Health insurance Tips

No one can predict when they will become ill or injured. But if you have health insurance, you're better protected against major financial setbacks.

Here are some important points to consider when choosing a plan that's right for you:

-Visit Healthcare.gov and talk to a licensed insurance agent who will only work in your best interest.

-Find out how much different plans cost and what they cover before making a decision. Some provide more coverage than others, while costing less per month.

-Understand how much your deductible is and how much you will be expected to pay for co-pays or co-insurance. Waiting periods may also be a consideration depending on the plan you choose.

-Research the hospitals in your area that are covered by your plan.

If you have questions about specific policies, consult with an insurance agent or financial professional who can help you understand how different plans interact with each other and how they will affect your financial picture.

Also talk to your doctor and discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding the best care options for your individual needs.

If you have a question about your current health insurance policy, call the number on your card.

Related Articles: Health Plan Details Health Insurance Coverage Rights and Obligations When You Lose Your Job Short Term Health Insurance Plans Kaiser Permanente Coverage Non-Group Health Plan Coverage Consolidations and Other Changes to the Individual Market

About the Author: June Renae Long, RM, CRS, MAAA is a tenured health insurance professional who works as an independent agent for Blue Shield of California and has been in the insurance industry for over 9 years. Prior to Blue Shield of California she worked for United Healthcare (Oxford) during which time she earned her Accenture Accolades Award for outstanding customer service in 2008. She is also an Accredited Representative of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) and a member of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (SCIC). She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Health Services Administration from Cal State University Long Beach. In addition to being a featured blogger for eHealthinsurance, she is also a published author and writes about health insurance trends and issues.

Title: Health Insurance - Questions To Help You Decide

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To find out if you are eligible for free or low-cost health care coverage, contact your state's Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov). You can also visit localhelp.healthcare.gov to find resources near you that can help you understand options and enroll in a plan.

If you have questions about your current health insurance policy, call the number on your card.

Filing an Insurance Claim – 5 Easy Steps!

1) Keep your paperwork handy. You will need to know your insurance policy number and provider information. Be prepared to answer questions such as: What happened? On what date and time occurred? Who was involved? Is medical treatment needed? And any other specific details about the accident, injury or illness that might be helpful.

2) Keep the claim form with you in case you are asked to provide any additional information.

3) Keep copies of all bills and receipts for any other expenses that might arise from your injury or illness.

4) If your policy allows, contact the insurance company within six weeks of the injury or illness to find out what you will be expected to pay. Injuries sustained during a trip outside of the U.S., however, typically fall outside of insurance coverage and may also delay payment. Some plans have limitations on how long claims can be delayed before becoming time-barred or subject to penalties for not being paid within a certain time frame. Call your insurer right away if you're concerned about your claim.

5) If you live in a no-fault state, be aware of your rights. Be sure to review your policy for any time-limits on the filing of an injury claim. You'll also want to be sure that you're familiar with the coverage limits, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for your health insurance policy.

To learn more about filing an insurance claim, visit aiclaimshelp.com. This site provides information regarding what to expect and how to handle common problems associated with making an insurance claim. It also provides links to consumer resources such as state insurance commissions and complaint sites as well as outlines common mistakes made during the claims process and how they may negatively impact your ability to receive full payment for treatment.

Tips for Applying for Health Insurance Without a Social Security Number

If you have been denied health insurance coverage because of your immigration status, there are steps you can take to get health insurance. The guidelines provided below are suggestions, not legal advice. 1) You may qualify if you were born in the U.S., have lived here for five years and meet certain other criteria. 2) If you are eligible for federal or state-funded health care and do not qualify through your employer, contact the Marketplace where you purchased your plan to obtain more information about benefits, cost and eligibility requirements to apply for Medicaid or CHIP. Contact the Marketplace at the number on your card. 3) If you are an immigrant, you may be eligible for free or low-cost health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can also visit localhelp.healthcare.gov to find resources near you that can help you understand options and enroll in a plan. The Marketplace will help you determine if your income qualifies you for premium tax credits or cost-sharing subsidies on a sliding scale based on your income and household size. 4) If you have been denied coverage, you may want to buy health insurance through the state or federal exchanges. Check here for your state's exchange website: http://www.healthcare.gov/state-marketplaces/. 5) If you are not eligible for a government program, you may want to consider private health insurance from a company that does not ask about immigration status and still offers affordable plans. Find out if your company offers an "employee services" department or human resources professional who can help you navigate the application process in this case.

Dealing With Insurance Company Complaints - 4 Tips!

1) Keep a record of all communications with your insurer, both written and verbal. The first step in resolving an insurance claim is to establish communication. Insurance companies are required by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to provide you with a free initial telephone assessment. This phone call can be the first step in getting you the benefit you deserve, no matter how minor your complaint may seem. Be sure to pay attention to any promises about how fast or personal service they will provide if your case seems to present a problem that must be addressed immediately.

Conclusion

If you're having problems with your health insurance, it's important to remember that you have rights under the law. Don't be afraid to speak up if you have legitimate concerns about how your claims are handled. If your claim is denied, contact a lawyer or a specialist who can help you with what may be flaws in the application process or procedural issues that could affect the outcome of your case. We will continue to publish articles related to affordable health care coverage and will send them directly to email whenever they become available. In order for us to help you, please complete this form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible! If you have comments, questions or suggestions, please use this form: https://www.