Find The Most Affordable Medical Insurance Available!

Redundancy, a cut in pay and the general state of the economy are all factors that are pushing us to find ways and means of saving money and reducing our monthly outgoings. Sadly with this in mind there has been an increase in the amount of people who are cutting out medical insurance. However tempting this may be, it is important to remember that medical insurance is vital. At times it may feel as though you are paying for something you are not using and you may feel there is no point in continuing with your payments, especially if you have a good record of health but what if you were to become involved in an accident?

 

I agree that when it comes to your health it is important to find affordable medical insurance coverage, with this in mind there are certain things that you should do to save money when you are deciding on the policy that you wish to take out. However not taking a policy out at all is not an option. If you were involved in an accident and you needed treatment, how would you pay for it? Even minor injuries from an accident could cause a massive dent in your monthly income, so with this in mind, imagine how much you would end up paying out for on going treatment for an illness or life saving surgery after an accident.

 

There is a common saying that states you can’t put a price on life, however true this may be, a medical insurance policy is a pretty good place to start. Many of us rely on this medical coverage to come from our employers group medical insurance plan, however with increased job losses and a strain on the economy we can no longer rely on our employment to cover our medical bills, which it why you should be looking at affordable medical plans that you can take out yourself.

 

There are a lot of policies open to you such as preferred provider organizations (PPOs), health maintenance organizations (HMOs), point-of-service (POS) plans and fee-for-service plans. All of these can generally be broken down to either be classed as indemnity plans or managed care. Indemnity includes fee-for-service plans and managed care revolves around health maintenance organizations.

Indemnity policies tend to give you more freedom as you only pay for the health care you receive, however this does mean that you will pay more out of pocket for the health care you receive. With indemnity policies however you get to choose your doctor and hospital, however you aren’t covered for aspects such as flu shots or birth control.

It is important to remember the policy you opt for shouldn’t just revolve around how much you are paying a month. You could find the cheapest policy possible but this doesn’t necessarily mean it is the most affordable. The most affordable policy is the one that gives you everything you need to be covered for at a price you can truly afford. It is vital that your chosen medical insurance policy covers you for the right amount of possibilities; otherwise you could be paying your monthly premium only to find out that you have to pay more if something happens to you that isn’t covered by your insurance.

 

It is only when you consider aspects such as this when you are taking out your medical insurance that you will truly get the cheapest policy that is open to you. So whether you are hoping for an indemnity plans or managed care, check what you are paying for before you commit to anything in order to get the best care possible for the price you are paying.

 

 

 Visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com for low cost medical insurance, individual medical insurance, family medical insurance, group health insurance and many other insurance coverages. www.BestHealthcareRates.com is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau for "Online Reliablity" visit us today or call 877-812-5111

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Do I take out Private Medical Insurance or Group Medical Insurance?

Taking out a medical insurance policy isn’t something that should be done carelessly. When you are taking out such a policy there are a number of aspects that you should keep in mind, including what you expect from your policy and your monthly budget. It is also vital that you consider what type of medical insurance policy that you wish to take out.

 

There are a number of policies available to you when it comes to your chosen health care plan, two examples of which are private or group insurance. Every policy available to you has an array of services and these are no exception. However deciding whether to opt for a private or group medical insurance policy is one of the most important decisions you can make when it comes to the health care cover you take out. So what are the differences between the two and which one will benefit you the most?

 

The biggest difference between these two medical insurance policies is how they are supplied. A private plan is something that you take out yourself whereas a group plan is provided to you via your employment. In some cases you may not even have a choice between these two policies, I say this because some employers may not actually offer you group insurance. In cases such as this you should look into the most valuable form of private medical insurance available to you and when I say valuable I don’t just mean the price. Although it is important that you take out a policy that is value for money, it is more important that said policy covers you for the greatest amount of complications possible, but what if you do have the choice between the two? 

 

There are a number of benefits associated with taking out a group medical insurance plan, for example you are offered smaller premiums, better tax concessions and an extended length of coverage and best of all pretty much all business owners are able to offer this to you. With this type of medical coverage your premiums would basically be decided based on your work and the other employees as oppose to simply your healthcare background. Factors such as the average age of employees and the nature of your work as well as the history of illness amongst employees would all be taken into consideration.

 

What this type of policy basically means is that your employer will provide you with comprehensive healthcare cover as oppose to you having to take out a separate policy yourself. They way in which this is usually paid is the amount you have to pay will be taken out of your monthly wages. The biggest reason for taking out this policy is defiantly the amount of money you would be saving, so why should you consider taking out a private policy?

 

If there is a history of illness connected with the people you work with or your fellow employees are considerably older than you then there is a chance a private policy would be cheaper. Basically this form of affordable medical insurance exists as a means of giving you peace of mind. You are reassured that if you are ill or injured that treatment will be available to you and as a private patient you have a lot more choice open to you.

 

You choose where your treatment will take place and who treats you and during your hospital stay you would have your own en-suite room as well as other home comforts to make your recovery as easy as possible. You also have a choice of policy. If you take out group medical insurance you are restricted to the type of policy they have in place. However if you take out a private plan you pick the policy most tailored to your needs and budget.

 

Ultimately with a private policy you are more in control and all of the choices surrounding your policy are made by you but this does mean you will probably be paying more money than if you took out your insurance with your employer. The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing between these two is that you make your decision based purely on your needs. Take the advantages and disadvantages of each and apply them to your personal circumstances, this way you are making the most of your policy and you will be paying for something that can only benefit you and not something that when it comes down to it won’t help y

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Family Medical Insurance and Medical Insurance Plans

When we settle down and start a family of our own there are a few aspects that we need to give us peace of mind. Good health, stability and financial security are high on our list, so with this in mind there has never been more of an important time than now to take out a family medical insurance plan but with so much choice on the market how can you be sure that the plan you are taking out is the right one for you and for your family? To help you decide take a look at some of the most popular medical insurance plans designed for you and your family;

Fee-for-Service Plans Family Medical Insurance

This is not only one of the most traditional types of medical insurance plan but also one of the most popular among families. With this policy the way it works is your insurer only pays part of your doctor and hospital bills and you pay a monthly fee, which acts as your policies premium. With this policy you are basically given the most choice when it comes to which doctor carries out any treatment you need and the hospital in which you have this treatment carried out. You can use any hospital in the country and there is no need to merely stick with the one doctor as you can change if you wish. What this means for your family is that they are given access to the best care possible at no extra cost to you, giving you complete peace of mind if anything were to happen.

With this policy you are offered two forms of cover; basic or major. The cost of your hospital room and the care you receive are covered by the basic form, along with some services including x-rays and medication. You can also use this cover for the cost of surgery but all of these are generally only on a short term basis. For long term, high cost illness or injury it is a major policy that will benefit you the most.

Point-of-Service Plans, known in short as POS

Within this family policy it is possible for primary care doctors in a POS plan to make referrals to other providers in the plan. However it is also possible for you to refer yourself or members of your family outside of the plan as a means of getting coverage. However if you do this you will have to pay extra, known as coinsurance, whereas if your doctor does it then your plan will pay all of your medical bills.

Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO

What this policy represents is a prepaid health plan. It involves you paying a monthly premium, so what do you get for this? Well you and your family are provided with comprehensive care, which includes doctor's visits, hospital stays and any emergency care that is received as well as surgery, various tests and x-rays and therapy.

Although with this policy you may have to pay $5 for a doctor's visit or $25 for hospital emergency room treatment, the overall cost of your medical treatment will be a lot lower than, for example, a fee-to-service plan. However your choice of doctors and hospitals will be a lot more restricted.

The above are just a few examples of the medical insurance plans that are available to you and your family. Just ensure that before you decide on the medical health insurance plan you are going to take out that you weigh up what each of the polices has to offer you in order to get the most from the policy that you do decide to take out. Also visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com for the best group medical insurance plans and rates.

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When Unemployed, Should People Choose COBRA or a COBRA Alternative?

There are certain eligibility requirements that must be met in order for a person to qualify for COBRA benefits. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act was enacted by Congress to protect people from losing medical insurance due to the loss of a job, the death of a sponsoring family member, a divorce, the death of the sponsoring family member, and other life altering events that are deemed eligible.

Usually, if a person leaves a job, they have the right to purchase health insurance on the group medical insurance plan sponsored by their employer for up to 18 months, due to the provisions of the law under COBRA. The employer is required to notify the former employee of the cost of their insurance premium in writing. Employers also give a verbal explanation at the exit interview.

There are some cases where people find out that they are not eligible to receive extended health benefits under COBRA provisions. The people affected are unpleasantly surprised when they discover their status, if ineligible. If a person discovers he or she cannot receive benefits under COBRA, there are other options that are available and they must act quickly because time is of the essence. Most medical insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions if there is a break in coverage of more than 60 days, so it is important that if a person is recently separated from their job that they contact a health insurance agent so they can understand all of their options.

Here are a few of the situations that cause people to be ineligible for benefits under COBRA:

· The law only requires companies with over 20 employees to provide benefits under the laws governed by COBRA. Employees who work for companies that have fewer than 20 employees are not eligible for benefits under COBRA. If they leave their job or are terminated, they lose benefits at the end of the specified coverage period. In most cases, coverage ends at the end of the month the employee is terminated. People who fall into this category need to contact a private medical insurance agent as soon as possible to purchase an individual policy.

· Many companies in this economic crisis are doing everything they can to eliminate expenses. affordable health coverage for employees is a big expense for businesses. Employees should be aware that their company could cut medical insurance benefits or eliminate them altogether. If that happens, the employee is not eligible for benefits under COBRA.

· Sometimes, people who are paying for continued health insurance benefits lose their eligibility when they miss a payment. The law states that if people fail to pay for their coverage at any time, they can lose their eligibility status. Although COBRA requires the medical insurance company to send out a cancellation notice when a person misses a payment, people do not always see the warning letter. That is why it is imperative for people to watch for any notices from their insurance company.

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.
 
For affordable health coverage visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com Today! For your family medical insurance Quotes.

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Conducting Health Insurance Plans Comparison

When it comes to finding affordable health coverage, it pays to do a health insurance plans comparison. After all, you want to make the most informed decision possible; one that will leave you feeling certain that you have made the right coverage choice for you and your dependents. Comparing and contrasting plans allows you to take a closer look at the details, pros and cons of each medical plan, so that you will know what to expect from the medical insurance coverage once you make your decision.

Look at it this way; you are unlikely to purchase a new car without first comparing it to other makes and models to determine if it has exactly what you need or if another vehicle better suits your needs and preferences. So why would medical insurance be any different? It is an important decision that is worthy of your research, time and consideration.

How to compare and contrast affordable medical insurance

While it may not be incredibly exciting, conducting a medical insurance plans comparison is easier than you may think. First, you will want to line up the different types of plans available to you. In most cases, you are going to be choosing between the following types of insurance plans:

· Preferred Provider Organizations or PPOs-designed to provide comprehensive medical coverage through a variety of different doctors and specialists as well as hospitals and clinics without the need for referrals. You can even go outside of the PPO network for care, but your out-of-pocket costs will be higher.

· Health Maintenance Organizations or HMOs-are quite commonly considered the most affordable medical insurance. They also provide comprehensive coverage, but it is important to stay within the network and with a particular primary care physician who refers the patient if any other specialist services are needed.

· Health Savings Accounts or HSA accounts-offer high-deductible coverage, so you may have to pay more up-front for medical care and premiums are lower. However, the HAS accounts also include a tax-free medical savings account to help cover your out-of-pocket costs.

· Fee for Service or FFS plans-provide an even more affordable medical option, but typically do not provide comprehensive coverage and things like preventative care. You pay for all medical appointments and services and then the FFS plan will reimburse you a certain, pre-determined percentage of your cost.

Lining up these types of accounts side by side, you will then want to make a list of the medical services you have received in the past two years as well as predict the services you may be utilizing in the coming year. Also, take into consideration your budget. Are you able to pay higher premiums in an effort to save on out-of-pocket medical costs, or does it make more sense to go with lower premiums and risk the possibility of having to pay more out-of-pocket if an unexpected illness or injury occurs? Would you have the funds to cover these kinds of unexpected costs?

Really looking closely at your unique medical needs as you conduct your affordable medical insurance comparison is the best way to choose the medical plan that is right for you. As you arm yourself with the information you need to make an informed choice, you can know that you have taken responsibility for the medical and financial health both of yourself and your family members.

www.BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.

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www.BestHealthcareRates.com - The Best Site On The Web For Health Insurance Information!

www.BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.
 

Visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com for:
family medical insurance
private medical insurance
affordable medical insurance
group medical insurance

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BestHealthcareRates.com Helps Consumers Find Free or Low Cost Government Sponsored Health Insurance

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of previously uninsured Americans find quality coverage. For people who cannot afford health insurance coverage or who don't qualify, we can put them in touch with non-profit groups like the Foundation for Health Coverage Education to help find government-sponsored solutions.

"The number of people in the U.S. who are without health insurance is now at 47 million. 12 million of these people are eligible for free or low cost government sponsored affordable medical insurance, but are not enrolled. 6.1 million of these are children. The Foundation helps people determine what they may qualify for and then helps them through the enrollment procedures," said Tom Carolan Director of Client Services.

Very often, for people who do not qualify for government-sponsored programs, a Health Savings Account in partnership with a HSA qualified health plan offers a more affordable health coverage solution. Since first being signed into law in December 2003 by the Federal Government, Health Savings Accounts are already a proven "hit" & are here to stay. They are literally available to every legal adult in the United States.

"Medical Insurance has now become the newest form of an investment vehicle offering tremendous financial & tax benefits," said Tom Carolan. Today, opening a Health Savings Account in partnership with an HSA qualified medical insurance plan offers many special financial advantages. And for the most part, they are simple to understand.

A Health Savings Account enables consumers to:
· Maintain access to a wide PPO network and in most cases provides coverage for seeing your current doctors and specialists.
· Lower your medical insurance premium by 25% - 50%. One can typically save between 80 to 250 dollars per month when they change their plan over from a traditional health insurance plan to a HSA qualified high deductible health plan.

Next, enjoy IRS created HSA triple tax advantages. Reduce annual out-of-pocket income taxes up to $2,000. Save every year on taxes from here on out. Below are your three main tax saving pillars.
· Contributions to your HSA are 100% tax free.
· Interest on all of your account investment gains are also 100% tax free.
· The type of investments are your choice and range from low-interest, no risk, lower bank rates to the widest range of stocks, bonds, & mutual funds. The level of risk is up to you.

Many people are still very unclear about HSAs and what they really accomplish. Too often, an individual or business's insurance broker has not kept them properly up-to-date on all the benefits available to them. While commissions are often less due to lower premiums, an agent is obligated, by a legal fiduciary duty to serve his or her client's best interest at all times. This duty is often not being respected nor is it typically enforced by the Department of Insurance. Furthermore, medical insurance companies often don't go out of their way to promote & publicize HSA's

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When to Consider a COBRA Alternative

Whether you have been laid-off from work or have quit your job and are looking for another one, it is time to take a look at COBRA and COBRA alternatives. An acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act that became a law in 1986, COBRA allows you to maintain group health insurance benefits, even after you have experienced a job-loss or employment-hour reduction. Because COBRA health care continuation coverage can be costly, people often want to consider their options, including COBRA alternatives, before making a decision about coverage during this time of transition.

The number of employees losing their jobs and, thus, their employee benefit plans has been on the rise during these times of economic struggle in the United States. Workers in these job loss or job transition situations typically have health care options, which allow them to make a choice regarding affordable medical insurance, even if they are unemployed. Costs and coverage vary between these options, which include the following:

· COBRA Continuation Health Coverage-If your employer or company has more than twenty employees and provides employer group health insurance plans, they are required by law to offer continuation coverage to workers and dependents who are no longer eligible for the group coverage. However, if the insurance company terminates coverage or if the employee terminates coverage prior to signing up for continuation coverage, COBRA is no longer an option. The cost of COBRA prevents many from being able to use it, but it may be a good option for employees or dependents who are facing serious medical problems or who need considerable medical services.

· COBRA Alternative-Short-term affordable medical insurance provide a good alternative to COBRA for many employees and dependents. It provides protection against the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses while in between jobs and employer group health plans. It is a more affordable health coverage than COBRA and one can often obtain coverage easily online. Typically, a COBRA alternative short-term medical plan can cover necessary medical treatment without referrals.
· No Coverage-A surprising number of employees who lose their jobs opt to go without health insurance due to lack of available funds as well as a lack of information about affordable health insurance coverage. The result is often families who experience extreme financial hardship and even bankruptcy due to unexpected medical problems during a time of non-coverage. Another risk of electing no coverage is that you lose the continuation of coverage and any health problems can become pre-existing conditions for which an insurance company can deny coverage in the future, even if you again become part of an employer group health plan.

It pays to research your options and be prepared for what may happen if you lose your job or your employer group health plan. Staying abreast of issues surrounding COBRA and COBRA alternatives will arm you with the knowledge you need to keep you and your family protected and secure during uncertain economic times.

www.BestHealthcareRates.com.

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.

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Are Market-Based Policies the Answer to Affordable Health Coverage?

Is affordable medical insurance possible in the United States?

While many ideas are being shared and argued over in the name of health care reform, it can be next to impossible for the average person to know what the best options for affordable medical insurance coverage are. One idea is to create a publicly funded insurance pool to help provide low cost medical insurance to the uninsured. Other people are in favor of the opposite approach - market based policies.

What are Market-Based Policies?

Market-based family medical insurance policies look to the private sector for health insurance coverage rather than the government. Supporters of market-based policies believe they are the only way to give the consumer control and choice, as well as fostering competition to keep costs down and quality high.

Why are Market-Based Policies Better than Publicly Funded Health Care Policies?

Market-based policies are more cost effective for the government - and therefore the taxpayers- than publicly funded healthcare. According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, January 2005, if every uninsured individual was covered by a government program such as Medicaid, the cost to the federal and state governments is approximately $2000 each. If, however, low-income and modest-income Americans could purchase their own health insurance by utilizing a $1000 tax credit, the federal government would save 50% of that money. With over 45 million uninsured Americans, that savings would be substantial indeed.

Market-based insurance would not only be more affordable major medical insurance coverage, it would also provide consumers with more choice. Because savings come from a tax credit, the option to choose insurance companies, policies and doctors is left to the person who purchases the insurance, not a group of politicians. Health insurance needs vary widely from one individual to the next and having the ability to choose the options that work best for an individual's circumstances is fundamental to quality health care.

Several different market-based solutions could help low and modest-income individuals and families find affordable health coverage. Tax credits, tax deductions, health savings accounts and high-risk pools are all market-based options to make affordable medical insurance plans a reality for uninsured people who are working, but cannot afford affordable medical insurance.

Tax credits allow people to keep more of their income on a monthly basis in their pay so the can purchase coverage. Because tax credits enable people to make their own choices of providers, plans and doctors, they are considered to be a preferred market-based solution for affordable health coverage. Tax credits enable working people to pay for their own health insurance without having to fall back on Medicare or other government health programs. Because a tax credit would cost only half the amount of Medicare per individual, the burden on all taxpayers is also reduced, saving everyone money.

Private medical insurance can be affordable health coverage for every working American. By working with market-based solutions, health care reform can be a workable solution to the millions of Americans living in fear of a medical crisis because they have no medical insurance.

Check out the free quote tool at www.BestHealthcareRates.com to get an affordable medical insurance quotes from top companies in your region. 1-877-812-5111.

www.BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans and group medical insurance plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.

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Protecting Your Own with Family Medical Insurance Plans

Finding low cost medical insurance, individual medical insurance or major medical insurance.

It is a huge responsibility to care for a family, and choosing the family medical insurance is a significant part of this. There's so much to worry about from where to send your children to school and the appropriate age for sleep-overs to discipline issues and caring for your child's health and well-being. At least when it comes to family medical insurance, the decisions are more straight-forward. With a little information and education, you can be confident in your choice and feel good knowing you and your family are covered if illness or injury occurs.

In order to become as informed as possible, conduct a affordable medical insurance comparison and really delve into the details of the plans you consider so you know what you are getting yourself into. It is unfortunate when families do not get enough coverage to effectively keep their families protected, leaving them vulnerable to significant financial hardship and even bankruptcy due to medical debt.

Contrary to popular belief and misinformation, it is possible to obtain affordable medical insurance coverage that appropriately meets the medical needs of your family. Whether you are searching for a stricter yet often more affordable HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan or a more lenient PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) Plan or even a simple Fee for Service plan with low premiums, it makes sense to analyze the history of your family's medical services usage and predict as best you can what services you may utilize in the future. By doing this, you can match up your medical insurance needs with the plan that provides similar health insurance coverage.

Pitfalls to consider

In this day of economic struggles, it is all too common for families to try to cut corners when it comes to family affordable medical insurance costs. Of course, you want to spend as little money as possible, but the danger of striving for the lowest premium amount is that your coverage will be lacking. Then, when there is a medical need in the family, the funds have to come from the budget, which is already very tight. And since fewer families are keeping up savings accounts, there is nothing there to provide back-up when financial times get tough. The truth is sometimes the lowest premiums can result in problems for lower to middle class income families.

Another potential problem is that the private medical insurance plans with the lowest premiums may not provide preventative care. Things such as immunizations and well-child check-ups for kids and mammograms for women can be life-saving. Furthermore, without them, the result can be dependents with more serious health problems and higher medical costs.

The ultimate goal

The goal when it comes to family medical insurance plans is making an informed decision that takes into consideration not only your budget but also your potential medical needs for each family member. In some cases, it makes more sense to choose a slightly higher premium to save costs on medical care in the long-run. Your family will thank you when you make choices that will help them to receive the medical care they need while maintaining financial security. Visit www.besthealthcarerates.com for you affordable medical plans quotes today we have hundreds of medical insurance plans to choose from.

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Affordable Medical Insurance - A Road Map To Getting It!

If you are looking for affordable medical insurance plans, a little knowledge can save you a great deal of money. There are things that you can do which will put you in a better position to get the most affordable medical plan rates possible. By making some changes, you will qualify for lower premiums on your medical insurance policy.

Your road map to affordable medical insurance:

· Affordable health insurance rates by quitting smoking. This will have a very big impact on your premiums, and is probably the single most important step you can take to lower your medical insurance cost and improve your health. Most insurance companies will require that you be tobacco products free for 12 months before they give you the non-tobacco rates. Get started today!

· Affordable medical coverage rates through exercise. It's no big secret; the benefits of regular exercise are enormous. Regular exercise will lower your blood pressure and cholesterol readings and greatly improve your mental health. It will make you a happier person especially when you see your rates for medical insurance drop! Walking is a great form of exercise. Walking will help you with your fitness, your health and your general wellness. How much and how often should you go walking? It is advised that most people should be doing physical activity at least 5 times per week for around half an hour each time.

· Affordable medical health insurance rates through diet. By having a healthy diet, the person will look fit and he himself will feel good. You will spend less on doctor visits and prescriptions. It reduces all the fats in the body and also works for a healthier and glowing skin. The injurious effects and the dangers of high cholesterol level and fats are no longer a secret. Everyone is aware of the harms of increasing fats in their bodies. Hence due care must be taken in choosing your diet. A balanced diet also works against any kind of diseases present in the body. A proper nutritious diet will furnish you with the calories and the nutrition necessary for your body. These in turn would strengthen the immune system of the body giving you protection and shield from many diseases like infections.

· Affordable medical plans by getting out. When you quit smoking, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, you will experience a huge boost in your energy level. The benefits of getting out and enjoying yourself are the rewards that will keep you on track for the long term.

· Affordable medical insurance through comparisons. Getting quotes from at least five different insurance companies will ensure that you are shopping for the best rate possible. By comparing the rates of various insurers you will be in a better position to find the lowest rates. Also understanding insurance terminology puts you in a better position to know a good deal when you find it.

Visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com for low cost medical insurance, major medical insurance, individual medical insurance, family health insurance and group health insurance quotes.

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Affordable Medical Insurance For All ' Can It Happen?

As Washington continues it's plan to overhaul our healthcare system, most have many questions about how the new system will work, what will be required of them and what it will cost. President Obama's plan will include a government health plan options, which will compete with private insurance. While the impetus for change is great, it will take up to 10 years to fully implement either of the healthcare reform proposals being considered.

This kind of reform proposal is a great concern to medical insurance companies providing individual medical insurance and affordable medical insurance to healthcare workers, they feel that they will be the losers in the newly formed system. One of the proposed reform options being suggested is to require all American's to be insured, this would enable insurerd to lower medical insurance cost by spreading the risk over a larger population. Many feel that a mandate requiring everyone carry medical insurance coverage is necessary to bring cost down. Otherwise people seeking insurance only after getting sick will drive up the cost for those already enrolled.

The model, which provides the mandated insurance for all, would allow the insurance companies a larger pool of enrollees over which the risk would be spread. This would free up more capital for paying claims. A great benefit of of this reform would be that all would be able to get coverage, regardless of medical history.

The bottom line is that the cost of medical coverage will be much lower if everyone is on board, meaning that we will not only be insuring the sick, but also healthy American's under this new health care plan. This will allow the insurance companies to cover more people and provide better coverage to all.In the immediate future health care costs may rise, as more people have insurance coverage they may visit the doctor more often for every little thing. But once this initial surge is past, the need will return to average and everyone will be healthier.

Visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com Today for low cost medical insurance, group medical insurance or family medical insurance quotes.

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Your Medical Insurance Is On the Line - And an Organization You've Never Heard of Is Holding the Reigns

They know who you are, whether you smoke and how fast you drive. If you're applying for medical insurance, you need to know what the MIB knows.

What does medical insurance have in common with the CIA, Freemasons and the Skull and Bones society? Your eligibility for affordable medical insurance just may be shrouded in the mysterious folds of an organization the general public knows little about. There are no secret handshakes or enigmatic symbols, but it does have a coding system known only by its employees and members.

What is this ominous-sounding organization? It's the MIB Group, formerly known as the Medical Information Bureau, and it provides information to medical insurance companies that can make or break a consumer's medical insurance application. Though the MIB has been in existence since 1902, most consumers have not heard of it.

The MIB is described as a "membership corporation," and is owned by approximately 470 insurance companies who make up the MIB's membership. The MIB's stated mission is to detect and deter fraud that may occur during the course of a person obtaining family medical insurance, individual medical insurance or life insurance, disability income and other types of healthcare insurance. It protects insurance companies from being defrauded by an applicant who knowingly or unknowingly omits critical information or lies when applying for medical insurance plans.

The MIB is a lot like a credit reporting agency. It provides information to insurance companies to help them decide whether or not to provide medical insurance to an applicant. The information also helps the insurance company determine the patient's premiums.

Not everyone has a report on file with the MIB. If you have not applied for medical insurance or an individual life insurance policy within the last 7 years, then you do not have an MIB report. According to figures reported by the MIB, the organization collects information on around 15% to 20% of people who have applied for either medical insurance or life insurance policies.

The MIB's similarity to credit reporting agencies isn't a superficial one. The U.S. government classifies the MIB as a consumer reporting agency, which means it must comply with both the US Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. That means consumers have the right to a copy of the information reported by the MIB to insurance companies. In fact, you have access to one free MIB report each year.

Some of the information collected and reported by the MIB includes:

· Medical conditions
· Medical test results
· Negative habits such as drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking and overeating
· Hazardous occupations and/or hobbies
· Poor driving history

Information collected about the MIB stays in a consumer's files for seven years. Also, a consumer's record will indicate which, if any, members have requested their information within the previous 12 months.

Because this information can affect a person's ability to obtain medical insurance, consumers are encouraged to check with the MIB and to request their report if one exists. That way the consumer can check the report for accuracy and will be aware of any issues which may negatively impact their ability to qualify for medical insurance. Consumers have the ability to dispute any of the information on their report through the MIB's dispute process.
To request your file, phone the MIB by calling their toll-free number: 866-692-6901. You will be asked to provide certain personal identifying information, and only you can request your file. A consumer's guide to the MIB is available on the group's website at www.mib.com.

www.BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of individual, families & businesses find the most affordable medical insurance coverage available. So, to see all of the private medical insurance options available whether your looking for a major medical insurance plan or a basic medical insurance plan visit BestHealthcareRates.com to find your low cost medical insurance, group medical insurance or family medical insurance plan today!

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Affordable Family Medical Insurance Starts with Healthy Living

Face it; health care is expensive - no matter how you slice it. Affordable family medical insurance is a need for so many people. One of the best ways you can keep your medical insurance rates lower is to stay as healthy as you possibly can. www.BestHealthcareRates.com offers these tips for maintaining your family's health, which will help you find and keep affordable medical insurance.

1. Don't smoke. Smoking is undoubtedly the number one health hazard today. Smokers get sick much more often than non-smokers do and are more likely to suffer from ongoing chronic illness and disease than non-smokers are. Smoking affects your entire body, including your heart, your circulation, your healing ability and time and a host of other health hazards. If you choose to do only one thing to improve your health, stop smoking today. There are a number of different smoking cessation tools and aids to help you quit - and you can get many of them free through various programs, most of which are sponsored by medical insurance companies. Do a web search for smoking cessation and find a program to help you quit smoking today. You'll also find more affordable health coverage and life insurance if you're a non-smoker with lower premiums and discounts available from many insurance companies.

2. Eat Right. You've heard it repeatedly, but watching your diet is one of the easiest ways to get healthier, which leads to more affordable health coverage. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables - and plenty of variety. Not only will your plate look more attractive and appetizing with dark greens, deep oranges, reds, purples and yellows, you'll also be getting the widest variety of vitamins and antioxidants by switching things up. Cut the fat and you'll cut the cholesterol. Include lean meats, lots of fish and poultry and adding alternative proteins like legumes, soy and nuts. Drink your milk and add plenty of water to your diet. Limit your portions. Keep your blood sugar steady by eating five small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. Allow yourself the occasional indulgence to avoid feeling deprived.

3. Move it or lose it - your health that is. As our lives get busier, we spend more time jumping in the car and rushing off to the next important thing we need to do. One of the best things you can do for your health and to maintain affordable medical coverage costs is to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park two blocks away and walk to your destination. Put on some music and dance. Ride bikes with your kids. Push a lawnmower instead of using the rider. Get out in the garden. Take a walk after supper. Bring a bag lunch of low-cal foods and use the rest of your lunch hour to take a stroll. There are many ways to add exercise into your daily routine, even if you don't have time to go to the gym. Start by adding one new habit each week until you've built in an additional 30 minutes of movement into your daily routine.

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most Affordable family health insurance, individual medical insurance or group health insurance. Providing medical insurance quotes and research tools, BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans

For affordable health coverage visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com Today! For your family medical insurance Quotes.

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Confusing Medical Insurance Terms Made Simple

When you are trying to find the most affordable medical insurance plans, you need to understand some basic terms so you know you are comparing apples to apples and coming up with accurate answers. Several terms are very commonly used in medical insurance policies that can reduce the confusion and make it much easier to choose the best medical insurance coverage and most affordable major medical insurance available.

· Benefit - the amount the medical insurance company pays when the insured suffers a loss

· Benefit period - the benefit period is the amount of time involved in an individual claim. In the case of hospitalization, for example, the benefit period begins the first day of the hospital stay and ends when the patient is released from the facility. The benefit period will often extend for up to 60 days after release from a hospital or other qualified facility, counting any return to the facility as part of the original claim.

· Cafeteria Plan - a plan that offers a choice between two or more benefits or a choice between a benefit or cash

· Claim - a request by an individual or their provider to the insurance company to pay benefits for a loss

· COBRA - a federal law that allows employees to continue their group medical insurance coverage, through self-pay, after it would normally terminate for up to 18, 24, 29 or 36 months. (COBRA insurance is generally expensive and not an affordable health coverage option for most people.)

· Co- Payment - a small charge the insured pays at the time medical service is received. Co-payments do not count toward deductible or out of pocket maximums.

· Deductible - the amount of covered expenses the insured must pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays. Choosing higher deductibles can help with affordable medical insurance premiums.

· Flexible Spending Accounts: special accounts typically funded by an employee's salary reduction to help pay certain expenses not covered by the employer's plan or insurance contract. The advantage of these accounts is that after-tax dollars are converted to before-tax dollars, thereby reducing the actual cost of expenses.

· Grace Period: time period that follows the premium due date when the coverage and policy remain in force.

· Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): a medical organization providing a wide range of widespread health care services for a specified group of enrollees for a fixed, pre-paid premium.

· Managed Care: coordination of financing and delivery of health care services to produce quality yet affordable health care coverage. Managed care puts limits on the use of services and the charges of providers.

· Out-of-Network Care: medical services obtained by managed care plan members from non-contracted health care providers. In many plans, such care will not be reimbursed unless the insured obtains previous authorization

· Out-of-Pocket Maximum: maximum dollar amount an insured is required to pay under a plan.

· Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): managed care arrangement consisting of a group of hospitals, physicians and other providers contracted with an insurer, employer or other group to provide health care services to covered persons in exchange for prompt payment and higher patient numbers.

While there are many other terms used throughout the medical insurance field, these are some of the ones you can expect to find. Understanding these and other common insurance terms will help you determine best low cost medical insurance for your individual needs.

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.
 
For affordable health coverage visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com Today! for your private medical insurance Quotes.

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There Are COBRA Alternatives!!

COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act adopted by Congress to ensure that eligible people can continue to have access to their employer sponsored group medical insurance plan.

Medical insurance is complicated. That is why insurance agents must study to pass a rigorous exam before they can become licensed to sell it. Most people never read their insurance policies and do not understand when their employers explain about their rights under COBRA. They make many mistakes that can be very costly. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

· People do not ask questions when they do not understand some detail about their rights under COBRA. They may feel embarrassed or intimidated about the thought of asking questions. No matter how stressful it may seem, understanding their rights is a high priority. Everyone should ask as many questions as they need in order to make an informed decision about medical insurance.

· People assume their former employer continues to pay for health insurance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone who participates in health insurance under COBRA pays 102% of the medical insurance premium.

· People often think they do not need health insurance. The reasons vary. Younger people think that since they are healthy, affordable health insurance is an unnecessary expense. Others think they will find a job quickly. Not all employers provide medical insurance coverage and these days, new jobs are hard to find. The lesson here is that young people do get sick, and it is a mistake for people to assume that all employers will provide medical insurance.

· People do not seek the help of a medical insurance professional. Paying for benefits under COBRA is expensive. Insurance agents have a number of options to fit the differing needs of individuals and families. They can do a health insurance comparison that will contrast the benefits and costs to the person.

· Sometimes, people get the wrong idea, thinking that everyone qualifies for benefits under COBRA. That is not the case. The law specifies eligibility requirements. If an employer drops the employee benefit plans, employees are not entitled to any protection under COBRA. This mistake goes back to assumptions. People should never make assumptions, but should instead ask questions to find out if they are qualified.

· Many believe that COBRA is health insurance. It is not. COBRA is an acronym that is short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It is a law enacted to help people continue employer sponsored group health insurance for a short period of time.

health insurance agents work on behalf of the person buying insurance. They can offer consultations that help people understand all of their options in relation to affordable medical plans. They often have access to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna health insurance plans, and plans offered by other companies. Their expertise can aid people in making the right decisions about the health insurance needs. To see all of the affordable medical insurance option available to you visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com today!

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Do You Need An Alternative To Expensive COBRA Insurance?

Most people have no idea what COBRA means. Congress enacted the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act or COBRA to protect people in the event that they face the loss of affordable medical insurance when changing jobs, after the death of the eligible employee, after divorce, or some other life altering event. COBRA is not medical insurance coverage. It is simply a law.

Once a person becomes eligible under COBRA, they have 60 days to make a decision about whether they want to continue coverage or not. If they decide they want coverage, COBRA allows them to continue coverage under their former employer employee benefit plans plan for up to 18 months. Premiums can be as much as three times the amount they paid while employed because the former employee is now responsible for 102% of the premium cost. Most of the time, it is prohibitively expensive. Maybe that's why only 20% of eligible people elect to continue their employers group medical insurance plans.

Fortunately, there are alternatives that can save people money. Health insurance agents have many different options they can present to people seeking medical insurance. They are licensed professionals who are educated and experienced in dealing with healthcare insurance questions on a daily basis.

Here are just a few options that are available:

· Aetna is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. They offer affordable health coverage in many different states. Aetna has group plans customized for the differing needs of the employers that buy group health insurance through the company. The cost and plans vary significantly depending on individual state laws and business needs. Aetna does business in the private sector as well.

· Blue Cross and Blue Shield are two names that are widely recognized around the United States. They offer affordable medical plans to both companies and individuals. Because they are nonprofit companies, the rates are usually much more competitive than those offered by other companies.

· Short-term affordable medical insurance can be a very viable alternative for those who are in between jobs. Often, people are without insurance for only a brief period of time. Once they get a new job, they will be eligible to enroll in the group medical insurance plan offered by their new employer. Short-term health care insurance is sold by many different companies and can be purchased by individuals through an independent health insurance agent. Coverage on these plans is usually very affordable, but does have its limititations.

Obviously, people need to seek the services of a professional licensed medical insurance agent that does business in their state. They can provide free quotes and valuable information to help people make the right health care decisions relevant to their own unique situations.

For more information about COBRA alternatives, visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com

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The financial devastation that accompanies serious illness and injury is a real risk for growing numbers of American families

With more than 65% of people living paycheck to paycheck and a shaky economy causing that number to grow, more than ever Americans need the security of knowing that their income is a constant. disability insurance
is the protection needed to do just that, in case medical disaster strikes. Most people carry some form of medical insurance to cover medical costs, but should the worst happen and they were too injured or ill to work, many would have no income to cover any of the regular day to day expenses they face. That does not even take into consideration the additional costs that would be brought about by medical expenses that are not covered, insurance deductibles and more. www.BestHealthcareRates.com offers the needed solution with a variety of disability insurance plans to fit practically every family.

Statistics show that more than half of housing foreclosures and personal bankruptcies are caused by disability. The financial impact of a serious illness or injury on your life is devastating if you are not adequately prepared. If you cannot work for an extended period of time, you run the risk of losing your home, your car, your boat and other things you have taken the precaution of insuring against other perils. You could even lose your health insurance. With the chances of becoming disabled before you retire being a shocking 3 in 10, your risk of needing disability income insurance is very high. You can protect your assets, your lifestyle, and your family with some advance planning and the right disability insurance product.
Tom Carolan, Director of Client Services with BestHealthcareRates.com, states "People will buy health insurance coverage to protect against catastrophic illnesses, but forget that when catastrophic illness strikes they often cannot work to earn an income." His company has a comprehensive line of disability and life insurance products that can provide peace of mind. In fact their products can even help achieve significant savings on health insurance deductibles and premiums. Policyholders can count on their disability insurance covering a significant portion of their deductible in the case of serious illness or injury; therefore they can opt for the savings that come from choosing affordable medical insurance with higher deductibles.

Disability insurance plans can literally save people from financial ruin. Those who have opted for disability insurance and have needed to use it are able to face the stresses of adapting to the changes in their life without having to worry about losing their home, car or family's financial future. www.BestHealthcareRates.com is available to help customers find the best product to meet their need, and can even help fit it into their insurance budget through the savings it can provide on regular medical insurance costs. The online insurance shopping available at BestHealthcareRates.com makes shopping for any kind of healthcare insurance efficient and effective. Besthealthcarerates.com also carrys group medical insurance plans and many options for low cost medical insurance coverage.

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The Right Health Insurance Agent is Vital when Choosing COBRA Alternatives

Some people see the word COBRA and think the subject is a snake in Africa. Actually, COBRA is an acronym that is short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. This is a law that was enacted by Congress in the 80s to protect a person's right to continue group health insurance coverage sponsored by a former employer. The law allows an eligible person to pay for health insurance through the insurance company that sponsored their former employer employee benefit plans for up to 18 months.

People often get sticker shock when they hear the amount they will have to pay if they choose to continue coverage through their former employers' group medical insurance plan. Often, people may pay as much as three times the amount they paid while working. Because it is so expensive, only 20% of eligible people choose to continue coverage. This leaves them uninsured and vulnerable to significant economic damage in the event that they or their family members suffer a medical catastrophe. The cost of health care is so expensive that one hospitalization can bankrupt a person.

The alternative to COBRA sponsored plans is a private medical insurance plan. In order to buy a private medical insurance policy, a person must contact a medical insurance agent. Using a health insurance agent offers an individual a chance for a free quote, a free health insurance cost comparison, and beneficial advice about their medical insurance coverage options. Insurance agents also act as liaisons between the individual and the medical insurance company. In cases where there are questions or problems, insurance agents are often able to help their customer. This offers the consumer a valuable ally.

Finding the right health insurance agent can be an intimidating task. How can a person find a suitable health insurance agent they can trust? Here are a few things for people to consider as they look for a health insurance agent who can provide them with the affordable medical insurance that works for them:

· Get a referral. One of the best ways to find a good agent is to get a referral from someone who is a friend. This will help take some of the anxiety out of the process and will make it more likely that a person can find a reliable agent to help them.

· Most states require insurance agents to get continuing education to maintain their licenses. Agents who go above and beyond for their clients are evident by the number of letters after their names. People can look for abbreviations such as AAI which means that the agent has taken the time to become knowledgeable about the insurance business. This is the type person who will make a good insurance agent.

· People should find someone with whom they are comfortable. Interviewing an agent may sound strange but it is a good idea to set up a meeting to ask questions. In fact, it is the best way to evaluate someone. Conversations over the phone do not always accomplish this objective.

BestHealthcareRates.com has helped thousands of families and businesses to find the most affordable medical insurance. Providing medical insurance quoting and research tools BestHealthcareRates.com makes it easy to find the most affordable medical plans. BestHealthcareRates.com is an "A " rated website for online reliability.
 
For affordable health coverage visit www.BestHealthcareRates.com Today!

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