Corporate Health Insurance

If you’ve ever taken the huge leap of leaving that secure 9 to 5 job for the self employed route, you probably know how it feels to have to go looking for your own health insurance plan.
To be sure, most of us at one time or another have worked for a company simply because we wanted the security that their benefit packages provide. Health insurance would be one of the most vital parts of all of this.
Yet with corporate downsizing and layoffs, staying with a company simply for the insurance isn’t as secure any more. So if your in position to have to find insurance for yourself here’s a few bits of advice that might be of help.
First off, don’t be stupid and go without. Some years ago I found myself between jobs and between coverage. I got hurt simply playing a pick-up game of basketball and needed surgery. Unfortunately I had no other option. I couldn’t work if I didn’t get the damage repaired and I didn’t have insurance to cover the cost so I ended up putting it all on a credit card. It took me years to pay the debt off. In particular, if you have a family, you can’t afford to go without some form of insurance.
Often right after leaving a company you can still have access to insurance through a company’s COBRA option. The company is lawfully required to give you access to the plan. You’ll have to pay the monthly premiums of course with no additional assistance from the company, but you may find it more affordable than an individual plan. COBRA plans should be looked at as a short term solution to your insurance situation.
If your self employed, you may want to look at group insurance plans from organizations like the NASE. The National Association of the Self Employed can provide you with more information and you may find some of their rates to be very competitive.
A number of trade organizations and associations may also have benefit plans that could provide you with coverage. If you belong to a trade organization don’t hesitate to contact them to see what might be available.
It’s also important to compare individual or family plans from a number of companies. Be sure that things such as the stated deductible and coverage guidelines are comparable when looking at the cost. Eventually we found a good plan for my wife and I that is fairly affordable for what we have in coverage.
At one point, I was denied coverage by an insurance company and my wife was leaving her company position to work in her own business. One thing I learned at this time was that many states will provide some type of insurance coverage for you if you have been turned down at some point. The rates are a bit higher than you might have to pay with a standard policy but at least you have coverage. So don’t rule out a state funded program if your having trouble getting insurance.
Regardless of what company you go with, remember that’s it’s very important to maintain health insurance coverage for yourself or your family. You’ll never know when you may need it in a time of crisis.
Mark Washburn is a freelance writer with experience on health insurance and insurance services.
Keywords: health, insurance, coverage, plan

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

An educated consumer is a smart consumer, use this article to better your understanding for obtaining affordable health insurance. Affordable health insurance for someone with pre-existing conditions can seem very elusive to obtain, but in reality, it’s your effort that generally determines your insurability, and your insurance cost. According to a 2007 report by United Health Foundation, 15.9 percent of all Americans are uninsured.
If you feel your health insurance is too expensive, or you have been denied insurance due to a Pre-Existing Condition (injury or sickness). Then it’s time for you to buckle down and sharpen your skills because I’m here to ensure you that you can improve your situation.
Steps to affordable insurance
* Check to see if you have a state sponsored risk pool, these pools help if you have been denied affordable health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. State risk pool insurance plans can very greatly for benefits, eligibility and funding. These pools often help individuals fill the gap in insurance coverage and can offer a temporary stop while shopping and changing insurers.
* Not all insurance providers are created equal. Shop websites that provide multiple quote comparisons from large pools of providers. This will reveal different options for obtaining affordable insurance based on your conditions since different providers view various conditions differently. Once you have found several providers that will cover your condition, compare the differences and conditions of the policies to determine which is best for you.
* Insurers often have delayed treatment provisions (exclusion periods), which delay treatment of pre-existing conditions for anyone previously diagnosed. Delays are usually 3, 6 or 12 months, in this case it is important to leave your current policy in place for this time frame while switching providers, or find temporary filler like a state sponsored risk pool.
* See if your employers sponsored group health care plan will cover you.
* Join a professional organization like your local Chamber of Commerce or other community non-profit groups that may have membership health plans.
* Purchase a discount health card. Discount health cards are simply a means of letting consumers -who pay a fee, usually monthly, purchase health care products and services from specific providers at discounted rates.
The good and the bad: While it may not seam fair that your conditions have caused you so much turmoil physically, emotionally and financially, remember, Persistence will provide, and one sure fact is that the current insurance market is so large and so competitive that if you put the time in, you will almost certainly find a policy that works for you. The best part is, you can do it from the comfort of your own home, shop multiple quote sites and be persistent!
Michale Trueson is a specialist in insurance cost reduction through company and policy comparison. In today’s market shopping and comparing is a must for affordable insurance.
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