Health Insurance

Getting the Most Benefit From Your Policy

2010-03-21T19:08:00.001-07:00

The key to getting the most benefit from your health
insurance policy is knowing your policy coverage.

Many people don’t actually read the policy for the
policy plan book; they may not be aware that the
policy may pay 100% of certain procedures, like annual
physicals, mammograms, flu shots or certain labs
tests.

The policy plan book will outline for you what
procedures are not subject to the deductible or co-pay
(your out-of-pocket expense).

Some insurance companies have shifted their emphasis
from health insurance to health improvement and
maintenance and will pay for the cost of gym
membership, nutritional counseling or plans to stop
smoking.

If you were trying to lose weight and knew that you
could get these services at no cost, wouldn’t you take
advantage of them?

If you wanted to quit smoking, wouldn’t it be
beneficial to know that you could get the patch for
free?

It is very wise to know what services are available to
you through your insurance company, and you will only
know if you take the time to read through your policy.

Health insurance is an expensive item; take advantage
of every aspect of it that you can, not only for
yourself but for the members of your family.

By taking full advantage of the free benefits of your
health insurance policy, you will be healthier and
possibly require fewer visits to your doctor.

For College Students

2010-03-21T19:07:00.003-07:00

The tuition arrangements are set up; the dorm room is
assigned and your son or daughter is headed off to
college in the fall. In all of the confusion of the
paperwork, deadlines and financial arrangements did
you remember to check on their health insurance?

Many, but not all, insurance companies provide for
health insurance for college students under a family
policy; do you know for sure that yours does?

With some insurance companies, coverage depends on
whether or not the student is a full time student.
Review your policy or ask your insurance
administrator; if you have an HMO plan, will your
student be covered if they go to the student
healthcare facility away from home?

Check the age limit as well; you may find that once
your son or daughter reaches a certain age they are
dropped from the policy no matter what.

Ask your insurance company to provide an extra
insurance card for your son or daughter to carry with
them; if there is an additional card for prescription
medications; make sure they have that too.

This preventative step will help eliminate confusion
when they suddenly have to see a doctor.

There are student health care plans that are available
through most colleges that are a reasonably priced
alternative if your policy excludes your child.

Isn’t college confusing enough without having to worry
about whether your child is covered should he or she
need to seek medical attention? Take the time to look
into health insurance before they head off to college
in the fall.

Disability Coverage

2010-03-21T19:07:00.001-07:00

Disability insurance policies are designed to pay part
of your wages should you be injured in an accident or
are unable to work because of illness. Here are two
types of policies available: long-term disability and
short-term disability.

Short term disability pays a portion of your wages
should you be out of work due to injury for up to one
year. Some employers pay for this benefit for their
employees, some offer it for employees to purchase.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the time
to enroll is during the initial enrollment period when
a medical exam is not required.

Replacement of wages is only partial; insurance
underwriters, as well as your employer, want you back
at work as soon as possible. Usually there is a
waiting period of 14 days in which you will not
receive payment.

Long term disability policies are purchased to replace
what your potential earnings would be from the time
you become disabled until age 65 when Medicare would
be available.

For instance, if you are 55 and make $40,000 per year,
you should purchase a policy for $400,000.

You cannot get a long term disability policy if

(1) you are or are soon to be pregnant,

(2) make less than $18,000 per year,

(3) are unemployed, or

(4) you are required to carry a weapon for your job.

Typically, the waiting period for long-term insurance
to kick is at least 60 days and as much as a year.

Disability insurance is an important aspect of your
overall insurance coverage plan, and if your employer
offers it as a benefit you should definitely consider
it as a wise investment.