| The importance of family health insurance | | | | family through your place of employment or |
| programs is paramount. If a family has coverage | | | | talking with a friend or family member who |
| for the children only and one or both parents | | | | already has this type of coverage. With a group |
| suffer an illness, it is quite possible that the adult | | | | plan, you can choose the appropriate policy for |
| will delay medical treatment due to the rising cost | | | | your family and if necessary change it once during |
| of health care. Due to this decision, they put their | | | | the open enrollment period (within 12 months of |
| health at severe risk potentially leading to a life | | | | acquiring the policy). It is important when making |
| threatening illness or the inability to work and/or | | | | your decision that you choose exactly what is |
| care for the children. For this reason as well as | | | | best for your family because once you do you |
| several others, it is important for a family to | | | | have to stay with that plan for the next year. |
| consider health insurance coverage for all | | | | You may work for a company that does not |
| members. | | | | offer group plans or are self-employed. In this |
| What types of programs are available for family | | | | situation, you can look into individual policies. These |
| health insurance? | | | | types of policies are normally more expensive |
| Family health insurance programs have changed | | | | than group plans so do your research wisely. In |
| from indemnity plans to managed care plans. The | | | | addition, if you are a member of an organization |
| difference between them being indemnity | | | | consider contacting them. Often times they offer |
| insurance would allow you to go to a medical | | | | health plans for their members. |
| professional of your choice and both the patient | | | | What is the importance of pre-existing conditions? |
| and insurer would pay a portion of the bill. With | | | | Whichever plan you choose the insurance provider |
| managed care plans you have different options | | | | will inquire as to any pre-existing conditions. A |
| available such as, Preferred Provider Organizations | | | | pre-existing condition is an illness or injury that |
| (PPOs), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), | | | | you or a family member have been treated for |
| and Point of Service plans (POSs). Each of these | | | | prior to applying for the current insurance |
| plans offer different types of benefits and it is | | | | program you are interested in. The rules are |
| important to research what they offer and match | | | | changing regarding pre-existing conditions. In the |
| them to the needs of your family. | | | | past, there would be a waiting period before |
| Family insurance plans differ in both the amount | | | | receiving insurance coverage for a pre-existing |
| you will be required to pay and the type of | | | | condition. Today insurance companies may choose |
| services offered. It is essential to know exactly | | | | to cover a pre-existing condition without a waiting |
| what you need and to be careful not to purchase | | | | period depending on the coverage you had with |
| a plan that offers services that will not be of | | | | another plan. If you were not you may be |
| benefit to your family. As with your growing | | | | required to go through a waiting period. |
| family, insurance plans change from year to year | | | | Do not settle on the first plan you encounter |
| so it is imperative to review the coverage you | | | | during your search of family health insurance |
| selected periodically. | | | | programs. Take your time, research, and talk to |
| Where can you find family insurance programs? | | | | co-workers, friends, and family. When you have |
| There are different types of policies available such | | | | made your decision relax in knowing the best |
| as group and individual plans. You can learn more | | | | insurance for your family is in place. |
| about group plans that cover insurance for your | | | | |