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