My premiums for Kaiser were increased for the second year in a row. They want me to pay $767.00 PER MONTH in 2008. This is just for me, no family, no dental, no eyeglasses. And doctor's visits still cost me $25. Isn't this a shocker?
So I've been applying for alternate coverage, and have even considered a medical discount account, which isn't even insurance. Even that costs $250.00 per month, with a one time sign up fee. But then if I needed hospitalization or surgery my family would have to sell the house and all get jobs shelling peanuts or something.
I feel like I belong in a Michael Moore movie. Maybe there are some seats left in the boat for Cuba. When I saw "Sicko" I cried all the way through it, sad for all the other people who don't have medical care, and the sorry state of our government vis a vis health insurance. Now that my own tit is in the wringer I'm mad as hell.
Another consideration I had was to let my insurance lapse altogether and hold my breath until I reach 65 (six years from now) and Medicare can cover me, if it still exists. Of course I wouldn't be able to leave the house for fear of accident.
Shopping for medical insurance is much like helping a high school senior apply to college. It makes you want to pull your hair out and puke on it. After three or four hours at the computer filling out forms, I just have to walk away and do something completely different to detox.
Fortunately, there are some options in that regard: I can hold the baby, for one. This is deeply comforting to me. Cooking is also nice, especially with a glass of wine. Television doesn't do the trick- it only makes me madder. I am currently lost in MFK Fisher. (Was she a great big rich snob, or was it simply a different time?)
Rant concluded.
Should I keep COBRA or try another health insurance
I recently left my job at Yahoo! in Northern California and am relocating to Portland, Oregon to try my hand at self-employment. Extending my existing medical coverage with COBRA will cost me, my wife, and our three-year-old son $1200/month, which seems absolutely insane. Please help me understand the risks or consequences of waiving COBRA and getting new a new insurance plan.
Continuing my Aetna PPO option through COBRA will cost me more than double every other quote listed on eHealthInsurance in Oregon for our family, even for those plans that appear to be comparable. (My existing plan has a $750 annual deductible, $2,750 maximum out-of-pocket, and $15 co-pay for office visits and preventive care with no deductible.)
What's so great about COBRA that it costs more than double everything else? Am I going to screwed with some sort of pre-existing condition nonsense by not continuing coverage from my previous employer? What are the risks by giving up COBRA? Plus, will I even be able to use COBRA if I'm moving from California to Oregon? (Aetna doesn't appear to offer individual coverage in Oregon, so is every doctor out-of-network?)
And finally, is there anything I should look out for when buying through eHealthInsurance? If anyone has specific recommendations for Oregon providers, that would be wonderful.
Continuing my Aetna PPO option through COBRA will cost me more than double every other quote listed on eHealthInsurance in Oregon for our family, even for those plans that appear to be comparable. (My existing plan has a $750 annual deductible, $2,750 maximum out-of-pocket, and $15 co-pay for office visits and preventive care with no deductible.)
What's so great about COBRA that it costs more than double everything else? Am I going to screwed with some sort of pre-existing condition nonsense by not continuing coverage from my previous employer? What are the risks by giving up COBRA? Plus, will I even be able to use COBRA if I'm moving from California to Oregon? (Aetna doesn't appear to offer individual coverage in Oregon, so is every doctor out-of-network?)
And finally, is there anything I should look out for when buying through eHealthInsurance? If anyone has specific recommendations for Oregon providers, that would be wonderful.
Peoples Health Insurance
If you don’t have a health insurance, probably it’s time to get one. Peoples Health Insurance will help you find an insurance that will suit your needs.
Choosing for the right health insurance plan is confusing; Peoples Health Insurance will help you or educate you on the various types of plans that are available and how each one works. At peopleshealthinsurance.com, you can get quotes, compare plan prices and benefit options and apply y online. If you have any questions, a live representative is available. What’s great about peopleshealthinsurance.com is that their service is free.
Choosing for the right health insurance plan is confusing; Peoples Health Insurance will help you or educate you on the various types of plans that are available and how each one works. At peopleshealthinsurance.com, you can get quotes, compare plan prices and benefit options and apply y online. If you have any questions, a live representative is available. What’s great about peopleshealthinsurance.com is that their service is free.
Get Life Insurance Online
You can get a quote for car insurance online -- why not an easy online quote for life insurance as well?
Just put in some quick easy details into the LifeInsure.com website and voila -- a quote that you can use.
Life insurance isn't sexy. It's not even mandatory, such as is auto insurance. It may not even be something you want to think about -- but you should. Before it's too late.
Having the right life insurance, and the adequate life insurance, should be part of the financial protection you need to protect your family. Not only for your final expenses, but what about filling the void of your income should you pass?
How else will your family cope with the rent, mortgage, car payment, etc., in the days and weeks after you go than with a life insurance payment?
Just something to think about.
Just put in some quick easy details into the LifeInsure.com website and voila -- a quote that you can use.
Life insurance isn't sexy. It's not even mandatory, such as is auto insurance. It may not even be something you want to think about -- but you should. Before it's too late.
Having the right life insurance, and the adequate life insurance, should be part of the financial protection you need to protect your family. Not only for your final expenses, but what about filling the void of your income should you pass?
How else will your family cope with the rent, mortgage, car payment, etc., in the days and weeks after you go than with a life insurance payment?
Just something to think about.
Health Insurance Rules
Many dual income couples, include their children on each group health insurance plan to maximize benfits. However, without some sort of system in place to help the health insurance companies coordinate benefits, it’s possible that either you or your doctor would be reimbursed for more than 100 percent of the actual cost of your claim.
To prevent this, health insurance companies typically designate one parent’s health insurance plan as the primary plan and the other as the secondary plan. (That’s why the patient questionnaire at your doctor’s office asks for information on primary and secondary coverage.) The primary plan is responsible for paying covered expenses up to the limits of the policy. If any unpaid costs are left over, the secondary coverage kicks in.
THE DATE OF BIRTH DETERMINES WHICH HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDES COVERAGE
The birthday rule is often used to determine which plan is primary and which is secondary. Under this rule, the plan of the parent whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year is designated as primary. The date of birth is the determining factor not the year so it doesn’t matter which spouse is older.
Like most rules, the birthday rule has exceptions:
- If both parents share the same birthday, the parent who has been covered by his or her plan longest provides the primary coverage for the children.
- If one spouse is currently employed and has health insurance through a current employer, and the other spouse has coverage through a former employer, the plan belonging to the curently employed spouse would be primary.
- In the event of divorce or seperation, the plan of the parent with custody generally provides primary coverage. If the custodial parent remarries, the new new spouse’s coverage becomes secondary. And finally, the non custodial parent’s health insurance plan would provide a third layer of insurance protection. This order of payment can be altered by a court issued divorce decree or by agreement, but the health insurance companies must be notified.
THESE ARE JUST HEALTH INSURANCE RULES NOT THE LAW
Keep in mind that these practices are common among health insurance companies, but they are not governed by law. Practices may vary from one insurer to another. Read your policy carefully to make sure you understand how your insurance company handles dual coverage. If the policy coverage is unclear, ask for help from your employers benefit specialist or your insurer’s customer service department.
To prevent this, health insurance companies typically designate one parent’s health insurance plan as the primary plan and the other as the secondary plan. (That’s why the patient questionnaire at your doctor’s office asks for information on primary and secondary coverage.) The primary plan is responsible for paying covered expenses up to the limits of the policy. If any unpaid costs are left over, the secondary coverage kicks in.
THE DATE OF BIRTH DETERMINES WHICH HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDES COVERAGE
The birthday rule is often used to determine which plan is primary and which is secondary. Under this rule, the plan of the parent whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year is designated as primary. The date of birth is the determining factor not the year so it doesn’t matter which spouse is older.
Like most rules, the birthday rule has exceptions:
- If both parents share the same birthday, the parent who has been covered by his or her plan longest provides the primary coverage for the children.
- If one spouse is currently employed and has health insurance through a current employer, and the other spouse has coverage through a former employer, the plan belonging to the curently employed spouse would be primary.
- In the event of divorce or seperation, the plan of the parent with custody generally provides primary coverage. If the custodial parent remarries, the new new spouse’s coverage becomes secondary. And finally, the non custodial parent’s health insurance plan would provide a third layer of insurance protection. This order of payment can be altered by a court issued divorce decree or by agreement, but the health insurance companies must be notified.
THESE ARE JUST HEALTH INSURANCE RULES NOT THE LAW
Keep in mind that these practices are common among health insurance companies, but they are not governed by law. Practices may vary from one insurer to another. Read your policy carefully to make sure you understand how your insurance company handles dual coverage. If the policy coverage is unclear, ask for help from your employers benefit specialist or your insurer’s customer service department.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is an essential part of any trip and is something that should not be put aside. Most soon-to-be travelers usually have heard about travel insurance, but might not know the specific reasons why they need travel insurance. This is an important article about frequently asked questions for travel insurance. This article also provides a link for further reading about travel insurance.
What is travel insurance protection?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers you financial for any losses or illness that may unfortunate occur while you is on your trip. Travel insurance can be bought for international or national (within your country) trips.
Why should I buy travel insurance?
Since travel insurance protects you while traveling, this will help and provide the necessary protection you will need in the occurrence of a unfortunate event. Any individual traveling anywhere without travel insurance will be in a dangerous situation if an accident occur.
What is the coverage for travel insurance?
Travel insurance should provide coverage for medical cost, transportation to a medical facility, and reimburse you for certain or some nonrefundable costs due to a interrupted trip, and financial loss of funds.
How much does travel insurance cost?
How much the cost of your travel insurance will be depends on your insurance company provider and their policy. The cost of travel insurance usually will range up to 12 percent of the cost of your vacation/trip.
Is travel insurance really important and how many people actually get paid for their claims? Travel insurance is highly recommended, there are usually about 10% of people who file claims. Sometimes some travelers make have taken a overly expensive trip that they would have to pay out of their own money if they have not bought travel insurance.
What is the medical care coverage?
When there is a case of illness or serious injury, medical transportation to an appropriate medical facility, and medical treatment will be covered. You should also have coverage for if it is deem necessary to bring you back home.
Does travel insurance cover business trips?
This will depend on the insurance company. Most insurance companies will provide travel insurance for a business trip, but the coverage may be separate from the standard coverage.
How long will travel insurance provide coverage for me?
You can often buy travel insurance starting from as little as two weeks, up to a year. Different insurance companies may vary with their service of coverage.
When is the best time to buy travel insurance coverage?
The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as possible before you go on your trip or vacation. You want your travel insurance active during your whole trip.
What will happen if my money is lost or stolen?
If you can not receive traveler checks replacements many insurance companies provide a service where a travel agent can arrange a money transfer or traveler check for you to receive. You will have to ask more about this to your travel insurance provider.
What is travel insurance protection?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers you financial for any losses or illness that may unfortunate occur while you is on your trip. Travel insurance can be bought for international or national (within your country) trips.
Why should I buy travel insurance?
Since travel insurance protects you while traveling, this will help and provide the necessary protection you will need in the occurrence of a unfortunate event. Any individual traveling anywhere without travel insurance will be in a dangerous situation if an accident occur.
What is the coverage for travel insurance?
Travel insurance should provide coverage for medical cost, transportation to a medical facility, and reimburse you for certain or some nonrefundable costs due to a interrupted trip, and financial loss of funds.
How much does travel insurance cost?
How much the cost of your travel insurance will be depends on your insurance company provider and their policy. The cost of travel insurance usually will range up to 12 percent of the cost of your vacation/trip.
Is travel insurance really important and how many people actually get paid for their claims? Travel insurance is highly recommended, there are usually about 10% of people who file claims. Sometimes some travelers make have taken a overly expensive trip that they would have to pay out of their own money if they have not bought travel insurance.
What is the medical care coverage?
When there is a case of illness or serious injury, medical transportation to an appropriate medical facility, and medical treatment will be covered. You should also have coverage for if it is deem necessary to bring you back home.
Does travel insurance cover business trips?
This will depend on the insurance company. Most insurance companies will provide travel insurance for a business trip, but the coverage may be separate from the standard coverage.
How long will travel insurance provide coverage for me?
You can often buy travel insurance starting from as little as two weeks, up to a year. Different insurance companies may vary with their service of coverage.
When is the best time to buy travel insurance coverage?
The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as possible before you go on your trip or vacation. You want your travel insurance active during your whole trip.
What will happen if my money is lost or stolen?
If you can not receive traveler checks replacements many insurance companies provide a service where a travel agent can arrange a money transfer or traveler check for you to receive. You will have to ask more about this to your travel insurance provider.
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