“Knowing your products, your sales pitch, what in the most in demand and where to source quality leads and how to work them are all part and parcel of being a top insurance agent. What you don’t get told is how to concisely summarize your agency and its product in less than 30-seconds. It means a laser focus on what is important to tell a potential customer. Can you do it?” asks Benepath.net CEO, Clelland Green, RHU.

Not too many agents can reel off a convincing spiel in 30-seconds, but that does not mean they cannot learn how to. It is a good lesson in marketing and how it works. If an agent can market their agency and what they sell in 30-seconds, they truly understand what it means to market the essentials, and essentials are what customers want.

“They don’t want obscure facts about Medicare supplements, or want to know how much a funeral costs, they want solutions to problems. In other words, just the facts. Getting to the heart of the matter of selling a policy someone actually wants is an art,” adds Green. “This is where knowing your customers wants and needs becomes paramount to making a solid sale.”

What is involved in a 30-second focused pitch, an insurance agency’s digital asset? Quite a lot, and the agent must spend hours scripting, rehearsing, timing and getting feedback on what it sounds like and whether it has the moxie to meet the mark. They need to know their value proposition – what appeals to the customers in the niche they want to market in. It has to highlight a valued product, service or solution, focus on agent expertise and get the message across succinctly but clearly. It is, with practice and patience, doable.

Mini marketing, meaning the 30-second verbal art of telling prospective clients what they need to know about an insurance agency, their products and services has some “must do” components:

• it must include the top three things that make an agency different from the competition
• it must create empathy by identifying a particular group serviced
• it must be short, sweet and to the point because there may not be 60 seconds to make the pitch
• it must transmit enthusiasm for the product and the potential client
• it must aim for a vertical market in one niche, not a broad, all are welcome market
• it must close with a call to action

“The beauty of the 30-second pitch to a client is that you may change it to suit your needs in any industry you choose whether it is group insurance or small business insurance. This helps you refine and define what your agency is about and makes you a driving force to be reckoned with when you are in sales mode,” says Green.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.net, a leader in providing health insurance leads. Benepath provides agents with exclusive health insurance leads and Medicare leads in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.net.

There are a large number of agents out there that have issues with using lead generation companies and investing their hard-earned marketing dollars in buying leads. Those same cautious individuals end up watching the competition soar like an eagle when it comes to selling Medicare supplements.

“Why is the competition doing better than you are? They are buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads from benepath.net,” explains Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, benepath.net. “The fact is the Medicare supplement market is ripe for harvesting because the buyers in that demographic need what you are selling. It doesn’t get any easier than that.”

Selling insurance, no matter what kind, is not a walk in the park. Agents should always work their leads, even Medicare leads, with enthusiasm, drive, integrity and determination. The greying of America means there are millions of potential customers to approach with a much sought after health product, one that they need to be as healthy as possible.

The nation’s population is not the only thing aging. So is the Medicare program itself. Some predict it is going to run out of money by 2017. Others suggest it is likely to remain operating, but at a 20 percent less capacity. “That aside, and most such predictions like this need to be taken with a grain of salt,” adds Green. “Medicare supplements help fill the gaps left in health insurance coverage in the ‘original’ Medicare.”

Also referred to as Medigap, Medicare supplements give seniors a better, more complete plan to see them through their medical issues. This point, perfect for educating potential senior customers, may be used in discussion with Medicare supplement leads. Working this type of lead is not just about selling. It is also about education, assisting the client to choose what is the best coverage for their situation and about making someone’s life better.

“With all those points working in your favor, your business can and will grow by leaps and bounds. When you market what people want and need and do a good job of it, they convert. Don’t eschew buying from a lead generation company until you have actually tried it,” Green suggests. “The results will surprise you.”

Medicare supplement leads are a bit like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. “Believe in the process and product and reap the rewards,” says Green.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.net, a leader in providing Medicare leads. Benepath provides agents with exclusive leads in just a few mouse clicks. To click here to visit http://www.benepath.net.

The senior care industry is booming. To be successful in this niche, it is crucial to choose a reliable lead generation company. Some offer older leads which are neither useful nor lucrative. choosi Others send leads that have already been worked, but still call them exclusive. “In a way, they are “exclusive:” your lead generation company is excluding you from profit in the scheme,” Green reported. “There are no benefits in working an exhausted lead or spending good money on it.”

So, how does an agent find a good partner? Choose a lead generation company with a good reputation who promises to stand behind its product. Its system should screens leads, pre-qualify them and provide them to you with complete information.

“Pay attention to the amount of help they offer you. Do they help you sell and market? If so, the company may make an excellent partner. If a company is willing to commit extra time to assisting you, you can can help each other succeed,” added Green.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.net, a leader in providing Medicare leads. Benepath provides agents with exclusive leads in just a few mouse clicks. To click here to visit http://www.benepath.net.

“While a large number of the American population is foregoing health insurance coverage, they are doing so because they think it’s too expensive. What many people don’t realize is that they ‘can’ find a reasonably priced policy, just by taking the time to find what they need. Fear of the unknown, as in there isn’t anything with a good price for me, is keeping them from being protected,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

Busting the myth that there is no such thing as a reasonably priced health insurance quote or policy is simple. Get online and start hunting. Medical quotes, otherwise referred to as health insurance quotes online have an advantage or two not found by purchasing in person — — lower online prices. This is due to the fact the insurance agent or broker did not have to advertise to the same extent online as offline. The savings in promotional dollars are passed on to the customers.

“Additionally, today’s insurance market is very price competitive, so now is the time to look for something you want and can afford. Get it in place before 2014, and you won’t be mandated to get what’s going, whether you like it or not. This isn’t to say that government offered insurance might not be acceptable, but most people would rather have a choice in what they buy, not something they are forced into getting,” added Green.

Keep one thing in mind when searching online for health insurance quotes, and that is that they are intended to be free. If there is a requirement to pay a fee for that service, move on to another insurance website. “There are two sides to that scenario,” Green pointed out. “Paying for an insurance quote means a more specific quotation, tailored to your circumstances, which some people appreciate. Free quotes may not be as specific and therefore not as accurate price wise. It’s your choice as to which method works the best.”

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

Some insurance marketing companies lay claim to being insurance search engine optimization (SEO) gurus, but are they really? Usually not. There are very few SEO companies that can claim they have over 25 years of insurance experience. However, when you find such a company, this is the answer to your insurance marketing prayers.

One of the first things you should be told by an “expert” insurance SEO company is that your website needs to be created with conversion in mind and needs to be user friendly. That merely means is it easy to navigate, is the information on it easy to access, is it relevant information for users and are you easy to contact? While many think that insurance SEO in just about keyword placement, this is a myth. Insurance website optimization is not just about keywords, it is about optimizing the experience the user has when they visit your site.

At one time, websites thrived on inbound links. Then, Google said they were going to block paid links, link exchanges, website directories and any links about anything that had nothing to do with your insurance website. In other words, relevancy has become the watchword of the day. If it’s not relevant, and a quality link, it does not do you any good in your marketing and ranking attempts. Relevant, quality links are real links and thus valuable for your website.

This isn’t to say you can’t still get links from some website directories, because you can, they just need to be respected and well, relevant. For instance, Yahoo Directory or Joeaunt.com.  Using insurance directories or resource guides helps to drive quality traffic to your site, because their content is relevant to your insurance website. The most important point here is that content driven links are highly valued. News releases, articles and blogs published within niche communities offer high quality links with long-term benefits.

One important thing to keep in mind is that your content, and any other activity, needs to be synced with LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, and Google +. Today, social media is the driving force behind insurance website marketing. The more active your insurance agency, the better it looks to followers and the search engines.

If you want to be rock stars, find an insurance SEO company with experience in the insurance industry. Your insurance website and all other optimization techniques will be highly relevant, because they have the experience to market insurance websites.

Ready to Quote is an insurance marketing company, ReadytoQuote.com. ReadytoQuote.com specializes in marketing insurance websites online. Learn more at ReadytoQuote.com.

“In a world that is virtually upside down these days, personal service in sales is remembered. Unfortunately, many sales people make the mistake of thinking what is important is the final sale,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath.net. “While the final sale is important, it is not the ‘be all, end all.’ Personal touches are often what separate you from the ranks of other agents who are bent on sales numbers only.”

Take selling insurance, for example. Instead of being viewed just as a way to make money, selling insurance is an opportunity to help people make the right decisions for their health and welfare. It could be a real win-win for you and your customers. And if your business includes buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads, Green has some words of advice.

“Before making the leap into buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads to build an insurance business, it is wise to check out whether or not those leads may be customized to suit your geographic business needs. No sense in buying leads two states away that you can’t really service properly,” said Green. “Also find out if they are pre-qualified and genuinely exclusive to you only.” They should be or the agent will be competing with up to seven others for a sale, which is a waste of time and money.

And don’t forget the most important thing: the personal touch. “A personal note of thanks, encouragement or an offer to help by providing more information will be remembered. Ensure your notes are personal and not canned. Take the time to either email a note of your own creation, or send something by snail mail. While it may be a shame that the personal touch seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur, there is nothing saying you can’t bring courtesy, kindness, thoughtfulness and genuine caring to the way you do business. The results may surprise you,” said Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.net

“We hear this all the time, that the health care reform bill will cover everyone and that we must get insurance in place by 2014 or pay a fine. We know that the Supreme Court just backed ObamaCare, but what many do not know is that the changes coming in 2014 will not cover everyone,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO and president of Benepath.

Government figures suggest that the expanded insurance coverage will be available for 30 million uninsured individuals in the U.S. However, there are at least 26 million individuals who will still not have coverage. That figure includes illegal immigrants and people who cannot pay out-of-pocket expenses for health insurance.

The Affordable Care Act will expand the number of Americans with health insurance. Medicaid is due to be expanded as well to cover health care expenses for lower-income individuals and those with a disability. Tax credits, available in 2014, are designed to help middle-class U.S. residents buy health insurance coverage.

“Given that the Supreme Court backed the law, it means that roughly 93 percent of legal American citizens will have health insurance in place by the year 2016,” said Green. Nonetheless, there will still be millions of illegal individuals who will not qualify for coverage, and many legal residents who will go without it, some by choice and some because they make too much money to qualify for assistance but cannot pay for coverage. Groups that are likely to remain uninsured include illegal immigrants, potential Medicaid applicants and middle-class Americans unable to pay for insurance.

There are more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. today, but there is no provision for them in the new health reform law, which makes one wonder about the Obama Administration saying illegal immigrants are welcome in the U.S. “They will not be able to sign up for Medicaid, will not be eligible for tax credits and will not be able to use online exchanges. Why? Because they are not citizens,” Green said.

Potential Medicaid applicants will hit an all time high of about 77 million by the year 2016. Even though changing the system is supposed to streamline the application process, it is expected that many who qualify will get left behind in the dust, largely due to all the changes, which makes the application process a nightmare.

Even though the middle class will get tax benefits to help them buy health insurance, there are some families that make too much money to qualify for those credits but still do not have quite enough money to buy private health insurance.

“There are a number of wrinkles that will need to be ironed out before the government can truly claim their health care reform will insure everyone in the U.S. Despite that, many view this as a step in the right direction,” said Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“I’ve heard this said many times over: that people with pre-existing medical conditions have a hard time getting health insurance that is reasonably priced. It is not impossible to find affordable health insurance, but it can be a challenge. That will change in 2014,” added Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania.

If health care reform stays the course, what will happen in 2014 is insurance providers will be banned from excluding people with pre-existing conditions from getting insurance. However, that is still a full two years away, and does nothing to help the millions of Americans that are deemed uninsurable now.

“To fill in the gap between now and then, the government set up the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan in all 50 states,” explained Green. “In simplified terms, the plan offers health insurance to those who have difficulties getting health insurance. The plans offer hospital care, specialty care and primary care, and prescription drugs. This plan with lower premiums would be ideal for many of the almost 57 million going without health insurance. But the odd thing is that less than 19,000 people have opted for this plan.”

In an economy that makes even putting bread on the table questionable some months, one would think those who are uninsurable because of a pre-existing health condition would welcome the opportunity to have reasonably priced coverage. However, while this sounds like a great plan at first glance, the stumbling block is the waiting period.

People wanting to switch to this plan must face being without any insurance coverage for at least six months before they apply and that includes COBRA. “Six months is a long time to wait if you have diabetes or a heart condition and need daily medications. Many feel it is too big a risk to take, even if it means they’d be paying less after their waiting period was over,” Green pointed out.

There is an option that those caught between a rock and a hard place may find attractive if they want to join the government program. It is referred to as non-insurance health plans. These plans typically market health services to large groups of people and when those who do join officially become members, they have a great deal of buying clout that allows the company to obtain discounted prices for medical services. “In some cases,” demonstrated Green, “the discounts can range from 25 percent to 80 percent on vision, dental and medical service, drugs and medical supplies. Some people find that very attractive.”

When it comes to costs for going to the hospital, discount companies either pre-negotiate cost reductions for hospital procedures or assign an advocate to negotiate lower costs. “The advocate may also apply for financial assistance to pay the hospital balance off on your behalf, if that is suitable under the circumstances,” Green said.

More often than not, the discount medical programs are very affordable, coming in at less than $50 per month for the whole family. Many outfits do not require contracts, and benefits are available on sign up. “You just need to keep in mind that this option is not traditional health insurance. While it may not be for some people, others may find it attractive enough to wait the six month period until they can get the regular health insurance. Ultimately, the choices are yours and you do what you need to do for your health,” added Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com.

“While you may think it is a stretch of the imagination to think you could be in debt so deep there is no way out but bankruptcy, this is a reality in America today,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania.
“That isn’t meant to scare you. It is meant to tell you how it is. Feel free to check this out at http://www.pnhp.org/new_bankruptcy_study/Bankruptcy-2009.pdf, where you will find some startling figures that put the medical bankruptcy problem into sharp focus.”

The facts are that medical issues have caused at least 62 percent of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in 2007. “The cost of medical care has risen sharply since 2007, and continues to rise even as you read this. With those kinds of statistics, the very thought of ‘not’ having health insurance is frightening,” Green added.

Without good health, it becomes increasingly more difficult to hold a job, pay bills, take part in life’s daily tasks, keep a roof over one’s head and put food on the table. The money that does come into the home is paid out to medical expenses; expenses that eventually overwhelm every other bill an individual or family needs to pay. There is no end to paying medical expenses, largely because they are so high to begin with. “For instance, a broken leg may cost $17,000 and up. With a bill that high and other expenses to meet, people just can’t keep up,” Green indicated.

While the cost of insurance may seem prohibitive, it is far less expensive than having to pay a $17,000 or higher medical bill. With insurance, the costs are manageable. Without it, the patient is responsible for all the costs associated with a broken leg including, but not limited to, the ambulance bill, medications, x-rays, materials to set the bone, surgery if required, casting, follow-up care and physiotherapy. That would be one whopper of a bill without insurance.

“It is vitally important to carry health insurance, even in tough economic times, unless you plan to add even more fuel to the fire by being involved in an accident or coming down with pneumonia. If you can deal with the mega bills, then you can manage without insurance. Most of us can’t, and for this reason, even if it means cutting a few corners here and there in the household budget, it makes good, common sense to have health insurance,” stated Green.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com. Benepath is the leading provider of affordable health insurance quotes. Visitors to Benepath.com can get health insurance quotes from top rated insurance companies in all of the United States.

“Health care reform was always a contentious issue from day one,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania. “Since it was passed, it has faced court challenge after court challenge, and the latest lawsuit is based on the allegation that the Affordable Care Act violates religious freedom.”

The key element that has caused the uproar over the Affordable Care Act is the law that states every person must buy health insurance by 2014 or they will have to pay a penalty. This has been met with challenges across the nation, and so far one court of appeal has upheld the mandate, one has struck it down and one has dismissed a lawsuit twice based on jurisdictional issues. It other words, this is an issue looking for a court decision, but so far it is not making much headway nor is there any degree of consensus on it.

“The latest challenge was brought to court by a religious group on behalf of five citizens. They feel the law violates their beliefs and that Congress does not have the authority to force them to buy health insurance, when they believe that God will protect them,” Green outlined.

While this is an interesting challenge, Congress has steadfastly maintained it does have the authority to pass such a law and enforce the mandate because the cost of health care is getting out of control. And that is the argument the federal government lawyers will use to rebut this latest lawsuit.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs are Susan Seven-Sky, Peggy Lee Mead, Charles Lee, Kenneth Ruffo and Gina Rodriguez and the defendants are Eric Holder Jr., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Department of the Treasury and Timothy Geithner. In short, the case cite for those who want to read the interesting arguments by finding the case online is Susan Seven-Sky v. Eric Holder Jr. Case No. 11-5047.

“It is a thoughtful read and full of arguments that make a great deal of sense. As always, there are two sides to every lawsuit, and the court will need to decide which one prevails after entertaining all the material submitted. While reading this case, you might want to take a look at your thoughts and feelings on this issue about being mandated to buy health insurance if you do not have it by the year 2014,” suggested Green. It is an issue that is likely to continue to be a hot button for many Americans.

The nugget of the argument to be made in court by the religious group is that forcing people to get health insurance means they would have to get it indefinitely or pay annual penalties for holding a sincere belief that God protects them from injury or illness. In short, they are refusing to get the health insurance because it would violate their faith. “Of interest is the fact that the Affordable Care Act does have some religious exemptions, but in this instance, it appears that some of the plaintiffs may not qualify,” added Green.

On the government’s side, the argument is that Congress has determined that individuals who do not have health insurance quite often do not pay for the medical services they may require. This shifts the cost to the providers and taxpayers, which is the whole reason behind why the Affordable Care Act passed. “Of note is that uninsured Americans cost the system close to $43 billion in 2008,” Green pointed out.

Perhaps it is time to take a really hard look at this Act and figure out if it may not actually be the beginning of turning around a system that is badly in need of repair.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“If you’re selling insurance, Medicare supplement leads need to be a major part of your business,” added Clelland Green, RHU, CEO, and president of benepath.net in Pennsylvania. “This is a demographic that needs what you are selling, and with the possibility of mandatory insurance coming in 2014, real time Medicare supplement leads are worth their weight in gold. I’m not just talking about any old leads that are days old or that have gone to six or more agents before you get them. I’m talking about real time, exclusive to ‘you’ leads that can set you up to succeed.”

For those agents that have been there and done that, and discovered the leads they got were virtually worthless, this is an opportunity to check out. “You need quality leads to make it worth your while; quality leads which are pre-qualified, fresh and ready to go. Those kinds of leads are well worth not only the investment of your time to call them, but you will get a good ROI when you sell them a Medicare supplement,” Green pointed out.

Exclusive Medicare supplement leads help grow and expand an agent’s business and are a terrific way to source new and fresh prospects. The whole point of buying leads is to not only build a business, but save time trying to find leads the hard way. “Not that you can’t go out and knock on doors if that is what works best for you, but it is the hard road to building a successful business,” said Green. “Buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads is a lot less expensive than using direct mail leads – at least four times less expensive. That’s money in your pocket.”

Today’s economic climate is tough, but those agents who choose to invest their time and money in the right places, for the right things that ultimately pay off, will have a head start on building a solid insurance business over time. This business with good customers will keep coming back, year after year. The main attraction to buying exclusive Medicare supplement leads is that they are a pipeline that keeps on giving, and a business that will keep expanding as a result.

“If you have already tried buying leads and have had less than a stellar experience with them, for instance you got leads on the national Do Not Call list, then you likely ran across one of the places that sell leads that have been around the block too many times to count and were not properly checked,” Green said. “That is a waste of your time and money. You will do far better with Benepath’s real time leads. Try it. Read how other agents are now making a good profit. Our solid reputation is your guarantee of receiving quality, pre-qualified leads.”

What an agent needs is leads to come to them as set appointments from a captive audience, meaning one that is in need of the service an insurance agent is providing. For instance, Medicare supplements. If leads come in as set appointments, agents and brokers are able to use them when their timetable permits. This tends to increase business productivity and the financial bottom line. Talking to people who want what an insurance company has to offer only makes good marketing sense.

At all times, agents and brokers have control over how many leads they want and when they want them, as well as being able to specify territories and demographics if they wish. It is as easy as a few clicks on the computer to get exclusive Medicare supplement leads daily, which is a win-win situation for the potential customer and agent/broker. “If you want to reach a large number of seniors in a short amount of time, Benepath’s exclusive Medicare supplement leads will make that happen,” Green emphasized.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“People are in a hurry to get to where they want to go these days,” said Clelland Green, RHU, CEO and president of Benepath in Pennsylvania. “That even includes wanting as much information as they can get about health insurance, as fast as they can get it. That is why so many insurance websites have an instant quote function. Plug in your relevant information, click, and lo and behold, you get virtually instantaneous results. That is great for saving time when you are searching for health insurance quotes. However, a quote is just a quote, and not set in stone.”

In other words, a quote is based on a few factors that a potential customer provides. There may be other extenuating circumstances that could change that quote. A quote is a good place to start as it provides some idea of what a premium would cost based on the information provided. Obviously, if inaccurate information is provided, the quote will be affected. For instance, if a smoker tells an insurance company they do not smoke, a lower rate will be quoted.

If that smoker does end up getting a less expensive policy, the first thing that will happen when the smoker needs smoking cessation medication is that the insurance company will deny their claim (at best) or cancel the policy (at worst). What a waste of money and time. “If you want comprehensive health insurance coverage, tell the complete truth and pay the necessary fee,” said Green. “It is your health, and it is important.”

“To get an accurate, tailored quote and policy, you really need to speak directly to an experienced insurance agent,” added Green. They know how to find you the best deal on policies and how to find one that genuinely suits you, so you do not end up buying a cheap policy that does not cover what you need it for in the first place.”

Beware of relying on just quotes alone to buy health insurance. “It is always a wise move to contact an insurance agent and start asking questions about what options are on the market, how they could apply to you and your family, what is covered and what is not, and a whole host of other questions that need answers you cannot find online,” Green insisted. “Finding affordable health insurance is important, but you cannot do that just by getting quotes online.”

Beware of making a decision to purchase based on price alone. The reason price should not be the main determining factor in buying affordable health insurance is that the cheap policies may not offer the right kind of coverage. What is the point in spending money on a policy that does not cover what someone needs it to cover?

“There is no sense in spending money you will not get any return on,” Green pointed out. “And furthermore, it makes no sense to say you have health insurance if the health insurance you do have does not cover your needs adequately. Pay attention to what you are going to buy and take the time to ask questions and read the fine print. Your health may depend on it.”

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“While you might not think about this, unless it’s something that happens in your life, there are a larger number of parents and grandparents hopping flights to far flung spots on the globe. Not to get away from it all, but instead, to visit their mobile children who have chosen to live and work in other countries. There are also students who go abroad to further their education. Ever wonder what those people do if they need to go to hospital when they are in another country?” asked Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

Most people who travel just automatically assume that their health insurance will kick in when they have an emergency. This is not the case, and if someone does need health care services in another country and does not have coverage that is applicable there, they will find themselves out of pocket or unable to pay for care.

“To cover incidents abroad, you need visitor’s health insurance. Your U.S.-based health insurance coverage won’t cut it,” Green said.

Think traveling without health insurance will save money? “If you don’t get into an accident, you will save money. However, if you trip and break a leg or are involved in a car accident, the bill will be staggering and you are responsible for the ‘whole’ thing. That’s right – the whole bill. Your U.S. insurance can’t be used. Do you want to take the risk of an accident abroad and the expenses that go with it?” Green said.

While saving money is a good goal, saving money at the expense of one’s health is not a smart idea. Visitor’s health insurance is not that expense. Or to put another way, visitor’s health insurance would say the enormous expense of medical care for any accident or illness. People who travel may choose what they need, the coverage they want, what options would work for them and the deductible.

“An individual, tailored plan for a reasonable price, what more could you ask for in terms of protection while you are away from home?” Green said. “If you do your homework and check around, you will find what you need. Aim to deal with a company that specializes in visitor’s health insurance and you should get what you need, along with the peace of mind of knowing that you are covered for any nasty event that may happen while you are traveling.”

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“A recent poll of American doctors revealed something that shocked the pollsters, and will likely make you think hard about health care reform. The pool shows that a large number of doctors are opposed to health care reform. Why? Because they feel it means more healthcare workers that will not be mandated to earn doctorate level health care degrees like doctor’s assistants and nurse practitioners,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

Just about 3,000 doctors spoke out about health care reform, and they were not impressed with the general direction of the proposed changes. Overall, their major concern was that they could see health care deteriorating over the next five years. This was not just a small percentage that expressed that concern. The survey showed 65 percent felt health care would go to heck in a hand basket.

“Some of course thought it may improve, but that number ranked at 18 percent; hardly a resounding vote of confidence. Certainly, some also felt things would remain the same, under the principle that the more things change, the more they stay the same. That number was a paltry 17 percent,” Green said.

The major point that doctors kept referring to was the at least 32 million people that would be able to access health care if the health care reform legislation remains active. Who would treat them? The obvious answer was physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners; which may give many seeking medical attention some pause for thought that the person they are seeing is not a fully qualified and highly trained medical doctor.

As for how health care reform will affect the patients, many of the doctors interviewed felt the legislation had the potential to impact people in a negative way. In fact, 58 percent of the physicians were of a like mind on that subject. There were at least 27 percent who felt the changes would be good and positive in the long run.

“What will happen in the future? Who knows, but with surveys like this, it is bound to be interesting,” Green said.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

If your website is not functioning as well as you think it should be, perhaps it is time to take a hard look at what needs to be done to make it more successful. You want to convert those browsers to buyers. The only way to do that is to ensure that you have the right things going on with your site. In other words,  you need the right insurance search engine optimization (SEO) – search engine optimization that works for you and brings you business.

Working with SEO is sort of like building that better mousetrap. Everyone needs this kind of service and yet some still think they can do things on their own. Unfortunately, those without the experience to do SEO the right way will find their website buried deeply on page six or worse of Google’s website rankings. Not the best thing for your business.

You want and need people to know who you are, know about your business and find it on the Internet. You want them to interact with you, buy from you and talk to you and ask questions. The more interactive you are with your customers, the more they will remember you, which will mean business later on. You cannot accomplish this if your website does not rank well. Few people will go beyond page one of Google’s rankings to find what they want. Therefore, you want to be on page one. It is that simple, but complex at the same time.

The mostly simple part is that you need to expand what you offer on your website to include the latest and most interactive widgets and gadgets used in the 21st century to connect with the billions of people online. You need the social media, the blogs, the Twitter account and other things like an instant insurance quote function. People demand more online today than they ever have before. If you do not give it to them, they will go someplace else.

People want insurance information fast and they want it yesterday, so if you have the ability to offer them quotes yesterday, you have just given them something they really wanted  and they will remember that when they choose to buy. You need to find a search engine optimization company that will be your partner in the success of your business; one with insurance marketing experience of their own. They know your business, because they do it every day.

Ready to Quote is an insurance marketing company, specializing in marketing insurance websites online. Learn more at ReadytoQuote.com.

Melody Leonardo, the eldest daughter, made it all the way to Fresno to try out for the celebrated long-running trivia show with the host, Alicia Tribeca. She was a sure shoe-in to make it on the show, surpassing her peers after each level, for she was fed trivia questions when she was in her mother’s womb.

Her mother was a waitress at the local coffee shop and her father sold appliances at the mall, so she did not come from an upstanding intellectual household. However, her parents huddled in front of the TV every night to catch the trivia show at 7 p.m., competing with each other for the right answers as if they were on the show themselves. Her mother would bring books and cheat sheets to work and hide them in her apron and would study the answers on her break, and her father would do the same.

This shared obsession was what kept their marriage exciting. When the two children came, the more, the merrier. It became their family identity and they wore their crest proudly.

One day, as her mother was pouring a cup of coffee for Matt Lockhard, an independent California insurance agent, she helped him with a difficult crossword clue that boggled him for hours and was stunned to hear the lofty, unexpected knowledge come out of a waitress at a tiny coffee shop.

“How did you know that?” Matt asked her.

“What? Just because I wear this uniform doesn’t make me stupid,” she answered with a smile.

“Just between you and me, I received my master’s in linguistics from Harvard but addiction took over my life, so that’s why I am here. But don’t tell anyone, OK?” she said in jest as she teasingly nudged him with her elbow and the coffee pot in the other hand.

“Besides, my Melody is going to be on Alicia Tribeca’s game show tryouts tomorrow!” she said proudly and loud enough for the whole diner to hear. Everyone applauded.

But when the time came, Melody was beat out by some uppity surfer kid.

“How did that happen?” Melody asked her parents. “I studied every waking minute!”

“It is the luck of the draw, sweetie,” her father said, “and in real life, that is the way it is. You can’t possibly know all the answers no matter how much you try. But what matters, is that you love to learn just like us. You’re one of us, Melody. Melody Leonardo, Da Vinci, Da Great!”

The Leonardos all huddled together as Melody silently wept and laughed.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mattsinsurance4ca.com

It is hard to really know where the future will take the American population in terms of health insurance. Ideally, we will all have access to low cost health insurance in the future. That sounds great on the surface, but this is not an option for people; this is mandated health insurance, whether people want it or not. Those who do not have it will face fines.

This likelihood poses a major dilemma for people without health insurance today. “What do they do? Should they get health insurance now? Wait? Not buy it and see what happens? There are a lot of unanswered questions here,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

To date, those who do not have health insurance feel they are justified in not spending the money to care for themselves or their families; at least until something happens and the roof falls in when the bills start arriving for medical care they needed.

“If you live paycheck to paycheck, finding extra to buy health insurance can be a squeaker,” Green said. “But if you don’t have coverage, the medical bills will completely wipe you out financially. That applies either now, when you could make the personal choice to buy affordable health insurance, or later, when you will have to buy it at an unknown and perhaps higher premium, or pay a fine.”

Frankly, the best time to buy affordable health insurance is now when there is a measure of choice and control over what is bought. “Start right now to research what is out there to meet your needs or the needs of your family.  There is a lot of variety on the market and you can definitely find something that works well for you and your budget. Health insurance plans have varying levels of coverage, deductibles, premiums and co-pays, so it only makes sense to act now when you have choices,” Green said.

Keep in mind that to compare health insurance policies, the details need to be the same for every quote requested. If something is changed, the results will change and it will also change what is covered and not covered. It all boils down to those all-important choices. “If you need to go to the doctor more often for a medical condition, try to line up a plan with a lower deductible and co-pay. If you hardly go at all, you may be able to choose a cheaper plan with less coverage,” Green said.

There is no doubt the health care of the nation will be changing in the future. Being ahead of those changes may be the smart move to make now, rather than later.

To learn more, visit Benepath.com

“Prevention and wellness programs will help retain and attract employees,” said Thomas Kaspar of Grouphealthflorida.com. “Your employees will be more healthy and an employer can tout cutting edge benefits.”

Kaspar’s group health agency helps businesses find what insurer offers the best health awareness and prevention initiatives. Grants from the PPACA will most often be awarded to companies that sign up with plans that offer health education, risk assessments, and screenings as well as seminars to encourage participation from all employees to modify unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle patterns.

“Many insurers offer tailored programs to keep employees well, rather than just covering illness or injuries,” Kaspar said. “The wellness services will cover women, men, and children’s wellbeing and strive to help employees and their families live longer, healthier lives.”

Health plans now abound with options for personal and online coaching to help achieve healthier lifestyle goals, from reducing stress and sleeping better, losing weight and improving fitness and energy levels, stop smoking, and improving the work/life balance. Paired with health care tax credits and insurance exchanges, small businesses will have many incentives to offer insurance and wellness programs that they otherwise might not have thought about or allocated monies for in their business plan.

With more than 20 years experience, Group Health Florida assists benefit managers and companies through the detailed process of finding the best insurance and wellness programs for their employees. They pride themselves on providing a high quality of service, dependability, knowledge, value, and clarity.

To learn more visit: http://www.grouphealthflorida.com

“If you have been denied health insurance, you’re no doubt wondering what on earth you are going to do, whether or not you have any other options and why you were denied. Chances are, you were denied due to a pre-existing condition. But that doesn’t mean another insurance company won’t consider you, because each company underwrites risks differently. In other words, it pays to shop around, and don’t take no for an answer,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

“If you’re hunting for health insurance on your own and have hit a snag and been rejected, seriously, it’s best to talk to an expert health insurance agent. They’re there to help you, the advice is free and they can usually find you something that will meet your needs. Too many people, in the rush to avoid talking to an insurance agent, are overlooking a valuable, time and money saving, free resource,” Green said.

The truth about the health insurance hunt is that people do not honestly know what they want or even really need. Too many people just make assumptions about things and do not check them out. Nine times out of 10, those assumptions are just plain wrong and someone may go without health insurance because they thought they could not get it.

Most people can most definitely get health insurance. Some may even get partial coverage for some things, which is better than no coverage at all. “The one thing to be very wary of is that if you have opted to try an individual plan that does not have medical underwriting, these are often just discount plans masquerading as something else. They do not give you the kind of coverage an honest to goodness medical health insurance plan will provide,” Green said.

Another open option may include high risk pools. At least 29 states have them and they are designed to help those who have been deemed uninsurable. Check around before taking this route, as more often than not, there is something that will suit everyone’s needs, no matter what their circumstances may be.

“Pools do have disadvantages you need to know about, such as they can terminate your coverage if there is legislation against it, there are long waiting lists, the costs are higher and you may no longer be eligible if you move, etc.,” Green said.

The best method to find health insurance is to stick with a local health insurance agent, visit trusted health insurance provider websites and do the research. An informed consumer is a wise one.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“While a lot of people figure they will be just fine when it comes to not having Florida Keys health insurance, the truth is, no one really knows for sure what will happen in life. They may have an accident, break a leg, contract pneumonia or be diagnosed with asthma. Guessing how healthy you are going to be is a little like playing Russian roulette. You may not get the bullet and then again, you may, so why take chances with your health?” asked Evan Tunis, Evan Tunis of Florida Healthcare Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

If people are uncertain of what they need for health coverage, they will be heartened to know that there are a wide variety of options available to them on the market. If price is a concern, it is quite possible to find suitable Florida Keys health insurance at a reasonable price. “You need to know what you are looking for, what your budget is, what you need in terms of care and that includes pre-existing conditions and how often you usually see a doctor a year,” Tunis said.

For those looking for health insurance for their families, the best place to start looking is by making a list of what is needed. That may include the medical conditions of all family members, their drugs and how often they see a doctor. Everyone has different needs and the idea is to find something that covers as many of those needs as possible.

When looking online for various Florida Keys health insurance plans, find out precisely what kinds of plans are out there that would suit a family situation. There may be various routes to choose here as well. “For instance, if you are employed, you might get less expensive coverage through work. If not, you will want to speak directly to your local health insurance specialist for help. That’s my job, and I can assist you in finding what you need, quickly and for a reasonable price,” Tunis said.

It is always helpful to check into what the limitations are for each plan under consideration. Every plan has some restrictions, but they are not always the same, so it is wise to know what those are, particularly if there are family members with pre-existing conditions. To that end, also be on the lookout for plans to take care of prescriptions. “If you and/or anyone in the family are taking pills, this needs to be factored into the health insurance coverage equation as well,” Tunis said.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida and Florida Keys health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://floridahealthcareinsurance.com/floridakeys -insurance.html

Basketball at the base gym was like playing pick-up basketball at the yard – it was sometimes brutal and often ungraceful. There were guys who were totally inept, who swung elbows into faces, flailing about like a hurt chicken, bulldozing some guys over and sometimes injuring them severely.

But Everett knew the game well. He had played organized ball since high school and was MVP and a point guard, team captain, the go-to person, and he despised more than anything all the Frankensteinian frenzy that happened at the base gym. He only played there because he knew the people and it actually was the only good consistent spot to play ball.

Sometimes, as he was sitting at the sidelines waiting for his turn to play, after signing up his name on the roster and saying he got “next”, he would often think about work, and how funny or ridiculous some of his clients were.

One client kept insisting that her cocker spaniel’s treats should be tax deductible because Princess told her it was meals to benefit the employer, meaning her, for her happiness. Another woman who kept getting her child’s social security wrong finally got it right. She said about her continual mishap, “So, what’s the big deal? I was off by one number.”

Everett had been bringing Matt with him for years to play ball at the base gym – Matt Lockhard, the independent California health insurance agent, who checked in with him as he checked the ball in from the side line, “You are still covered, right?” Matt asked Everett.

“Of course! I have the best health insurance agent!” said Everret while defending Matt.

“Good!” Matt said exasperatingly after bypassing Matt and putting up a superb layup in his face.

Then he realized what it was all about after that. All the accounting and perfection really doesn’t amount to much, especially when Matt just scored on you.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mattsinsurance4ca.com

“Stop this madness,” Willimina howled, as she accidentally stepped in a puddle with her new designer heels. Willimina Hayslett just flew into Los Angeles from New York City to visit her clients regarding her new fall line. Although it hardly ever rains in Los Angeles, she managed to find a muddy pool of water to step into. In the northeast, muddy puddles were just synonymous to the unpredictability of spring.

She was polished and dressed impeccably, for she was a walking symbol of ultimate fashion. But she was, on the other hand, never an optimist. Even as a baby she cried every time her mother tried to put her into her favorite fleece sweater. “Look at that thing, it’s hideous, you would cry too if you had to wear it,” she said to her boyfriend, who was looking with her through her old baby photos. She had a series of handsome boyfriends, but not one was ever suited or stylish enough for her.

“No, not the Willimina Hayslett heels!” exclaimed a man who just witnessed the event.

Willimina looked up to look at the most stylish and debonair man she had ever seen.

“How did you know that these were…?”

“Are you kidding me? Willimina Hayslett is my specialty! I have a store on Rodeo and I sell her stuff. You should come and visit since you are also a big fan of her and you can perhaps get a new pair of heels.”

Perhaps he didn’t recognize who she was with her big black shades, or maybe it was because her hair was up. But then again, she remembered that she didn’t care for photographers too much and avoided them all like a plague, so not too many pictures of her circulated, not even at fashion week in New York or Milan.

“Thank you,” said Willimina, “but I have too many of her stuff in my warehouse, too.”

“Would you care to join me at the café here, where I was sipping my coffee before I witnessed the tragedy?”

Willimina didn’t have to go anywhere until the next day, so she obliged. During the course of their encounter, she learned that his name was William Hatsfield and that he was originally from Powers Lake, South Dakota – not the hybrid of luxurious living that she hoped for but he, after all, was certainly a big fan of her work. As she looked down at her waterlogged heels, she wondered if she should tell him?

Then she remembered what Matt Lockhard, the independent California insurance agent said, “Don’t have to tell the whole story all the time in order for them to believe you!”

“I would love to see your store while I’m in California,” she said to William just short of being interrupted by her cell phone. “Excuse me for a moment, William. Hello, mother…yes, yes, I see… How is the weather in Powers Lake?”

At that moment, William forgot about his infatuation with Willimina Hayslett and fell in love with a hometown girl.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mattsinsurance4ca.com

“It goes without saying that these days, people really do need health insurance, because you just don’t know what will happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. If you don’t have the proper health insurance coverage, you will be left holding an enormous medical bill if something bad happens and you likely won’t be able to pay it,” said Evan Tunis of Florida Healthcare Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

While many Americans struggle with the specter of compulsory health insurance in the years to come, they worry about how they will pay for it. They have enough on their plate right now, without trying to find the extra cash to pay for health insurance premiums. Their primary goal, in many cases, is to just get food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

“But, therein lies a real dilemma,” Tunis said. “If one of the parents gets sick and needs medical care, their budget is completely blown and they may not be able to pay the bill. If they had Tallahassee health insurance, they would have likely be able to deal with the bill without going under financially.”

The best solution to the fear of being taken ill and being unable to deal with the expenses is to get health insurance. There are a number of factors to consider before anyone does ultimately choose what they think will work for them. For instance, anyone needing health insurance really needs to be aware of what coverage they really need. That may include coverage for unexpected medical issues because of an accident or coverage for an unexpected health condition that could happen to anyone, such as diabetes.

Shop around for various providers. Ask questions. Take notes. Compare policies. “Ask more questions and you will find something that fits your budget. Certainly, cost is a major consideration these days and you need to find something that you are able to manage,” Tunis said. “Those on a budget need to discuss this with the health insurance agent, so that they know what your parameters are when they look for policies for you.”

Something else that really does need to be taken into consideration is the customer service offered by the insurance company. “It’s interesting, because most people don’t even think about this, but you should, because if you have to make a claim, have a problem or a question, you will want help when you call. If you can’t get good service up front when you’re shopping for a policy, think twice about spending your money with that company,” Tunis said.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit Orlando Health Care.

“That might sound like a difference without a distinction,” said Clelland Green, RHU, and president of Benepath, Pennsylvania. “But, there actually is a difference and it has to do with many factors, including the blending or consolidation of hospitals into chains.”

Health care costs are far more expensive in the U.S. than in any other developed nation. There are several schools of thought on this, with the first one being that med mal lawsuits have hiked the costs by driving doctors to practice defensive medicine. The other line of thought goes that the fault for higher health care costs lies with those Americans who don’t have any health insurance and use the ER rather than primary care.

“Whatever your feelings on the matter, many think that health care services are being abused. But, a new report reveals that the U.S. actually uses less health care services when compared to Western European nations.  It appears the main reason is actually rising unit prices. Put another way, each individual treatment per person is costlier in the U.S.,” Green said.

The rising per unit price comes about by way of things like several hospitals merging into one mega-hospital chain. This means that there is no competition in those areas and that the hospital can charge patients whatever they want to charge them – as much as they can get away with in the marketplace.

“Stop to think about that for a moment. Health care costs have continued to rise every year, which means health insurance plan prices also go up. It’s the health insurance companies that ultimately cover the treatments and higher treatment prices affect premium prices, which in turn affects the co-pays and co-insurance percentages by driving them up as well,” Green said.

Do the more expensive health care rates, that are supposedly being used less, give patients better health care resolutions? Chances are the answer to that is no, because spending more money doesn’t always guarantee a healthier outcome.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“When people get married, they usually figure they’re going to be together for a long time to come. Unfortunately, these days, the divorce rates are quite high. One casualty of the divorce that people don’t tend to think about is their Orlando health insurance,” said Evan Tunis of Florida Health Care Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

Whether a person is covered by their spouse’s insurance policy through their job or the insurance was bought from a private company, the spouses need to make some kind of arrangements about continued health insurance coverage. “If you’re wondering what you can do in a situation like this, I have a few tips that might come in handy. One of those tips is to join COBRA, but, only if you have a pre-existing condition. This federal law lets employees keep their health insurance coverage under an employer’s plan just so long as they keep paying the premium,” Tunis said.

Of interest is also the fact that the law allows spouses and other family members to keep getting coverage for up to three years after a divorce. “Yes, the premiums for COBRA are pricey, but if you are stuck, you at least have the option open until you can find Orlando health insurance through other means. This is really useful for those with pre-existing conditions; people who may have problems getting insurance from someone else,” Tunis said.

“Another thing to try is buying your own health insurance,” Tunis said. “Ask your employer if you can get on your company health plan, if they happen to have one. Don’t be too surprised to find out they may have a specific enrollment period to add new members. No company plan? Then you may need to opt for an individual Orlando health insurance policy, which is quite a liberating move when you’re involved in a divorce situation.”

When all else fails, there is the option of requesting a spouse keep the other member on their insurance policy. In other words, it would be mandated through the provisions of the divorce. This is a wise move if there are kids involved. In the alternative, a sum of money can be requested to help pay for insurance.

“For example, if you buy individual health insurance, you could ask that your spouse pay half. Make sure you have a good divorce lawyer in situations like this,” Tunis said.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://www.floridahealthcareinsurance.com/orlando -insurance.html.

Therefore, more and more businesses are doing their best to offer health insurance, particularly if they are looking for people with rare or high-level skills. Offering health insurance can also mean tax breaks.

“Statistics show that health insurance can reduce the number of sick days that employees take,” said Thomas Kaspar of Grouphealthflorida.com. “Here’s how: If your workforce feels comfortable seeing a doctor whenever it needs to, chances are employees will take advantage of preventative care like yearly physicals, resulting in less absenteeism.”

Business owners may be concerned about providing healthcare to employees. After all, it may have added costs, plus the administrative hassle of finding and staying on top of any potential changes.

But offering health insurance will result in a healthier workforce. Absenteeism lowers productivity in a business. It can also have an effect on the bottom line.

Preventative care in health insurance plans means that employees will make use of physicals and regular check-ups. Without insurance, this will not happen. These steps could diagnose any potential problems early, resulting in less of a chance for employees to be out for long periods of time. It can also reduce workers’ compensation and disability claims. Turnover, too, will likely be reduced as many employees prefer a job that offers health insurance. This will save money, as everyone knows there are hidden costs in hiring and training new workers.

“The bottom line: Having a healthy workforce means a more productive workforce,” Kaspar said.

There are a multitude of group health insurance plans to fit any size of business. Employers looking to provide insurance for employees must seek quotations from more than one insurance company and compare the various health plans that are being shown, ask lots of questions, and take their time in making a decision.

To learn more visit: http://www.grouphealthflorida.com

“Many older Americans make the mistake of thinking that as they near middle age, they can rely on Medicare. They can’t actually access Medicare until they are 65 years old. In the meantime, they need a health insurance plan that suits their lifestyle that isn’t too expensive. Affordable health insurance for baby boomers is a silent issue that is beginning to come to the fore as more boomers near the magic Medicare mark,” said Clelland Green, RHU, president of Benepath, Pennsylvania.

While health care reform may offer those in the middle age group some relief in the future, that will be a while coming. What does a middle-aged boomer do these days to find affordable health insurance? “One of the issues is that the person looking for affordable health insurance is older. There is nothing they can do about that, but it means they are in a more expensive premium range, even if they are in relatively good health,” Green said.

It is a medically documented fact that many people over 50 years of age start to develop issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Even if the high blood pressure comes from age alone and not because of lifestyle, the premium ratings are still higher. That means that a boomer has a higher chance of being rated up or declined because of a health condition, and that’s the plain truth – a fact of life.

“There are several products out in the marketplace aimed at middle-aged people that say they are guaranteed acceptance for their health plans. It sounds like the plans are cheap and an ideal solution when needing health insurance. However, these health plans are usually ‘discount plans,’ which means they are not health insurance. Be careful what you buy,” Green said.

There is another product out there for baby boomers that might suit some people, but not others. “The key is to check into anything you are offered and make sure you know what you are and are not getting. For instance, there are some structured benefit plans offering easier acceptance. But the limits are quite low and that devaluates them. Besides, you also have to pay a hefty premium. While they are health insurance plans of a sort, they are not major medical plans, something which you need to know right up front,” Green said.

There are options out there for those needing affordable health insurance in their middle years, it just takes some time to find the right plan. When searching for a viable plan that offers the right kind of coverage, consult with a knowledgeable health insurance agent.

To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com

“There’s really no need to be confused when it comes to deciding what type of Tampa health insurance would work for you or your family. I’m a phone call away and know the market intimately. All we need to do is talk about your life situation and what you need to be covered. I take it from there and find what works for you and for your budget,” said Evan Tunis of Florida Health Care Insurance, Delray Beach, Florida.

If people initiate their own search for health insurance, one of the first things they need to do is try and figure out what they absolutely need, and then factor in things that would be nice to have if their budget can handle it. The search starts from this point. While there are a great number of options on the market, with time and patience, anyone can find what they need. Mostly.

“I say mostly because many of the subtler things that people need to know about a health insurance policy are not always online. There just isn’t the room to do that. So typically, the preferred rates are up online, because they’re lower. If Joe American wants that rate, then they need to be in tip top shape. Generally speaking, most people have a pre-existing condition and that will change their quote. This is why you need to call an agent and ask questions,” Tunis said.

Asking questions is the right way to get to the bottom of all the different policies to choose from for Miami health insurance. For example, if a person is taking medication for acid reflux or to keep the blood from coagulating too quickly, some insurance companies may decline to insure him or her, and others may issue a rider. Knowing what medications a person is taking is part of the whole decision making process when it comes to finding a suitable health insurance policy.

“If you’re stuck and don’t know for sure what would work for you, then call me. I am available to answer your questions and can definitely help you when you’re looking for a Tampa health insurance policy,” Tunis said.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, visit http://www.floridahealthcareinsurance.com/tampa-insurance.html.

With group health insurance plans in Florida, the policyholder is more often than not the CEO of a company or the head of an association of some kind. This person offers health insurance coverage to employees or association members. The biggest benefit with group health insurance is that no one may be turned down for coverage, which is unlike individual health insurance. That’s a distinct benefit for workers.

On the other hand, when it comes to opting in to a group health insurance plan, members all get the same coverage and do not get to pick and choose what they want in the policy, like an a la carte menu. For example, members are not given the option to choose a particular co-pay or deductible, and this is because every member in that group has the same insurance.

The most popular part of being involved in a group health insurance plan is the money people save in the long run, as this type of health insurance is less expensive than individual plans. Of course, this is a benefit to the association head or the company boss, but ultimately, it is an enormous benefit for the workers as well.

As for premiums for group health insurance through an association or a company, there are a couple of ways to go on that. Either the employer picks up the full premium of the group plan on its own, or requires that workers pay a portion of the premium. Generally speaking, this is an entirely personal choice that should be based upon what works best in that particular workplace. There is also a requirement of an 18-month continuation of insurance for employees who quit or who are terminated. This law comes under the Florida Health Insurance Continuation Act and is a part of the COBRA laws.

For a company or association looking for information on Florida group heaalth care insurance, the best method to find a reliable source is to use a search engine that sifts through the myriad of different plans available in Florida and narrows things down to a few relevant group plans. Once the choice is narrowed down, the policy details can be compared side by side, and the best policy for the circumstances chosen.

To learn more visit: http://www.grouphealthflorida.com

While it might sound a tad dramatic to say not having health insurance coverage may bankrupt you, it’s the honest truth. Consider this: you get into a car wreck and hit your head on the steering wheel and you need an MRI and other medical intervention. You don’t have health insurance. How are you going to pay the bill when it arrives? Many people don’t have that kind of money on hand. If they can’t pay their bills, what other choices are available to them? More often than not these days, the final option that many Americans have been forced to take is bankruptcy.

For example, as of Aug. 17, bankruptcy filings shot up 20 percent in the 12-month period ending June 30. A total of 1,572,597 bankruptcy cases were filed in federal courts, compared to 1,306,315 bankruptcy cases filed in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2009. This is the highest number of bankruptcy filings for any period since many of the provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (2005) took effect. Half of the bankruptcies were filed on the basis of the person filing having suffered a serious health problem and fewer than 9 percent hadn’t suffered a medical catastrophe, divorce or job loss.

As you can see, if you don’t have health insurance, any serious medical issue will put you and your family in a very precarious position. No one has a crystal ball that will tell them when they should rush out and get health insurance because something is about to happen. The facts are that bad things happen just when we figure life is going pretty good. What if you broke your wrist or leg, would you have the money to pay for that without having health insurance? Chances are the answer to that is “No.”

On the other hand, if you have health insurance, you stand a fighting chance of getting your medical bills paid. Put another way, health insurance can keep you from going bankrupt, so it’s well worth the monthly premiums to protect you and your family. While many people complain about the high costs of premiums, they don’t realize that those premiums and their policy will protect them when they need it the most. It’s that or nothing and nothing means catastrophic bills that could sink a family’s finances.

Isn’t it in your own best interests to be protected, for your health and for your financial integrity?

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more, visit http://www.benepath.com.

Social Security turned 75 on August 14. While some celebrated its successes, the dominant narrative was instead that Social Security is in trouble. Politicians and pundits took note of Social Security’s anniversary amid renewed warnings about the dire challenges the program is facing.

In the political realm, discussion of Social Security has degraded more to the level of insult slinging and demagoguery than actual policy discussion. Democrats are accusing Republicans of trying to dismantle the nation’s most popular social insurance program (which they are) and Republicans are accusing Democrats of scare mongering about Republicans’ plans (which they are).

However, as is increasingly and unfortunately the case, the additional attention currently being paid to Social Security is not contributing to a better understanding of the program.

Debates about the health of Social Security are not new. Since President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935, the program has never met a 75-year test for solubility. [1] Yet, 75 years later, Social Security is still paying all promised benefits to retirees and individuals with disabilities.

President George W. Bush made Social Security “reform” a key goal early in his presidency. However, even with non-stop media coverage and in some cases flat out fear-mongering, the idea of privatizing some or all of the nation’s Social Security program simply did not appeal to the majority of Americans. The inability to pass any changes to Social Security after making “reform” key to his agenda was one of President Bush’s larger legislative failures.

The debate over what, if any, changes should be made to the Social Security system was quieted during the later years of the Bush presidency, but has resurfaced with vigor as President Barack Obama approaches the midway point of his first term. The resurgence of the debate can be attributed to several factors. Republicans, pandering to an increasingly extreme base in the coming 2010 mid-term elections, are using public confusion about the program to foment an atmosphere of fear and panic over looming budget deficits. Ideology also plays a roll. Conservatives do not like Social Security. It is a popular, effective government program that runs counter to the dogma that government can do no good. Finally, some politicians and economists are engaged in a good faith effort to make sure seniors who rely on Social Security and workers who have been promised Social Security will continue to receive benefits into the foreseeable future.

One key group investigating the future of Social Security is President Obama’s deficit commission. In February, the president created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, and tasked the commission with developing solutions to help maintain the nation’s long-term fiscal solubility. Social Security leads the commission’s agenda, and members are mandated to produce a series of recommendations by Dec. 1, 2010. [2]

From its inception, the commission has received criticism from the left for its conservative makeup, being comprised of Republicans and moderate- to conservative-leaning Democrats. In a recent Washington Post article, Ezra Klein scored the six Republicans and six Democrats on the commission using DW-NOMINATE rankings. He found that the Senate Democrats on the committee are more conservative than the average Senate Democrat and that the Senate Republicans on the commission are also more conservative than most of their Senate Republican colleagues. The result, in his view, being a committee evenly split in terms of partisan affiliation but right leaning in terms of ideology. [3]

Klein’s analysis of the commission follows a wave of criticism directed at its co-chair, former Republican Senator Alan Simpson. Simpson, proving himself out of touch with working Americans, described Social Security as a “a milk cow with 310 million tits.” In addition to showing a striking lack of tact (the quote coming from a letter written to the head of the National Older Women’s League), Simpson’s rant proves he either does not care about or does not understand the actual workings of the Social Security insurance program. Social Security, funded separately from rest of the federal budget, quite simply pays benefits to those who have paid in. In order to qualify to draw Social Security, an individual must work and contribute to the program for 10 years. Social Security is not means tested; benefits are paid progressively as a percentage of former earnings and contributions.

The mean Social Security benefit is around $14,000 a year, providing 40 percent of retirement income for the average American. [4] According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security lifts 20 million Americans out of poverty. [5] And, according to a recent national survey commissioned by the AARP, 85 percent of adults oppose cutting Social Security and half of non-retired adults support paying higher payroll taxes to ensure the systems stays solvent. Younger Americans, while skeptical about the program’s future, are particularly supportive of the program. 90 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29 said they believe Social Security is important. [6]

However, while Social Security is popular, many Americans, particularly young Americans, are skeptical about its future. Much of this can be attributed to the misunderstandings and mistruths that are continuously perpetrated by some in Congress and in the media. Here are the truths behind some of the more common Social Security myths.

1. Social Security adds to the deficit.

Social Security, by law, cannot add to the deficit. It is a separate program, paid into through FICA contributions, with benefits paid only from the revenue it raises. If the trust fund were to be exhausted and current contributions were not adequate to pay benefits, Social Security could not borrow from the general budget. Federal law prohibits Social Security from borrowing.

2. Social Security is broke, and there is no “Trust Fund.”

Conventional wisdom among Social Security skeptics is that the program is out of money now and that there is no Social Security Trust Fund. This is fueled largely by the fact that Social Security did begin to pay more in benefits than it received in taxes earlier than was projected due to the depth of the 2008 recession. Regardless of this fact, The Social Security Trust Fund currently runs a $2.5 trillion surplus. The Economic Policy Institute estimates the surplus will peak at $4.2 trillion in 2024 [7]

Trust Fund intact, with no changes to the program, Social Security is projected to be able to pay 100 percent of benefits until the year 2037. After 2037, Social Security will still be able to pay 75 percent of benefits. [8] A program projected to meet costs almost 4 decades into the future with no adjustments is not a system in crisis. Other government programs would be hard pressed to meet such a standard.

3. The Trust Fund has been raided and is just full of IOUs.

Those who decry the vacuous trust fund, eliciting imagery of a big room with lonely piles of IOUs, are in reality making claims against the creditworthiness of the United States government. True, the Social Security Trust Fund is not sitting around in a lock box as Al Gore eloquently stated. The funds are invested in Treasury Bonds, “full faith and credit” notes that the government issues to many of its creditors. Since the federal government has never missed a payment on its debt, and is not expected to anytime soon, to claim the Trust Fund is full of useless IOUs is disingenuous.

4. The retirement age must be raised because people are living longer

The retirement age argument is tricky because two things are the case: more baby-boomers are soon to retire, and people, on average, are living longer. The argument seems logical on its face, but the reality is very different.

The crux of the issue surrounding the retirement age is that the rise in life expectancy since 1935 is largely due to lower infant mortality rates and is unevenly spread among income levels. Since 1972, life expectancy has increased by 6.5 years for top earners, but by less than two years for workers in the bottom half of the earnings bracket. [9] Because of this disparity, the less affluent, those who most need social security, will see the greatest benefit cut. It is not as difficult to imagine staying in a well-paying office job for a couple more years as it is to continue working lower-paying labor-intensive jobs until age 70.

In addition, the retirement age is already set to increase gradually, due to a 1983 law, until it reaches 67 for people born after 1959.

5. Benefit cuts are needed

To the extent that there will be shortfalls in the Social Security budget in the future, they are minor in relation to other budget expenditures, and can be corrected without cutting benefits. In 1983, when Social Security actually did run out of funds, a “deal” was made with workers to put Social Security back in the black. Payroll taxes were raised, significantly, on middle and lower income workers. The tax increase was highly regressive, but, coupled with a raise in the retirement age, was responsible for building the large surplus Social Security enjoys today.

The increase in taxes on lower income individuals also allowed Reagan to cut taxes on those earning higher incomes. At the time, implicit in the deal was the idea that lower income workers would overpay their taxes for 30 years, at which point higher income individuals would pitch in to relieve some of the burden and cover any funding shortfalls. After a period of overpayment of payroll taxes, the tables would turn, and middle and lower income individuals would begin to underpay payroll taxes with the difference being covered by a raise in income taxes on higher earners. [10]

Thirty years later, the second part of that deal has been conveniently forgotten. Without cutting benefits, and in the spirit of Alan Greenspan’s 1983 recommendations, creating new sources of revenue could increase funds. The cap on Social Security taxed-income, currently $106,800, could be raised or eliminated. Other taxes, like a proposed financial transactions tax, could be implemented. The 75-year projected Social Security deficit is roughly equal to the cost of extending President Bush’s tax cuts on those earning over $250,000 a year for the same period. [11]

The logic, as Paul Krugman stated, is that benefits have to be cut to avoid cuts in benefits. That logic does not add up. [12]

6. Social Security faces the same issues as Medicare and Medicaid.

Social Security often gets lumped in with Medicare and Medicaid as a problem “entitlement” program. It is true, Medicaid and Medicare do face funding problems, but much of this is due to the ballooning costs of health care. Social Security does not face the same problems as Medicare and Medicaid as payouts are not affected by rising health care costs.

Even with these realities, many watching the Social Security debate expect the deficit commission to offer a package of several cuts, including an increase in the retirement age. It is anticipated these cuts will be coupled with some sort of an increase in payroll taxes for wealthier Americans.

Current and future retirees would be well served if politicians would stop confusing the distinction between cuts in Social Security and cuts in the national debt. Mounting deficits are a legitimate concern, but can in no way be attributed to Social Security. Americans, both those receiving Social Security benefits, and those planning to receive benefits in the future, acknowledge the significance of the Social Security. A program that is so important to so many Americans deserves an honest debate.

SOURCES

1. http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/webfeatures_viewpoints_ss_myth/

2. http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/

3. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/08/the_republicans_on_the_deficit.html

4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-miller/its-time-to-bolster-socia_b_696327.html

5. http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3260

6. http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-08-2010/social_security_75th.html

7. http://www.epi.org/analysis_and_opinion/entry/fact_check_has_social_security_begun_tapping_its_trust_funds/

8. http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TR/2010/index.html

9. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/more_on_raising_the_retirement.html

10. http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/deal

11. http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3262&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cbpp%2FfYJq+%28Center+on+Budget+and+Policy+Priorities%29#_ftnref1

12. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/opinion/16krugman.html?_r=1&hp

Medical homes seem to be a radical idea that no one wants to discuss and the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (Center for Medicine) has some concerns about the concept. While they agree that there needs to be cost cutting measures to get a grip on Medicare expenses, they aren’t too enthralled with the idea of medical homes.

These “homes” are way, way back in the health care reform bill in the inevitable fine print. What the text proposes is the establishment of a medical home pilot program for disabled persons and for seniors. It seems the idea would mean providing a medical home for every person during the long process of America moving to a wellness based system, instead of remaining with the current sickness based model.

This idea begs the question of what would happen to Medicare, Medicare supplements and a whole host of other scary questions that people can’t really wrap their minds around. On the surface the idea sounds like a great one, with the homes being operated by nurse practitioners and doctors’ assistants who would use evidence based medicine.

These individuals would hand out treatment to those in the home, but without the supervision of a doctor. There is also a question of what precisely does the term “treatment” mean – handing out medications or performing other medical procedures? How would these costs be absorbed and by whom? What the Center for Medicine is wary of is the imposition of “one-size fits-all” medicine handed out by only partially trained medical staff to cut corners and save the government and private insurance carriers some money.

Here’s where Medicare comes into the picture. The proposed pilot program would be aimed at Medicare patients with a high medical risk score, and/or those needing constant treatment or supervision. This type of patient requires the care of a physician, not just a nurse. And herein lies the concern of many seniors on Medicare and the Center for Medicine. This will put the proposal into perspective sharply. Right now there are roughly 22 million individuals eligible for the proposed medical home program.

The logistics of a program of this nature are staggering and one wonders if the government has any clear concept of what that would mean in terms of trying to set it up. To contemplate caring for 22 million people with just nurses and doctors’ assistants is a sobering thought. More to the point, how will this really save Medicare and the health system any money?

Think about that for a minute and the realization will dawn that someone will need to pay for this kind of care and if it’s not the government and insurance carriers, then it would be private individuals. Seniors on

Medicare and Medicare supplements barely have the kind of money to afford what they have now, how would they afford a medical care home?

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Next is what the House chooses to do when they sit in September. Some of the ridiculous issues raised over the summer months have up and gone away, but others remain that will likely be a great deal more contentious and have greater ramifications.

The leading issue seems to be the “public plan,” which is a polite way of speaking about a kind of government insurance plan that would be available to those who had absolutely no other health insurance options. While this sounds like a dandy plan on the surface, there are those that insist it would be a government takeover of health care, not always a good thing given the current state of affairs.

On the other side of the fence there are those that make the case that the public plan is ultimately necessary for any kind of reform to be effective. If access to health care is an issue that is supposed to be resolved, then this particular point of view tends to make sense to a large number of people.

Taking a step backward to get a clearer view of the debate, one comes to the conclusion that both sides of the argument have a point, but neither is totally right. That isn’t too much of a surprise given that it’s politicians doing the infighting. Really, the questions that ought to be asked, rather than focusing on poverty and access to health care, might be, “How will the government make Medicaid better and stronger?”

This question makes sense since the original universal health care changes have been tanked for now and the focus shifted to expanding health insurance coverage to certain segments of the population. Obviously, one of those segments is people living in poverty. Everyone should have a safety net for medical expenses, and there isn’t one right now. Instead, families face potential bankruptcy and total financial ruin over medical bills.

Ironically, the one program that should be able to help those in such dire circumstances – Medicaid – doesn’t guarantee either insurance or health care to people in poverty. Reform, if it is indeed on its way, needs to perhaps have Medicaid returned under the federal government’s wing and change the reimbursement doctors are given so they may assist people in poverty. That would make a significant change in the health care system.

If poorer people did have access to health care, it would keep them from having to use hospital emergency rooms. Just think about how much this one small change would mean to the system wide budget that faces escalating costs, thanks to poor people using ERs as doctor’s offices.

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While many people have both parts A and B of Medicare, they are making a mistake by thinking that they have complete protection. What they have is comprehensive coverage, but this is not the same thing as complete protection.

If you go back a bit in history, Medicare has never covered outpatient prescription costs, with the onetime exception in 1989. Things mostly remained that way until 2003 when a new act was brought into force – the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act. All that whole mouthful means is that it expanded Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit that started in 2006.

You might be wondering why the change wasn’t implemented earlier. This has to do with the fact that Medicare has the right to definitively outline the care it will cover, and that includes part D. This brings up another interesting point, the one that says all medical treatments and procedures must be approved by Medicare. This is the major reason why you need to have a good working knowledge of Medicare to really understand the program.

Not many people seem to realize that every part of Medicare offers benefits for different types of care and that Medicare parts A and B each have different co-payments, out-of-pocket expenses and limits. What this really means is that you almost have two different insurance policies.

What do you need to know to have your medical expenses covered by Medicare? The first thing you need to know is that your treatment is medically required and deemed appropriate for the condition you have. Medicare must approve your treatment and it must have been prescribed by a doctor.

They won’t OK coverage of unique procedures or experimental treatments. If however you feel you have been wrongly denied, you do have the right to appeal the decision. Why is this stuff important for you to know? It is significant for you to know because Medigap and/or Medicare supplement insurance only pays a claim if Medicare accepts the expenses as reasonable.

Keep in mind that no matter where you buy Medicare plans and/or Medicare supplement plans, they are all the same, all standardized. The only differences will be what one company charges versus another. The thing to pay attention to is that since the plans were standardized, plan F has become the most popular because customers value the full coverage. This isn’t to say that there aren’t other viable alternatives such as plan C, D or G because many hospitals and physicians don’t demand the patient pay more than what Medicare approves.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

One of the first things to consider is having every family member on a separate policy. While that idea might go against the grain, there is a very good reason for it. It’s a proven fact that some insurance carriers have actually cancelled a whole family’s health insurance coverage because of something that might be wrong with just “one” dependent. That’s a pretty scary thought to have everyone in the whole family suddenly without health insurance.

Don’t jump whole hog into buying health insurance from a company no one seems to know very much about. The ideal thing is to thoroughly check out whether the company under consideration has a good track record for paying claims or not. Word of mouth is often helpful here.

If there isn’t much information to be found about the company, take a pass and move on to another choice. The ideal health insurance agent is one who will spend time educating clients about their options and not pressuring them to buy anything, not to mention the agent knows precisely who has a good track record for paying their claims.

When choosing an insurance company before buying health insurance, it’s a good idea to pick a company that does “not” hike rates every six months after the initial first year with them. While this might seem impossible to believe, it does happen and in fact there are examples of insurance companies handing out a 31% rate hike every six months after the first 12 months, this despite assuring the customer would only see (on average) a mere 8% increase in rates. No one needs to be dealing with rate increases like that.

It may be tempting to fudge a person’s health status on an insurance application; after all it just seems like a “little white lie.” Never try and hide any health conditions from the insurer. It is a virtual guarantee that they “will” find out later during the course of medical testing, etc. Finding out later has some serious repercussions that may include policy cancellation.

Don’t go to the doctor’s office that often? If that is the case, consider a different type of health insurance, as there is no sense in paying for the ability to visit the doctor frequently if that never happens. It doesn’t make sense to fork over hard earned money for doctor co-pays if it isn’t necessary.

Seek an expert health insurance agent that isn’t just out to sell something, but takes the time to help figure out which plan would be the very best fit for everyone that needs health insurance.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

It only makes sense that to obtain life insurance the company will want to know as much as possible about the person applying. Knowing as much as possible, of course, usually means a health exam done by a doctor or paramedic, lots of forms to fill out, the routine blood tests, urine tests and saliva tests, not to mention the obligatory list of medications being taken and why they are being taken.

It all seems a bit too invasive and nosey, but realistically if a person expects to get their life insured, then they have to expect that the company considering doing that will want to know as much medical information as possible. It’s not just the medical information they insist on either. Many insurance companies will be asking questions about smoking history, hobbies (just in case the person sky dives or pilots a plane) and pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions don’t exclude someone from getting insurance, but it may change the category or class they are ultimately approved in which to get insurance.
If, on the other hand, the person applying for life insurance wants less than $100,000 and happens to be under 40, they usually don’t have a tough time getting what they need. In either instance, the cost of the life insurance premium does tend to depend on the person’s age and health, which brings up an interesting scenario. What if the person applying for life insurance does not reveal all of their health issues?

If they didn’t confess to all their medical issues and withheld the fact that they smoke occasionally, this will come out in the salvia test they submitted to, no matter how many breath mints they have to hide the fact. Interestingly enough many insurance companies don’t tend to penalize people for failing to be totally honest about their health, as it may have been a genuine oversight, or they view their odd cigarette as classifying them as being a non-smoker because it’s not a whole pack.

Generally speaking though, it’s wise to just tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth and save the embarrassment later. Being honest about one’s health will only help get the right kind of life insurance in the final analysis.

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It’s no secret that Florida health insurance is essential. It is also no secret that it has the potential to be expensive, which accounts for the rising number of uninsured in the state. Recently, the government and a handful of non-profit organizations have started to wade into the health care field in an effort to reduce the expense of Florida health insurance. That only makes good sense in order to make medical care accessible to people who need it the most. It’s about time the sense of “community” began to take hold in the critical area of Florida health insurance.

It’s not just individuals who need Florida health insurance. It’s designed for groups as well. In both instances, it is set up to protect people and allow access to health care services. Shopping for the right kind of insurance and making sure it’s affordable is often a major concern for people, particularly during a recession. Florida health insurance is noted for offering coverage for children up to the age of 19, pregnant women, families and self-employed people. Still, it’s a smart consumer who takes the time to check on the varying prices offered from one insurance company to another.

Florida health insurance basically offers what a health insurance plan should offer: benefits for medications, prescription coverage, hospital stays and doctor visits. The plans available range from individual Florida health insurance to large group health insurance and from temporary health insurance to small group insurance. No matter what coverage a person needs, there is a Florida health insurance plan that will fit the bill.

In order to qualify for individual Florida health insurance, there is a medical exam to pass. It’s the usual run of the mill doctor’s checkup kind of test that will provide the insurance company with a complete health record. If a person does qualify for Florida health insurance, the next step is paying the premium which is usually based on medical history and age.

Opting to buy individual Florida health insurance is less expensive than group health, but the choices made in the final analysis may depend on other factors rather than just cost. This is why it is best to speak with a local Florida health insurance agent who knows his plans inside out and who can provide a clear overview of what benefits each policy has to offer.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

In a nutshell, life insurance gives money to a listed beneficiary (friend, spouse, family member) if the person who holds the policy dies. In most cases, people buy life insurance to cover their final expenses such as the funeral and burial and to provide income to a beneficiary. Other reasons may include a wish to cover college expenses for someone or a legacy and to pay off estate taxes. There are exceptions to this general rule in that some people just buy a death benefit policy, while others may choose a policy that grows in value over a period of time.

If you don’t know what you want, the best place to start is to review the basics of life insurance, figure out how much coverage you actually need, what type of insurance might best suit you and how the underwriting process works. You certainly don’t have to do this on your own and in fact you’d be one smart life insurance shopper if you took the time to speak to a life insurance expert about the various options you may choose.

Usually the first thing people wonder about when they start thinking about life insurance is how much coverage they should get. There isn’t a right or a wrong number for the amount you would need to cover expenses upon death, but there are a few things you should consider. Take into account what your current financial position happens to be, meaning what are your assets, income, expenses and liabilities? Do you have an idea of what your final expenses would be? What debts are you carrying that might be long-term in nature for your family? Do you want to leave income for a survivor?

Depending on your answers, you should be able to get a rough idea of the amount of life insurance you may need. For example if you want to make sure someone has income on your death, you need to also take into consideration the yearly interest rate. So really life insurance is all about planning for your goals and then finding the right vehicle to carry out your wishes.

You need to know that there are four categories of life insurance you may consider and those are considered to be the primary types of life insurance: term life, whole life, variable universal life and universal life. Before you make any choices about what you ultimately buy, you should be asking questions about the features and benefits of each choice available. Be aware that some insurance plans offer some form of cash accumulation while others do not.

In order to be approved for life insurance you will need to go through an underwriting process which basically means filling out a general medical and financial application and a physical examination. In most cases the whole process may take about 3 to 6 weeks for approval. At that point, you will start paying your life insurance premiums.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

Concerned health care consumers are able to opt for paying current expenses and save for future qualified medical/retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis by buying Illinois HSAs – Health Savings Accounts. These are much better than doctor’s office co-pay plans.

Why are they better? They’re better because the Illinois HSAs cover everything and not “just” the visit to the doctor’s office. In addition, not many people realize that when they go for further diagnostics after they’ve paid their portion of the doctor’s bill, the lab tests and other services have to be paid for out-of-pocket.
To take advantage of Health Savings Accounts an individual needs a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The HDHP is also referred to as catastrophic health insurance, and usually costs less than traditional health care coverage. The reason it costs less is due to the fact the first several thousand dollars are paid by the client before coverage kicks in.

Money saved on insurance may then accrue in a Health Savings Account. The money in the account belongs to the account owner and decisions made to spend the funds are the sole responsibility of the account holder, not a third party or health insurance carrier.

Other interesting benefits offered by a Health Savings Account include the ability to invest the money however the account holder sees fit to grow money to save for the future. Having control over the disposition and day-to-day account management adds value to this alternative solution to traditional health insurance plans.

People don’t buy an Illinois Health Savings Account. It’s just that – a savings account that accrues money on a tax-preferred basis. The only thing purchased with an HSA is the HDHP. The idea is the HDHP covers the shortfall if medical bills exceed funds available in the HSA.

To qualify for an Illinois Health Savings Account the minimum deductible for the HDHP is set at a certain amount for individuals and families, as are out-of-pocket expenses. Speak to your expert local insurance broker about the variable deductible amounts, about preventive care and higher out-of-pocket limits.
Banks, credit unions, insurance companies and other approved companies offer Illinois Health Savings Accounts for the general public. Or an employer may offer a plan for workers. If other health care plans do not pay out significant dollar amounts, they may be kept along with the Health Savings Account.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

If one sits down and does some math with the life expectancy and lower death rates, the first thing that comes to mind is that if people are living longer and dying less, they will need to have more money to do that. In addition to needing to have more money, they will also need life insurance that makes sense for them in order to be covered properly.

The problem is that many Americans just don’t have spare cash right now, if they have “any” cash at all during this recession. All over the U.S. things are tight and people don’t spend money on anything they don’t think is absolutely necessary – often that includes life insurance. Unfortunately that is somewhat counter intuitive as this is a product that people “do” need in times like this despite begin strapped for cash.

Many people are faced with situations such as taking out a loan/mortgage for a house and then not going for the life insurance to cover it in case of a death. Those who already have life insurance are also cutting back on their coverage, in the hopes they will pick it up later when things improve economically.

Right now the life insurance market is fairly competitive and the rates are pretty good. There are many different options open to people and they’re fairly easy to get information on by going online to various life insurance websites. Fighting with the fear of not having enough money to pay the bills usually stops people from considering purchasing life insurance. However, if they can see past the immediate problem to the long-term future, this would be a worthwhile and smart investment.

One doesn’t need to buy a life insurance policy with all the bells and whistles. A basic life insurance policy is a grand place to start. Make it a point to check that out first and also compare what other kinds of policies happen to be available as well. Whole life is also an option – for which a person pays a set premium while decreasing life insurance lowers the coverage while the mortgage decreases. Generally speaking whole life insurance pays out on your death, while the term cover simply refers to insurance for the “term” of that particular policy. That means it could end without any payout, so in the long run, term insurance is cheaper.
There are tough questions to face when trying to determine the amount of life insurance that would work to cover the family in the event of the death of the major income earner. For instance, are there other loans and debts to pay off, has the mortgage been increased or borrowed against for other reasons? Has the level of the life insurance been raised to cover all the extra debt? Is it feasible to “not” have insurance or be adequately covered?

Always make it a point to speak to a life insurance expert to get the real scoop on all the differing policies available for various situations. The agent knows the product and can definitely provide professional advice on what would work best in certain situations.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

First of all, if you are in a position to buy additional life insurance, meaning more than what you currently have, not only will you likely save money on the premiums, but you will have the opportunity to put that policy (or policies) into an irrevocable trust. The main reason for doing that is to make sure the proceeds of that policy or policies are not taxed leaving the beneficiaries with less money than they would need to survive.

Chances are that since you last bought a life insurance policy that rates have jumped substantially. The fact is if you check online you’ll find out that premiums have actually shot up anywhere from 10% to 15%, a significant hike. This may be a deal breaker for some people, but one needs to remember that either way with higher premiums or the prospective buyer being older, the premiums are going to be high.

This means shopping about for the best rate right now and not waiting another six months or so to make a decision. The longer people wait to buy extra insurance, the higher the costs. That’s a fact of doing business during a recession. Prices won’t drop and one can pretty much guarantee they will continue to rise, so acting quickly may offer the better deal on life insurance premiums.

Figuring out how much coverage is needed is a bit like a game of Russian roulette – it’s hard to know what the outcome will be. Generally speaking the rule of thumb is that people should buy five to 10 times their income in coverage. This may be too small for some people and they may opt to bump that figure up to 20 or even 30 times their income for coverage. This of course is an individual decision based on the family’s circumstances and future plans.

If the policy is supposed to be owned by a trust, speak to an attorney who will outline how the process is initiated and ultimately achieved. It’s usually best to set up the trust first and then apply for the life insurance. Setting up a trust does tend to take some time, so if this is something worth doing, take the time to do it right the first time so there are no glitches further down the road.

There are a few things needed to set up a trust – a separate bank account to fund the trust and an employee identification number obtained from the IRS, and a few other legal documents. Entrust this process to an attorney and save the major headache it will generate.

Once the new additional life insurance policy has been bought (and the trust fund all ready to roll) the good news is that it is really easy to transfer any other life insurance policies into the trust. This protects a person’s estate from being unnecessarily taxed – for now that is. No one really knows what will happen with estate taxes in the future, so be safe now because if things change, what is in place now will likely be grandfathered.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

It’s a fact that one in every five Americans is a senior. Come 2050 this will be one in four. If you take the time to do some math, you can see where this market will continually burgeon until even greater numbers of seniors are on Medicare. This is important news for insurance companies and the health system because seniors these days are living far longer than they did before – thanks to the marvels of new technology.

Wave one of the baby boomers will hit the marketplace in roughly a year and a half if they were born in the 20 year period after the end of WWII. The next wave will hit in approximately 2025. Medicare as we know it today will look nothing like it used to with the advent of all these new people becoming eligible to receive benefits. This also begs the question of just how the health system will cope with such an enormous influx of older people needing more care. Think of how expensive that is going to be. Given the state of the economy today, this might be viewed as a touch and go situation at best.

Keep in mind that seniors in the 21st century are leap years ahead of their predecessors. They’re alert, politically aware, highly motivated, intelligent and quite involved in advocating for their future. They’re prepared to take on the government and fight for what they perceive to be their right to adequate health care. They’re also far more financially secure than generations before them and they continue to generate revenue by way of annuities, pensions, social security, jobs (yes, seniors are indeed working past the age of 65) and investments.

Part of the reason that today’s seniors are far more aware of what is going on around them than ever before is that virtually one out of every five over the age of 65 is now online. Just about half of the seniors in the 65 to 75 year old bracket use the WWW. Those over 75 have also taken the plunge into exploring global connectivity.

If seniors are online, what do you suppose they are currently looking for as they surf? If you guessed they were trying to get information on Medicare, health insurance and Medicaid, you’d have just won the prize at the county fair. What a golden opportunity for brokers or agents that specialize in these forms of health insurance, as research reveals these same Internet savvy seniors are also starting their health insurance purchases online now as well.

If you’re prepared for the future and ready to serve the baby boomers as they become eligible for Medicare, etc. then you won’t have any trouble finding customers. In fact, they’ll likely be coming to you first. Make sure you have a highly interactive and easy to use website that has all the information seniors need and provides excellent service.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

While it might come as a surprise to think you really are able to get cheaper Florida health insurance; the fact is, it really is available. All you have to do is be willing to surf the Internet, carefully read what you find, and call a Florida health insurance agent to ask questions.

Not everything you see on a health insurance website is the gospel truth as you’d like to know it. You are only seeing part of a huge network of people dealing with thousands of variables as they try to quote health insurance prices to thousands of people – most of whom want the cheapest fix they can get, but the best coverage that money can buy. Bit of an oxymoron that was.

Sure you might find insurance agents that can quote you a price that suits your budget, but when you get to chat about pre-existing health conditions, suddenly the price changes – drastically. So you scratch that carrier and move on to find one who will accept you. You may find one, and their price may be better than the first company you talked to, except they exclude your pre-existing medical condition. This basically means you’re no further ahead than you were when you started calling around.

Cut to the chase when you call Florida health insurance agents and let them know right up front if you have any pre-existing health conditions. This will save you time on the phone and also tell you who will cover you and who won’t. Chances are in the long run you will need to go with a carrier who will cover you, pre-existing condition and all.

The exclusion of pre-existing health conditions is rather an odd form of discrimination against people with an illness and indicates the insurance company would prefer to only insure healthy people as they’re less of a risk. There’s food for thought.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

It’s no laughing matter when you go to use your health insurance benefits and find out you don’t have what you thought you did for health coverage. In fact it’s often a nasty shock to the system and to your wallet.

This, more than anything, points out one essential thing we all should be doing – reading the fine print on our health insurance contracts, supplements, plans or whatever you want to call them. Whatever you do choose to call them, make sure when you search for Florida health insurance that you have a list of questions you want answered.

While it might seem as exciting as watching paint dry, reading the fine print will tell you precisely what is covered and what isn’t. In other words you won’t find out about it later when you’re in a situation where you thought you had coverage – and didn’t. Now that just cost you some money you didn’t expect to be paying out. Whether you’re opting for Florida HMO, PPO or POS, know what you need versus what you might get.

Sad, but true, are the health insurance companies that hope you don’t read what type of coverage you’re getting. This means they can sell you something that is relatively inexpensive compared to other plans. Well there’s a reason the plan they’re selling is cheaper. It doesn’t have the kind of coverage you may need. Florida health insurance has so many different loopholes, options, advantages and disadvantages that your best bet is to talk to an expert agent who knows their stuff.

Customer service hears these kinds of complaints all the time from people more than a tad irked about not being covered for something they wanted. It’s not their problem that you didn’t get what you wanted. They’re trying to backfill what an agent sold you. If you’re annoyed about your coverage, it’s the agent with whom you need to deal.

Make it a point to take the time to read what your health insurance benefits really provide, not assume without glancing at them that you have all you really need. Far too many people have been unpleasantly shocked to find out their health coverage wasn’t all that it should be.

If you’re in Florida and wanting information on Florida health insurance and what it really has to offer, talk to the experts. Don’t call a large online health care quote provider who could care less where you live or what you need.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance,Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

One hand of the government says they are not going to raise taxes to fix Medicare. The other hand says the plan to reform Medicare will cost more because Medicare needs to change. So, which is the real story and what is the real definition of the word subsidy? Is it true that Medicare and Medicaid are the reasons the economy is so out of whack or is it the other way around?

Ostensibly a subsidy is a grant of public money that assists a private operator in serving the public or it is any financial assistance given by one person to another. The fact is that the government subsidizes Medicare and Medicaid, and what the government does not subsidize comes out of the pockets of seniors. Based on what many seniors hear in the nationwide town hall meetings, they feel that too much change will spell problems for them.

Seniors do not want “less” medical care and would be happy to keep what they have right now, and they most certainly do not want to pay more out-of-pocket for what they are currently getting. While it may all boil down to a matter of perception, the fact is that if changes are made to Medicare and Medicaid and Medicare supplements, it is virtually inevitable that costs will increase. It’s the nature of the beast.

Most frightening of all to seniors on limited budgets, even if they do have a comfortable income, is the fact that they feel the government is beginning to offload the increasing costs of Medicare and Medicare supplements to the one part of the population who can least afford it. Some have even been heard to say they feel they are being put out to pasture by the government’s rush to trim senior health care because their lives are shorter at that age.

Without going off the deep end on this subject, it would be best if seniors took the time to really make themselves familiar with the issues before making up their minds. Ask the tough questions, see what the answers are and then make an informed decision. There is no doubt that the cost of revamping Medicare is going to be tremendous and that it can’t be done until the economy is in better shape than it is right now.

There are still a number of unanswered questions relating to the high birth rate in the U.S. and how that impacts the health system, as well as questions about the immigrant population who moved here to take advantage of health care services. How will those costs be factored into a new health system without taking from Peter to care for Paul?

While things need to change in order to provide care for all, the question still remains: How will that be done and where will the money come from to accomplish it? In the meantime, don’t jump to conclusions until the whole picture becomes clear, as there may be more to understand before making up your mind that the government is out to “get” seniors. This may not be the case and like many items we have already heard about, it might only be “suggestions” to see the response.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

The first thing to understand when dealing with Illinois health insurance is what the definition of a pre-existing health condition happens to be. To simplify a sometimes long and drawn out description, a pre-existing condition is one where a person has seen a doctor and has been diagnosed with a “condition or illness,” and has been treated prior to applying for Illinois health insurance.

The tricky situation then becomes the fact that many Illinois health insurance companies use the application questionnaires to implement an exclusion period to defend themselves against people with pre-existing health conditions. It is often used as a loophole to deny insurance, rider it or accept it, but with a higher premium.

The conundrum in Illinois is that if a person is looking for individual Illinois health insurance and they have a pre-existing condition, the insurance company can turn them down unless the person happens to be eligible for an Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA. Without getting too technical, HIPAA protects Illinois health coverage for workers and their families if they change or lose their jobs and provides protection for those with pre-existing medical conditions by limiting their exclusion period.
While it’s a good thing to have that law in place to protect people who need Illinois health insurance, the unfortunate thing is that the law hasn’t gotten rid of the ability of insurance companies to deny health insurance to those with pre-existing health conditions or even excluding medical conditions. What this boils down to is that there’s only guarantee issue in State sponsored plans and in insurance company funded plans. If an applicant for Illinois health insurance meets six HIPAA criteria, they are eligible for guaranteed issue HIPAA. In a pinch, this may be the only route those with major pre-existing health conditions are able to take.

Illinois health insurance companies all tend to handle pre-existing health conditions differently, so it’s best to do some serious research online and in person to find out what company and policy will be applicable. It’s a given that individual plans have more exclusions and are more expensive than group plans. When in doubt, ask a local insurance agent what is available and what the requirements are to apply.

Some of the most important insurance companies in the state of Illinois handle pre-existing conditions a little bit differently, because of this it is important to do some research and actually shop around for a policy before deciding to apply. Individual plans have more exclusions than group plans and that is why they are quite a bit less expensive, because they are more restrictive.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

How easy is easy? Really, it is a lot easier to get competitive health insurance quotes in Illinois by doing smart surfing online and finding a site that offers side-by-side competitive quotes. Not just a few things side-by-side, but a site that offers customers the best bang for their buck.

Keep in mind that not all the things one sees on an online insurance website are always applicable to your particular situation. For instance, you may find a totally outstanding quote and note that it is the “preferred” rate. That means you have to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for that particular Illinois health insurance policy. This is one of the major reasons you will want to talk to the agent who owns and runs the website you are surfing, to clarify any questions you might have about the quotes you will receive.

Sometimes just reading quotes side-by-side online, or side-by-side comparisons made by an expert health insurance broker after you have provided your information makes sense and sometimes there are unanswered questions that can be cleared up by an insurance expert. Always take the time to carefully compare the health insurance plans you see online, paying particular attention to two things – what is included in the plan and what the price happens to be.

There are various choices of health insurance plans that may be tailor-made to suit your circumstances with some tweaking. You will definitely have a wide variety of carriers to choose from when you find an Illinois health insurance website with up-to-date information.

You might be wondering why you have a good chance of finding a “deal” on Medicare supplements. This happens because each private insurance carrier has the option to offer Medicare (if they do offer Medicare, as not all insurers do) at a rate they choose. So it makes a lot of sense to have a health insurance expert provide you with side-by-side comparisons after providing your information. Of course you will want to make sure that the Medicare supplements you want will dovetail with the Medicare plan you ultimately choose.

If at any time you have questions while getting your competitive Illinois health insurance quotes, reach for the phone and make that personal call to the expert. It goes without saying that you only want the best in Illinois health insurance for you and your family.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

The major problem with Medicare and all the various deductibles is that it is extremely confusing trying to figure out which portion of Medicare – Part A and Part B – has which deductible kick in and when. For the record, Medicare part A offers hospital coverage, and part B provides medical coverage. If there is no Medicare supplement insurance involved then when the calendar year starts and a patient visits their doctor they would pay a deductible of roughly $150.

If this same person had to go to hospital and spent three days there, they would get in the mail a part A deductible bill of approximately $1,000. If for some reason the same patient had to return to the hospital for another short stay a few months later, they would once again get a part A deductible bill in the mail for the same amount as their first stay. At this point many seniors throw up their hands and wonder what is happening and why they are getting two bills in the mail.

The reason there were two deductibles in one year under Medicare part A is because the deductible is charged for a benefit period, and a benefit period starts the day a person goes to a hospital or other nursing institution.

The period typically ends when the patient hasn’t gotten hospital care for 60 days in a row. If that period ends and another trip to the hospital is required, this is classified as a new benefit period. On the other hand, Medicare part B only has the one deductible a calendar year.

If Medigap supplement insurance was in play in this scenario, then it would likely have covered the out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare part A and part B deductibles. At one time there was the option to consider the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan. Unfortunately, this plan will no longer be offered in 2010.
Medicare isn’t always the easiest health care insurance to understand, but with a little due diligence and digging, most of the answers are readily available. Granted they may be confusing at first, but if seniors take the time to speak to a local Medicare insurance agent, they will have the answers immediately. A local Medicare agent will know the plans and benefits intimately and if budget is a concern, he will be able to tailor Medicare supplement insurance to go with Medicare that is affordable and actually delivers what it promises to deliver.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Luckily, Medicare is a whole lot easier to understand than many people think. There are portions of their various policies that leave something to be desired in the comprehension and plain English department, but suffice it to say that for the most part, what someone needs to know is easy to find out and easy to understand.

There is a handbook available from Medicare if the spirit moves a person to ask for it. However, it is confusing at best and leaves readers with the vague feeling they missed something, and they usually did. To really narrow the focus of what is definitely needed for Medicare, do some pre-planning and have the various options selected by March.

Make critical decisions like going with an HMO as opposed to private insurance or a PPO. Perhaps an existing retirement plan offers health benefits after the age of 65. These are things that need to be taken into consideration when selecting Medicare plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

Other decisions that need to be made include deciding if it makes sense to take part A, which is free, and part B that is paid out of social security. Something that needs to be perfectly clear about part A is that it picks up 80 percent of the costs of a hospital stay, but it does not cover the doctors treating a patient during that stay. Alternatively, part B offers doctor/surgeon/specialist coverage that handles 80 percent of physician visits, lab tests, surgeons and other specialists. This is usually the plan that most seniors will use.

A smart move for seniors is to take advantage of open enrollment. This is when three months prior to the senior’s birthday and three months after it, they are considered to be in open enrollment. This is useful information because during this period of time there is no health underwriting with insurance companies.
HMO’s can definitely deny coverage based on the health of an individual. However, insurance companies cannot, not if the person is in open enrollment. This is a golden opportunity to take advantage of if one’s health isn’t that great.

Depending on what state a senior resides in, they may wind up paying between $100 and $175 for Medicare supplements. In other states there is the option to choose plan F or plan J which would mean no deductibles, co-pays and the Medicare supplement insurance would pay the remaining balance of the medical bills. It’s best to check with a licensed Medicare insurance broker who will be able to outline what plans are available in various states and their costs before making any decisions about what Medicare plan and Medicare supplements are needed.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Medicare is not the ‘be all-end all’ and all encompassing insurance program than many elderly Americans seem to think it is; far from it to be precise. It will not and cannot take care of all their medical needs. It was never designed as a program to handle every medical need a person has. It was initially designed to take care of life’s medical crisis moments such as heart attacks and things like seriously broken bones.

Unfortunately, Medicare somehow became the magic panacea to cure everyone’s aches, pains and illnesses when they got older. That meant that buying Medicare supplements didn’t make much sense to older people because they already had Medicare coverage. Many of them opted to not get Medicare supplements because the cost seemed out of line. This mistaken impression needs to be corrected before too many seniors realize their mistake later when they desperately need medical care they cannot get with Medicare.

If the elderly do not understand the differences between Medicare and Medicare supplements they will find themselves faced with medical bills later in life that they not only didn’t expect to have, but will have no way to be able to pay them. This isn’t to say the Medicare is flawed, but it should be noted that it does have limited coverage, and it’s the consumer’s responsibility to know what Medicare does provide and what it doesn’t. Having said that, often seniors need help understanding Medicare supplement insurance from their families, and also need to know where they can find pricing for Medicare supplement coverage that suits their budgets.

If you’re helping your older relatives understand the complicated tangle of Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance, make sure to explain to them why having this extra coverage is crucial for their medical care; that they need the extra coverage now to cover care needed later.

There are four levels of Medicare that you need to know about, and each of them deal with medical coverage differently. For instance, Medicare part A pays overnight hospital expenses; part B handles routine doctor’s fees/tests; part C is optional coverage in that if you have part A, B or Medicare Advantage part C (which will be phased out in 2010) you are eligible for part D (prescription drug coverage). With the changes to Medicare coming in 2010, it makes sense to have a heart-to-heart talk with a local Medicare insurance agent who will be able to outline more in-depth what the coming changes are and what they may mean to you.

Every part of Medicare has a variety of deductibles and limits in place that once reached will mean your Medicare coverage is exhausted. These limits and deductibles change now and then, so keeping up-to-date with the changes will provide you with the peace of mind that your elderly family member is fully covered in any event. Don’t hesitate to contact a local Medicare insurance agent and discuss what you need for your senior family member. They are there to help you.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

In a hundred words or less, Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance) is offered to the public through private insurance companies in order to fill in the “gaps” in Medicare coverage. This is because Medicare does not offer coverage for “everything” and most people find they need a bit extra to get the coverage they need.

In an attempt to make things relatively simple, the government dictated that Medigap policy carriers are only allowed to offer precise plans the government approved. Those policies are Medicare supplement Plans A through Plan L. Every company that sells Medicare supplements is selling the exact same policies; there are no differences between insurance companies on policy content. What does differ however, is the price charged for Medicare supplement insurance. This definitely does change from company to company, which means if you do some shopping around, you may be able to save yourself some money.

To put this another way, if you buy a Plan A Medicare supplement insurance policy from XX insurance company, it will be an exact match to a Plan A policy bought at insurance company AA. One thing that you really do need to do before you choose which Medicare supplements suits your needs is to compare not only the plans, but also compare the companies that offer you that kind of insurance. Sure you can get quotes online, but make sure they are from different types of insurance companies.

Pay close attention to what you are reading while you are online, as there are insurance companies whose methodology on selling health insurance dictates how they price their Medicare supplements. Next, closely examine each plan for the benefits you will receive. There will be some plans that have benefits that you will never use and therefore it won’t make any sense to buy them. This is one good way to save money, by choosing a plan you know without a doubt you will use and not shelling out money for unused benefits.
Remember, that the step where you do your benefit comparisons is crucial so that you know precisely what you are getting when you make your decision to buy a Medicare supplement. This is where it makes the most sense to call a local Medicare insurance agent and ask some pertinent questions about coverage.
Your life is unique to you and no one else can tell you what would suit you the best except you. This is why you need to ask questions and narrow your search parameters down to get the best possible combination of policies that deliver the coverage you need – minus the benefits you wouldn’t use.

Talking to a local Medicare insurance agent is a major step in understanding the community you live in, what the realities are for you as a healthcare consumer using networks and other information you will need to tailor a plan for your needs.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

It wasn’t too long ago that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois told their members that one of their hospitals, St. John’s, was making the decision to discontinue its status as a Medicare Select contracting network hospital. That decision, which caused a lot of pandemonium, was supposed to kick-in on the 17th of June, 2009.

Of course the implications for a decision like this that affected Illinois health insurance echoed far and wide, with the major complaint, aside from what people would do to replace the service they were getting, was having to change to another type of plan that was more expensive. An agreement was ironed out where Blue Cross Blue Shield helped people who’d lost their original Illinois health insurance plans to get reinstated and credited for premium increases that arose due to changing plans.

This kind of thing raises the very specter of changes coming to the health care system over the next few years. And along with the changes come the questions of whether or not the changes will be beneficial. This is one of the toughest questions to answer with any degree of certainty.

It would involve having a crystal ball and a system that would address everyone’s medical needs; a system that would be affordable and accessible to all. Comprehensive health care reform is supposedly coming, and likely won’t come any too soon given the current state of the health system. In the meantime we muddle along with what works the best at any given time, and that includes Medicare Select.

Medicare Select is basically an Illinois health insurance Medicare supplemental insurance plan that provides you with choices. They also have the advantage of being priced at an even more reasonable level than the usual versions of Medigap insurance policies. The one major difference that you might want to be aware of is that Medicare Select acts like a managed care plan. That simply means that you’d have to use doctors and hospitals that are in an Illinois health insurance network. In addition, your insurance company will only pay full benefits if you got your medical care from a preferred health provider who is, once again, a part of the insurance company’s designated network.

Let’s take a quick look at an example. If you go to see a preferred provider physician, Medicare pays the approved charges. Your supplemental insurer pays the full benefits under your policy. However, if you choose to use services outside the plan network, the plan may deny the claim entirely or only pick up a very limited portion.

So really, there are three things you need to know and remember about a Medicare Select plan. The first thing is that it is considered to be an Illinois health insurance supplemental product, just about the same as Medigap insurance. In other words, when you buy a Medicare Select policy, you’re getting a standard Medigap plan. And, as we already pointed out (but it’s worth mentioning again) pretty much the only difference between a standard Medigap policy and a Medicare Select policy is that the Select policies are managed care plans. To get full benefits from the Select plans, you will need to use designated hospitals, clinics and even certain doctors. This will explain why these plans are priced lower than similar Medigap policies.

Something else you also need to know about Medicare Select plans is that they are typically only offered in larger cities in Illinois. If you live outside a large city, you may have other options. To find out what those options are, contact an expert Illinois insurance agent in your area.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Good health insurance quotes are worth their weight in gold, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy it from a big name online company. Shop around, be honest with the agents you talk to and then listen closely to the various options you have. Smaller companies can provide you with much more flexibility in terms of health insurance quotes.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Tell the health insurance agent precisely what you are looking for based on what you need for you and/or your family. Tell them all the circumstances, such as pre-existing conditions, whether or not you have children or may be planning on more children, or whether you are managing a condition with a certain drug and can offer proof.

All the information you give the agent is confidential and will help them to provide you with a plan that works. There are thousands of options out there and you can’t read about all of them online. That’s what health insurance agents are for, to make choosing an affordable health insurance a whole lot easier.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Remember when searching for health insurance quotes the bigger companies are not always the best choice. They do have other carriers, but you don’t get side-by-side comparisons of one plan to another, not like you do when you ask Benepath for a quote. You want a site that gives you the ability to see what others offer at the same time.

Don’t base your search for affordable health insurance on price. In other words don’t go the cheapest option because you will be giving up benefits you may need in the future.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Never mind asking the physician about a new drug because it may sound really awesome. All this does is hike the cost of your drug bills. Look at it this way, if you want decent health insurance plans for your family, you also have to work to make it budget-wise. Think hard about whether you really need that drug. Wouldn’t you rather save money and be thankful for affordable health insurance?

If affordable health insurance is your main goal for your family, make sure you do all you can to keep other costs associated with health care down. Think twice about using the emergency room when you could just as easily go to urgent care and get attended.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Shop for generic drugs. There is no reason to insist on brand name drugs when generics do the trick. The differences between brand name drugs and generics are minimal in terms of how well they work. The difference in price, however, is significant. When you’re sourcing health insurance quotes, ask the agent about this. They’ll tell you the same thing.

Not many people realize the only difference between brand name and generic drugs is in the way the end product is packaged. It might not have the same kind of coating as the brand name drugs, but they work. And, they cost a lot less. Since affordable health insurance is so vital today, consider every way possible to reduce your costs.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Take control of your own medical health “habits” and you can make a real difference in how you save money. While this may sound too good to be true, it IS true. Think about it.

You can save money on medications by shopping online through mail order pharmacies. These may be in the U.S. or in Canada. It’s cross border shopping of a different sort that often means the difference in paying $10 for a month’s supply of medications versus $100. If you also take the time to check out your various health insurance quotes, you will know that by cutting costs for drugs, you will save overall.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

There are not a lot of people who truly grasp what is coming in 2010 when it comes to the changes slated to kick-in with Medigap. The confusion centers on many thinking the changes that are coming have already gone into effect. This isn’t the case, and the changes “to” come have no effect on “current” Medicare supplement coverage, but they may ultimately have an effect on whether or not a person is able to get affordable health insurance.

The scoop is that effective June 1, 2010, the federal government is changing all “existing” Medicare supplement plans. The changes won’t take effect for any policies bought prior to June 1, 2010; they will only affect policies purchased after June 1, 2010. The changes are intended to streamline plan offerings and make them more customer friendly. There are some new plan options as well. In terms of getting health insurance quotes, this may confuse many people if there are too many choices.

It’s usually a given than when something like Medicare supplement plans change, there is major confusion for those who need to buy them. One of the things not a lot of people realize is that the Medigap plan they already have is guaranteed renewable for life, provided the premiums are kept up. This means that even if a policyholder’s health changes, they can’t be kicked out of the plan and they can’t be forced to change to a new plan either. That means they will still have reasonable affordable health insurance.

Consumers need to be aware that if they decide to go with a new plan in 2010, they will be losing some of the benefits of a current plan and that they won’t be allowed to revert to the original coverage. This has an upside in that it’s possible the new plan may be more suitable. This is one of the major reasons anyone considering changing plans needs to speak to a knowledgeable insurance agent to compare the benefits of the current plans versus the new ones. In other words get multiple health insurance quotes to compare health insurance plans.

Making any hasty decisions based on a news article or the word of a friend is not advisable. The smart move is to talk to a local insurance agent and discuss coverage now versus coverage in 2010. Knowing what to expect is more than half the battle when it comes to deciding on the best health insurance plans.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

The message about health care reform has been filtering through to every American since way back when, but was brought to the forefront of the nation’s conscience when the President emphatically indicated that health care reform will not wait another year.

The year is passing slowly and the reforms continue to be put into place. There is still a long way to go, but looking from the bottom up, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. It’s true the health care system is broken and has needed a good overhaul for far too many years to even remember. However, over those years politicians preferred to stick with the devil they knew, rather than the devil they didn’t.

The devil they knew was the bloated and struggling health organism that was spiraling out of control and on the verge of what could only be a monumental crash. But, it was easier to leave it alone than to try and find the money to fix it.

The devil they didn’t know was the one that had innovative ideas to change the face of the existing structure; cut back spending in strategic areas; start to make health care available to all; and continue to chip at a system that needed to be kicked around the block to get it moving and functional again.
Right now the devil is still the one not many people know and that devil is working to reduce the costs of health care, making it a priority to protect people’s choices and trying to ensure there will be quality health care. Not only does that make sense, it even looks like it might be accomplished in slow and careful increments. Reform may indeed be on the horizon.

Interestingly, reform has been a major topic of discussion for the nation since Harry Truman, and just as ironic is the fact that the same reason “not” to do health care reform is still being cited today: the nation can’t afford it. More to the point is can the nation afford not to do it? The answer to that question is that no, ultimately the nation “must” reform health care in order to survive and thrive.

The real enemy standing in the way of health care reform is the big insurance companies whose main reason to be is to make money by selling health insurance. The government isn’t the one in the way between you and your doctor; the insurance companies are, and they are there for the profit.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

We all know that supplements are designed to help something that does not quite make the grade in the first place; that supplements make things better, sort of like taking vitamins. The original health care system was designed to be all things to all people, but seriously fell short in some areas. This is why there are Medicare supplemental health insurance policies, and they’re sold by private health insurance companies.

Medicare supplement policies (called Medigap) fill the “gaps” in the original Medicare plan, and they help top off out-of-pocket medical expenses that people would be forking out – depending on which plan a person had. Note: The plans are actually called “parts.” What this means is that Medicare and Medigap work together to cover health insurance costs.

The thing to remember is that Medigap policies in each state are standardized, which means they have specific benefits common to them all, and this applies no matter where a person happens to live. One further thing to note is that standardized doesn’t mean people have less choices to suit their individual lifestyles. There are 10 different parts lettered from A to J. Part A is the one that has to be offered in all states; F the most popular.

Now, with respect to Medigap parts – Medigap parts have different sets of basic and extra benefits. Part A is mandated, but parts B through J MAY be offered if the health insurance carrier wants to offer them. Plan A is only available to people without medical coverage due to disability and Medicare combined with Plan A is the lowest level of coverage.

None of this should prevent a smart shopper from calling around for different rates. People can actually save money on Medicare/Medigap combination deals because this is the only area (Medigap) where health insurance companies set their own rates. What health insurance companies offer is standard, but the price for the choices is variable.

If a person is considering a Medigap policy, they will need both Medicare Parts A and B. There are other considerations, but talk to a local insurance broker. Their advice is free and they will save consumers a lot of time trying to find the answers to Medicare questions.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance, Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

Everyone knows that the economy is in shambles and that just about everyone is squeaking by with the skin of their teeth. Unfortunately, the number of Americans who are in this wobbly boat is growing on a daily basis, with no end in sight within the foreseeable future. It’s times like this that workers relish the security of a constant income in the face of disability, and it is possible with planning.

In the event of a medical catastrophe, having disability insurance would provide some peace of mind that the bills are being paid. “While many have Florida health insurance to cover the incidental illnesses of life, if they are hurt badly enough to not be able to work, they would not be able to pay daily expenses without an income. In addition, they would have medical expenses that were not covered and the inevitable insurance deductibles,” said Evan Tunis of Florida Heath Care Insurance.

There are a lot of Americans who tend to think that nothing bad will happen to them and when it inevitably does, they may face a journey that includes foreclosure on their home and personal bankruptcy as a result of their disability. “There is actually a three in ten chance of becoming injured enough to not be able to work to earn a living,” outlined Tunis.

In order to protect the family, assets and lifestyle, planning in advance is a smart move. The next smart move is choosing the right disability insurance product with the help of a well-qualified Florida health insurance broker. “It’s a bit of a conundrum to buy catastrophic health insurance, and then be too disabled to work and have any level of income. Check out disability insurance plans because they have the potential to save a personal lifestyle,” added Evan Tunis of Florida Heath Care Insurance.

To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance, Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

The reason major medical seems to be so popular is because it’s totally affordable and will offer outstanding protection for major medical problems when they arise. While it’s a good Florida health insurance plan, it still should be examined in-depth before anyone makes a decision to buy it.

All Florida health insurance plans have their pros and cons and those need to be taken into consideration when buying health insurance. Never leap before you look is a good rule of thumb when considering various types of Florida health insurance. In order to figure out the good and the bad of major medical, start by finding out what the advantages and disadvantages are with this plan.

Let’s take a look at a few of the advantages of major medical. For instance, we already mentioned it is very reasonably priced. The reason for that is because a younger person, in good health, may have Florida health insurance quotes on premiums as low as $40 a month.

Plan coverage is also very attractive for those “whoops” moments we all seem to run into in our lives. Major medical Florida health insurance would pay quite a large amount of the bill because it is deductible based – meaning the insurance company forks the dollars over to the medical provider and just takes its deductible.

Having mentioned the deductible, this may also be a disadvantage because the higher the deductible, the more affordable the insurance plans. This means that policyholders will be coughing up a large chunk of change to cover medical bills. Also, keep in mind that this kind of plan is “only” for major medical events, not something like a condition that needs regular medical visits.

So, take a look at the pros and cons and then make the decision about what you want and if you think it will be a good risk for you to take. Before making the plunge, talk to a qualified, licensed Florida health insurance broker who knows his stuff; that might help you make up your mind as well.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance, Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

We all know that health care these days is really pricey, and the costs just keep escalating. It’s no particular secret that Americans tend to overload and overwhelm our current health care system. Far too many people use a hospital as a doctor’s office, run to a physician with a minor problem or just visit the doctor to ask about a new medication. In other words, we are using the system in ways it isn’t supposed to be used. This ought to make you give serious consideration to taking a look at your own habits when it comes to using the medical system.

No one is saying you have to be a crusader for others, to stop them from overusing the health care system. However, there is something to be said for taking responsibility for your own habits. What you do will make a huge difference in how much money you save in the long-term. Think that is a load of baloney? Give the matter some thought first, before deciding one way or the other, and keep reading for some ideas to cut your health care expenses.

Want to save mega-bucks on drugs? If you do want to cut expenses on your medications, then shop online by using mail order pharmacies. Make sure they are reputable of course and then go ahead and order. It doesn’t matter where they are located – either in Canada or the U.S. – because the bottom line is saving money. So ultimately, you will be looking for the best prices you are able to find. Hint: sometimes cross border online shopping will net you a month’s supply of meds for $15 instead of what you’d pay at home at the pharmacy – say $150. Saving that kind of money every month is pretty attractive to say the least.

Paying less for meds makes a significant difference in the amount of money you shell out every month. This of course means having money for other things that are needed for your family. You work hard enough as it is for your money and paying less for medications is very enticing.

Hint: buy generic drugs. You really don’t need to use a brand name drug when a generic one will do. Besides, it will save you even more money. Many people think that generic drugs are not as effective as the old standby brand name drugs. This is not the case. The only differences between brand name and generic drugs may lie in the coating or pill size, but the way they work is the same as brand name drugs. The drug is the same; it’s just that a big name Big Pharma company didn’t manufacture it.

Evan Tunis is with FloridaHealthcareInsurance.com, the leading provider of Florida health insurance quotes. To learn more about Florida health insurance, Florida health insurance quotes, Florida life insurance, Florida life insurance quotes, Florida group health insurance visit Floridahealthcareinsurance.com.

While many in the nation hoped that they had heard wrong about funding cuts to Medicare, the recent announcement in late July 2009 sealed the deal. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services put their mouth where their money is and confirmed cuts in funding to Medicare Advantage insurers by as much as 4 to 4.5 percent starting in 2010. This move will put many insurers out of business and the additional costs will likely be handed down to seniors. This will also mean that affordable health insurance may become difficult to find.

While it’s not clear yet how the lower rates will impact senior’s private health insurance plans, it’s likely the lower reimbursements will impact earnings for private insurers who, in turn, will fob the higher costs of premiums for health insurance plans to their customers. The upshot of this could very well be much higher premiums being paid for fewer benefits in the Medicare Advantage plan. The other very real concern is whether or not the Medicare Advantage plan will even survive in the long-term.

When changes like this loom on the horizon, education comes into play. There is a critical need for seniors to understand the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans (Medigap). In order to evaluate what they have and what they may need for the future, knowing the differences will help them make more informed decisions about whether or not they are getting affordable health insurance.
In a nutshell, if a senior has Medicare supplement insurance, they have the ability to choose their own doctors and hospitals; however there are no referrals to specialists. The Medigap policies have monthly premiums, but Medicare actually covers up to 80 percent of health care costs. Medigap then picks up the rest of the costs.

In the case of Medicare Advantage, many seniors pay either a really low premium or no premium at all which means it is definitely affordable health insurance. If that is the case, then the plan “is” the primary insurance. Most of these plans insist that their members only see physicians that are in a specified network. The conundrum is what precisely will work in each individual case, and this is where it makes sense to talk to an expert insurance agent to get sensible health insurance quotes.

Local insurance agents make the most sense because they know the existing networks, what doctors are in those networks, who pays their claims and who doesn’t, and what hospitals are the best for certain medical problems. Knowing what your local networks offer allows you to make the best choice for your circumstances. In any case, it is vital that those over the age of 65 find out about the variety of plans from which they may choose, prior to buying anything. Affordable health insurance is a critical issue for seniors.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

While Big Pharma hasn’t really been a good and trusted friend to the Medicare system because they traditionally charged outrageous prices for their drugs, the time has come for drug manufacturers to set aside their agenda of making money from those who can least afford it and make a significant difference to the community at large. Those receiving Medicare will clearly benefit from lower drug costs.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Certainly lower drug prices will mean a big break for seniors on Medicare and who have Medigap coverage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Being a senior and living on a budget is difficult enough these days in a recession. Trying to budget Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance premiums is even more arduous.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

It’s a landmark announcement, that seniors will be able to take advantage of lower prescription drug costs in the near future. The behind story has to do with the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) working a deal with Big Pharma to implement the cuts. What this means for those 65 years of age and older is significant assistance meeting their Medicare prescription drug costs.

This is serendipity as a survey was just released indicating seniors would have to save some serious money in their retirement funds to make all the projected health costs for the future. This news has added a ray of hope by lowering Medicare prescription drug costs for seniors. It couldn’t come at a better time when there are also some significant changes coming to the Medicare and Medigap plans in 2010.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

What options are there if you want to save a lot of money to make sure you have good coverage later in life? Plan your retirement and what kind of health care benefits you will need very early in partnership with a qualified, knowledgeable insurance agent. There are a lot of options out there and working as a team with your agent, will help you find one that will suit your situation.

Be smart and save aggressively, work longer hours for the extra money and take care of yourself to reduce the number of problems that might crop up in later life.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

While it may sound like it’s way out of line, the truth of the matter is that health care usually represents 12% to 14% of expenses for seniors. It’s going to be tough to save that kind of money for the future. You could always decide to take a chance and go for a lower amount, but that depends on how you feel about taking risks with your health. Having a 50/50 chance of having enough money to manage is quite risky. It’s a tough decision at 65 when you thought you had enough money to have a decent retirement.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Why would you want to do this? The costs of health care in this country are continuing to get more expensive every year. It’s inevitable, sort of like the sun rising each day. Even if Medicare and Medicaid do have lower premiums when the change in programs comes in 2010, you’ll need more money to make your increased health care costs. Yes, even with lower costs for premiums and lower costs for medications thanks to a new program introduced by Big Pharma that will reduce the cost of drugs for seniors by about 50%, health care costs increase at twice the rate of general inflation.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

If the Medicare policy an individual has is working well for them and they don’t really have any major problems, there isn’t much of a percentage in switching policies. However, if that same person has had nothing but problems with the coverage not being what they want, the service the insurance company offers and the rates are too high – it may be time to think about switching to another policy.

Although anyone may change their policy if that is what they want to do, it is not a “right” and it really needs to be done while an individual is in their six-month open enrollment period.

Before pulling the plug on one policy, it only makes good sense to shop around first and speak to a qualified insurance broker about the changes that might make sense to suit a changing lifestyle. Make sure the benefits between what exists now and what is under consideration are thoroughly compared. One of the first things to check is the rates to see if the new company is offering lower ones.

Comparing policies is the easy part, because Medicare is the same right across the nation, it won’t matter what state it’s purchased in. However, it will matter which insurance broker has the better price. Right now there are still 12 plans on offer, with the letters A through L. Again, all these plans are the same as well, so all a person needs to do is find a price that suits their budget.

If, after doing some price comparisons, the decision is made to switch carriers, don’t make the mistake of canceling the existing plan until its certain the new company will accept the business. There will likely be the usual gamut of health questions and the poking about in one’s medical background first. Keep in mind the new company does not have to accept new business if they find anything that concerns them. If they do accept the new business, then the old policy may be canceled.

A quick tip here for those who aren’t sure they want to keep a new policy after all. There is a 30-day period to decide if the switch to the new policy fits the bill. This is referred to as the “free look” period, and it starts when a person gets their new Medicare supplement policy.

For those who have had their first policy for a period of less than six months, the new insurance broker might insist on a six month wait for coverage on pre-existing conditions. On the other hand, if the policy was in effect for more than six months, any new ones will have the same coverage with no waiting period.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

There is a fairly common tendency for people to lump Medicare and Medigap insurance together, but they are actually two different plans that do two different things. So it’s best to know the differences before trying to select what is needed for coverage.

Medicare insurance is a government-sponsored program that a person is eligible for when they reach 65 years of age or have Medicare due to a disability. All of the coverage is standardized, in other words, it’s all the same for each individual, unless they want to change something. This is where the differences come into play. If a person wants to add something to the basic Medicare insurance, they need to buy Medicare supplement insurance.

Of course, if the standardized version of Medicare suits a person’s circumstances, there is no need to get Medicare supplement insurance. That is as rare as hen’s teeth though, as most people need their health benefits tailored to meet their circumstances. So, the deal is that Medicare supplements do just that – supplement the main Medicare program. Don’t get confused here by the term Medicare supplement insurance, as it’s just another term for Medigap, simply because it fills in the “gaps” the main program leaves open.

The usual difficulty becomes what Medigap plan will work the best, and provides the greatest coverage. This isn’t something that a lot of people like to try and do on their own because they find it too confusing. This is where an expert insurance broker comes into the picture. Find a broker with a sterling track record to assist with making the right choices for each person that requires coverage. Finding one that truly understands all the ramifications of each different situation is precisely the answer to a Medicare insurance shopper’s prayers.
Be aware that when requesting quotes for various options, the results will overwhelm the inbox on the computer, or the snail mailbox. This of course means hours of comparison work and this is where most people opt to speak to a trusted insurance broker to help them whittle down their extensive choices. It’s best to deal with brokers who have a large number of insurance companies on board, because this will ultimately provide everyone with what they need.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

It’s quite the landmark announcement to say the least, that seniors will be able to take advantage of lower prescription drug costs in the near future. This thanks to a recent announcement by President Obama. The behind the scenes story has to do with the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) working a deal with Big Pharma to implement the cuts. What this means for seniors (those 65 years of age and older) is significant assistance meeting their Medicare prescription drug costs.

Just recently, a survey was released that indicated seniors would have to do some serious revamping of their retirement funds to make all the projected health costs for the future. This newest announcement has added a ray of hope to that scenario by lowering Medicare prescription drug costs for seniors. It couldn’t come at a better time when there are also some significant changes coming to the Medicare and Medigap plans in 2010.

Comprehensive health care reform, while a large task, may be accomplished in small steps, like this one. Certainly it will mean a significant break for seniors who are on Medicare and have Medigap coverage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Being a senior and living on a budget is difficult enough these days in a recession. Trying to budget Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance premiums is even more arduous.

The idea behind this announcement is that seniors will likely see their prescription drug expenses cut in half – a compelling and motivating step towards changing the face of health care for older Americans. While Big Pharma has never really been a friend to the Medicare system (largely because of the high costs of drugs), the time has come for everyone to put aside their various agendas and make a difference to the community at large. It goes without saying that Medicare recipients overall will certainly benefit from lower drug costs.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

It’s a no brainer that the costs of health care in this country are going to continue to increase. It’s inevitable. So, what that means is even if Medicare and Medicaid do have lower premiums when the change in programs comes in 2010, you’ll need more money to make your increased health care costs at some point in time. Traditionally, health care costs have shot up at twice the rate of general inflation.

While this may seem right off the wall, it actually isn’t given the current state of the economy and the rising costs of getting medical services. If you retire this year you may need up to $378,000 in savings just to meet the demands of your insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. Quite eye opening isn’t it? By the way, this particular figure is for a male; a female’s calculation would have to be even higher simply because they live longer. How high? As high as $450,000. Sound like a lot? Perhaps, but health care usually represents 12% to 14% of expenses for seniors.

Salting away that kind of money might be a tad difficult to ensure you have enough coverage for the rough spots life throws at you. You could of course, shoot for a lower amount and take a risk that you have a 50/50 chance of having enough funds to cover health care bills. It’s a tough decision to face when you hit 65 and think you have things under control.

What happens if some people retire first before becoming eligible for Medicare? Many of them think they can apply for Medicare early, just like they applied for Social Security benefits, but that isn’t the case. What this means is that they will need more money to cover the gap between retirement and their 65th birthday.
So really, what are the options if you want to save that kind of money to ensure you have coverage later in life? Plan your retirement and what kind of health care benefits you will need well in advance with a qualified, knowledgeable insurance agent. There are so many different options available out there, that one should suit your situation.

Make retirement plans early, be smart and save aggressively like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter, work longer hours if you need to for the extra money and take care of yourself to reduce the number of problems that might crop up in later life.

Make it a point to know what Medicare covers, ask questions about Medigap (the insurance companion to Medicare), know how Medicare Part D works to your advantage, check out the prescription drug plan, and ask about long-term care. Knowledge is power and that power will help you redefine what you may need for your future health care needs.

Richard Cantu is with Medicare supplements resource, GoMedigap.com. To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

To learn more about Florida group health insurance, group health insurance quotes, group health insurance in Florida, visit Grouphealthflorida.com.

It’s interesting to note that a recent survey of Americans about the health care system discovered that overall, people were pleased with the quality of the health care they received. On the other hand, the cost of health care was entirely a different matter. Cost is a flash point with many people in this recession and it should come as no shock that those being polled would respond to the higher costs of health care.

It’s not a secret that health care costs have gone up precipitously over the last few years, with seemingly no end in sight. Although with some of the recently announced changes to the system coming in 2010, the price pendulum may swing back to the point of being reasonable. And that’s the conundrum facing us today, the quality of our health care and what we should be expected to pay for it.

Two out of three people who were asked questions about their experiences with our health care system were pleased with the quality of care they received. With quality care however comes a hefty price tag, much like the saying, “You get what you pay for.” So it’s a bit of a dilemma for the system to also be condemned as not being very affordable, as in where does the system draw the line between quality and affordability? The poor affordability rating came from those who suffer from disabilities or other chronic conditions.

The number of people polled for this interesting survey was fairly representational of the American population at large, with close to 14% of those responding admitting they had no health care because they couldn’t afford it. This doesn’t address what they would do if they required health care and had to pay for the expenses incurred out of their own pockets. The respondents who did have health insurance mostly received it from an employer, who sponsored a group health care plan at their place of employment.

While the survey is valid in terms of being representational for the nation, it did not include a portion that asked people what they were willing to pay for quality health care. Quality health care and the skill to deliver it needs to be reimbursed in some manner, so the question is how to deal with that and ensure everyone has access to affordable health care.

Bradley Palmer is with Grouphealthflorida.com offering Florida Group Health Insurance. To learn more about Florida group health insurance, group health insurance quotes, group health insurance in Florida, visit Grouphealthflorida.com.

It’s a smart choice to find health insurance quotes online because it saves time. However, saving time and finding out what a person really needs to know doesn’t always work when surfing the Internet. There’s definitely a plethora of information about various Illinois health insurance plans, but is “all” the information there?

People may even apply for insurance online in the convenience of their own home, thinking they will avoid speaking to an Illinois health insurance broker. This is where people begin to fall through the cracks. Even if they are offered multiple Illinois health insurance quotes to compare online, no online insurance quote is able to completely answer all the questions a health insurance shopper may have.

Furthermore, even if an online shopper uses the single engine quoting technology, it doesn’t mean they will get quotes on all the plans that are actually available. This largely depends on the state where the consumer lives, who the insurance carriers are, and which plan options that particular Illinois health insurance agency offers. Since these Illinois health insurance quotes can’t give everyone every last plan they have online, most carriers will ask for contact information.

Once personal information is given, then in most cases, insurance companies are able to directly contact the consumer, if they want that kind of contact. There is an understandable reluctance to provide personal information by this method (quoting software) as there are some companies (even though they do provide quotes) that really only want the personal information to re-sell it.

A person who suddenly gets a whole slew of emails and phone calls from businesses vaguely related to Illinois health insurance will know their personal information was passed on. This is highly frustrating to people just wanting a quote and to talk to an agent for further clarification.

The other insurance marketing reality on the Internet is the tech companies who work it so their websites specifically gather names and contact info. The thing is that insurance agents or agencies do not own these sites; they belong to a company who sells leads to Illinois health insurance agents. The lesson is that if someone is searching for health insurance information, check the authenticity of the site by placing a call to the agent listed on the site.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

If someone does have a pre-existing condition and gets declined by an Illinois health insurance company, or in the alternative, gets told they could have coverage, but only after sitting out a waiting period, what good is health insurance? “People in these situations need Illinois health insurance now, not later. The plain facts of life are that if an individual is forced into a waiting period before getting coverage, it might be too late,” said Randy Gillespie of the Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

It’s downright amazing the kind of creative excuses that some Illinois health insurance companies use to not pay claims. While this is somewhat amusing, those who are currently pregnant might not be so thrilled with the fact that pregnancy is classified as a pre-existing condition. That means some insurance companies may deny you coverage if you are pregnant when you apply for insurance.

As unfortunate as this kind of behavior may be, it is the result of a free market populated with private health care companies. All of these private health care companies also have one thing in mind – the bottom financial line. If they think someone will cost them money, they may try and find a way to not offer Illinois health insurance. However, that does leave some people in a major bind.

There is a way around situations like this and that is to shop for guaranteed issue Illinois health insurance. “This means a person won’t be denied health insurance – period. It means everyone gets approved, no matter what their medical history happens to be, whether or not they have pre-existing conditions, or are a higher risk for certain diseases or conditions. It’s definitely possible to find guaranteed issue health insurance for those with pre-existing conditions,” added Randy Gillespie of the Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

To find out more information about guaranteed issue health insurance for pre-existing conditions, contact an experienced Illinois health insurance broker who will not only explain how guaranteed issue works, but what its benefits are and how to sign up for it, if that is the decision.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

This isn’t to say that some people “do” get the idea of what co-insurance really involves. There are, however, many more that get a nasty surprise when they leave a company for which they worked and had a group plan, a low deductible and a low doctor’s office visit co-pay. Co-insurance has actually been around for quite a long time; it’s just that managed care began to take over in the form of PPO and HMO plans.

In order to tackle the rising costs of health care, co-insurance came into being and varied by company and the plan they chose. It’s used to be the good old standby of 80% and 20% for the next $10,000. This isn’t to say that doesn’t still exist, but there are now newer options to cut Illinois health insurance premiums. The low-end co-insurance range is 50% / 50% to the upper end of 100% with the co-insurance coming in at zero dollars to $50,000.

Would you want a 50/50 split? That depends on how you feel about taking risks and also takes into consideration one’s budget and how healthy they happen to be. To be on the safe side, most savvy Illinois health insurance brokers will recommend the 80/20 or 60/40 percentages of the next $10,000 to $15,000.

So, to get to the meat of the matter, just what is co-insurance? Co-insurance is the amount of money you pay for medical services after you meet your deductible in a calendar year. A co-payment is a fixed dollar amount and co-insurance is a percentage. Let’s look at a quick example: there are quite a number of insurance plans with a 20% co-insurance of the next $10,000 “after” the deductible for hospital expenses, diagnostic tests, x-rays and lab work. This means “you” pay the 20%. Remember however, that the amount is capped per calendar year.

So let’s just use the example that you happen to have a $2,000 deductible in your calendar year with an 80% / 20% of the next $10,000. If you do the math, you will see that out-of-pocket expenses for that year would be $4,000 (for an individual) for covered services. Since a lot of this insurance lingo may be confusing, contact an Illinois health insurance expert to help you make some sense of co-insurance and what will work for you.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Losing a job these days in this recession seems to be far more common than we would like it to be. Those who still have jobs may even be thinking about quitting to work somewhere else with more stability, but are scared their health insurance provider won’t take them on because of a pre-existing condition. In either of these situations, you can rely on COBRA or HIPAA. Both of these protect coverage if you are switching workplaces.

For those of you not familiar with the acronyms COBRA and HIPAA, they stand for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reduction Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In terms of COBRA it will let workers extend health coverage when their employer’s policy ends.

There are a number of reasons why that may happen, including your job is terminated, if you were covered but coverage is stopped because of legal separation or divorce, and in the event of a disability. There are other reasons as well, but it is best to speak with a qualified health insurance broker and have everything laid out in plain English.

Generally speaking, in most states, this kind of coverage is limited to workplaces with 20 or more workers. Having said that, there are states that have the minimum amount of employees, two. You need to ask an insurance expert what is applicable where you live.

Let’s say you’re out of a job. You now have 60 days to continue coverage under COBRA. If you choose to go that route, you then you have 45 days to pay your retroactive premiums. Once the premiums are caught up you will have coverage unless and until you cancel it, you stop paying premiums, become eligible for another policy or Medicare, or the COBRA continuation period has maxed out. Again, you really need to check all this out with an expert insurance agent who will be able to outline what you need to do and what will happen in various situations.

On the other side of the coin, HIPAA lets people switch companies and get approved whether they have pre-existing conditions or not. It’s pretty straightforward and simple. The company you go to must accept you. Again, there are a multitude of things you will need to know about HIPAA protections; e.g. pregnancy/prenatal health problems are not pre-existing conditions.

Also speak to your insurance broker about acknowledging credit for prior insurance polices in the previous 12 months, etc. Rather than be confused, take the time to consult with a knowledgeable health insurance agent who can help you keep your health coverage while switching employers.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

The lifeguard, Freddy Feldspar, was getting really annoyed. This kid epitomized the word “brat,” a 12-year-old man-child in the promised land of the Oxnard Community Pool making the lifeguard screech and bark incessantly. “No running!” yelled Feldspar at the careless boy who kept dashing to and fro, along the sides of the pool, skidding on the wet surface in his bare feet, jumping in and quickly out again in some frenetic rabid dance of pubescent energy, “Can’t you see the signs?”

But Jimmy Malcolm wasn’t paying attention to the signs or to the clearly annoyed lifeguard, a college age red-haired man who made little impression on the energized boy. Jimmy looked at him once or twice, but his expression was one of indifference, perhaps even a mild disdain. Unfortunately, the signs were there for a reason, as such behavior on the part of errant boys is an accident waiting to happen. Jimmy kept it up at breakneck speed, his soles wet and slippery, running and dashing, diving into the crowded public pool, and then climbing out and beginning his mad dashes all over again. The 12-year-old escaped a mishap for perhaps longer than he should have, his feet barely in control along the wet tiles, but then the inevitable happened.

“No running!” Freddy Feldspar cried out one last time. The words had barely emerged from his lips when the inevitable transpired. Everyone at the pool saw Jimmy slip and fall, and scrape the skin off his right ankle when he did. Five stitches and an urgent care facility visit later, a more contrite Jimmy Malcolm and his mother Madge went to see California Health Insurance agent Matt Lockard in his office a few days later, “My son and I just wanted to thank you for selling us that small business policy last year,” she said, “It came in very handy a few days ago.”

“Oh?” queried Matt spying a rather obvious protective bandage around young Jimmy’s sandal-cloaked right ankle. “So what happened?”

Jimmy spoke shyly, almost as if a tabby cat had gotten his tongue. “There was this lifeguard …”

Go to Mattsinsurance4ca.com to get an instant health insurance quote and to learn more about California health insurance, California medicare supplements, California health insurance quotes.

They were everywhere. Dotting the grasslands of California were vestigial gates, the beginnings of fences, thousands of such ethereal structures acting as portals to emptiness. These creations were made by one Jack DeVries, an artist hailing from Modesto. One day the quasi-celebrity strolled in to California Health Insurance agent Matt Lockard’s office. “I was expecting you,” Matt said.

“I’ve heard of you,” DeVries said.

“And I of you,” countered perhaps the most celebrated California Health Insurance agent in all of Ventura.

The obvious question hung in the air. Why does DeVries do it? Leave so much to the imagination, unfenced, leave gates constructed that anyone could walk around in a few steps, and well, just enter.

The answers began pouring out of Jack DeVries’s gob, a trickle of words that grew into a torrent. DeVries spoke of a fixation, a fetish if you will, and perfection spent entirely with every detail tended to: To Jack DeVries, the Devil was indeed in the details, trapped in the gate. The artist’s only stipulation was that his gates be wooden.

It was then that Matt Lockard learned that the maker of stranded gates felt similarly about insurance. “I need a plan that is like my lovely gates,” the artist voiced in an odd creaking tenor that reminded Matt of a gate opening wide enough to let a health insurance salesman in.

Matt knew instantly what the man desired in his heart of hearts. “Oh, you must want a PPO Plan,” he said simply, a bit like Yoda in that movie.

Jack DeVries smiled a gate-like grin, and this time when he pursed his lips they made a creaking sound.

Matt Lockard had known immediately that a PPO bore a certain similitude to the gates. Although without accompanying fences, these unfinished structures were precisely perfect in every nuance, just as a PPO tailored to Jack DeVries would feature the masterpieces of physicians specializing in every aspect of a certain artist’s personal health care.

“That’s exactly what I need,” Jack DeVries croaked again, “How did you know?”

Go to Mattsinsurance4ca.com to get an instant health insurance quote and to learn more about California health insurance, California medicare supplements, California health insurance quotes.

He lived with his extended family instead of in a rest home. It was a big family living in a big house. Grandpa-pa-pa as he was known to all was loved and revered. Although he hated celebrating his own birthday once he’d attained his late nineties, his annual party had become a family tradition, and Grandpa-pa-pa Morse reluctantly went along. The worst part was blowing out his candles with a single exhaled breath, a perfectly timed gust expelled from his increasingly frail frame that could put out all the candles at once so that he might “get his wish.”

Last year at age 102 he’d wished for an end to this ordeal, but secretly of course, so as not to disappoint his younger kin. This year, the massive cake, with papaya-flavored frosting, was decorated with 103 candles, each like a tiny universe flickering. “Blow Grandpa-pa-pa,” shrieked eight-year-old Adam, already a little windbag who’d easily blown out his own candles, all eight of them, just two weeks before. The family’s beloved centenarian was gathering his remaining breath in a mighty storm at that very moment, but the task before him seemed immense. Could he still do it? Grand-pa-pa Morse huffed …. and blew with all the might he had. The result was strange. Instead of going out, the 103 candles suddenly blazed as one! Everyone in the room, a gaggle of Morses, gasped. Grandpa-pa-pa not only gasped, but began wheezing. “That’s never happened before!” exclaimed Mossy Morse, his family-values smitten granddaughter, age fifty-six, who already had grandchildren of her own, of which Adam was one. By the time Mossy’s husband Alexander realized there was an emergency, he’d begun putting the cake out with a nearby extinguisher. Adam screamed, “Grandpa-pa-pa!” when the boy saw their patriarch keel over. Moments later, they were all in the emergency room of a nearby facility, as Grandpa-pa-pa Morse was receiving urgent care.

Mossy Morse said out loud what most of the clan had been thinking. “Thank goodness we anticipated this when we purchased a policy for our beloved grandpa-pa-pa from that friendly California Health Insurance agent we met on the pier at Santa Monica,” she said.

“Will Grandpa-pa-pa be able to blow out his candles next year?” asked Adam with a touch of naiveté. All Adam got for asking the question was a big hug from everybody – including his now reinvigorated grandpa-pa-pa.

Matt Lockard – California Health Insurance agency offers health insurance plans for individuals, families, and children. Also available are California Medicare Supplement policies. Go to Mattsinsurance4ca.com to get an instant health insurance quote and to learn more about California health insurance, California medicare supplements, California health insurance quotes.

Bob was kidded about his name whenever he played golf. “How come you never make pars?” his golfing buddies teased. The truth be known — Bob Parr was a lousy golfer. He shanked or hooked most drives, and popcorned his iron shots. He missed putts less than four inches in length. “I’ve never seen anybody do that,” remarked Bob’s friend John P. Knotworth. But on the 12th hole, a par-three dogleg, the unfortunate Knotworth was standing about fifty feet down the fairway when Bob Parr struck his fateful tee shot with an ancient driver. Knotworth was way off to the side and seemingly safely out of Bob’s line of fire. The golf ball, a brand new dimpled Titleist, had other ideas. Struck hard by big Bob, who stood six foot six and weighed close to 250 pounds without his cleats, the Titleist careened on a straight diagonal, striking John P. squarely on his forehead before he had a chance to duck, knocking him cold. Pete and Gary, two other members of the foursome, gazed upon the scene in horror. Bob was mortified by the accident he’d caused. “Oh no!” Bob screamed. John P. Knotworth resembled a dead sunfish lying by a golf course pond even by the time the paramedics arrived.

The next day when the foursome had gathered in John P.’s hospital room, the victim was conscious and smiling, although the raised welt on his forehead looked angrier than the sting of a hornet. Pete and Gary were grinning too, but big Bob was worried – perhaps because he’d been responsible. “I’ll pay your bill,” Bob offered graciously, “it’s the least I can do.”

John P. Knotworth laughed a hearty laugh that sounded a bit like a long drive struck correctly, straight as an arrow. The knot on his forehead must have still been hurting, but he didn’t let on. “Forget about it. My California Health Insurance agent sold me a policy a while back. We got you covered Bob.”

Pete and Gary joined John P. in a fit of manly laughter that must have lasted for two minutes while Bob just stood there, finally managing a sheepish grin of his own.

“I’ll practice more on the driving range,” Bob promised. “I’ll hit five hundred balls!”

Pete was a jokester right then. “Better make that a million!” he said. That line got everybody laughing.

Matt Lockard – California Health Insurance agency offers health insurance plans for individuals, families, and children. Also available are California Medicare Supplement policies. Go to Mattsinsurance4ca.com to get an instant health insurance quote and to learn more about California health insurance, California medicare supplements, California health insurance quotes.

That’s a good question and the answer, on the surface, would be “No,” no one would have a beef with good plans for reasonable bucks. However, while it might be nice to get a lower premium, there may still come a time when you need to get a problem with a claim sorted out. Then, decent health insurance plans or not, you want answers as to why your claim was denied and you want them now.

Taking up your beef with an insurance company that happens to be out of state is going to be an uphill battle and you might as well prepare yourself for a lot of frustration. The number of phone calls alone that you will make to try and get your issue resolved will no doubt ruffle your feathers. Dealing locally with an insurance agent in the state where you live will not only get you quicker service, but a knowledgeable agent who has the answers (in most cases) right at their fingertips.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

In most cases, the large insurance companies will have a variety of health insurance plans to choose from, so you should be able to find something you can afford.

While it’s often difficult to totally understand all the options you are reading about on a website, make it a point to call a local agent with a list of questions. Local agents have a better grasp on what the local health insurance scene is like and what would likely be best for you and your family; they know what applies in your area. It makes no sense at all to speak to someone who is out of state about what hospital is best in your neighborhood. They’d have no clue.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Affordable health insurance is a real necessity these days, as it’s harder for people to keep a job. That means many Americans are losing their health insurance coverage. While it’s understandable that people would opt to go without health insurance, it’s not a smart idea in case something happens. And just because they have lost their job does not necessarily mean that affordable health insurance is out of reach. It’s all in the plan they choose. Shop around online for health insurance plans that are reasonably priced. No one wants to be without health insurance.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Just think about it for a second; you won’t have to call all the health insurance agents listed in the phone book, or go see them in their offices any longer. Imagine just booting up your computer and using your browser to search for an insurance website where you get health insurance quotes instantly. Yes, instantly. And they’ll be quotes that provide you with a variety of viable options for affordable health insurance.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

This particular innovation may have more applications right across America if the whole picture affecting the health system is taken into account. It’s not a national secret that the health system isn’t “healthy” and that it needs some serious revamping to make it over into something that provides access to medical services for everyone. But, that’s another story.

This story deals with the operating budgets of hospitals and pharmacies by directly affecting what they generate in revenues. The State of Washington has done some budget slicing to their Medicaid program that shaves hospital revenues by close to 4% and pharmacies will be hit with a 2% budget cut. In other words, when a druggist dispenses prescription drugs to Medicaid patients, they will be getting, from now on, 2% less for those drugs.

This is billed as not only a cost saving measure to buck up the system and make it more cost effective, but as an efficiency move with an eye to cutting down on excesses in the health care structure. While this move may sound a lot like the campaign promises of the current president, there is still a long road to travel to make changes that will boot the bloat from the system.

Washington has broader plans for cuts and trims that involve, among other things, refusing to pay for as many C-sections and will insist that more prescriptions be filled using generic drugs. While this may ultimately spell economic disaster for Big Pharma, it is definitely a step in the right direction to address out of control health care costs.

In another move that raised a few eyebrows, Washington also informed Medicaid recipients they would also be paying more out-of-pocket expenses for things like nutrition supplements and home-health devices.

The next question is how this approach would fly in other states. This is a tough question to address, as each state has a different approach to how the administer their Medicare and Medicaid programs. Ultimately this will have to be a decision that each state takes based on the merits of their existing administration, and political will.

Even though the health care system needs to be retooled in the worst way, sadly, there are proponents who would rather avoid the major issue of accessible health care for all because it would offend the big private insurance lobby. Realistically speaking, unless the big insurance monopoly is tackled, the cost of health insurance is going to continue to rise, thus shutting out low income Americans.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

It’s not a secret that most people will be the victim of at least one medication error a day if they happen to be in the hospital. Med errors have been known to occur in other health care environments as well such as doctor’s offices, ER settings, at pharmacies, and in long-term care. The head count for errors of this nature is close to 1.5 million preventable injuries that may be avoided by taking more care.

It doesn’t take much to make a mistake and it may all boil down to just one misread sentence or chart order for a potential fatality. Mistakes in hospitals range from overmedicating to under medicating and even giving drugs that are perhaps unnecessary or even dangerous. Medication errors increase the older the population gets and is subject to more trips to the hospital and more pharmaceutical support.

The solution to this conundrum of too many medications; not enough time; mistakes on the order charts; poor handwriting; and poor communications with other medical staff and with the patient may be avoided with the implementation of something called e-prescribing.

E-prescribing would provide the kind of knowledge currently missing for most physicians in a hospital setting – e.g. drug interactions with current meds the patient is on, information about any supplements or herbal medicines they may use, and a complete history of drug allergies and reactions. A good e-prescribing system is capable of doing multiple tasks at once and delivering virtually instant results.

E-prescribing allows health care providers to choose the right medication for their patients; considers the person’s medication history and allergies; decreases the chances of a bad drug reaction; posts the cost of the medication along with viable alternatives; and also advises if the patient’s insurance will cover a recommended drug.

Although many people wonder about the privacy and security of a system like this, it is only able to be accessed by doctors and pharmacists on a secure network that links them together. When issues like this come up in the health system, it is often more a matter of what will benefit the patients the most, than a matter of who will see the patient information.

In other words, the bottom line for the patient (and the system) is that patient safety will increase because e-prescribing will ditch illegible prescriptions, alert physicians and pharmacists about drug allergies immediately, and (perhaps the most important feature) is that it will update a patient’s medication record for “all” prescribing doctors. Finally, a way to get everyone in the medical system on the same page, working toward the same end: patient care and safety.

It seems to be working and the federal government is actually handing out e-prescribing bonuses to health care providers. The deal is if they e-prescribe for 2009 and 2010, they get a 2% boost in Medicare payments. The e-wave of the future is beginning to look quite interesting. To find out if a local doctor trying this innovative system, check out www.learnabouteprescriptions.com for a list. Look for this system to be fully implemented by 2012 and for those physician’s not using it for 2012, 2013 and 2014, to be penalized 1 percent of 2012/2013 Medicare charges, and 2 percent for 2014 Medicare bills.

To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Even if you do get health insurance quotes that make your heart go pitter-patter because they happen to be on this side of more than reasonable, there is likely going to come a time when you need to get a problem with a claim sorted out. Then, decent health insurance plans or not, you want answers as to why your claim was denied and you want them now.

If you opted to get your health insurance quotes and purchase from a large online insurance website that happens to be in another state, far, far away, you might find yourself on the phone a lot. That doesn’t mean you will be getting any answers, it just means you will be on the phone often, “trying” to get answers. Health insurance quotes provided by a large volume broker are generally reasonable because they have precisely that – the volume to offer better rates, but that doesn’t mean they offer better service, as you may find out.

What would an insurance company in Hawaii know about the local hospitals in Rhode Island? Not a lot and the same thing may be said about trying to settle a denied claim while working with an insurance company that doesn’t know much about you or your area.

This isn’t to say that their policies aren’t good, because many of them are standardized across the nation (Medicare in particular); it just points out that getting a satisfactory resolution to a problem when you are that far away from the source is difficult, if not impossible. Fed up with being shunted from one department to another at the “big” insurance company, you may begin to regret not buying health insurance plans locally.

Dealing with a local agent will ensure you get a policy that is tailor made to your set of circumstances and lifestyle. It won’t be a “general” package that, while inexpensive, doesn’t do a thing for you. The thing about health insurance plans is that when you buy them, you are buying them for the long-term, not the short-term, so getting something that suits you now makes more sense than having to switch every year (unless you need to).

This is where speaking directly to a health insurance agent is a smart move. If you’ve had it up to your eyeballs dealing with out-of-state companies, it’s time to call around and make the acquaintance of the local agents. They aren’t there to sell you something unless that is what you want.

They’re there to walk you through the various pros and cons of health insurance quotes, what they mean to you now and in the future, and outline the differences in health insurance plans. Once you know these things, you then become an informed buyer who is able to make some wise choices.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

Imagine not having to phone all the health insurance agents listed in the phone book, or calling on them in person. Imagine simply booting up your computer, clicking your mouse a few times and when you hit your browser, finding an insurance website where you may get health insurance quotes instantly. Yes, quotes that will provide you some viable options for affordable health insurance.

It’s even easier than you might think to get affordable health insurance quotes with today’s new technology. Now you can go to one site and find out all you need to know about health insurance plans while asking about health insurance quotes.

No matter who you speak to about the health system, the news seems to be very discouraging. It’s getting harder and harder for people to be able to keep a job and as a net result, many Americans are losing their health insurance coverage. While it’s understandable that people would opt to go without health insurance, it’s not a smart idea in case something happens.

Even if you do happen to be unemployed, it is possible to find affordable health insurance and health insurance plans to suit your present circumstances. If you find an insurance site that offers health insurance quotes instantly, take the time to search the site for affordable health insurance. Most sites will have a variety of health insurance plans to choose from, so you should be able to find something that you are able to manage.

Yes it’s often difficult to understand the range of options open to you when you are shopping for health insurance quotes and this is where it comes in handy to call a local agent. The local agents know their stuff and what is applicable in your area. It doesn’t make much sense to talk to someone who is out-of-state about what hospital is best in your neighborhood; they would have no idea.

So for the best information on health insurance quotes and up-to-the-minute current information on any changes to the health insurance plans, go locally and get an honest answer and affordable health insurance quotes.

Clelland Green is with Benepath.com, a leader in providing health insurance quotes. Benepath provides individuals, families, and businesses with affordable health insurance quotes in just a few mouse clicks. To learn more about Health insurance quotes, affordable health insurance, affordable health insurance quotes, health insurance plans, visit Benepath.com.

In other surprising news, Medicare Advantage plans are losing their appeal from the point of view of the government. Well Care and Coventry, two big names in Medicare health insurance, will no longer offer Medicare Advantage as of 2010. They will be totally out of business, as they can’t afford to offer the Medicare Advantage plan any longer. Why? The reason is because the government is reducing funds paid out to companies offering Medicare Advantage.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

It’s a lot easier to find out what the real scoop is than to find out at the last minute that what you assumed was the case (that you could possibly get Medicare at age 62, like Social Security) is a myth and you have to wait three more years and pay out a lot of extra money for insurance.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Most often these same people won’t have any problems until one day when they hit the wall regarding something they thought they were covered for, and it turned out that they weren’t. That meant they were forking out bucks for medical care and not happy about it. This could have been avoided if they knew what their policy really covered.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Do the math! For a single senior at age 62, the amount of money they would need to hand out to have health insurance would be up to $10,800 for three years or double that for a couple. Living on Social Security benefits and a pension may not allow people to find that kind of extra money.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

While sourcing other insurance isn’t usually a problem, the price of the insurance, if you’re 65 or over, is another matter altogether. In most instances you’d need the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) or to buy health insurance from a private insurance company. Always ask your local Medicare insurance agent the real facts.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

Nope – you can’t do this. You cannot get Medicare and Medicare supplements at the age of 62. Don’t make the mistake of planning your retirement thinking you have those supplements to go along with Social Security. If you do this, you will find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

You are only able to get Medicare and Medicare supplements when you turn 65, no earlier. The problem is people are assuming, without checking, that because they are able to get Social Security at 62, that the same is true for Medicare and Medicare supplements.

To learn more about Medicare, Medicare supplements, or Medicare supplement insurance visit GoMedigap.com.

The question is why are the Illinois health insurance rates sneaking up? The answer isn’t going to be something many people like, although they may identify with it when they stop to think about it. The reason Illinois health insurance rates are going up over time is directly due to us. In plain English, we don’t look after ourselves and because we don’t, we have driven up the cost of health care.

Life is about choices, and many of us have made the choice to smoke, drink, take drugs, and participate in extreme sports that are dangerous or just in general live life on the edge. Many of us have also chosen to be overweight because we don’t have the inclination to work out or eat properly. Americans have the highest rate of obesity in the developed world and the costs of treating these patients, along with smokers, alcoholics and drug addicts, is staggering.

There are other factors that drive up the costs of health care as well. For instance, medical errors and medical inflation drive up the price tag on Illinois health insurance rates. While medical errors do tend to be costly, the good news is that they appear to be on the decline for now.

The real high ticket item in the health system is medical inflation, and the problem is, no one knows the “real” prices of any medical services provided. If someone needs a broken finger set and wants to know the cost, no one will volunteer that information.

This is because no one knows what the bill will be until it is made up – literally. While it may have been worth $150 on a regular day, it might be that an extra splint was needed for the finger, adding another $50 to the tab later. No one will even give what they think is a reasonable guesstimate for services either. You tend to be billed for each item used. Now we know why the costs are so high and somewhat on the creative side.

Doctor’s offices do tell the largest insurance companies paying the bills how much it costs per day to stay in the hospital and what a certain surgery costs. This is because the doctor is paid a rate by the insurance company and then bills the patient extra for other items.

For lower Illinois health insurance rates don’t smoke, don’t drink in excess, and get motivated to work out. The healthier a person is, the less expensive health care costs tend to be.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com.