Your Insurance Matters Archive Page

The December 28, 2008 Show

Click here to listen to the archive show

Topics

Happy Holiday's
From Your Insurance Matters

Show Topics

A Health Care Advocate:  First Do No Harm, Inc.
 
Our foremost goal is to help individuals improve their health care decision making.  If need be, we will review medical records and gather information from other medical providers. We will explain, in detail, what the possible options are in regards to further medical treatment and their potential complications.

Insurance In The News

Should doctors and health - care providers be forced to choose between good professional and violating their conscience? 
The Bush admin. granted new protections to health care workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs.

Study:  Ladies have more bacteria on their hands then men

Tip:  health insurance options after a job loss

Special Guest:

Doctor First Do No Harm, Inc.
Howard Reuben, MD    602-799-7367
www.doctorfirstdonoharm.com

Term of The Week
patient care advocate:

In the medical field, a person who focuses on bolstering the patient's role and rights in making decisions about his or her health care.

Larry's Tip of The Week
Health insurance options after a job loss

According to the Kaiser family Foundation about 60% of American workers are covered by health insurance plans offered by their employers.

With the recession and the expectation that a growing number of Americans are finding themselves not only without a job but also without health insurance, for our “tip of the week”, I wanted to point out some things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones until you get back on your feet.

  1. If you can qualify through the medical underwriting process, consider purchasing individual coverage.  Premiums are generally less expensive than group coverage because the insurance company can choose who they want to cover and exclude conditions that exist prior to purchasing coverage.

Consider purchasing a higher deductible to save money on the premiums and look at the insurance as something to cover a catastrophic situation.    Opt out of the doctor visit co pay benefit.  You will save several hundreds of dollars per year in the premium and doctor visits will be covered once the deductible is met.  Keep in mind, it’s the large catastrophic medical bill that could bankrupt you as opposed to the small claim

By using a PPO option in your health insurance you will get substantial discounts on your medical expenses as long as you use the providers in your PPO network.

  1. If you believe the situation is temporary and you’ll be back working for a company that provides group insurance, consider purchasing “short term” major medical insurance.  The premiums for “short term” medical insurance are substantially lower than individual coverage.  This is a great option for those who are healthy.  You can purchase the policy on a month to month basis and cancel whenever you want.  Policies can generally be purchased for up to 12 months.

By purchasing either an individual/family policy or a short term policy it will keep you without a lapse in benefits.  This is very important because when you do go back on to an employer sponsored group health insurance plan you will be taken as you are without pre existing limitations.  Even if you are in a claim situation you will have continuous coverage.

Short Term policies also come in a variety of deductibles.  Purchase the higher deductible to keep rates even lower.  Many of these plans also use a PPO network of doctors.  This will get you substantial savings on medical expenses.

  1. If you have a spouse who has group insurance benefits, compare the costs if you were to be added to your spouse’s policy.

  2. For people who loose their jobs, can not get on a spouses group insurance coverage and have medical issues preventing them from getting coverage, you may be able to continue your existing insurance through COBRA. (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)  COBRA allows workers to pay the premium to continue on their employers insurance plan.  COBRA premiums are expensive so only put those individuals on COBRA who have no other option.  COBRA requires employers with a minimum of 20 workers to extend coverage for at least 18 months or as long as 36 months for dependents under special circumstances. 

  3. Be creative.  If you decide to work for yourself, consider joining forces with a partner or hiring an employee.  It takes just two people to be eligible for group coverage.

  4. Don’t overlook public programs.  Going from a double income to a single income or to no income may qualify you for certain programs.  If you are a veteran you may be covered through the Veterans Administration.

 

 

Home/span>   |   About the Show   |  Staff   |  Archives   |   Resources   |   Sponsors   |   Media Kit  Contact Us
©
Copyright 2008 by Larry Bofman of Your Insurance Matters LLC
Site Designed by  Apollo Web Creations