Individual Health Insurance / COBRA?

Q) Why is COBRA considered better than individual health insurance plans? When I did some research,for almost the same kind of coverage but cheaper premiums, I could find individual health insurance plans.But I keep hearing that given an option, going for COBRA is the wiser decision. I don't understand what the catch could be in these individual plans. Any insight?

A) My experience is the opposite: individual health insurance tends to be a better deal than accepting COBRA. The reason is that employer-sponsored coverage tends to have richer benefits and, consequently, costs more. That's not a problem when the employer is subsidizing the premium, but once you're on COBRA you pay 102% of the premium cost plus any out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-insurance, etc.). Individual health insurance policies tend to provide core benefits without a lot of expensive frills. So the premium savings can be substantial. You will, however, usually have greater out-of-pocket exposure with an individual plan. So the trade-off you need to consider is balance between fixed costs (premiums) you pay every month and variable costs (deductibles and co-insurance) you incur only if you use the coverage. There are some other important trade-offs. COBRA lasts only 18 months (under some circumstances 36 months). Although you may qualify for an individual policy now, the risk is you won't when COBRA expires. On the other hand, some states (California is one) have programs for the uninsurable that require you first exhaust your COBRA rights. A professional insurance agent can help you through this decision based on your unique situation. You can find one from their professional association at http://www.NAHU.org or, in California, from http://www.InsuranceNeighborhood.com . If you want to check out prices for health insurance there are several online sites available. eHealthinsurance operates in all states; http:/www.InsuranceNeighborhood.com has rates for top plans, but again, only in California. Hope this helps.

Individual Health Insurance for Texas Diabetics?

Q) I was recently diagnosed with type II Diabetes although I'm currently seeking a second opinion for various reasons. If it turns out the diagnosis is valid, what options do I have for health insurance in Texas? My wife has individual BC/BS, and I'm currently covered by a school group policy. However, I graduate next summer, and will lose the insurance in early August. Neither of us has the option of obtaining health insurance at work. Options?

A) #1 health-benefits provider When you're looking for great benefits to protect the ones you love, AmeriPlan® is your most important destination. Just take a look at the awesome features AmeriPlan® provides for you --- and every person living in your house!

I have individual health insurance with no maternity coverage. Will I be covered immediately with group?

Q) I currently have an individual health insurance plan. I chose not to pay for maternity coverage. When my husband starts a new job next year, I will be on his group health insurance plan and will get maternity coverage. Here is my question... will there be a waiting period before I can get pregnant/receive maternity benefits after I get on his plan? I know that if I added added maternity to my individual plan, I wouldn't have maternity coverage for 9 months. I'm hoping it's different with a group plan. I'm hoping to be able to get pregnant shortly after I get on his plan so I'm hoping there's no waiting period. I know all insurance companies are different, but if anyone can give me any insight on this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

A) It is different for each insurance plan, your husband will just have to ask his new job how their insurance plan works. There usually are probation periods when starting a new job. If it takes longer than you want to wait you can be covered through M.A. for everything related to pregnancy, no matter what your situation is or how much your household income is. A friend of mine was covered through M.A. during her pregnancy and she was really suprised to find out there are no limits to who they will cover. It was something that I was worried about for the future when my husband is no longer in the military and we won't be covered through them anymore.

Individual health insurance for a couple with one healthy teen--high-deductible or low-deductible?

Q) I quit my job and I can continue with a decent health insurance plan for my family under COBRA, or I can switch to an individual plan. Being over 50, my wife is supposed to have over $500 of routine tests in a year, otherwise she's pretty healthy. My son and I are in pretty good health. Any payments we make would be deducted from my wife's salary before taxes. Our marginal income tax rate, including state tax, is about 19%. Would we be better off with low deductible and high premiums or the reverse? The COBRA plan is fairly low deductible and high premiums. Question got messed up, should say, "is high-deductible or low-deductible better?" Thanks, Houyhnhnm My reply to Insuranceguytx--yes I can pay $5,000 out-of-pocket for major problems. If I can recoup it in a reasonable period with lower premiums, I'd take that chance.

A) Since u are healthy you should consider getting off COBRA ASAP. An individual/family plan should be almost half the cost of the COBRA.By keeping COBRA you run the risk of developing a medical problem that will make you ineligible for a individual/family health plan later on. When the COBRA time period ends you will be in trouble. Get off of it now. Most plans I sell are now $1,000 ded or $2,500 ded. Run the quotes and see what premiums make sense to you. You will have to pay this premium yourself and your company cannot deduct it pre-tax anymore but if you want a GREAT tax deduction look at an HSA plan. Look at the $5,450 family deductible plan and you can make a yearly contribution of this amount to your HSA and get a top-line tax ded on your IRS 1040 (line 28). The monies can then be used for qualified medical expenses subsidized, in effect, by the tax savings.

Individual health insurance..what is good...?

Q) I am looking for individual health insurance for a 50 year old male..in great condition..no current issues or medication..any suggestions ?

A) It really depends on what you are looking for. Different health insurance companies find a nitch market that they like to work with. You want an 80/20 plan with doctors copay and full benefits, look at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Looking for major medical with high deductible, look at John Alden / Assurant. United is kind of in the middle. Just remember, health insurance is not cheap. For a major medical plan with a $3500 deductible, you can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $220 / month. If you want more coverage, it will cost you more.

Individual Health Insurance Premium Increases?

Q) If I have an individual health plan which costs about $150 month, then for some reason I become seriously ill, can my insurance company raise my premium? If so, how much? Is there any kind of legal limitation?

A) This all depends on the renewability status of your health insurance policy. In many policies, the insurance company reserves the right to adjust your premiums at various times, such as a birthday. If this is the case, somewhere in your policy it will say that the insurance company reserves the right to adjust the premiums. To be more specific on renewability status, if your policy is noncancellable, then the insurance company can not cancel your policy nor can they increase your premiums. If your policy is guaranteed renewable, then the insurance company can increase the policy premium on the policy anniversary date. In a conditionally renewable policy, the insurance company may cancel the policy, but only for reasons specified in the contract and they may also increase the premiums. I do know that if an adverse health condition exists at the time the policy is issued, coverage for that condition will not be afforded for 2 years. Long story short, the best advice I can give is to closely examine your policy to determine the renewability conditions and to check for a statement about when and under what conditions the insurance company can adjust your premiums. I hope I was helpful to you.

NYC Health Savings Account and Individual Health Insurance?

Q) I'm hoping someone out there could tell me where or if I can find individual health insurance with the Health Savings Account for someone living in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York City, NY.

A) Search for 'health insurance' on line and request a free quote. You will receive calls from several NY agents who can help you

where can i get individual health insurance for me and my daughter that also covers pregnancy in connecticut?

Q) I need to get health insurance for me and my 1 year old daughter. I am planning on becoming, or possibly already am pregnant but need insurance for us. Any help? This is in CT, so it is a state that does not require individual policies to cover pregnancy.

A) There are many web sites online that offer health insurance quotes you can compare with no obligation. Some health insurance plans may include coverage for pregnancy. You want to check with the plan when requesting your quotes. Ask about pre-existing conditions coverage in the health plan and how your coverage and deductibles are applied to pregnancy - What exactly is covered. This way you won't be surprised when you need the coverage during your pregnancy. You want to make sure you understand the coverages offered, coverage limits, deductibles, co-pays, and exclusions for any pre-existing conditions. I recommend the two top-rated health insurance quote providers: 1) InsureMe - they give you the five best health insurance quotes from top-rated health insurers nationwide. To Request a free, no obligation quote, Go to - http://www.insureme.com/landing.aspx?Refby=613598&Type=health 2) eHealthinsurance.com offers you side-by-side quote comparisons from a large network of health insurers across the country. I hope that helps! Take care and best of luck!

Is it possible to get individual health insurance in Arkansas if you have sleep apnea?

Q) I have sleep apnea which is well controlled through the use of a CPAP machine, but I was turned down for health insurance by Blue Cross Blue Shield because of it. I recently left a job through which I had health insurance and am now self employed and need to find an individual policy for myself.

A) Talk to a local, independent agent about finding coverage that excludes the whole apnea situation.

How do I get individual health insurance quotes for North Carolina?

Q) I am currently living in New York State and am considering moving to North Carolina. How do I get individual health insurance quotes while still living in NYS? All the websites ask you to provide a North Carolina address which I do not have yet. Thank you.

A) You contact a local, independent agent in NC. They'll be able to give you a 'ball park". HOWEVER, if you're under 30 and healthy, it's going to cost about $200 a month. If you have problems, you're likely not going to be insurable, depending on their seriousness. Or it could cost you $500 a month.