After being refused health insurance coverage:

· what can you do?

· what options are available to you?

· What are the common reasons for denial?

Should you be refused health insurance coverage for individuals as a result of pre-existing health conditions, contact other service providers for their offerings and rates. Not all companies use the same guidelines in their health insurance options nor do they all offer the same packages.

Do not assume that being refused cover by one company all other companies will follow suit. You can also contact an independent health insurance agent.

Look for health insurance companies that do not bother with questionnaires. You may even consider receiving minimal coverage for a small fee. Take this option only as the very last resort as almost any plan that has no medical underwriting can be considered disguised discount plans and will not provide adequate coverage.

There are some 29 states that have options named high risk pools. These plans were created for those individuals who were considered by insurance companies as too risky or the ones that can be classed as medical uninsurable.

These pools provide some form of health insurance cover to this class of individuals. With this type of cover, you will not be refused cover and you will also be with very large medical bills.

There are many disadvantages with this type of risk cover that should be considered before an individual decides to join.

Some states can terminate your cover should legislation be passed against the cover, the premiums are much higher than for other plans and when you move or start using Medicare or Medicaid, may become ineligible.

To find out more about the high risk pools or whether your state is among the 29 that offer this service, contact a health insurance broker in your state.

The 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) opened new doors for those individuals who were unable for whatever reason get health insurance. This act includes a statute that states that no individual who wishes to join a group health plan can be refused health insurance for any reason whatsoever. As such, should you join an organization that offers a group health insurance cover, you may not be refused health cover, except the eligibility requirements of the employer.

Some eligibility requirements which can affect you are the number of hours worked every week or the type of contract, salaried or hourly paid. Of special note is that you could still be refused health insurance cover for pre-existing conditions.

You can however still get cover with a pre-existing condition if you would have had continuous health cover for a period covering at least12 months.

This does not guarantee your cover, though. If there was a lapse (break) in your cover, the group coverage you are applying to may impose an exclusion period, during which. You will not be covered for medical expenses related to the condition. The insurer will not however pay any medical expense, including visiting the doctor, related to the pre-existing condition during the period the exclusion is in force.

The laws of HIPAA also state that health coverage for individuals' health insurance cover, must have guaranteed issuance, i.e. everyone is approved and any pre-existing condition will be covered for anyone meeting 6 criteria.

These 6 requirements are a critical component of the laws of HIPAA that must be understood by all individuals who have preexisting conditions and have been refused standard cover.

From the information above, one can see that there are several ways through which you can get health insurance and how to do so even after being denied it. Seek and ye shall find!

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The day comes that you lose your job and, along with it, you lose your health insurance. Fortunately, interim health insurance is something that can keep you afloat until you find a new job. An interim health insurance policy will cover your health care needs from the time you lose your job until you are eligible for benefits from your new employer.

Where should you begin to look for a short-term health insurance policy? Like many people today, your first stop will probably be one of the internet search engines and these will produced a laundry list of directories. These directories each provided a list of companies that offer interim health insurance and even a few that will actually tell you exactly what it is. Knowing what interim health insurance is and, just as importantly, what it is not will help you shop for the right policy and keep you from being scammed.

First of all, each state has its own brand of interim health insurance policy to help you hold onto the health insurance from your previous employer. In Minnesota it is called a Cobra Plan and covers you until you have a new job. Incidentally, state law also requires your employer to notify you of your eligibility for Cobra coverage.

Commercially available interim health insurance policies generally run from one to twelve months, although many providers limit their policies to six months, and will offer most of the same benefits that are provided on their long-term counterparts. The biggest difference you will see is that the policy is non-renewable and if you want to keep your coverage you will need to arrange a further new policy. Keep in mind that this type of policy is only intended for short-term use and not for long-term use.

Some things that will probably not be covered are wellness checks and preventative care. They will also not normally provide cover for dental or optical care. They are also very strict on denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. You can get coverage extended to cover your spouse and children. You will find also that most policies will range in price from around $25 to $100 per month.

Keeping these things in mind, you can begin to look through the results of your search. Examine the lists of companies and find one that will meet your needs. Another good place to turn for cover, because of the fee-for-service nature of the policy, is to your own home or car insurance provider as it is likely that they will also carry a health insurance policy that you can get. If you are purchasing the policy through your own insurance company, there may be an additional discount available to you for having multiple policies with them.

Your local phone book may also list a number of places for you to get interim health guide insurance coverage in your area. This can be an advantage if pre-approvals are needed. With a knowledge of what interim health insurance is and where you can find it, you will now be able to secure a policy that will best meet your needs.

If you are trying to find an interim health insurance company or any other form of low cost health insurance then the best place to start your search is right here online.

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An increasing number of our young people are suffering from a multitude of ailments that result from the modern environmental pressures like lack of exercise, lifestyles or stress. The medical profession has also progressed some and is usually able to address most of these resultant disorders. However, for people in the low-income brackets, the steady rise in health insurance expenses means that they are now finding it difficult to get medical help on time.

For most people medical health insurance seems to be unaffordable. Health insurance is there to offer succor for the unexpected medical problem. There is a dearth of health insurance service providers in California resulting in a very competitive market.

The laws in California require that every person has access to some medical cover. The state provides health insurance programs for people in low-income brackets to afford insurance.

Low income individuals in California can use the services of the Medicaid program. The federal government set up this program to permit as many people as possible to be able to some form of insurance cover. The funding for this program comes from the federal and state funds.

Individuals get the application forms from an office in the Division of Family services. Some form of documentation is required of each applicant to be able to qualify for the program.

The individual and their family have their various health needs catered for. For the individuals whose employees to not cover the rest of the family, the Medicaid program provides a feasible option for them.

The MRMIB (California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board takes pains to provide a quality health insurance that is also affordable. For low-income groups, through their HFP (Healthy Family Program), MRMIB cover for vision, dental and health, at fairly inexpensive rates for children.

Another MRMIB program, AIM (Access for Infants and Mothers) provides low cost insurance to pregnant women in low income groups. The infants also get cover under the program.

Before picking health insurance service provider, take some time to research the options available that suit your needs and your budget.

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Most women's initial excitement that follows the knowledge that they are now pregnant is soon shattered by the realization of the medical financial burden about to confront them. It has been found that maternity insurance coverage for women who fall pregnant is about 87%; other 13% isn't covered.

The women are faced with having to look to their own resources to meet the costs and may have insufficient funds to get appropriate pre-natal care. If the pregnancy brings about complications the burden will be increased.

Maternity health care is not necessarily covered even where a health insurance plan is paid for. An expensive add-on may need to be included. Some insurers avoid providing maternity plans or treat it as a condition pre-existing. Federal law does not permit this, but there are loopholes.

You may have COBRA (coverage extending from your previous employer). You need to check if maternity health is covered. The cost may be high, but it is certainly worth it.

There are several group plans that provide maternity health coverage to their members. Some may have from 3 months to one year waiting period before access to the benefit is possible. What happens then if one falls pregnant during this gap?

Like Medi-cal in California made states do have programs pregnant women. Other programs, federally sponsored, like Medicaid are mainly for the benefit of low income groups.

The Maternity Card is another option now available. This program designed to provide assistance to pregnant women and is doing quite well. The program covers many aspects maternity medical needs and costs less than standard insurance packages. Generally, maternity coverage is available immediately.

There are other plans though they have exclusion periods, some as long as 30 days. Scrutinize each package offered to ensure that you know all options and restriction before choosing one.

The best advice for women is that they should ensure that they get maternity group health insurance at the earliest opportunity, for the whole of their child-bearing years.

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For the self-employed individual there are many actions that they can take to help reduce the high insurance premiums they have to pay. Some options will mean leaving out some options while others may be the amount of deductible you are prepared to meet.

You can also join discount health guide plans where you may pay low premiums for the services you need. Almost all these options involve you carrying the risk on your own resources.

Lower Premiums By Excluding Routine Office Visits - If you are in good health, have no dependents and with few health issues, you may want to consider taking the catastrophic insurance plan. This may provide the coverage you require.

For a monthly premium of just under $100, you would have a cover for the unexpected illnesses or accidents, providing you the cheapest cover possible. You can go online on the web to where you can get the best rates. You may even be able to make your application online.

Pay Higher Deductibles to Reduce Premiums - With this cover, the insurance company will only pay for medical health costs that exceed an agreed figure. Any bill up to the agreed figure will be for your account. If you increase the deductible, the monthly premiums will be reduced.

This will however mean that for each medical expense that you incur, your out-of-pocket slice of the cost will be very high. This will, however, be preferable to going without any health insurance cover.

Get Large Discounts by Paying Premiums Annually - Should you wish to save money on your premiums, you can pay your premiums annually. By paying annual, most health insurance providers will reduce your premiums by a goodly sum. The savings on premiums will be considerable.

Use a Medical Savings Account - The MSA is a government defined health care program to assist people working for small businesses or the self-employed to afford health insurance. The money that goes into the Medical savings Account is not taxed. This money is to be used for medical expenses.

You could take out a low-premium high deductible health cover together with an MSA. This amount will be available for use should you need to cover the high deductible for any medical expense. The taxes can also be reduced on the balance of the savings.

Include Tax Deductions for Your Health Insurance- On making your annual tax returns make sure to include your health insurance cover expenses. You can still deduct from your income as much as 70% of the expenses incurred towards health insurance when you file the tax returns.

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A major or catastrophic medical insurance plan, although being rather speculative, is fairly cheap but is also deductible. The money that you pay up from your own funds before the insurer meets the balance is the deductible.

As an example: if you have a deductible set at $5000 and your visit to a hospital results in a bill of $12, 000 your insurance provider will pay $7,000 only towards the bill and you meet the balance. On this type of cover, the larger your deductible is, the smaller the premium. By taking up this option, you will be gambling on not needing any major medical expense soon.

It would be a reasonable gamble. One survey that was conducted showed that in the US, 90% of the population has medical expenses less than $2000, and for 73%, their expenses were less than $500 per annum.

Two main groups favor the catastrophic health insurance: the young who are in their 20's who feel their health guide is not at risk and elderly men between 50 and 65 who would be waiting on Medicare eligibility.

The catastrophic health insurance plan is designed to cover only against major hospital expenses rather than day-to-day medical expenses. It will not normally cover doctor's visits, maternity care, or prescription drugs. The cover usually excludes mental health conditions, substance abuse and some pre-existing medical conditions.

This catastrophic health insurance plan can be bought as a group plan or on an individual basis. Of late, many organizations have started to encourage their employees to take up this type of cover. The highest lifetime limit can be as much as $3 million.

Rates do vary on age and the area in which you live. In some states the savings on premiums can be up to two-thirds. As an example: a female of 21 years, non-smoker, could have a monthly premium of only $30.

Before taking a decision to select this cover, get some professional advice from agents, insurance companies or both and compare quotes.

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Health insurance is very important to one and all. But, selecting the right health insurance is quite burdensome especially for people who do not understand the terminologies that are attached to it and do not know how to choose the right insurance plan for themselves. You can become aware of all the terms associated with health insurance which can make the task of getting group health insurance easier. The best way to go is to talk to an insurance advisor with your health insurance company. Alternatively, you can search the internet for information to know all you want on health insurance.

Naturally, you would believe that whatever you want to know about health insurance will be told to you by the insurance experts with the insurance company. The right way to go about doing this is to call up the insurance company and have a talk with the insurance experts and ask any questions you might have on health insurance. Their job is to come to your help and answer your questions. If for any reasons, the experts are not very forthcoming in answering your queries think how much of help they will be when it will come to making a claim. So, it is best not to choose a company who will not give you the time to answering any of your queries. If your health insurance is being covered through the company where you work, there will be a dedicated person known as a "benefits administrator" from the insurance company to answer your queries.

If you have general queries or have any trouble understanding the terminology of health insurance, you can even search the internet for appropriate answers. This can be a suitable alternative to understanding health insurance instead of calling your insurance company with small queries as and when they arise. There might be some important information you failed to notice as you scanned through the information provided with your policy. You can even access the internet and check out the insurance company's website and go through the information provided there which might by itself clear many of your doubts. But, it is best to read through all the information provided with your policy to understand the specific details concerning your insurance plan.

The internet is a huge source for information and you can find limitless information concerning your doubts and find suitable answers to them. You also have the liberty to place a call to the insurance company and get in touch with the person in charge of handling queries and try to get the answers to your satisfaction. But, researching the internet is helpful in answering and understanding the in and out of health insurance and this source can be accessed at any point of time, be it the day or night. Researching and thoroughly understanding everything about health guide insurance can drive away any doubts about health insurance and make you better informed towards making the right choice about anything related to your health insurance.

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Do you own a small business and looking for a group insurance? Have you decided that you want to have a more productive staff which in turn means more profits? If yes then keep on reading this article. In this article I have compiled some tips and techniques which will help you in finding the best insurance company.

A company cannot be successful without healthy employees. The productivity of the employees can be increased by providing them proper aids and facilities. One of the facilities which should be given to employee is a health guide insurance.

There are many things which should be kept in mind while selecting an insurance company. The insurance company must have an extensive network of doctors, hospitals, coverage nationwide and most importantly affordable rates. Knowing certain details about the group of employees which you want to insure can help to customize the right plan. Every group has its own special needs. Proper information about the group will help you in making the right choice.

There are many additional services which are provided by a perfect insurance company such as year round personal assistance, on-site enrollments, employees can get answers to all their questions, and a no nonsense approach to customer service. You should always do the proper research before buying group insurance. With options you can make the best decision. There are many insurance companies out there but you can easily find the best one if you will follow the tips and techniques which are stated above.

American Insurance Plus is an insurance agency based in Palm Beach Florida specializing in Group Health Insurance. American Insurance Plus can help you in compare the top insurance companies in Florida. By comparing the benefits of different companies you can easily find a low cost plan which will provide the right coverage.

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Discount health insurance: Understanding ways of getting minimum quotations for your profile can help you save significantly (This article intends to show you how). However, even though that is vital, a number of other factors, some of which are outlined below, need to be considered in order to obtain least expensive tariffs.

1. In several instances your co-pay may exceed the cost of your drugs. Additionally, buying prescriptions directly from your pocket (without making use of insurance) is not likely to be cheaper. More savings will be realized in such cases if alternatives associated with higher savings are considered and over time a lot can be saved if comparisons are done with care.

2. In several states home business owners are given the chance to reduce their rates. By enacting laws making it obligatory for insurance companies to grant home business owners matching rates with big businesses these states avail this opportunity. Home businesses in the other states, upon engaging their first employee, qualify for group rates. Your grown up child or spouse can be engaged as a staff member. What is exciting about this arrangement is that this kind of employee does not qualify you by having to do full-timework. Because group rates are generally lower than individual rates this option gives less expensive rates. Check the department of insurance in your state, or its equal for those home businesses eligible for group rates.

3. Phone med services can also be taken advantage of for cost savings. Phone med services work around the clock giving medical advice for free. This advice, given by trained personnel can be taken with confidence (consulting personnel will normally be at least a registered nurse having not less than ten years experience).

4. Free medical advice can also be obtained from local medical clinics. These clinics, while not a substitute for an actual visit to a doctor, can significantly reduce your costs by cutting down the number of visits to a doctor.

5. Well-timed medical assistance could ultimately make a difference between a mild health condition and one that is more serious. This is sufficient motivation to make use of them regardless of the fact that they do not lead to a lowering of costs.

6. Your desired contribution to payments for individual visits to the doctor will have a bearing on your rate. This contribution is called your co-payment, and a high co-payment means lower rates. If you visit a doctor rarely consider choosing a high co-payment cover.

7. Registering with a group health expense sharing plan is advised for reducing rates. In this plan a number of individuals will team up to provide themselves with a coverage for health insurance. Such groups can be found with little effort in large churches or other such big organizations.

The nature and degree of coverage that the members get will be defined by the group's own rules.

Verify if your individual requirements are satisfied by this type of group. Finding one you can register with will make you pay a lot less.

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One should take plenty of fiber foods in the diet. Fibers are the constituent of food that the body does not absorb. Foods rich in fiber contents are green vegetables, fruits, salads, in bran of rice and husk of wheat, unrefined carbohydrates and complex starches.

There are two types of fibers -

1. Those found in fruits and vegetables called pectin. They help bring down cholesterol and glucose level in the blood.

2. Fibers found in whole grain (wheat bran, wheat germ) tone the intestine for quick elimination. They protect us from constipation, hemorrhoids and cancer.

A diabetic patient should stop using white flour and sugar which is refined food with no fibers. All non-vegetarian foods do not contain fibers. So a vegetarian diet is better for diabetes. The sugar raising quality of carbohydrates is much reduced if there are plenty of fibers.

Fiber is one of the most important constituent of a colon cleansing diet. It helps eliminate the toxins from the intestine and thus keep the body away from several ailments.

The fiber is very helpful for the digestive system. It forms a gel in the digestive system which slows down absorption of sugar. So the sugar level of the blood is steadier. It cuts down the absorption of fats and so the bowels more speedily and clearly.

Fibers promote good health. Fibers have proved beneficial in several diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, gall stone, constipation, digestive disorders, cancer and obesity.

When the fiber diet is taken, the absorption of nutrition is slowed down due to following reasons - gastric emptying is delayed and overall absorption and digestion of carbohydrates is slowed down.

Children and pregnant mothers need not take high fiber diet. Children and pregnant mothers need more nutrition and fiber food is only high bulk food.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Visit an extensive section of Medicinal herbs at Home remedies guide - a health guide to make you and your family live better, fit and healthy. Also know various Homemade cosmetics.

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hoosing a good health insurance plan is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your family. If you were to be injured or become seriously ill and you were not covered by some type of medical insurance it could be financially devastating. It's vitally important for you to find good coverage. In your search for a good health insurance plan you'll want to know about all of your available options and once you've narrowed it down you should learn about the details of the plan before you commit to it.

When it comes to figuring out your health insurance options one of the first things you can do is simply talk to people you know that already have health insurance coverage and ask them some questions about their plan. If your employer offers health benefits there will usually be several options to choose from and you can talk to your coworkers about the different options as well as the company representative in charge of the benefits package.

If your employer does not offer a benefits package and you must find your own coverage you can search the Internet and find and endless number of possible health care providers. By searching various forums and chat rooms you can even get feedback from people who are actual customers of any plan that you may be considering to see if a particular plan has good or bad reviews.

When trying to determine if a health plan is right for you, you will want to find out what it covers and what it does not cover. For example if you require prescription medication you will want to make sure the plan you choose offers good prices on prescriptions. It would be a good idea to get a pen and notepad and jot down some of your specific needs so that you have a checklist of things to look for when reviewing a particular plan.

Another important thing to consider, perhaps the most important for many people, is what the costs will be. Before you sign up for a plan you'll want to make sure that you can afford the monthly premiums. The cost of the monthly premiums will be affected by various factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, your age, risk factors you may have for certain diseases etc. You will also want to know what your copayments will be. With most plans your copayments will affect the amount of your monthly premium payments. For example if you're healthy and rarely visit the doctor you may elect to go with a higher copayment and a lower monthly premium payment. On the other hand if you have a chronic illness and you must visit the doctor frequently you may opt for a higher monthly premiums with a much lower co-pay per visit.

The best way to find a good health insurance plan and at the same time save as much money as possible is to do some comparison shopping. It's so easy online today to quickly get multiple quotes from a number of different insurance providers enabling you to pick the one that offers the best coverage at the best possible price. A few minutes spent getting free online insurance quotes can end up saving you hundreds of dollars every year.

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Is it possible to find cheap health insurance even with high cholesterol? If you suffer from high cholesterol, you may start paying the price, literally. While there are health insurance options for those with high cholesterol, many people are oblivious as to what those options are. In other cases, patients know about these options, but blatantly choose to ignore them.

Today, many insurance companies are raising your insurance rates if you aren't proving that you're making a lifestyle change for the better. High cholesterol tends to stem from obesity, and being obese shows insurance companies that you aren't doing your best to avoid poor health. For those of you that suffer from high cholesterol, what are you doing about it? Are you making lifestyle changes? If not, would you like to? Do you know what your options are when it comes to insurance and treatment? The bottom line is that there are health insurance options for those with high cholesterol, but it is completely up to you to utilize them.

At this time, health insurance companies are realizing that it really isn't fair that a healthy individual is required to pay the same rates as an unhealthy one--especially, if the individual chooses to make poor choices when it comes to their health guide. In all honestly, why should they? It only makes sense that a healthy person should pay less. So, if you wish to avoid an increase, you might want to learn about cholesterol and your health insurance options.

A wonderful health insurance option for those with high cholesterol is a disease management program. Programs that guide patients to better health are on the rise and it's up to you to take full advantage of it. Call your health insurance company or visit their website to see all they have to offer you. This option alone could very well save your life and keep your insurance costs at a minimum.

So what does a disease management program usually entail? Many times your health provider will offer classes on nutrition, fitness and overall lifestyle management. In a nutshell, you can get the support and encouragement you need to make a change.

Early detection and preventative screening programs are also one of the health insurance options for those with high cholesterol. True, no insurance company can dictate the life you live, but unless you want to pay through the nose, you need to make use of this program. Catching something early not only makes you aware, it also gives you the opportunity to correct it. The bottom line is that if you don't utilize these available resources, you will pay higher premiums, copays, and deductibles.

A third option is to terminate the health insurance provided through your employer and join a customized health plan. By doing a simple web search, you can find providers in your area that will allow you to pay for only the treatments you need. If you only need to see the doctor for cholesterol issues, there's no need to pay continuously for coverage.

Although there are health insurance options for those with high cholesterol, your best bet is to alter your poor lifestyle habits. In doing so, you will increase your longevity and feel great while doing it.

Whether you have high cholesterol or not it is always a good idea to shop around and compare health insurance plans from multiple companies in order to find the plan that will best meet your needs.

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New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, costing twice as much as any other city in the United States. Is it any wonder, then, that 25% of New York City residents do not have health insurance? If you're uninsured, here's how to get cheap New York Health insurance with a reliable company.

Health Insurance Costs in New York

Consider these facts about health insurance in New York:

* New Yorkers pay 26% more for health care than the national average.

* From 2000 to 2006, health insurance premiums in New York rose five times faster than earnings.

New York State Insurance

New York does provide options to help the uninsured get cheap health insurance. Several state programs are available:

* Family Health Plus is a public health insurance program that provides comprehensive coverage for uninsured adults who don’t qualify for Medicaid.

* Child Health Plus provides similar coverage for children.

* The Healthy NY program helps small business owners provide employees with affordable health insurance.

To find out if you're eligible for any of these programs, go to the New York Department of Health website - health.state.ny.us - and click on "Health Insurance Programs" under "Site Contents" on the right side of the page.

Private Insurance

If you aren't eligible for any of these programs, you can find the cheapest rate on individual or family health insurance by going to an insurance comparison website. Insurance comparison websites let you easily obtain quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies so you can compare them and choose the cheapest one.

The best insurance comparison websites let you talk online with insurance professionals so you can get answers to all your insurance questions and get advice on how to lower your insurance costs. (See link below.)

When you choose an insurance company, you want to choose a company that will be reliable and provide you with excellent service. So before you make a final decision, check the New York Consumer Guide to Health Insurers webpage, which ranks insurance companies based on complaint statistics and enrollee satisfaction surveys. Then you'll be confident that you have the cheapest premium with the best company.

Visit health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get New York health insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can also get more insurance tips there.

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on getting cheap New York health insurance quotes.

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In 2003, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) came into effect. They were launched to heavy acclaim, and aggressively promoted in the early stages. Yet five years later, many people still aren't as informed as they should be about Health Savings Accounts and how they work.

As part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act, Health Savings Accounts help US citizens under 65 save money for qualified medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. People who purchase a qualified High Deductible Health Plan may open a Health Savings Account.

The money deposited into the Health Savings Account may be deducted from your taxable income at the end of the year. The advantage is this: premiums for HSA qualified health insurance plans are much lower when compared to regular Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) insurance plans.

The tax benefits you can accrue with HSAs are:

Deposits and earnings aren't taxed.

There is no "use it or lose it" qualifier.

Money you save in the account isn't taxed upon withdrawal if you use the money for qualified health expenses.

HSAs are owned solely by the individual, giving them portability not associated with other health insurance plans. If you have an HSA with an employer and you leave that company, the money you have saved in the HSA is still yours. Many people confuse Medical Savings Accounts (MSA's) that are employer owned with Health Savings Accounts owned by the individual employees.

Since HSA's are owned by an individual, they are totally flexible. Of course, you must have a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) in force when you want to make any deposits. Many people who have HDHP never open an HSA. But when they do, they can deposit as little or as much as they want up to the limits set by the IRS. If you're looking for flexibility in terms of payments, then a Health Savings Account might just suit your budget.

The second way to contribute to a health savings plan is through non-taxable employer contributions. Additionally, employers with cafeteria plans may allow workers to contribute untaxed salary through a reduction in salary.

Similar to an IRA, those 55 or older can make catch-up contributions to their HSA. Funds in the account grow tax-free, and deductions are tax-free as well, as long as the money is withdrawn for qualified medical expenses.

When you turn 65 you can withdraw the money for any purpose and it will be taxed as regular income. But, if after you are 65 years old, and you use the money in your HSA for medical expenses, you can withdraw the money and not be taxed.

Because of their flexibility HSAs can be a very handy tool. They're well worth considering for protecting yourself when you most need it. So if you don't have health insurance and need it, take a look at a HDHP and then supplement it with a health savings account. Find out if this is the perfect coverage for you by talking to a qualified health insurance broker who can guide you through the process.

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Whether you want to admit it or not, having individual health insurance is truly a necessity nowadays. Most of us don't like to think of what can happen, but a tragic health condition can overwhelm a family not only emotionally but also financially.

If you've ever spent a day or two in a hospital, you know how expensive it can be without health insurance. A simple visit to the emergency room can end up costing thousands depending on the tests that the doctor orders and whether or not the patient stays overnight.

Having any good health insurance policy can help defray costs, even if it does nothing to relieve the pain of your condition. Thus, it is important to understand your options when it comes to individual health insurance. First of all, does your employer offer any kind of group coverage? If so, you want to investigate the details of that policy.

The group policies that your employer may offer definitely have some advantages. First of all, your company may pay for part or all of the expenses (that is, the monthly premiums). Also, group policies are less likely to reject someone because of a pre-existing medical condition. However, you're usually stuck with whatever coverage your company offers.

If you don't have health insurance through your work, or if you're dissatisfied with your current coverage, individual health insurance may be necessary. Of course, the disadvantage is that you would have to pay for this all by yourself. Also, you stand a greater chance of being rejected or paying higher rates if you currently have any medical conditions.

The good news about having individual health guide is that it allows you the freedom to choose the options that you want. For example, if you're a single male, you have no need of maternity coverage. You can choose the amount of your deductible and your monthly premiums as well.

For example, you may choose a high deductible with low monthly payments. This would be a good option if you want to be covered in the event of a major medical event but don't need to visit a doctor very often.

The important thing is to gain as much knowledge as possible before making your decision. Compare the different options and what each policy covers. Think about what you are willing to risk and how much you have to pay if a certain condition is not covered.

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Hip baths are very helpful in stimulating the stomach, liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen and other digestive organs, and in maintaining their efficiency.

Equipment for Hip Bath - You must have seen specially made tubs for hip baths. The tub is oval in shape and one end of it is raised so that the patient can rest his back against it. This is the ideal tub for taking a hip bath. Normally the tub for a hip-bath should be about 30 inches (75 cm) long and 20-22 inches (50 cm) wide.

Method for Hip Bath -

1. Fill the tub with lukewarm water. The level of the water should be so adjusted that it touches your navel when you sit in it.

2. Drink a glass of warm water, and sit in the tub.

3. Your feet will be outside the tub and abdomen and part of the thighs submerged in the water. You can rest you back against the raised portion of the tub and remain in that half-supine position.

4. Take a rough towel and rub your abdomen from the right to the left. Do it gently so that the skin is not scraped. Do not apply too much pressure in rubbing.

A hip bath can be taken from 10 to 20 minutes. Thin persons should take it for only 10 minutes and the stout ones can continue for 20 minutes. During winter the duration of the hip bath should be reduced by about 25 percent.

In the beginning, the hip bath should be taken only for a minute or two; the time should be increased gradually to 10 or 20 minutes, as indicated above.

A hip bath should always be taken on an empty stomach. No food should be taken for half an hour after a hip bath. You can take a bath a couple of hours after the hip bath and not before.

Hot water hip baths are advised if suffering from abdominal pains, menstrual disorders or premature menopause. While taking a hot water hip bath, a napkin wetted with cold water should be placed on the scalp.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Visit an extensive section of Herbal remedies at Home remedies guide - a health guide to make you and your family live better, fit and healthy. Also know various Homemade cosmetics.

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Ever wondered about how many more health risks there are nowadays than there were in the past? Well, the plain and simple truth is, there are. Today, particularly people from across the world grapple with various heath afflictions. From heart disease, Cancer, to fatal STDs; it just seems like there is no end to the dismal list. One of the greatest health issues these days concerns what we consume. Yeah that's right, it’s our diet, folks! What are you shoveling into your temple? While it depends on your nutritional habits, you could be doing some major damage to your body. Now, tell me who doesn’t know that fats, and sugars are bad for us, however we continue to gulp them down like there's no tomorrow. And it definitely shows in our current society. A huge portion of America is overweight. Wake up folks; it's time to make some changes. It's definitely time to get informed. The Internet is your ally. Explore into cyberspace right now and get information on cholesterol and fat. Find out more information about one of the prime killers of Americans.

Did you know at the present time that heart disease is one of the main causes of death? Yes, it's true; people across the country are becoming victims as we speak. A major concern is what they're eating. Are you aware of the right information on cholesterol and unsaturated fat?

These heart-stoppers should be taken more seriously. In fact lots of individuals don't even know how the whole process works. Well, let me summarize it for you. To begin with your heart is your body's engine. It pumps blood throughout your entire frame. When you start to consume foods that are high in fat and cholesterol, you're basically infusing this stuff into your bloodstream. Then the blood has to flow back through the heart. On the other hand, the fat and cholesterol begins to clog the arteries. Now, for sure no one wants this to happen. For the reason that if your heart cannot pump the blood properly, you may not live. Unfortunately today this is the main reason why there are so many heart related deaths. People evidently and simply need more information on cholesterol and fat. It's very important to understand what it does to the heart.

The Internet is a wonderful place to turn for information on cholesterol and heart problems that come form high cholesterol. Knowledge is the key to avoiding heart disease and other health afflictions. You have to know and understand what something is and then learn how to prevent it.

John Wellington provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for health, wellness as well as other related information.

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There are things that you might have heard about getting affordable health guide insurance quotes online. Some are true; some are false. We'll examine both so you can make more informed choices? I'll start with the lies first...

Your details aren't safe! Nothing could be farther from the truth. Companies that provide affordable quotes online use sophisticated encryption technology to ensure that only authorized persons have access to your details.

You might not get all the help you need if you use these online quotes sites. This is also untrue. In fact, you'll get help faster than otherwise. Many reputable quotes sites have live help. All it will cost you is just to type your question into a chat box and an expert will give you the answers you need.

Is it true that the most affordable quotes are online? Yes and with good reason: Insurance companies save a lot by having people request them online. It cuts down their cost of acquiring prospects. It also makes it easy for them to organize information.

As an incentive for you to get your health insurance online, they make it cheaper and easier for you.

Again, you'll find it easier to compare quotes from different insurers if you visit an insurance quotes sites. I recommend that you visit at least three of them. That's how to get the most affordable quotes online. furthermore, make sure you input the same details in each of them. You'll get misleading ones if you change the details you input on each site. Take note of this and you'll get the most affordable quotes online.

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What You can do if You Have No Health Insurance? Individual health insurance coverage may be more expensive, but it is better than having no insurance at all. Your good health and the health of your family is never guaranteed. Life can deliver unpleasant surprises and all it takes is one trip to the hospital to wipe you and your family out financially. We have all heard horror stories of catastrophic illness that required long hospital stays that resulted in a person or family declaring bankruptcy, losing their home and all they have worked for.

Do You Know What to Look For in a Good Insurance Policy? We are all concerned about rising medical costs. One of the good reasons to purchase your important health care from Blue Cross Blue Shield is they work with their policy holders, meaning you and I, to help find ways to limit the rising cost of our health insurance premiums.

What is the Most Important Cost I Need to Know About My Health Care Policy? It is absolutely important to know what your maximum cost is for your out of pocket maximum. What this means, is this is the maximum out of pocket cost you can have with a claim. Always ask your agent what the plans out of pocket maximum is. If the plan does not have an out of pocket maximum you may want to continue and look for another plan or a different provider.

How Blue Cross Blue Shield Helps You Reduce Your Insurance Premiums! Blue Cross insurance programs work hard to help us learn more about using our insurance coverage for routine healthcare as a way to prevent illness. This means is that Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance programs care about us and improving the health of your body. If you have ever felt ignored by an insurance provider, or you know of a friend or loved one that has had insurance problems you can really appreciate the wisdom of Blue Cross Blue Shield in helping us stay healthy.

Can My Blue Cross Blue Shield Individual Insurance be Cancelled Due to Claims? No. A federal HIPAA law prevents any insurance company from raising your rates or canceling your policy due to claims or a change in health. But that health insurance companies can raise rates due to other factors like your age. Your insurance rates are based on the general policy group age or for an entire class of policies. But no one can be singled out for an increase or cancellation simply because they file claims.

Protect Yourself With Guaranteed Renewable Coverage When you talk to your insurance agent, be sure to verify that your new policy is noncancellable, guaranteed renewable coverage - this means that you cannot be cancelled as long as you continue to pay the premiums and do not try to defraud the insurance company.

Want to Stop Worrying About Finding Your Own Insurance? That is why purchasing health care coverage from a top health insurance provider like Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the safest ways to purchase your health insurance online. Because of the wide acceptance of Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans their individual and family health insurance plans are highly regarded and are so available in most of the states in the U.S. Filling out an online quote form will connect you with friendly and knowledgeable agents who are ready to help you find the best fit for your health insurance.

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There are currently 9 million uninsured children in the US. Census data shows that 70% of those children live in a home where at least one parent works full-time. The same data indicates that about two thirds of these children would qualify for government-sponsored health insurance if the parents were to apply for it. Uninsured people are far more likely to go without essential medical care, including vaccinations and treatments for potentially fatal illnesses. This is especially sad when children are involved, because they are so dependant on their parents and the social organizations that are set up to help them. A complicated enrollment process and lack of knowledge about the programs are the main reasons given for why so many of these eligible children are not enrolled in government sponsored health insurance programs.

Perhaps the government likes keeping things the way they are in order to avoid paying for health care for all eligible children? If not, there is no reason that the enrollment process for government-sponsored health insurance should be complicated. Everything could be done on a single sheet of paper with a copy of a tax return attached to prove financial eligibility. These forms could be available in any doctor's office or hospital. They could be simple enough that anyone could understand them and have time to complete them.

The issue of parents not knowing about the availability of the programs could also be solved if the government really wanted to appropriate adequate resources to provide health insurance to them. The money is there, it's just not always used in the most efficient ways. The availability of public health care for eligible children is something that should be actively advertised. Public schools could send notes home with children. Hospitals could explain the program and help parents enroll newborns before they leave the hospital. The IRS could send information to families with qualifying incomes. If the enrollment process became straightforward and simple, and parents were made aware of the availability of the programs, our country could have 3 million children without health insurance instead of 9 million. That's a big difference.

By Louise Norris - Vice President, Insurance Shoppers, Inc. Insurance Shoppers is the leading independent health insurance brokerage in Colorado. Offering a large selection of the top health insurance companies in Colorado and a variety of products, like HSAs. Please link to the Insurance Shoppers website when using this article.

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When you get health insurance quotes it is important to find the plan that is right for you. Some insurance companies are extremely expensive and barely cover anything at all. It is important to find affordable health insurance that really will cover you and your family if you need to seek medical attention.

One of the most important things is finding affordable health guide. Be sure that you can afford the premium of the insurance or the monthly cost. You also need to be sure the co-pay you will have to pay for every doctor visit is acceptable also. You will have co-pays for doctor visits, emergency rooms, and urgent care visits. Also be sure prescriptions are covered at a good rate also. When you obtain health insurance quotes be sure the insurance really is affordable.

It is common for people to find what they think to be affordable health insurance and then not be covered when they become ill or are hospitalized. When you get health insurance quotes be sure that you really are covered in every way you can think of. If you have diabetes then make sure that this disease is covered. Some insurance plans will say that you have a pre-existing condition and have a policy that they do not cover pre-existing conditions. Be sure any conditions you might have or that run in the family are covered.

Another thing to think about when you get health insurance quotes is laboratory bills. Many insurance companies don't cover lab work. Lab work may include blood tests, tests for strep, any type of test that needs to be sent to a lab. This can get expensive and is usually considered a separate bill in a hospital and at your doctor. Be sure that lab work is covered when you are quoting different policies.

There are many things to consider when you are looking for affordable health insurance. Sometimes the cheapest policy is cheap because it doesn't cover anything. When you are searching consider all of the fees and everything that is or is not covered.

Jeff McClendon has been a specialist in the field of health insurance since 2006 counseling hundreds of individuals and families on medical insurance policies which may be right for them. Find affordable health insurance quotes for individuals and families.

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If you are looking for a way to save some money on health insurance, you might want to consider obtaining a catastrophic health care plan. At the same time, while a catastrophic health insurance plan can save money, it is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Therefore, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of this type of health insurance coverage in order to determine if it is right for you.

What is Catastrophic Health Insurance?

Catastrophic health insurance, which is also referred to as major medical health insurance, is a form of insurance that primarily covers the expenses associated with major medical events. Therefore, you will usually be expected to pay for your doctor's visits and prescription drugs out of your own pocket, but you will receive coverage if you are admitted to the hospital or if you experience any major medical expense. Items that are generally covered with catastrophic health insurance include:

Diagnostics
Hospital stays
Intensive care
Lab tests
Surgery
X-rays

Since catastrophic health guide only covers major medical expenses, your monthly premiums can be kept much lower than what you would pay for comprehensive health insurance coverage. In addition, the deductibles tend to be much higher with this form of health insurance coverage.

Who Should Consider Carrying Catastrophic Health Insurance?

Since catastrophic health insurance does not help pay for routine medical costs or prescription drugs, anyone with ongoing health problems that require medical care should not purchase this type of health insurance coverage.

The ideal candidates for this type of insurance coverage are usually those that are in their 20s as well as those that are between the ages of 50 and 65. This because young adults often do not have coverage through their employer's and cannot afford to pay for comprehensive coverage. In addition, they tend to be in good general health and only need to have coverage in case of a major medical event, like an accident. Those between the ages of 50 and 65, on the other hand, may be retired and interested in having insurance to cover them in case of a serious health issue, such as coming down with cancer or having a heart attack.

When determining whether or not catastrophic health insurance is right for you, you should consider your budget, your health and your ability to cover the cost of high deductibles if you should develop a serious health condition.

Remember a major med plan can save you money in the short run, but there are often holes in the coverage which, if you're unlucky can end up costing you big in the end.

Discuss all options with your health insurance agent.

Steve Klein is Mr. Insurance of Maryland. He is an independent health insurance broker, representing not just one company, but the best carriers in Maryland. His independent status enables him to offer a wide variety of health insurance plans and a policy perfect for every client's needs and budget.

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Every insurance company has its own claim procedures. When filing a claim with your health insurance, you need to follow the steps as outlined by your insurance company. In most cases, claims are denied by a mere technicality.

The best place to find information on claiming your medical insurance is your health insurance company itself. Generally, you are provided a toll free contact number that you can call during business hours. When speaking with your health guide company's representative on the phone, you may be required to provide some details like your policy number and name of the primary insured of the policy. After this, the representative can access the details of your policy and guide you on the steps you need to take to your claim.

If you happen to be a Managed Care Plan participant and have a covered benefit, the process is pretty straightforward. You just have to visit your insurance company and the staff there will take care of the rest. They will take care of everything -- from entering the appropriate code for the service rendered to sending the paperwork back to you. You will receive a document detailing your visit to the office. The document will also give the details on how much the company paid, how much was applicable as deductible and the balance that you are supposed to pay, if any. At the time you avail the medical care, you only need to pay the co-payment amount.

Before, an Indemnity Plan holder is required to pay the entire amount for the medical service rendered to them upfront. Then the policyholder has to complete lengthy claim documents, which usually took weeks to clear. But nowadays, the front office personnel directly bill the insurance company first and after the company pays up the percentage, the balance will be taken from you, the patient. If there is a disagreement over the payment, you will have to pay it up. You can then sort it out with your insurance company later on.

Computerization has made the medical billing process very easy. You no longer have any extra costs to bear apart from paying your co-payment amount. If you have not satisfied your deductible, the paperwork is still forwarded so as to help keep track of the use of policy and the payments due. The task involved in processing a claim is complex, but health insurance claims for covered benefits are nowadays settled in a short period of time.

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It is a big step to consider getting small business health insurance. But the benefits could far outweigh the costs in the long run. You could also end up with a happier and healthier workforce that are less likely to leave to find a position elsewhere.

Many small businesses do not have a health insurance plan because of the potential cost that is involved. But things are changing. Many employers are now starting to realise that one of the main things that their employees are looking for is a good package that includes a health insurance policy. In fact health insurance is only behind financial remuneration on the list of important factors when an employee considers a job offer.

There is a range of different types of small business health insurance. They can broadly be divided into managed care and indemnity policies. Indemnity policies are where you reclaim your medical bills from the insurer. This may mean that you have to pay the bill and then be reimbursed from the insurer. The advantage of this system is that you have a wide range of providers to choose from. Managed care policies are where a network of health care providers agrees to reclaim their fees directly from the insurer. This means less paperwork for you, but there is less choice in where you can go for treatment.

Health insurance for small businesses does not have to be expensive. In most schemes it is common for the employer to pay at least 50% of the premiums. The employer pays the remainder. You can choose to pay a higher amount if you wish. The premiums that you pay are also 100% deductible against tax. So cost should not be a prohibitive factor when considering small business health insurance.

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Health insurance costs are rising all the time. Many people feel they cannot afford health insurance. Others feel that they don’t need it because they are healthy and have never had any major medical problems. This is definitely faulty thinking on their part. As a matter of fact, you do need health insurance, and there are a lot of ways to get affordable health insurance for yourself or your family. Health insurance is protection against the possible health problems that could happen in the future, and you have absolutely no way of knowing what those might be.

For people who are low income, every state has a Medicaid program that they could possible qualify for. The requirements vary form state to state, but all it takes is a trip to your local Division of Family Services office to get an application. You might be surprised at the number of people who would actually qualify for this service that don’t think that they would. You will need to fill out the application and provide some documentation about your finances. This program can cover the health insurance needs of the entire family, including dental work, eye care, doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions and more. For people with children who don’t get insurance through their work, this is a very good option to check out. It is free and a fairly painless process, and if you qualify, it could make you like a lot easier.

Another option for cheap health insurance is to look on the Internet. There are a ton of companies that offer all types of health insurance plans, and it is very possible that you could find one that is perfect for your family and fits your pocketbook. The costs vary, so do plenty of research before choosing one or another. It is a smart idea to find out how long the company has been in business, and what kind of reputation they have. Ask for a quote from several sources, and see what kind of a deal they can get for you. Make sure they are also licensed in your state, because it does no good to get insurance if they can’t operate in your state.

Still other options include your local insurance agencies. Ask around to find out about the different agents and their policies. Many agents will work very hard to get you an affordable health insurance plan for your family at a cost you can live with. Even if you can’t get every type of coverage you want, some is better than none.

Follow up with advertisements for prescription card plans and alternative health care plans. While some of them won’t be suited to your needs, there may be one that is perfect for you. An affordable health care insurance plan can be found, but you might have to do some searching.

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