January 31, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

One Out Of Every Five Americans Lives with a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Says Benepath CEO, Pennsylvania

Those who live with pre-existing conditions often have a difficult time getting affordable health insurance.

“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.

January 30, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Health Insurance Plans Can Help Protect Savings and Health

If you have ever experienced a long illness or multiple illnesses, you know the value of health insurance.

Having a health insurance plan in place is smart, because if anything happens to you, you need help paying medical and other related bills. That is the truth. Unfortunately, sometimes due to circumstances and sometimes due to choice, millions of Americans do not have health insurance plans to protect them. If something happens to someone in their family or to them they will be stuck trying to pay staggering bills.

The basic truth is if you have health insurance plans for your family, or have one for yourself, then you have help paying any medical expense that you have incurred, and it is always nice to have someone help you pay the bills, right?

When it gets right down to it, your health is wealth. Think about that for a minute. If you have your health and have it protected, you get help with bills and may likely still be able to work and make money. If you do not have your health, do not have money to pay your bills and may not be able to work; you have nothing but grief and unpaid bills. There is a better way to live your life.

Certainly life is filled with unforeseen circumstances that may find you involved in an accident, dealing with a broken leg or recovering from traumatic brain injury. Any of these things can happen at the drop of a dime. No one knows when they will need medical help. You would not go without home and car insurance, so why would you think health insurance is not necessary?

What do you consider when you are searching for health insurance plans to suit your lifestyle? Some of them should be:
- Know what medical expenses you and/or your family need to ensure a comprehensive plan for everyone
- Search for an insurance company that will provide assistance to help you get precisely what you need
- Do what you can to lower the costs of insurance, such as stop smoking, don’t drink or do drugs
- Buy health insurance from the same company that sold you car and home insurance for a policy reduction
- Do as much online research as possible to find quotes and compare them side-by-side
- Call an agent to double check that the deductibles and monthly premiums cover exactly what you need

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.

January 23, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Make Looking for Affordable Health Insurance Quotes Like Searching for Car Insurance

Searching for car or house insurance is very similar to searching for affordable health insurance quotes. The only difference is the quotes are for a person.

It is not such a big task to hunt for affordable health insurance quotes online, particularly if you have already found and bought a car or home insurance online. The premise is the same. You provide information to an insurance agent about what you want, what you have for a budget, and what you want for a deductible. This is the same routine you would go through with health insurance. You will need to let them know what you want, what you need, what you can pay and discuss deductibles.

The odd thing is that there are millions of Americans who are living with home and car insurance, because they realize the risks in losing them but they do not have health insurance. It is almost like their health does not matter, and they think nothing will happen to them. The fact is that not having health insurance for anyone in your family is putting everyone at risk. Ask yourself this one simple question: If you got into an accident tomorrow, and that is quite common these days, how would you pay for your medical and other related bills? If you do not have health insurance, you are hurt in more ways than one.

Now here is another fact that many people do not think about – having health insurance saves money. Yes, saves money by helping you cover the bills so you are not paying out 100 percent. Who in this economy can afford to pay out 100 percent on their medical bills? Very few people can do that. If you can afford car and house insurance to protect your investments, then you can afford health insurance to protect your investment in you.

Seriously, with the price of health care, no one can take the chance that they do not have some form of health care to help them pay their medical bills. Remember, even a quick trip to the doctor can cost hundreds, or in some cases, thousands, of dollar. If you have health insurance in place before your visit the doctor, you are covered.

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.

January 17, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Affordable Health Insurance May Be Around the Corner

Health care reform is still the number one topic in the news. Ultimately, should it remain in place, all Americans will have access to affordable health insurance.

It is a grand idea to make sure everyone in America has a health insurance plan. Even just saying those words brings a thrill of expectation to the millions without health insurance. Question: will there really be affordable health insurance in 2014? Will the states have plans available subsidized by the government? Will the states and the government be able to afford this new arrangement?

These are all good questions, but no one seems to really have an answer. Many feel it makes sense to allow everyone the chance to access affordable health insurance, but they are dead set against the bill for a variety of reasons with the major one being the fine. It is hard to imagine being fined because you do not have a health insurance policy, but that is the idea. If you do not have health insurance in 2014 you will be fined. This will apply whether or not you can afford it or if you choose not to have it.

Those who remain uninsured because they choose to be uninsured, are often people who do not want to pay any extra costs relating to insurance, even they may be able to cover the expense of an affordable health insurance plan. These individuals feel it is their right to choose what works for them, and the government has no business dictating what they should do. If the reform provisions are still in place by 2014, if you have not found an affordable health insurance plan by then, you will be fined every year.

Consider this: no matter what you do, buy health insurance or not, you will still face extra costs for health care by the time 2014 rolls around. How so? As it stands today, most families are unable to squeeze an extra amount of money out of their budget to get health insurance. By 2014, those same families will be forced to have insurance or forced to deal with the costs of not being insured. If you want some control over your choice of health insurance, now is the time to find something that works for you and your family.

There is one other thought you might want to think about, and that is what kind of coverage will be in the state plan. Who knows? Acting now will ensure you have a policy you choose with the coverage you want and need.

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.

January 9, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Health Insurance Quotes Should Not Be Difficult to Understand

You want to find health insurance quotes that make sense. Sometimes, that may be a challenge.

Making sense of insurance jargon is a challenge, but it does not have to be that way. That is what insurance agents are there for – to help you choose what you need for your own health insurance policy or a policy for your family. The confusion often seems to be that people have difficulty making heads or tails of all of the various different policies on the market.

They do not know what policy suits their lifestyle. They may be self-employed. They do not know the right questions to ask. They may have just retired. So many different needs for many different people, and yet, there is something out there for everyone. Whatever reason you have to be searching for health insurance quotes, there are some hints you can use before you get started.

Usually people start their hunt for health insurance quotes by looking for a new health insurance carrier. Often they go by word-of-mouth, or they will try and stay with large names that are well known. This is fine, and those large companies may have what you need. You might be interested in knowing, though, that sometimes smaller companies offer the same policies but for a lower price that can be worth checking out.

Remember that when you are comparing health insurance quotes, you must choose the amount of coverage you want. Of course, this is largely based on your decisions as to what you need and want. An example might be that you want a low monthly premium, and in order to get a lower premium, you could choose to opt out of other insurance riders.

Pick what you want for a deductible, as this is another factor that dictates the price you pay for a premium. Take a look at your lifestyle. Do you see the doctor frequently? If so, a lower deductible might be worth the extra expense. If you rarely go to the doctor, you might want a higher deductible instead.

Also make sure to consider any pre-existing conditions you may have, as this also makes a difference to what you pay for an insurance premium. Some pre-existing conditions are common – such as higher blood pressure – but that will still mean your premiums will be higher. Add in other pre-existing conditions and you may have difficulty getting insurance. However, there is a way around that.

Do not let your insurance coverage lapse. This will make it easier to get coverage and reduces or removes waiting periods for the pre-existing condition in a new policy. Plus, many states have open enrollment periods, during which an insurance company cannot deny you coverage due to your health. These are referred to as a guaranteed option.

When you have all your favorites picked out, it is time to compare policies side-by-side. When in doubt, pick up the phone and call an insurance agent for free advice.

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.

January 2, 2012 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Catastrophic Health Insurance Plans May Be a Good Option

If you are making plans to buy insurance, give some consideration to catastrophic health insurance plans.

It can be confusing to figure out what kind of health insurance plans to consider and ultimately buy. Each plan is different and that makes sense because not everyone is the same or needs the same kind of coverage. While most plans on the market today are priced to meet the needs of individuals and families struggling with lower incomes, it sometimes can seem just too overwhelming to try and pay for health insurance when you are out of work.

Since the recession hit, thousands of Americans have cancelled their policies due to pressing necessity. Although this is completely understandable, it is extremely risky. If something happened, they would be financially destitute or bankrupt from the overwhelming medical bills. Other families have opted to reduce their premiums to the absolute bare minimum, which may work in some instances but not in others, as lower premiums may also give you less coverage for what you need.

If you are in this situation, lining up a catastrophic insurance policy may be the right solution for you. This kind of a plan will protect you when you need it the most, and lets you take care of routine medical bills if you can. If you cannot, you at least have a plan that will kick in when it is needed the most.

Some the benefits of a catastrophic insurance policy are:
- Helps you keep premiums really low – as much as 25 to 50 percent lower
- Offers coverage for any treatment of significant medical issues such as a car accident
- It is a high-deductible plan with amounts that range from $250 to $2,000
- You take care of your medical expenses up to the deductible
- If the deductible is reached, the insurance kicks in and handles the difference
- Pays for medical procedures, lab work, x-rays, surgery and intensive care stays

Having some insurance coverage is better than having none and makes more economic sense in the long run. Without it, not only is your health at risk, but so is your long-term ability to be financially stable. How much do you think a broken wrist may cost you without health insurance? Go ahead and take a guess. Chances are you would have to pay between $6,000 to $17,000, depending on the nature of the break and treatment required.

Do you have that kind of money to pay a medical bill? Most people do not, and it is a good bet that you do not either. This is one of the reasons why you might want to seriously consider catastrophic health insurance plans. Speak to your agent for a good, in-depth explanation of how they work. While it might not be the best option for everyone, it is ideal for others.

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.

December 30, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance News by jferris

Health Is the Most Important Asset To Have Says Benepath CEO

Taking care of one’s health is crucial to financial stability. Without health insurance, that stability is threatened.

“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.

December 27, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Affordable Health Insurance Quotes Can Be Found with Patience

If you are tired of spending time searching for affordable health insurance quotes online, try a website that returns instant quotes that can save you a lot of frustration.

It is not always easy to find affordable health insurance quotes, and that largely has to do with not knowing what to ask, look for or really what you may need. You might think you need a certain type of coverage that is very expensive, but when you take a close look at other policies, you will find out you just might not need it. It is hard to really say what you need until you write it down.

While that might sound about as much fun as watching laundry dry, writing down what you need, want, and cannot live without and what you do not want are important issues when searching for affordable health insurance quotes. If you start the search without knowing what you really need, you will end up with a batch of quotes that will make you even more confused because they are all for different things. That is the tricky part. If you ask for online quotes, you need to give everyone the same information.

Another thing you might not understand is that the material you see on an insurance website is really only the tip of the iceberg. This is because you cannot expect to have absolutely everything online, as it would be too overwhelming for visitors. Typically, the highlights of what a company offers are online, with a rundown of their policies, prices and services offered. You can get quotes, but you do not get in-depth information, which is what you may need to make an informed decision.

This is where it is a smart idea to pick up the phone and call the agent listed on the site. Have your list of questions ready and take notes to get the answers you need. Speaking to an agent is free and their advice is only based on what is likely the best policy for you and your family. They have spent years training on insurance and know their products very well; well enough to be able to recommend one or two to you based on what you tell them about your lifestyle and needs.

This gives you more background information, a better feel for various products, a sense of the company you may buy from based on the help you get, and a good idea of what you will be paying for premiums. Keep in mind that although you may feel a sense of sticker shock, particularly if you have pre-existing conditions, the value you get in terms of protection when you need it is priceless. If you did not have the coverage, you would be broke trying to pay medical bills, and that is the truth.

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.

December 20, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Affordable Health Insurance Can Be a Reality

There are certain realities that all Americans should embrace. One of them is the fact that there is affordable health insurance for everyone.

If you have heard it once, you probably have heard it twice or more – there is not affordable health insurance anywhere. That is honestly a myth. There is affordable health insurance. You just need to hunt for it, and right now, the competition for customers is pretty intense and you can get some deals. While your rates may go up in a year, you have saved a lot of money over the course of the year, so you can always search around once more when your policy is up.

The thing people need is patience and persistence. You do need to look around, compare policies, prices, coverage, limitations, co-pays, deductibles and so on, which many find frustrating and annoying. Insurance jargon can drive some people up the wall.

Here is a tip about buying affordable health insurance – if you do not have the time or patience to hunt around the Internet and compare policies, then pick up the phone and call an agent. They do not charge for their advice and they can find things faster than you can because they know their products inside out. They are trained to offer you the best insurance for what suits your budget, and they are not out to sell you a platinum policy if that does not work for you.

Local agents realize that affordable health insurance is necessary and that is why they make it their goal to work with you to find a perfect, affordable health insurance policy. Be aware of one thing though, and that is that they may find you the perfect policy, but it is a few dollars more than you were planning to spend. Give that some thought, and do the math over the course of a year, as compared to what you would have to pay out if you got hurt and had to pay medical bills. If those few extra dollars protects you and keeps your medical bills down, it may well be worth spending the extra money.

The bottom line is: it is your health and happiness that is at stake. It is your financial peace of mind as well, and that is vital to your wellbeing too. Get health insurance even if it does run you a few more dollars, because without it, you will be short for many years to come, if not bankrupt.

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.

December 13, 2011 in Health Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Articles by jferris

Finding Reasonable Health Insurance Quotes Easy To Do Online with the Right Company

Reasonable health insurance quotes are out there. It just takes a bit of work to find what you need.

No worries – there are health insurance quotes on the Internet that will suit your situation ideally. You just need to take the time to find them. Your health is certainly worth the extra half hour or so to find what you and your family needs.

Life is obviously unpredictable. Even if we do the same job every day, there is no telling if something might happen in a split second that will change your health. You could have an accident or catch an illness, as bad things can happen. If you are not prepared for them, you will get a huge medical bill and be left wondering how you will pay it.

Do not wonder any longer. Despite the fact that you may think you do not have enough spare money to buy an insurance policy, the hard reality is that if you do not have one, you will wish you did. It will cost you more to not have a policy, than it would if you were covered, and this includes paying for your monthly premiums. Yes, it is well worth setting aside a few extra dollars every month to ensure you have the right kind of health insurance coverage.

Let’s take a quick example just using some numbers to show you what we mean. Perhaps your insurance premium is $250 a month. For a year that is $3,000. For an insurance premium that is $475 a month, that is $5,700 a year. Now, what is the cost of a broken wrist? Roughly $30,000. Do you have that kind of money? Most people do not.

Think you will be healthy and not need health insurance? Think again as statistics clearly outline that every person will at some point need the services of a doctor, whether it is for an ear infection or a fractured pelvis. If we do not have health insurance to protect us, get hurt and receive a huge bill, just how do we pay it? The fact is that most people cannot pay for it. That is why medical bankruptcies are at an all-time high in the U.S. today. This is not good news for you or the nation at large.

If the main concern is your budget, take heart, as competition on insurance websites is fierce and that means you get the benefit of a lower prices. Sure, that price may go up at the end of a year, but you can always shop around again for reasonable health insurance quotes. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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.