December 19, 2007

- The Best Way To Apply For A Health Insurance Plan

The first step in finding reasonably priced health insurance cover is of course to do your research and locate a health insurance plan that suits your needs and that comes in at a cost that you can afford. For many people this will mean looking first at any plan offered by an employer which will usually give you health insurance cover at the lowest cost but may not necessarily give you the cover you need or cover other members of your family. For other people the search for a suitable health insurance plan will start by sifting through the wealth of private policies on offer from a whole host of health insurance companies today.

The second step is then to submit an application for cover and this means starting by gathering up all of the required information for your application including things like details of your present or most recent health insurance policy, the details of your physician and the dates of your most recent medical treatments in case these are needed when you complete your application form.

If you have decided to opt for the health insurance plan offered by your employer then there will often be a qualifying period before you are able to join the plan, but this should not deter you from starting the application process. The application procedure for an employer's health insurance scheme is usually quite simple as the majority of plans will allow enrollment for eligible employees regardless of things like your current state of health or any pre-existing conditions.

Your employer will usually let you have an enrollment form and you will have to fill in your personal details including things like your address, social security number, and any dependents who will also be covered under the plan. In addition, you will have to add information about your employment such as the date on which you began work and, in cases where your employer's health insurance plan permits you to do so, the form of health insurance cover that you need under the plan. You might also be asked to provide details of any previous health insurance coverage including details of the insurance company and your policy number but you will not have to have a medical examination.

Should you be submitting an application for individual health insurance cover then the procedure will be very much the same but you may not have the benefit of someone to help in processing the application for you. This said, in most cases insurance companies will provide an insurance agent to discuss your application with you and to help you to process the paperwork if you wish.

Now the procedure involved in applying for health insurance cover is so easy that many people are choosing to apply for cover online. Here, you merely have to browse to the health insurance company's website where there will be an application form in a secure area of the website. Having entered the required details you merely click on the submit button and your application will then be processed by the insurance company.

If in today's climate of growing fraud you are not comfortable with providing personal details through the Internet then simply phone the insurance company and ask them to send out the application form which can then be returned in the usual manner through the post.

MedicalHealthInsuranceToday.com provides a wealth of information on everything from finding personal affordable health insurance to insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions.

By : Donald Saunders

- Tips for Buying Mobile Phone Insurance

Do you really need mobile phone insurance? The answer depends, of course, on a number of different factors including which mobile you have and how likely you are to lose or damage your mobile - not to mention how many mobiles you're talking about.

If you favor top of the line trendy models, or have children who do, mobile phone insurance could be a worthwhile investment. That doesn't mean, however, that you need to pay over the odds for it. There are many reasonably priced options for mobile phone insurance cover.

Why insure my mobile phone?

"I'm always careful", you might be thinking. "I won't leave it behind anywhere." According to last year's crime statistics, there are over 10,000 mobile phones stolen in the UK each month. Another 3,500 or so get left behind on busses and trains or in cafes, and an astounding 1,200 are dropped down toilets or knocked into sinks. In all, about 15,000 mobile phones are reported lost, stolen or damaged each and every month.

And the cost can put quite a dent in your budget. While you may have got your mobile free with your phone plan, the phone companies won't replace your mobile for free or for £29.95. If you want to continue using your contract minutes - and you will be responsible for paying out the remainder of your contract - you'll need to fork out the full price for a replacement phone. In addition, you could be liable for any call charges if your mobile was used before it's loss is discovered. The cost of losing your mobile phone can easily top £500. Have you got a spare £500 sitting around?

Do I really need mobile phone insurance?

Perhaps not. Mobile phone insurance can cost you anywhere from £25 to £150 annually, depending on the insurance carrier that you choose. If you can reasonably replace your mobile phone for less than that, then mobile phone insurance is probably not a worthwhile expense for you. If you hae a replacement phone - perhaps left since your last upgrade - and your mobile provider still supports it, you may be fine without mobile insurance. In most cases, though, you'll find that it can be worth the expense - especially if you shop around for competitively priced mobile phone insurance.

Tips for getting the best value mobile phone insurance

1. Don't automatically accept mobile phone insurance when you buy your mobile. Those tend to be the priciest premiums of all.

2. If the salesperson or web site promises "Free Mobile Insurance" with all phones or with selected phones, be sure to check the details. In many cases, the cover is free for the first month. After the first month of cover, the regular premium will be tacked onto your mobile account charges, where you may not even realise you're paying it.

3. Speaking of not realising - are you already covered? If you've had the phone a bit and are just now thinking of insuring it, check the itemised details for your last account statement to be sure you're not already paying for insurance.

4. Shop around the independent insurers. You can get economy cover for a mobile worth up to £150 for as little as £2.49 per month - less than half what most of the major insurers are charging.

5. Consider an increase to your home and contents cover if you have many electronic and mobile devices that you carry with you. You can extend your contents insurance to cover your mobile devices, including your phone, PDA, PSP and other electronics when you take them out of your home.

6. Got a family of mobiles? Nearly 80% of the phones reported stolen or lost belong to teens. If you're insuring more than one phone, look for a company that will cover multiple mobiles on one policy.

By : Simon Markham

- Lap Band Surgery - Will Insurance Cover the Cost?

For many people considering lap band surgery, one of the top concerns is whether or not health insurance will cover the cost of the procedure. If you know the right steps to take and are vigilant on your own behalf, you can often succeed in getting approval for lap band surgery from your insurance carrier.

Check Your Certificate of Coverage for Lap Band Surgery Benefits

The first step is to check your "certificate of coverage" for benefits or exclusions of lap band surgery. Insurance coverage not only varies between insurance carriers, but it varies between specific insurance plans as well. It is important to read the provisions of your specific plan with the insurance carrier. Even if your policy has a weight loss surgery exclusion, it may still be possible to appeal.

Check the Patient Criteria and Medical Requirements for Lap Band Surgery

If lap band surgery costs are covered by your insurance plan, the next step is to find out the patient criteria and medical requirements for the procedure. Insurance companies often follow the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines in determining whether or not a patient should be considered eligible for weight loss surgery coverage. The NIH guidelines state that weight loss surgery may be an option for patients who 1) have failed with other weight loss treatments and 2) have a BMI of 40 or greater, or have a BMI of at least 35 and co-morbidities.

Provide Documentation of Previous Weight Loss Attempts

Since weight loss surgery is considered the last method of treatment for obesity, you will need to provide documentation to the insurance company of previous weight loss attempts. Gather your receipts and weight loss records and send copies to the insurance company. Show them proof that you have exhausted all other methods of weight loss including commercial diet programs (such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig), exercise programs, and weight loss medications. Many insurance companies may also require records for 6 or 12 months of a continuously medically supervised diet. If you have not yet met this requirement, you should start a program immediately. The more documentation you can provide the better your chances of getting approval.

Establish a Medical Necessity for Lap Band Surgery

In order to verify that you meet the patient criteria for lap band surgery, your primary care doctor and/or bariatric surgeon will need to send a Letter of Medical Necessity to the insurance company. The Letter of Medical Necessity is a statement of your height, weight, BMI, health conditions, medical records, previous weight loss attempts, psychological exam results, medical necessity for weight loss, and your doctor's support and recommendation for lap band surgery.

The Appeals Process - What to Do When Coverage is Denied

While it is discouraging to have your request denied, don't give up. Instead, find out the specific reasons for the denial. Many times the reasons for the denial are matters which can be contested and/or satisfied during the appeals process. Many lap band patients have been successful in the appeals process, but you should be prepared to be diligent in meeting the insurance company's requirements and pressing for lap band surgery coverage. It may seem like the insurance company is asking you to jump thru hoops, but if you are persistent you may succeed in getting approval.

Appealing a Weight Loss Surgery Exclusion

If your insurance plan has an exclusion for weight loss surgery, it may still be possible to get approval if you obesity co-morbidities. Insurance policies often exclude benefits for "obesity surgery" or surgery for the "treatment of obesity." The basis of the appeal would be your doctor's recommendation that lap band surgery is the best method of treatment for your life-threatening health condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or severe sleep apnea. Since these health conditions are usually covered by your insurance policy, you may succeed in getting approval for weight loss surgery as a treatment for one of these conditions.

Don't Go It Alone

Your chances of insurance approval is much greater if you have the support of a qualified surgeon that offers administrative assistance for insurance requests and/or appeals. A surgeon who has considerable experience with weight loss surgery and also knows what information to provide to the insurance company is much more likely to gain approval from the insurance company. It also helps if the medical office has an insurance coordinator that is available to assist you in dealing with your insurance company. If you are still having trouble gaining approval for lap band surgery from your insurance company, you may find it helpful to contact the Obesity Law and Advocacy Center for legal advice.

By : Kerri S

- Do You Need a Life Insurance Policy?

One question that's asked by nearly everyone eventually is "should I get a life insurance policy?"

Life insurance pays out a benefit when the person insured dies during the time that the policy is in force. It can provide the cash needed to pay for burial, pay off mortgages and loans and give your family a financial cushion while they get back on their feet. When you're young or have little discretionary income, it's easy to tell yourself that life insurance is just for the well-off, but the truth is that life insurance is far more necessary for those who have no monetary cushion against life's rougher times.You should consider life insurance if:
  • You Have Dependents

The moment you are responsible for another person in your life, you need life insurance. Whether it's your children, a spouse or employees, if someone counts on your ability to earn an income, then life insurance is a necessity.

  • You have a mortgage or other detbs

If you have a mortgage, you need life insurance to pay off the remainder of the mortgage if you should die before the mortgage is paid off. If you don't have some sort of insurance to pay off your mortgage when you die, your heirs will have to deal with the debt.

  • You own a business or are a key employee in a business

If you own a business, are partners in a business or are a key employee in a business, a life insurance policy can keep your business afloat while your employees or partners make arrangements to replace you or dissolve the business according to your wishes. If this is your reason for investing in life insurance, it could possibly be charged off as a business expense.

There are several types of life insurance available to you, and the type that's best for you will depend on a number of factors. If your main concern is to ensure that your family is not saddled with a capital and interest mortgage in case of your death, then decreasing term life may be your most economical option. With decreasing term life, you pay for just the amount of coverage that you need. For example, if you take out a £150,000 capital and interest mortgage on your home, you can protect it with a decreasing term life policy that starts out with a payout of £150,000. That payout will decrease over the years as you pay off the mortgage loan.

Level term life insurance is the next tier of life insurance policy. Like decreasing term life, it pays out a benefit if you die under the terms of the policy - but rather than decreasing as your mortgage is paid off, it remains level. Generally, term life insurance is available in terms from one to forty years, and often comes with a range of options which can extend the policy at an additional cost.

Whichever type of life cover you need, it's important to know exactly what's right for your needs and what the various different companies and policies provide. If you are in any doubt about this you should consult an independent financial adviser who can look at your circumstances and match the best policy to your needs.

You can search a comprehensive directory of life insurance companies at http://www.uk-insurance-index.co.uk. You'll also find reviews of the most popular insurers written by real customers at http://www.uk-insurance-index.co.uk/life-insurance-reviews-1.html.

By : Simon Markham

- Health Insurance Rate Increase? Tips to Save Money

It's the time of year when many citizens across the state receive their annual health insurance rate increase. It's important to understand the reasons behind the increase, how to reduce your monthly payment, and how to avoid problems and rip-offs.


"The rate increases are almost inevitable, " says Jonathan Pletzke, consumer health insurance advocate and author of Get a Good Deal on Your Health Insurance Without Getting Ripped-Off. "There are exceptions, such as last year when certain HSA rates actually went down. You can expect an annual adjustment based on how much the insurer spent on health care. For individual policies, increases will happen each time an adult hits a birthday ending in a zero or a five, i.e. 40, 45, 50, or when a child on the policy becomes an adult. We estimate that typical increases like this are in the $20-$40 dollar range."



How do you reduce your monthly cost for health insurance? The advice that Mr. Pletzke gives: "To start, you can raise the deductible, coinsurance, or copayment amount with your current plan, or changing plans to one without a copayment. For folks who are generally healthy, with no major medical conditions, they might consider a high deductible plan coupled with a health savings account. The reduction in premiums can be tremendous, and if you save the difference in premium, you could have the difference in the savings account within 16 months."



Other avenues to consider are changing the plan within the insurer or changing insurers. "Few people know this, but dropping the copayment option for many people will result in a huge change in premiums. If you don't visit the doctor more than a couple of times a year, consider that the discounted rate given to in-network visits is quite low. My experience locally has been that discounted simple doctor visits are in the $55-$65 range. You'll more than make up for the premium change if you don't visit the doctor every month" says Pletzke.



The United States General Accounting Office has identified that hundreds of thousands of people each year fall victim to health insurance scams. "If you're going to change insurers, make sure that you buy from a licensed agent in good standing, and buy from a licensed insurer" is the advice from Mr. Pletzke. He recommends finding an independent agent that is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) or the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). "You can get free referrals to agents that specialize in health insurance from the NAHU and NAIFA groups on their websites. You should call the state department of insurance to check out any agent, and also get a list from them of the insurers licensed in your state" says Pletzke.



"Folks that have a serious medical condition should consider staying with their current insurer, and consider the impact of an increased deductible" says Pletzke. Since state law prohibits an insurer from increasing the rate of an individual customer based on claims experience, someone who has just undergone or is going through treatment may do well to stay put. Changing insurers, or even changing plans, may require medical underwriting which would mean a higher rate for the consumer. "The only other option is to get on an employer plan with a large employer through a spouse" says Pletzke, for those with a medical condition that prevents working. Consumers are cautioned to keep current on health insurance payments when they have a medical condition because re-applying for insurance will typically mean a much higher rate.



Consumers can learn more and get their health insurance buying questions about individual health insurance, association group health insurance, employer health insurance, and small business health insurance answered at the consumers health insurance resource at www.BestHealthInsuranceBook.com. According to Pletzke, "There is no one site on the Internet the provides an insurer-free or agent-free environment where you can learn about and get help buying health insurance. All of the online health insurance resources are free, and we include links to important national and state resources."



The book Get a Good Deal on Your Health Insurance Without Getting Ripped-Off can be ordered through most book retailers, and purchased online at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and http://www.besthealthinsurancebook.com/.



By : Jonathan Pletzke

- Car Insurance Rates - 5 Top Tips To Help You Save

Car insurance rates are at an all time high, and complaints are being reported nationwide. People who own cheaper cars, or cars with low payments, complain that the cost to insure their car is more than their car payments. This is understandable, as the average policy is several hundred dollars a year! There are several factors that can affect ones rate, such as driving record and age. If insurance companies base their rates on these factors, are consumers able to manipulate them and take prices into their own hands? Fortunately there are many small changes you can make that can have a large impact on your car insurance rate.

Depending on your background or location, some tips may not apply to you.

1. Keep Your Driving Record Squeaky Clean.

This can have a very large impact as to whether your insurance rates are sky high, or competitively low. Most insurance companies look at the last 2 years of your record. They look at accidents, speeding tickets, moving violations, DUI's, etc. Keep your record clean and you’re sure to keep your premiums low.

2. Maintain a Good Credit Rating.

Mortgage companies and credit unions aren't the only companies looking at your credit history. Car insurance companies pay close attention to your credit rating. They use this rating to determine your risk level. People who pay their mortgage payments and credit cards on time are less likely to get into an accident. It's all in the statistics!

3. Choose Your Car Wisely.

Car insurance companies don't like Lamborghini's and Ferraris. And they prove it by raising the rate on their owners. Any car that is considered sporty, luxury, or any general high octane vehicle will get their premiums raised. As fun as these cars can be, they can really hurt your wallet in the insurance department. The size of an engine is not the only thing your insurance company looks at. They look at safety features, age of the car, and the general overall value. If you drive an unsafe car, you’re going to feel it in your rates.

4. Use Multi Car, or Home Policies.

Many companies will offer a great discount when you provide coverage to all of your cars, and even your home. Check with your agent to see what kind of discounts and packages they offer in this department. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the amount of dollars you can save in the long run.

5. Shop Around!

Not all companies are created equally. Each and every company uses its own algorithm and calculations to determine your overall risk level and price point. Many companies offer free online quotes that make it easy to compare each company side by side. Take advantage of this technology, you may find yourself saving hundreds of dollars yearly with the right company!

Car Insurance Choices is a website devoted to giving you the best and latest car insurance information. Whether your shopping for car insurance companies, or searching for antique auto insurance for your classic, we've got you covered!

By : Timothy Croy

- Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap car insurance is not always easy to get, but if you buy your policy online then you can often get cheaper auto insurance that you could from a High Street broker. However, that is not to say that a broker is more expensive, only that online tends to offer less inexpensive auto insurance.

There is a broad approach to acquiring a low cost car insurance policy, assuming that have no qualms about the morality of your tactics to obtaining the cheapest auto insurance you can find. It begins with an insurance broker – not just one but two or three. Contact the brokers and provide them with your basic information. They will come back to you with the best prices they can find, though these prices will not be the best discount auto insurance deals since you need something to negotiate with to get a discount.

You will then inform your broker that they are all too expensive for you, and ask advice on how to get the price reduced. They will offer the best advice they can since they want your business, so you will take a note of their suggestions. Some of these will be legal and some not, depending on the company you are dealing with, but it is best not to lie on your applications because that can come back and bite you on the bum.

You should then provide them with some negotiating facts so that they can come back to you with the cheapest car insurance rates they can find. Facts such as your good driving record with no convictions and no insurance claims. The fact that you are prepared to accept a $500 deductible, and don’t need uninsured driver’s cover. You might even not need comprehensive cover. That kind of thing can make a difference.

Your broker will come back with a price, and then if you feel it is still too high, you can go to the insurance companies direct. You will likely be provided with low cost quotes since you are now cutting out the middleman. However, if you feel that you want the hassle of arranging the policy taken out of your hands, you can stay with the broker. It is your choice.

Your alternative is to go online and use a search engine. There are several auto insurance companies that compare cheap prices, and then offer you the cheapest premium prices that they have been able to find. If you want to buy car insurance online, then that is likely the best way to do it. However, you can still negotiate, whether you are buying online or off line.

The whole objective is to get the affordable car insurance that you can, so ultimately you should approach the individual auto ins companies and ask them for the cheapest discount prices they can offer to you. In return you should provide them with all the information you have, but – and this is important – keep at least one important bargaining point hidden.

That might be that you have never made a claim, or that you are willing to pay a $500 deductible, or even that you are prepared to transfer your house and life policies over to them also. Don’t offer all of these in the final negotiation since they might come in useful later.

It is like a game of chess. Beat them down to a minimum by providing the minimum of information, then provide what is up your sleeve, one at a time, until you have cheapest car insurance to date. Be sure, however, that you are able financially to offer the exclusions that you offer them. Don’t offer a $500 deductible if you can’t afford to pay $500 in the event of an accident.

Cheap car insurance is available if you know how to get it. It is not difficult, but you need to know how. Follow the advice above and you are likely to succeed, since it has been tested and it does work.

By : Brent A. Kenny

- Low Cost Health Insurance

Low cost Health Insurance was not available at the first time coverage was established back in the 1900's in the attempt to try to provide health care to the American population, till this time not all Americans have medical protection, due to the rise of medical care cost. Employer group insurance is provided to only those full time employees and some part time employees and may find that the cost for insurance for their families are very expensive. There are lower cost policies that are specifically designed for those seeking health insurance to cover a dependent and his family.

Policy is a contract between an insurance company and the patient, it covers the insurer /patient from any loss. The insurance company has an agreement to pay the insurer for any unforeseen illness, accident or death. The types of insurance existing include disability, liability, HMO, PPO, malpractice, property, life and health.

Disability: Is an insurance designed to cover and pay compensation to the insurer in the case of income lost due temporary or permanent illness. Disability benefits are paid to the insurer if he has been unable to work his regular job for a certain number of days, and was employed at the time of illness or injury and had disability coverage. Insurer must have been under the care of a licensed physician during the initial treatment and must continue care in order to receive benefits, the physician is to complete the claim form and insurer must make sure that the claim is submitted within the time limit. The disability claims begins on the date of disability and weekly benefits are based on a period of 12 months divided into quarters.

Liability: Is an insurance that covers losses to a third party caused by the item or object owned by the insurer, private objects such as a vehicle or on premises owned by the insurer. Reimbursements are made to cover medical expenses for the injuries, lost wages and possible payments for pain and suffering. The injured is the patient and his health insurance will pay secondary to the liability insurance for any medical care.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Is an In-Network provider providing quality comprehensive health care while maintaining cost. It's networked with a group of doctors in a center. The insurer will choose a (PCP) which will manage all the health care of the insurer. If the insurer needs to see a specialist the PCP will evaluate and refer the patient/insurer with a referral slip or authorization to see the specialist. The insured/patient is not able to see another provider outside the HMO center, their services will not be cover. The HMO concentrates on preventative health care maintenance by providing preventive services such as Diabetes classes, weight loss, early detection and providing physicals to promote good health and therefore reduces the cost of medical care. The insurer pays on a prepaid basis and only pays a co-payment when visiting his primary care physician.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Is a network of doctors that have contracts with insurance companies, employers and hospitals to provide service to patients on a fee for service. Patients are able to use a non-PPO or Out of Network provider, in exchange for higher out of pocket expense. A PPO has a yearly deductible that must be met by the patient before the insurance will pay their percentage usually 80 percent. This is known as 80/20. With every day expending internet it has become very easy to find low cost health insurance online.

By : Brent A. Kenny