Family Health Insurance Plan - Saving Money Is Becoming Easier

If you're a young, healthy family, it's hard to believe that signing up for a health insurance plan could help save you money. But the truth is that many people opt for family health insurance policies to cover everyday expenses and then cancel them when they're older and sick.

This is definitely not cost effective, but the trick is to find a policy that has good coverage without leaving you paying more than you need. So what are your options? Let's take a look at some of them! 

There are three types of medical insurance plans available: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Point-of-Service (POS) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). HMO's and POS plans generally cost less because they require you to use doctors and hospitals in their network. PPO's work like standard health insurance in that you can see a provider outside the network. This gives you more options but also means that your costs may be higher. So when choosing a plan, consider the medical needs of your family members, including those of any aging parents who are on Medicare - and their ability to travel long distances for routine doctor or specialist visits.

Be sure to understand the terms of your plan. There are some things that insurers won't cover - most notably maternity care and contraception. In addition, depending upon the policy, your insurance company may not cover a medical condition you already have. Find out how much you will have to pay in deductibles and co-payments for each type of treatment. These are fixed amounts that you pay before your insurance kicks in - and they can be very expensive. Also note that some policies cap the amount of money the insurance company pays each year per person or family. If this is important to you, ask about lifetime maximums.

Don't just assume that a lower monthly premium means less expensive health care. Many plans charge higher co-payments or deductibles for drugs, use generic drugs automatically or limit your choice of doctor. Also, if a health maintenance organization (HMO) is your only option, think about whether you or your family members would be better suited for a different plan.

If you have no idea how to navigate the insurance options in your state, look for an independent agent who represents several companies. Be sure to compare prices and policies carefully before deciding to go with one company over another.

If you're thinking about buying a family health insurance policy as opposed to an individual one, here are some tips from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight to help you get started: 

Remember that the information in this column is not intended as legal advice but rather provided for educational purposes only. Also remember that state laws differ, and while this article may be helpful as a general guide, you should never rely on it when making legal decisions.

This column was provided courtesy of the Insurance Information Institute's InsuranceQuotes.com web site . For more information and helpful tips for selecting the best health insurance plan, visit their site .

About the Author: 

Health Insurance Quotes is happiest when you're happy. We're your one stop shop for everything health insurance related. Whether you are looking to find a provider, compare premiums or plan features, view a provider's network pharmacies or check out a few reviews, we make it easy to get the information you need quickly so that you can get on with your busy day.

If you're interested in looking into a family health insurance plan then why not use our online quoting tool? It's fast and easy to use.

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The Family Health Insurance Plan (FHE) is intended for families that have an income within certain limits and are willing to shop around to find the most affordable health insurance policy that fits their specific needs. The FHE is available in Florida, Mississippi and Texas, and is not a government program. You can't qualify for this insurance if you have Medicare coverage through the program called Medicare-Qualified Plans available through Medicare Supplement Purchasing Organizations (MPO). FHE protects residents against common medical expenses incurred by members of a family with modest incomes. It waives the deductible and limits the amount out-of-pocket costs for covered services. More information about the program is available at (800) 713-1872.

Healthcare coverage for families with low income is available through a privately owned government subsidized health insurance plan from Allsup Insurance Services, which also offers Medicare Supplement insurance for individuals with Medicare. Allsup's state based plans, like Florida's FHE and Texas' Health Insurance Plan (HIP), are in high demand because they provide affordable rates and maximize benefits. The FHE/HIP program has been serving families throughout the U.S. for nearly two decades.

There are no special requirements to qualify for the FHE/HIP program, and each plan has a set of services that it covers. In Florida, this includes maternity and pediatric care as well as hospice. In Texas, benefits include child dental and vision as well as hearing aid services. The plans are available in Florida only to residents of Miami, Miami-Dade County and Broward County.

How to Apply

How do you apply for the FHE/HIP? You simply need to meet certain income guidelines and go through an underwriting process that is designed for the program. All information should be submitted with your application, including proof of income such as pay stubs or tax records. Your application may be rejected at any point if you haven't submitted all the requested information, or if you don't meet the income requirements.

Eligibility in Other States

In Florida, the FHE/HIP is available only in Miami, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In Texas, where it has been around for ten years, the program has expanded to include El Paso and some parts of Texas outside of Houston. The FHE/HIP program is available in El Paso County only to residents with incomes that require state assistance. As a result, eligibility for the program requires a social security number. The plan covers services such as blood work and wellness visits.

Families can qualify for the FHE/HIP program in Texas if their income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four with an annual income of less than $58,000 is eligible. Families must be enrolled in an approved Medicaid health care plan to qualify for the program. The coverage offered by Allsup's private insurance plans are considered supplemental coverage and helps reduce out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and deductibles that families incur when visiting a doctor. The highly qualified Allsup provider network ensures that your family receives high quality, efficient care from state-licensed physicians and hospitals in El Paso County.

Conclusion

The FHE/HIP is a program designed to assist families in need of medical insurance. The program originated in Texas and has expanded to include coverage in Florida and El Paso County, Texas. The high costs associated with health coverage are eliminated completely for members of the program with any co-pays or deductibles waived by the Allsup private insurance provider that you are enrolled with.

Allsup's FHE/HIP provider network has experience serving families throughout the U.S., so you can be sure your family will receive excellent care, and at a price that fits your budget.