Health Insurance In New York - Low Cost Plans Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-new-york-low-cost-plans-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-new-york-low-cost-plans-online#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:30:01 +0000 health insurance policieshealth insurance planshealth savings accountaffordable health insurancehealth savings accountsnew york health insurancemost health insurance policies http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-new-york-low-cost-plans-online affordable health insurance. Major insurance companies have developed new lower cost health plans available to everyone. Plans for personal, individual, group, family, college student, and small business health care insurance are available in New York.

New York

Because of a new program made possible by the Federal Government, many new health insurance plans are being formed. High deductible health plans (HDHPs) joined with (HSAs) s allow you to get complete medical coverage at a cost lower than you might think. Money put into your health savings account is tax deductible and is used to pay for insurance deductibles when you need care. Once you reach your deductible amount, the high deductible insurance policy kicks in and pays for the rest of your medical bills.

This type of plan provides you with comprehensive health benefits for medical costs and a tax exempt savings account. Many such plans pay 100% of medical costs after you've reached your deductible amount. You can adjust the amount of your monthly premium by raising or lowering your deductible. Deductible amounts range from $500 up to $10,000. You get to pick and choose.

Preventive care up to $300 is also provided in many HSA . As with , you get the most benefit at the lowest cost by using in-network care providers. Network providers work with insurance companies to give you the best care at the lowest cost..

Health Insurance in New York Quotes

One of the best ways to find affordable is to go to an insurance quote website and request quotes. Immediately after you complete their short form, you'll get several low cost HSA, HMO, PPO, and POS quotes while still online. After you have your quotes, you can compare the different policies and see if one will work for you. It's that easy! Just click on the following link to get affordable health insurance quotes and more health plan information. http://www.fastandfreeinsurancequotes.com It's fast, it's free, and you're under no obligation. You'll get up to 5 competitive quotes for affordable health insurance. ]]> Cheap Health Insurance For The Self Employed http://www.artwoo.com/article/cheap-health-insurance-for-the-self-employed http://www.artwoo.com/article/cheap-health-insurance-for-the-self-employed#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:25:00 +0000 self employed health insurancefamily health insurance quotesfamily health insurancedeductible health insuranceemployed health insurancecheap health insurancehigh deductible health insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/cheap-health-insurance-for-the-self-employed Cheap Health Insurance" Is there really such a thing? If you're looking for coverage against major medical bills, then yes, there is a form of cheap health insurance available for you. Forget about the high priced conventional insurance plans and start exploring the new types of low cost, available today.

Self Employed Individual and Plans

HDHPs or High Deductible Health Plans can offer you significant savings over other types of health insurance if you're self employed. The reason they can do this is simple. More of the responsibility for your health care costs is placed on you, the insured. In short, you choose a deductible amount for which you are responsible to pay before the insurance company is responsible to pay.

Deductible amounts for a high deductible health plan range from $500 to a high of $10,000. Each insurance company has it's own list of deductible amounts to choose from. With many of these new plans you can start with a very basic policy and add on individual riders for other types of coverage. A popular choice is the routine doctor visits and exams rider. For about $20 per month, you can have this rider added to your plan.

Researching the various high deductible health plans, will help you to find the cheapest health insurance available for the self employed. Don't let false information about health insurance stop you from getting the serious injury and illness medical coverage you need.

High Quotes

Because almost all major insurance companies have made their medical plans available online, you can go shopping for health insurance any time, night or day, and find low cost individual and in a matter of minutes. By filling out a simple request form, you can get low cost quotes from insurance agents and companies in your area. Just click on the following link to get self employed health insurance quotes and more health insurance information. It's fast, it's free, and you're under no obligation. You'll get 4 to 5 competitive quotes for affordable health insurance. They also offer free quotes and information for http://www.fastandfreeinsurancequotes.com/individual-dental-insurance-plans= ..htm individual and family dental plans. ]]> Understanding California Health Plan Co-Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-co-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-co-insurance#comments Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:14:59 +0000 california health insurancehealth insurance planshealth carriercoinsuranceessentially300insurance company http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-co-insurance


Once you have met your deductible, you pay coinsurance for additional medical care. It is a percentage of the billed charge. For example, your might pay 80%, and then you would pay 20%. It is similar to a co-pay, but is a percentage instead of a dollar amount.

Now, let's dig a little deeper. With , it is common to speak of their plan as an 80/20 plan or a 70/30 plan. They are referring to the co-insurance part of it. With the 80/20 example, the is picking up 80% of the charges and you are picking up the remaining 20%. If there is any kind of deductible, you must pay that first at 100% until met.

Let's take an example and see how California essentially break down into three main stages.

Stage 1 - The deductible YOU PAY 100%

Let's say you have a $500 deductible. Except for services that are separate from the deductible (usually office visits and prescriptions...see COPAYS), you will pay the discounted charges at 100% until you meet your deductible. You can find more information on deductibles.

Stage 2 - The co-insurance YOU SHARE A PERCENTAGE

Once the deductible is met, you then start sharing the cost with the carrier. Let's say our plan is 70/30 and the charge is $1000. You pay the first $500 (deductible) and then you pay 30% of the remaining $500...or $150. Of the first $1000 charge, you would pay $650 out of it. If you have another $1000 charge in that same calendar year, you would pay 30% of the 1000 (or $) since your deductible was already met. When do you stop paying the 30%??

Stage 3 - The Max Out of Pocket THE CARRIER PAYS 100%

Once you have met your Max out of Pocket (sometimes called the Copay Maximum), the carrier will then pay 100% of covered benefits, in-network. For our plan example, let's say we have a $500 deductible, 70/30 co-insurance, and $5000 max out of pocket. If we get a $50,000 bill in a calendar year, you pay the first $500, then 30% until you reached another $5000 out of pocket. For that $50K, you would pay $5500 and the carrier would pay $45,500. Co-insurance is nice but the real reason to have health insurance is the max out of pocket.

Co-insurance usually applies to services outside of the office visit and prescriptions. You will typically see the same co-insurance percentage for hospital, lab, surgery, emergency (sometimes has separate additional copay) and physician services.

It's important to stay in network for PPO plans. Let's say you have 70/30 plan and you see a doctor out of the PPO network on a non-emergency basis for $1000 of services and your deductible is already met (you're in Stage 2). Two things will probably happen. The health insurance plan will probably have a separate percentage for out of network...let's say 50/50 instead of 70/30. Also, the carrier will apply this lesser percentage to what they would pay an in-network provider. For example with the $1000 charge, perhaps the contracted PPO rate is $600 (discount is usually 30-60%). The carrier would then pay 50% of the $600 or $300 of the total $1000. You pay $700. Compare this with the 30% of 600 you would pay for an in-network provider. $700 versus $180 out of your pocket. Use in-network providers! Dennis Jarvis is a licensed California health insurance broker with extensive knowledge of the Individual and Small Group health market in California. More information can be found at http://www.calhealth.net ]]> Understanding California Health Plan Deductibles http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-deductibles http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-deductibles#comments Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:29:59 +0000 health savings accounthsappo plandeductiblesthis means thatbrand name drugsrx http://www.artwoo.com/article/understanding-california-health-plan-deductibles
Deductible

The amount you must pay for medical services each year before your insurance begins paying.

Now what does that mean?

The deductible is an amount you will pay first before you get help from the carrier. Keep in mind that with a , you will get discounted PPO rates which can lower the costs by 30%-60% even though you have a deductible to meet. It's very important to always stay in-network to keep your costs down.

Exceptions to . Most traditional plans on the market allow copays for office visits and prescription before you meet your deductible. For example, if there is a $40 copay for office visit, you will pay the $40 right away rather than having to pay the full doctor visit subject to the deductible.

Prescription coverage is frequently broken out separately from the main deductible. There may be a separate deductible from . with a $250 brand deductible and $30 brand copays, you would pay the first (resets each Jan 1st) $250 of your drug costs and then you would get $30 copays afterward. The brand deductibles on the California individual family market typically run from $250-$750 depending on the plan. On the California Small group market, the deductibles run from $0 to $250 on average.

Some plans, such as the popular () plans do not break out office visit and prescription from the main deductible. The deductible are all inclusive. There are a few other plans on the market which include the office and/or rx as part of the deductible so make sure to look at the plan detail when running your California health quote. The trade off with the HSA plans is that they can be much less expensive. If you are saving $500-$1000 annually or more, that pays for a lot of office visits and medication cost.

Deductible are handled in two ways when multiple family members are on one policy. Except for HSA plans, deductible are usually per person when you have more than one family member on a policy. You will typically see a "2 member max" statement around the deductible. This means that if two people in a family hit their deductible, the other family members do not need to. This is to protect against a catastrophic health situation where every family member had large bills in one year and the resulting out of pocket could be 10's of thousands.

HSA's or Health Savings Account plans on the other hand are cumulative deductibles. You essentially double the single person deductible and the entire family (2 or more people) is working towards one family deductible. Depending on the situation, this works to your favor or not. If one person in a family has large bills, he or she has a larger deductible to meet than if he/she were on an individual deductible plan. However, if multiple members have bills, it can be work to their advantage. Ultimately, the premium savings on an annual basis should more than compensate for the large deductible and that has been the attraction of HSA plans.

Out of network providers. Keep in mind that the discounted PPO rate for a given charge is what will be applied to a deductible if you use out of network providers. For example, let's say you have a $500 deductible. If you have a $200 charge for an out of network provider, and the PPO contracted rate for that procedure is $100, the carrier will typically only apply the $100 to your deductible. Try to stay in-network with PPO plans.

After your deductible is met in a calendar year, with most plans, you then start to share the costs with the carrier for future medical charges in the form of co-insurance or copays according to the benefits of the policy. Dennis Jarvis is a licensed California health insurance broker with extensive knowledge of the Individual and Small Group health market in California. More information can be found at http://www.calhealth.net ]]> Health Savings Account Can Be Beneficial To You http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-savings-account-can-be-beneficial-to-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-savings-account-can-be-beneficial-to-you#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2007 17:54:54 +0000 health savings accountdaily basisconventional healthdeductible healthhealth policyhealth planindividual retirement account http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-savings-account-can-be-beneficial-to-you Health savings account can be defined as a tax-free saving account. It is very similar to an . The account is specially designed to pay off medical expenses incurred by an account holder. The expenses paid by health savings account are tax-deductible for self-employed account holders. One can easily withdraw cash from these accounts via a check or debit card. The account is helpful in paying off routine medical expenditure for the account holder. The process is tax-deductible.

The major attractions of a health savings account are lower deductibles and options. Here, one can benefit from 100% of the amount deduction that is contributed to a health savings account. This plan is designed in a fashion wherein almost everyone will be benefited from this account.

If you hold a health savings account, you can easily pay for substantial routine medicinal expenditure and the cost of the account is surprisingly low with the benefit of high tax-deductibility.

If your health savings account consists of amount that has not been used to pay bills, it gets accumulates and continues to collect interest as per the plan. The amount keeps on growing each year. You can also use this amount as additional income during retirement.

As an account holder, you can split the money you have currently spent on a plan via putting a part of it towards a policy having low cost and higher deductible benefits. You can deposit the rest of the amount in to a tax- savings account. Remember that health savings account should be utilized to pay small medical expenses on a .

If the money present in the account is not adequate enough to clear your bills, you can use the high deductible insurance policy to pay your outstanding medical bills. The whole idea to have a health savings account is to replace a conventional . A health savings account plan is more flexible. It provides the option to the account holder to select his or her own physicians imposed by other medical plans.

A health savings account or HSA can be categorized in to two parts. The first part is a health insurance policy that covers large medical bills and is high-deductible. The second part of this type of savings account is an investment account. It can also be considered as a retirement account. You easily withdraw money for medical care from this account. The money withdrawn from this account is tax-free. In case, you don't utilize this money, it gets accumulated with tax-free interest until you are 65. This is the time when you can withdraw this money for any purpose. You can also pay normal income taxes via this money.

Eligibility criteria for health savings account: If you are under age 65 and have a qualified high-deductible health insurance policy, you can open a health savings account. You will not be considered eligible by the company if you are covered by another health insurance policy that is not a qualified high deductible plan.

To qualify for an HSA, your health insurance plan must have a deductible of at least $1100 for individual coverage. For family coverage the deductible should amount to $2200.

Health savings account is highly beneficial to you if you require an assistance to pay your routine medical bills. For more information on health insurance, try visiting http://www.healthinsurancedecision.com - a website that specializes in providing health insurance related tips, advice and resources to include information on health savings accounts. ]]> How To Save Money And Get Discount Health Insurance In Oregon http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-money-and-get-discount-health-insurance-in-oregon http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-money-and-get-discount-health-insurance-in-oregon#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:20:01 +0000 private health insurerscheap health insuranceprescription drug programinsurance divisionrate insurancehealth needhealth care costs http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-money-and-get-discount-health-insurance-in-oregon Prescription Drug Program went into effect at the end of 2006, providing deep discounts on prescription drugs to just about all residents of the state, regardless of income.

According to the of the State of Oregon, 39% of the citizens of Oregon are currently covered by one of the major in the state. Many more families are covered by employer-supplied health insurance.

For those seeking discount health insurance in Oregon on their own, here are a few things to keep in mind.

One of the main ways in which people balance the cost of health care is through the raising or lowering of their plan's deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for your s before your insurance begins paying. The larger the deductible, the lower the monthly premiums you'll have to pay.

One of the best ways to keep down is to make a list of exactly what you and your family need most from health insurance. Do you need to have routine doctor visits covered? Do you foresee any hospital stays in the coming year? Are prescriptions your main concern? Is there a chronic health need in your family that needs to be addressed? Can you put aside enough cash to cover a larger deductible?

Once you know exactly what your family's primary needs and concerns are, there are several websites which allow for side-by-side comparisons of policy costs based on the criteria which you have determined are most important to you.

By taking the time to make a list of your major insurance needs and then comparing policies online, you and your family should be able to save money and get the discount health insurance that you need and deserve. Recommended sites for low http://ezquoteguide.com/health/ Quotes http://www.myquoteguide.com/Best-Health.shtml Instant Health Insurance Quotes Online ]]> Temporary, Or Short Term Health Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/temporary-or-short-term-health-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/temporary-or-short-term-health-insurance#comments Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:27:09 +0000 term health insuranceshort term health insurancehealth insurance benefitshealth insurance programshealth insurance coverageage healthinsurance program http://www.artwoo.com/article/temporary-or-short-term-health-insurance term health insurance can be a huge relief for you and your family if you suddenly find yourself without . This type of insurance will provide you with coverage for major illnesses and injuries. It can also assist you with routine checkups and prescriptions under the guidelines of some programs. You may also be able to obtain dental coverage as a package deal. This type of insurance plan is generally allocated for a time frame of one month to one year, depending on your needs.

This type of is a great investment for those who are between insurance plans, unemployed, self employed, in college, laid off, or who are seasonally employed. For some individuals, temporary is cheaper that the COBRA program offered by their employer.

Most companies who offer this type of insurance allow you to pay the premium on a monthly basis. The premium will depend on various factors including the state you reside in, your age, health, type of coverage you are wanting, and if you are getting an individual plan or a family plan. Some plans will require you to get a health examine and inquire about tobacco habits as well.

Almost all temporary short term have a deductible. This means you will have a portion that you pay out of pocket before the plan will pay anything. Most plans allow you to choose your deductible amounts. You will likely have a different deductible amount for emergency room care than you do for in hospital treatment. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. However, be careful not to choose a deductible that is so high you can't afford it.

Temporary short term is an excellent idea for anyone without health insurance. More than 16 million plans are issued in the United States each year. Health insurance is something everyone will need at one time or another. Just one uncovered incident can cost you thousands of dollars. To find out the plans available in your state, contact your insurance agent or search online. Get free insurance short term health quotes at http://www.short-termhealthinsurance.com/ ]]> Meeting Your Family's Health Needs With An HSA http://www.artwoo.com/article/meeting-your-familys-health-needs-with-an-hsa http://www.artwoo.com/article/meeting-your-familys-health-needs-with-an-hsa#comments Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:27:16 +0000 health insurance programhealth savings accounthealth insurance industryhsagood healthdeductible amountssavings program http://www.artwoo.com/article/meeting-your-familys-health-needs-with-an-hsa health insurance program for them. One of the more recent new additions to the is called the (). This new program enables you to have reduced insurance rates because of a higher deductible, and a tax deferred with it. Here are some of the features of this program.

Reduced Rates

By getting a health insurance program with a high deductible, you are able to greatly reduce your monthly premiums. This is an especially good way to go, if you are younger and currently have pretty . The are pre-determined by the government, and you are required to have deductible amounts between $1,050 and $5,250 for singles, and it needs to be between $2,100 and $10,500 for families.

Savings Are Tax Exempt

One of the great benefits of this type of plan is that, like an IRA, you enjoy tax-free income, and interest on the amounts you have in the program. You can put into the plan money that comes off the top of your taxes. There are limits, though, and for singles it is up to $2,700, and for families it is $5,450. A little extra benefit is that you are able to take off of your taxes any money that is deposited into the account all the way up to April 15th. So, if you are coming up to tax time, and find you need to reduce your taxes some more, you can put it into your HSA, and find the tax break you need.

Better Coverage

The new HSA's have an extra real nice feature - they cover more. Some things that you may not have been covered for under another type of policy, you may find that you are covered for with an HSA. This could actually allow you to get a better coverage for less. Things like dental coverage, therapy, even non-prescription medicines and some alternative treatments may also be covered, and even some mental illness treatments, too.

You Keep Control

Under an HSA, you are the one in control of the money. It is yours to use. You can take money out of the account when you want, but only the money that is used only for medical purposes is tax-exempt. Generally, you will be given a card, like a credit card, that gives you access to the account. Whenever you use money from the account, the insurance company automatically gets a receipt, and it is subtracted from your account, and your deductible - and it remains tax exempt.

Like any other insurance policy, once you have paid the deductible amounts, the rest is up to the insurer to pay. By having the high deductible you reduce the premiums considerably. The savings account can also provide a good hedge for your medical insurance program for the future, too, because any money not used toward the deductible remains your money -- to use next year, if you need it. On the other hand, the money in your HSA might also be used to provide some money for retirement - assuming you maintain your good health. Joe Kenny writes for the UK personal finance sites http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk ]]> Affordable Health Insurance In California - Low Cost Quote Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-california-low-cost-quote-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-california-low-cost-quote-online#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:34:57 +0000 find affordable health insurancehealth insurance companiesaffordable health insurancehealth insurance planscalifornia health insurancelow cost health insurancehmo health insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/affordable-health-insurance-in-california-low-cost-quote-online find in California? Have you heard that almost all of the major now offer quotes online? Getting competitive insurance quotes from National insurance companies is a snap when you use the Internet.

California

Currently there are (3) three major types of health insurance plans in California. Indemnity, PPO managed health care, and HMO managed health care. Indemnity plans pay a portion of your medical bills after being billed by your doctor or hospital. Sometimes, you may have to pay the bill out of your own pocket first, then get reimbursed from your insurance company.

With a PPO or plan, you must go to a doctor within the PPO or HMO network and receive medical care. All you pay is a small copayment fee for each visit, copayments typically range from $10 to $20 per visit. Doctors and hospitals in the network have already agreed upon the prices they charge insurance companies for medical services. This helps insurance companies keep a lid on medical costs while passing on the savings to you in the form of lower monthly premiums.

When shopping for health insurance always compare deductible amounts. Finding low cost health insurance may mean choosing a policy with a higher deductible. Deductibles range from $500 to $5000 and premiums adjust accordingly. The higher the deductible the lower the monthly premium. You could save a lot of money by choosing a larger deductible amount. Health Insurance in California Quotes

One of the best ways to find affordable quotes is to go to a free insurance quote website. There you can get competitive quotes, from up to 5 health insurance companies, so you can compare plans and prices. After you have your quotes, you can look more closely at the policies and decide which one is the best for you. Just click on the following link to get affordable health insurance quotes and more health plan information. http://www.fastandfreeinsurancequotes.com It's fast, it's free, and you're under no obligation. You'll get up to 5 competitive quotes for affordable health insurance. ]]> Healthcare Help For Entrepreneurs? Health Savings Accounts-What They Are And Why They Work http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work#comments Fri, 14 Jul 2006 06:27:09 +0000 health savings accountshealth savings accounthealth insurance planindividual health insurancedeductible health insurancetax free moneyhsa http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work individual health insurance is extremely cost-prohibitive. You may think paying outrageous fees is your only option. Or even that you can't afford health coverage at all.

What Are s?

A Health Savings Account () is an insurance policy that was actually designed with the self-employed and the small business owner in mind. According to Mark Baker, HSA specialist for Golden Rule Insurance Company, "an HSA is a higher deductible that is coupled with a tax advantage savings account."

The difference between purchasing individual healthcare and investing in an HSA is similar to the difference between renting a home and buying one. If you rent, each month you write out a check to help your landlord pay off the home you are living in (and you don't even like him!). If you buy, you incur a higher cost up front with the deposit. But with every payment, you build equity.

The Bad and Good:

• You start with a high deductible. Not an attractive feature but it gets better.

• Your high deductible results in significantly lower premiums.

• The money you save, you can keep tax-free in your HSA. When you encounter any kind of medical expense, you can use that tax-free money towards your deductible.

How it works:

Let's say you're in a car wreck and wind up getting saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Even though your deductible with an HSA is high, say three thousand dollars, the money you've saved (tax free) in your HSA will likely cover it.

When your deductible is met, your insurance takes over payments for its percentage of all your covered expenses. Every plan is different, but the most common scenario is that once your deductible is paid, you are covered for the remainder of the year.

You can even use the pre-tax money in your account towards dental and vision expenses. Or out-of-pocket costs, like filling prescriptions.

And as long as you have a Health Savings Account, that money remains tax-deferred in your account for any medical expenses you encounter. If you find at the end of the year you have not spent what's there, don't worry--it rolls over. In fact, it can just sit there and earn interest until you do need it. According to Mr. Baker, his company is now paying a 4% interest rate on their clients' HSAs. If you spent that same money on the premiums of a plan with a lower deductible; that would just be money down the drain. Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of WorldwideBrands.com are the Writers and Hosts of The Entrepreneur Magazine EBiz and Product Sourcing Radio Shows. For Full Story and Audio Archive, http://www.worldwidebrands.com/csiradio/Archives.asp?d=06/12/06#Archives ]]> Healthcare Help For Entrepreneurs? Health Savings Accounts-What They Are And Why They Work http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work#comments Sun, 30 Jul 2006 12:27:08 +0000 health savings accountshealth savings accountindividual health insurancedeductible health insurancetax free moneyhsagolden rule insurance company http://www.artwoo.com/article/healthcare-help-for-entrepreneurs-health-savings-accounts-what-they-are-and-why-they-work
If you are in business for yourself, you have probably already discovered that is extremely cost-prohibitive. You may think paying outrageous fees is your only option. Or even that you can't afford health coverage at all.

What Are s?

A Health Savings Account () is an insurance policy that was actually designed with the self-employed and the small business owner in mind. According to Mark Baker, HSA specialist for , "an HSA is a higher plan that is coupled with a tax advantage savings account."

The difference between purchasing individual healthcare and investing in an HSA is similar to the difference between renting a home and buying one. If you rent, each month you write out a check to help your landlord pay off the home you are living in (and you don't even like him!). If you buy, you incur a higher cost up front with the deposit. But with every payment, you build equity.

The Bad and Good:

• You start with a high deductible. Not an attractive feature but it gets better. • Your high deductible results in significantly lower premiums. • The money you save, you can keep tax-free in your HSA. When you encounter any kind of medical expense, you can use that tax-free money towards your deductible.

How it works:

Let's say you're in a car wreck and wind up getting saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Even though your deductible with an HSA is high, say three thousand dollars, the money you've saved (tax free) in your HSA will likely cover it.

When your deductible is met, your insurance takes over payments for its percentage of all your covered expenses. Every plan is different, but the most common scenario is that once your deductible is paid, you are covered for the remainder of the year.

You can even use the pre-tax money in your account towards dental and vision expenses. Or out-of-pocket costs, like filling prescriptions.

And as long as you have a Health Savings Account, that money remains tax-deferred in your account for any medical expenses you encounter. If you find at the end of the year you have not spent what's there, don't worry--it rolls over. In fact, it can just sit there and earn interest until you do need it. According to Mr. Baker, his company is now paying a 4% interest rate on their clients' HSAs. If you spent that same money on the premiums of a plan with a lower deductible; that would just be money down the drain. Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of WorldwideBrands.com are the Writers and Hosts of The Entrepreneur Magazine EBiz and Product Sourcing Radio Shows. http://www.worldwidebrands.com/EMRinfo for more FREE eBiz info from Entrepreneur Magazine Radio! ]]> Individual Health And Dental Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/individual-health-and-dental-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/individual-health-and-dental-insurance#comments Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:25:00 +0000 health insurance planindividual health insuranceindividual health insurance planshealth maintenance organizationdental insurance plansdental health maintenancehmo health insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/individual-health-and-dental-insurance dental insurance plans have confusing, yet important, abbreviations. Below is an explanation of each to help you learn the things you need to know about individual health and dental insurance plans.

(HMO): An HMO is a that allows you to choose a primary care physician who will act as your "go between" in the event you need to see a medical specialist outside of your primary care physician's field. If you have an plan, you "prepay" for services rather than pay a deductible.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): PPOs are available with both plans and dental insurance plans. Like an HMO, a PPO lets you choose your doctor or dentist within a particular network. Unlike an HMO, you only pay for the services you are given by the doctor or dentist.

Point of Service (POS): A POS is a health insurance plan that combines features from HMOs and PPOs. Like an HMO, there is usually no deductible, low co-pay, and a primary care physician. Like a POS, you're allowed to go out of the network of doctors, in which case you'll pay a deductible and possibly higher co-pay.

Indemnity Plan (IP): The IP is a very popular dental insurance plan. Coverage is limited, but you usually have the option of choosing your own dentist, which actually helps you save money.

Organization (DHMO): After paying one annual premium, a DHMO guarantees a certain number of visits, though it doesn't allow you to choose your dentist.

Dental Discount Plan (DDP): Although a DDP isn't a traditional dental health insurance plan, you can get discounts from dentists who agree to participate in the plan. There's no limit and you choose your own dentist.

Rather than let abbreviations complicate things, learn the meanings to easier find the right individual health and dental insurance plans for you. http://ezquoteguide.com/health/ Individual Health and Dental Insurance http://www.myquoteguide.com/Best-Health.shtml Affordable Insurance Plans ]]> Health Insurance How Costly Can It Be? http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-insurance-how-costly-can-it-be http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-insurance-how-costly-can-it-be#comments Fri, 18 Aug 2006 14:27:30 +0000 health care optionshealth savings accountunplanned pregnancyhealth insuranceunfortunatelyinsurance optionscontact http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-insurance-how-costly-can-it-be health insurance can be costly. Yet, paying for a unexpected surgery can be devastating. That is why we have health insurance. some of us can't afford either of the choices; or at least that is the way we feel about the situation. There are some ways to get more for your money.

First, you want to make sure you have the right deductible. This is the amount that you will have to pay before the insurance company helps. You see, if you are relatively young and healthy, you can probably go with a higher deductible. However, if you have reason to believe that you may require a visit or two to the hospital you probably go with a lower deductible. However, this isn't always the case. The downside to a high deductible insurance coverage is that you are more at risk. Yet, you will also have a lower premium which enables you to invest the difference.

Now, you can also look into alternative . If you are Native American, you have certain health care options. You can find out what they are by ing your tribe. If you work in a small business, you may be able to open a . To find out if you are eligible contact your investment advisor. The point is that there may be options you haven't thought of yet.

Another way for women to cut down on their health care costs is to get the right pregnancy coverage. You see, some insurance companies offer a lower cost if you do not plan to have anymore children. The downside is that if you get pregnant on accident, your pregnancy will not be covered on your insurance. This can be a huge burden for someone who is already dealing with an . Yet, it is great for women who have their tubes tied or are unable to carry children.

Compare . What I mean is compare what you are paying through your company's group insurance with what you will pay for individual insurance coverage. You might be surprised at the difference. You see, group insurance is beneficial to those who's health may not be covered any where else since insurance through an employer is not contingent with health. Yet, individual coverage is best for the young and healthy. However, do your homework and get quotes from both. This way you can get the best insurance for you. You must also consider your family which has a tremendous effect on your insurance needs and costs. They may make it more costly with the group insurance or the individual depending on the circumstances and health of your family. Robert Michael is a writer for Fhl Insurance which is an excellent place to find insurance links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.fhlinsurance.com ]]> Why Major Medical Pet Insurance Is A Wise Choice For Pet Parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-major-medical-pet-insurance-is-a-wise-choice-for-pet-parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-major-medical-pet-insurance-is-a-wise-choice-for-pet-parents#comments Sun, 27 May 2007 19:19:57 +0000 pet insurancemajor medicalcatastrophic coveragemedical emergencieslabrador retrieverpet parentsmedical plan http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-major-medical-pet-insurance-is-a-wise-choice-for-pet-parents major medical" or "" when talking about health insurance. Both of these terms refer to insurance that has a high deductible and a low premium and that only pays out when you have a more costly health problem.

But did you know you can also get major medical or catastrophic for your cat or dog too?

Catastrophic or major medical pet insurance is ideal for who have a small amount saved up to cover the higher deductible. By paying just a little more of the veterinary bill in the first place with the higher deductible, your pet insurance can do its job more effectively and cheaply when the large bills come in.

How much lower are the premiums on a major ? Well, like anything in insurance, the answer is "it depends." But in general a major medical plan with a $500 annual deductible could be half the price of a regular plan with a $100 annual deductible! Obviously every situation is different so you'll want to find out for your specific circumstances what the real difference is.

Clearly a major medical pet insurance plan won't help you with small that cost a few hundred dollars. But with the high cost of veterinary care these days you could easily be left with a bill for $5,900 or perhaps more* if your pet were to swallow string and require emergency care.

Not every pet insurance company offers a major medical option so be sure to ask. More information on Embrace Pet Insurance's catastrophic pet insurance is available at http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/Content/Learn/ChoosingCoverage/pet-insur= ance-catastrophic-major-medical.aspx

For those pet parents who can afford a higher deductible, major medical pet insurance can be a terrific way to protect your pet with a very affordable premium without your having to skimp on coverage.

(*) - This figure is from a real claim received for a in NY state Alex Krooglik is co-founder of Embrace Pet Insurance in Cleveland, Ohio. The mission of http://www.embracepetinsurance.com is to convince responsible pet parents that pet insurance should be an integral part of every pet's health care. ]]> How To Compare Low Cost Health Insurance In Colorado http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-low-cost-health-insurance-in-colorado http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-low-cost-health-insurance-in-colorado#comments Sun, 12 Aug 2007 01:20:04 +0000 health care coveragehealth care planshealth care historyhealth insurance planbest health carecolorado health insurancetaken into consideration http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-low-cost-health-insurance-in-colorado health insurance plan. According to recent surveys fully 42% of all Colorado families are worried about paying for any health care at all. But don't be fooled into comparing only cost =96 when it comes to insuring your family's health care, cost is only one factor to consider.

Depending on your family's and your expectations of health care needs for the coming year, you should also compare the annual maximum each health care provider is willing to pay, what each family member's co-pay will be for routine doctor visits, your co-pay for prescriptions, your out-of-pocket expenses for hospital stays, your coverage for emergency room visits, which doctors you are allowed to see and, finally, each plan needs to be compared based on the plan's deductible.

(The deductible is the amount you pay out of your own pocket each year before your health insurance begins paying off. The larger your deductible, the less you pay in monthly premiums.)

When all of those factors are , then you'll need to compare monthly premiums.

Here in Colorado you have more than half a dozen competing plans to compare.

If it sounds like a lot of work =96 it is.

Even using side-by-side plan comparisons on the internet, trying to find and compare the best for your family at the best cost is no easy matter. However, by concentrating primarily only on the benefits that are most important to you and your family you may be able to make the comparisons easier.

Health care is expensive. In fact, for more than 16 million Americans health care now consumes at least one quarter of their disposable income. That's why it's well worth whatever time and effort it takes for you to make the comparisons between so you can find the one that's right for you at a price you can afford to pay. http://ezquoteguide.com/health/ Low Cost Health Insurance Quotes in Colorado http://www.myquoteguide.com/Best-Health.shtml Cheapest Health Insurance Quotes ]]> Car Insurance Explained: What is a Deductible? http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-insurance-explained-what-is-a-deductible http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-insurance-explained-what-is-a-deductible#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:22:27 +0000 insurance strategyupfront costsinsurance companycar insurancedeductiblesdifferent companiesinsurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-insurance-explained-what-is-a-deductible insurance" rel="tag">car insurance can be a bit confusing if you don`t know what they mean. One of the most important terms that you will come across is "deductible". Even if you don`t understand much else, this is one word that is absolutely vital to choosing your car insurance.
Quite simply put, deductible is the amount you have to pay in case of an accident. However, it`s more complicated than this and your car will depend greatly on how much you actually can afford to pay.

How It Works

The deductible is the amount you pay in case of an accident, before the . For example, if you have a deductible of $500 and the damage in an accident is $1,500, you would pay the first $500 and the insurance company would pay the remaining $1,000. Likewise, if your deductible was $1,000 and the damage was only $800, you would pay the whole thing.

Deductible Affects Your Rates

Car insurance requires that you pay a specific amount per month or year. This is your monthly rate and it usually won`t change within the year, unless you are in an accident. The amount you pay on a monthly basis will depend on how much deductible you wish to pay, or how much of the you are willing to take care of in the event of an accident.

The most common amounts for in car insurance are $100, $250, $500, and $1,000, though may offer other options. The higher the deductible, or the amount you pay in case of an accident, the lower your monthly rates will be. So, if you opt for the lowest deductible, $100, meaning the insurance company is liable for nearly all costs, you`ll end up paying higher monthly rates.

Which option you choose (high deductible/low rates or low deductible/high rates) will depend on what you can afford and also how often you expect to need your insurance. If you tend to have an accident of some sort every few months, you will likely want to pay the minimum amount and let the insurance company take on the majority of costs. For safer drivers who have an excellent driving record, it`s easiest to go with the higher deductible and pay lower rates instead.

Limitations

Every insurance company has a limit to the amount they will pay. The rates you have each month will also affect this, so you can decide how high you want to go for the best limit, without needing to pay too much per month. The majority of drivers never need the highest limits.

How does the limit affect your deductible? Well, you are responsible for paying the amount of your deductible, of course, but once the insurance company has paid up to the limit, you will have to pay any costs over that.

To give you a quick example, let`s say your deductible is $500, the limit is $10,000 and damages end up costing $12,000. You would pay the first $500. The insurance company would then pay their $10,000 and you would be responsible for the remaining $1,500.

Your car insurance doesn`t have to be confusing. Take the time to go over the numbers and figure out what you would be able to afford out of pocket in case of an accident and how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis. A little research can go a long way. It`s also helpful to speak with the car insurance agent who can give you a good idea of what the norm would be for your car`s age and your driving experience.Provides complete home and auto insurance solutions and offers a 30 day money back guarantee to new clients. Get an accurate no obligation car insurance quote online.]]> How To Get The Best Rates On Health Insurance In Maryland http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-health-insurance-in-maryland http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-health-insurance-in-maryland#comments Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:25:00 +0000 health insurance costshealth insurance ratesindividual health insurancegroup health insurancehealth care costshealth care premiumsprotect your home http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-health-insurance-in-maryland Health insurance rates in Maryland, as in entire country, are into the stratosphere and there is no end in sight to their rise. It has gotten so bad that almost 17% of all Maryland residents can no longer afford to pay for health insurance at all.

If your place of employment offers health insurance you should consider signing up. is almost always cheaper than . However, if your company does not offer health insurance or if you are self employed then you will have to find other means for keeping your down.

The more you are willing to pay for what are called "co-pays" the lower your monthly premium rate will be. Co-pays are payments that you make each time you visit the doctor or the ER or have lab tests or receive almost any other health care. If you increase your co-pay from 25% to 50% (meaning that you will pay for one half of each doctor's office visit etc.) you should be able to reduce your monthly by a minimum of 25% to 35%.

If you still can't afford to pay for health care then it may be time for you to start thinking about health insurance in a whole new way. Traditionally people have looked to health insurance as something that paid for all or a large part of their yearly . But what if you began looking at health insurance from a different perspective?

What if health insurance were not something to help pay for every doctor's visit? What if, instead, you look at health insurance as a life preserver that is only there to keep you from going under in the event of a major illness or a sudden catastrophe?

What if you think of health insurance only as something that is there to and your lifetime accumulation of assets in the event of a major health crisis that would otherwise wipe out everything you've spent a lifetime acquiring in the blink of an eye?

If you start to think about health insurance in these terms then you might consider buying an inexpensive high-deductible policy. By high deductible we mean a policy with a $2,000 or even higher deductible.

Obviously such a policy will not help pay any of your health costs in a normal year. You will pay for 100% of your doctor's office visits, 100% of ER visits, 100% of routine lab work and so forth. What this insurance does is to guarantee that no matter what happens, no matter what accident befalls you or what sudden and unexpected illness suddenly strikes, the most you will have to pay for your health costs is $2,000 =96 or whatever deductible you have decided on.

In this way your health insurance acts as a shield, protecting your savings, your home, and any other assets you have.

But regardless of what type of coverage you decide upon, you can still get the best rates on health insurance in Maryland if you go online and compare health insurance policies and prices at 2 or more of the sites which are specially designed to let you make fast and easy comparisons. By taking the extra time to compare prices on at least 2 different websites you will stand a better chance of finding the absolutely, positively best rates on health insurance in Maryland, saving yourself money year after year for many years to come. My recommended sites here: http://www.ezquoteguide.com/health/ 50 Ways to Save Money Right Now on Health Insurance ]]> How To Find Affordable Health Insurance In Oregon http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-health-insurance-in-oregon http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-health-insurance-in-oregon#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:20:02 +0000 affordable health insurancehealth insurance policyhealth insurance benefitshealth insurance costseasily compare pricesperfect healthhealth plans http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-affordable-health-insurance-in-oregon
This means finding is a necessity for tens of thousands of Oregon families.

The best way for many families to begin their search for affordable health insurance in Oregon is online. Many sites exist which allow consumers to directly compare from a multitude of insurance companies side-by-side.

But no matter which plan you ultimately choose, there are a few things you can do to help bring the cost of health insurance down.

First and foremost =96 don't smoke or use tobacco products. Tobacco users are charged considerably more for health insurance than non-smokers.

Next, sit down and carefully think about your family's health needs. What kinds of health services are most important to your family. For example, do you have lots of prescriptions? Do you make frequent visits to the doctor's office? Do you anticipate any hospital stays in the coming year? Does anyone in your family have a special medical need?

Once you know what are most important to you and your family then you can get online and begin tailoring policies to fit your specific needs =96 and .

Keep in mind that one way families have of controlling their is by increasing or decreasing the amount of their policy's deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance policy begins to pay for your medical needs.

The higher your deductible the lower your monthly premium payment.

Finding the perfect at a price you can afford may be an impossibility =96 but if you are willing to make trade-offs and compromise here and there, it should be possible to find affordable health insurance for you and your family. http://ezquoteguide.com/health/ Affordable Health Insurance Quotes In Oregon http://www.myquoteguide.com/Best-Health.shtml Cheapest Health Insurance Quotes ]]>