BUYING HEALTH INSURANCE AS A FAMILY is like sitting around the coffee table putting a puzzle together. But instead of one possible outcome, the pieces can fit together to make an album of finished puzzle pictures. The strategy, however, is no different. The key to completing the puzzle is to find the corner pieces or flat-sided pieces so you can fill in the middle accordingly.
The corner pieces to your health insurance puzzle represent the make-up of your family. How many members are there and what is your budget? A Family Health Insurance plan can start with just two people. It is very common for a party of two or more to purchase a "Family" health insurance policy assuming their will be value-added benefits in terms of cost and coverage. In fact, the opposite is usually true. The overall benefits might be greater when you split the plan up if your family has three or less members.
Often times a family policy for two people can cost more in monthly premium than two separate policies combined. Plus, the deductibles and limits per person don't change. A family of three will be somewhat similar. A family can really start to save money on purchasing a plan together when there are four or more members because the monthly premium stays the same after three family members and the combined yearly deductible can decrease.
The flat-sided pieces to your puzzle represent the needs of each family member. Some health insurance plans are more appropriate for males and others are more appropriate for females. Plans that don't include maternity benefits can cost much less in monthly premium, often have low or NO deductibles, and can usually only be purchased by an individual. Some of these plans are even appropriate for women because they have an "escape clause" that allows the member to slide into a high-deductible maternity plan should she become pregnant.
How does your puzzle look now? It is time to fill in the middle and complete your puzzle. The final piece to this puzzle is your health insurance agent. Your puzzle's picture can change from year to year and your agent's job is to help you solve it.
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Showing posts with label California Health Insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California Health Insurance. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Cost-Effective HMO Health Insurance Plans
The following are a few great health insurance plans in the market that have very comprehensive coverage and can help you save money.
Cost-Effective California HMO's for 2008
Saver or Value HMO's (Health Maintenance Organization): These plans provide the extremely comprehensive coverage of an HMO, but the addition of a deductible lowers the monthly premium. These plans still carry low co-pays. HMO's are a good option for women who are planning to become pregnant. The maximum-out-of pocket limit is normally significantly lower than a PPO. When the math is done to equate the difference in total spending one may get more for the money with a Saver or Value HMO.
Some Popular HMO Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross Saver HMO
• Blue Shield Access Value
Click here for your free California Health Insurance quote!
Cost-Effective California HMO's for 2008
Saver or Value HMO's (Health Maintenance Organization): These plans provide the extremely comprehensive coverage of an HMO, but the addition of a deductible lowers the monthly premium. These plans still carry low co-pays. HMO's are a good option for women who are planning to become pregnant. The maximum-out-of pocket limit is normally significantly lower than a PPO. When the math is done to equate the difference in total spending one may get more for the money with a Saver or Value HMO.
Some Popular HMO Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross Saver HMO
• Blue Shield Access Value
Click here for your free California Health Insurance quote!
Cost-Effective PPO Health Insurance Plans
The following are a few great health insurance plans in the market that have very comprehensive coverage and can help you save money.
Cost-Effective California PPO Plans for 2008
First Dollar Plans: These plans have a $0 deductible so the member is paying only a percentage (usually 40%) of the negotiated rate for services from the very start of the policy. First Dollar Plans normally carry a doctor's visit co-pay from $25 - $40. Such plans do not include maternity benefits*, which helps to keep the monthly premiums down. *This may be a concern for women, but companies that carry these plans will often let you slide into their high deductible plan (~$5000 deductible) that includes maternity benefits should the member become pregnant.
These plans include different drug options to choose from...No Rx, Generic Only Rx, or Comprehensive Rx (Brand Name).
Some Popular First Dollar Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross Right Plan PPO 40
• Blue Shield Active Start 25 & 35
• Aetna MC Open Access 25
• Kaiser Permenente $25 & $50 Copayment Plan
• Health Net Simple Value 30 & 40
Blue Cross Smart Sense Plans: These are really flexible plans that offer 4 different deductibles ($500, $1500, $2500, & $5000), low monthly premiums, and a very low Annual Maximum Out-Of-Pocket of $2500. No Maternity Benefits and a choice of Generic Only Rx or Comprehensive Rx.
Medical/Dental/Vision Plans: These plans carry low deductibles that are often equal to their maximum out-of-pocket limits. They also include basic dental benefits and vision exams. These plans do not include maternity benefits and only include a Generic Drug option. Such plans are marketed toward the 19-29 age group, but these plans may be appropriate at any age.
Some Popular Medical/Dental/Vision Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross TONIK (has 3 different deductible options) *TONIK has strict underwriting guidelines. It is advisable to consult your health insurance agent before applying.
• Blue Shield Essential Plans
Click here for your free California Health Insurance quote!
Cost-Effective California PPO Plans for 2008
First Dollar Plans: These plans have a $0 deductible so the member is paying only a percentage (usually 40%) of the negotiated rate for services from the very start of the policy. First Dollar Plans normally carry a doctor's visit co-pay from $25 - $40. Such plans do not include maternity benefits*, which helps to keep the monthly premiums down. *This may be a concern for women, but companies that carry these plans will often let you slide into their high deductible plan (~$5000 deductible) that includes maternity benefits should the member become pregnant.
These plans include different drug options to choose from...No Rx, Generic Only Rx, or Comprehensive Rx (Brand Name).
Some Popular First Dollar Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross Right Plan PPO 40
• Blue Shield Active Start 25 & 35
• Aetna MC Open Access 25
• Kaiser Permenente $25 & $50 Copayment Plan
• Health Net Simple Value 30 & 40
Blue Cross Smart Sense Plans: These are really flexible plans that offer 4 different deductibles ($500, $1500, $2500, & $5000), low monthly premiums, and a very low Annual Maximum Out-Of-Pocket of $2500. No Maternity Benefits and a choice of Generic Only Rx or Comprehensive Rx.
Medical/Dental/Vision Plans: These plans carry low deductibles that are often equal to their maximum out-of-pocket limits. They also include basic dental benefits and vision exams. These plans do not include maternity benefits and only include a Generic Drug option. Such plans are marketed toward the 19-29 age group, but these plans may be appropriate at any age.
Some Popular Medical/Dental/Vision Plans in the Market include:
• Blue Cross TONIK (has 3 different deductible options) *TONIK has strict underwriting guidelines. It is advisable to consult your health insurance agent before applying.
• Blue Shield Essential Plans
Click here for your free California Health Insurance quote!
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