Tips for health insurance

The statistics are startling when it comes to theThese plans work similar to what an employer
outrageous uninsured Americans and the numberswould offer their employees but would be more
keep getting bigger. But what do you do whenexpensive since you don't get the cheaper group
you don't have a job and can't get individual orrate and you would not have an employer
family health insurance from an employer? Or,contributing to some of the costs.
what about all the families that have jobs but stillAnother drawback of individual and family health
cannot afford the health insurance offered byinsurance plans is that there is usually a
their employers and can't find an option for cheappre-existing conditions clause (they may not cover
health insurance?pre-existing conditions or may not cover them
There are low cost health insurance options outuntil after a certain period of time) and a medical
there that, in fact, many Americans have alreadyexam. If you do want to choose an individual or
implemented and are beating the rising battlefamily health insurance policy, remember the
against being uninsured. In addition, more individualhigher the deductible you choose the lower your
and family health insurance options are beingpremium will be, but the more you will pay out of
brought into the market as the rising number ofpocket when you go to the doctor or hospital.
uninsured Americans increases. This is great newsGetting a high deductible "emergency" policy is a
for people who just don't know what to do whenbetter way to maintain a low cost health
it comes to obtaining low cost and cheap healthinsurance plan and keeping a Health Savings
insurance.Account for smaller health issues will probably
Below are the top 10 ways Americans are gettingsave you money in the long run.
the individual and family health insurance coverage7. Short Term Health Insurance Coverage: This is
they need.a great low cost health insurance option for
1. COBRA: First, it is best to start with thesomeone in-between jobs or who knows they will
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Actbe starting a job soon. Short-term health
(COBRA). If you are not employed you may beinsurance coverage works the same as an
eligible to continue your previous employers' healthindividual health insurance policy (see #6 above),
insurance through COBRA. This also applies tobut you will only be covered for a specific amount
children going off to college... you also may be ableof time which would keep your premiums down.
to continue on your parent's health insuranceThis is also a good option for someone who
coverage through COBRA. This is a very goodneeds time to examine their individual and family
option for people who may have lost their jobhealth insurance choices but still would like to be
and are still undergoing medical treatments. If youcovered quickly to avoid any coverage gaps.
were to switch to another insurance plan, your8. Group Insurance from Organization
current medical treatments may not qualify underMemberships: This is often an overlooked source
the new health insurance plan. But.. WARNING!of cheap or low cost health insurance. Some
This will not be a cheap health insurance option.people are members of specific organizations that
The premiums will be much higher and you mayoffer health insurance coverage. For example,
be able to better afford one of the below optionspeople who are members of The Sacramento
first. It is best to gather all your available healthState Alumni Association can obtain a variety of
insurance options and pick the best healthinsurance choices. Although these organizations
insurance plan for you.often do not help pay the health insurance
2. Workers' Compensation: Many people don'tpremiums like an employer would, the rates would
realize that they may be covered under theirbe lower because of the group discount. So,
state's Workers' Compensation program. If youfigure out what organizations you are a member
are being treated for any work related injury,of and see if they offer group health insurance.
your employer must offer you treatment underYou could also research organizations that provide
their Workers' Compensation program.group health insurance and join those groups, or
3. Medicaid: Don't automatically think that since youeven ask current organizations you are a
have a job you won't qualify for Medicaid. Medicaidmember with to offer group health insurance.
will pay health care expenses for low-incomeThey may just not realize they could offer a plan
families and individuals. Each state sets the eligibilityto their members.
requirements so qualifying for the program is9. Group Health Expenses Sharing Plan: This is not
state specific. If you are working and still don'tinsurance but works similar to it. This is when a
have enough to buy health insurance, it doesn'tgroup of people pool their money together and
cost you a penny to see if you or your childrenpay each others' health expenses... they pretty
qualify for Medicaid so it is always best to checkmuch become their own insurance company. The
Medicaid first before moving on to the nextcontributions are pooled together and usually
options. And, there is good news about Medicaid...invested in order to accrue interest on the pooled
more and more states are adding health carefunds. It works well when there are a lot of
benefits for low-income families so if you don'tpeople who contribute and everyone is only using
qualify now, keep informed of your state'sthe money for major medical expenses. There
Medicaid and health insurance laws because youare religious groups that use this model
may qualify in the future.successfully. Medi-Share is a popular health
4. Medicare: Most people know if they qualify forexpense sharing plan and has been around since
Medicare or not, but I need to add it to the list1993. If you are interested in this option make
just to make sure it is not overlooked. Medicare issure you choose a group that has been around
provided by the government and administered byfor a long time and has a good track record.
the Social Security Administration. If you are10. Health Insurance Discount Cards: Again, this is
sixty-five years old or older you would qualify foralso not an insurance plan but can be a good
Medicare. You may also qualify if you are gettingsource for getting low cost health services. There
Social Security disability benefits.are many companies who offer health insurance
5. State High Risk Health Insurance Pool: If youdiscount cards and they work like this: You pay a
are turned down by individual health insurancesmall monthly fee for a membership card and
companies because of pre-existing conditions,when you go to the doctor or hospital you will
your state may have a high risk health insuranceget a discounted rate on your services. These are
pool you can obtain health insurance from. It maynot for everyone and one thing you have to
not be a cheap health insurance choice, but it mayremember is that if you had a catastrophic health
be the only individual or family health insurancecrisis the discount on these cards is not a lot, so
option available to you that will pay for youryou would still have an enormous amount of bills
pre-existing conditions if you don't qualify forleft to pay. But, on the other hand, some people
COBRA (see #1 of this list).do choose to go this route and at least are able
6. Individual and Family Health Insurance: This isto get a discount on their doctor bills. These cards
where you just go to an insurance company andshould not be used in place of insurance and if
buy individual or family health insurance the sameyou choose this option you should still be working
way you would by home or auto insurance.towards getting health insurance in the future.