Affordable Care Act Experts Health insurance may be the most important type of insurance you can carry. That’s because it affects more areas than just your health, it can also affect your financial bottom line. Unexpected medical bills can devastate your finances. Health insurance doesn’t just help you pay for care, it can also financially protect you and your family in the event of unexpected medical event. Unpredictable costs can rob your peace of mind. You don’t want to be in the position of adding “money stress” to an already stressful medical situation. Since care costs are so unpredictable, proper coverage can give you definite peace of mind in knowing...
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Major medical insurance is a term that is rapidly fading away due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Today, health insurance plans fall into five categories, or metal levels, that do not include the category called “major medical.” The Good – In the past, major medical insurance plans were those that covered expenses in and out of the hospital and were also known as catastrophic plans.1 These plans usually had a cap on what the policy would pay, either for a lifetime and / or an episode of care. Fortunately, by law, lifetime and episodic limits are a thing of the past for ACA-compliant plans offering essential health benefits. Essential health benefits are services that...
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Choosing the wrong health insurance could kill you Choosing a health insurance plan is among the most important consumer decisions we make—and, for many of us, among the most bewildering. Do you pick the plan with the lowest out-of-pocket cost, or the one that allows you to see the primary care physician you trust? Do you care more about prescription drug benefits or mental health coverage? One thing that doesn't end up on most pro/con lists is whether a particular plan is likely to prolong your life. But new research co-authored by Yale SOM's Jason Abaluck shows that insurance plans appreciably influence the survival rates of their enrollees. Despite the variation in mortality effects,...
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If you are battling a chronic illness, odds are you have also battled health insurance. My son Cullen managed his pulmonary hypertension (PH), received a heart and double-lung transplant, and survived almost six years post-transplant without running into any major health coverage roadblocks. Any issues were quickly resolved with a letter from the doctor and/or persistent calls from a pediatric nurse. I recently came to appreciate how fortunate we were to have our energy go primarily toward caring for Cullen, and not dealing with insurance red tape. In a previous column, I shared Cullen’s transition from pediatric to adult care. We performed an intricate dance for over a decade between...
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5 Ways to Save with a Catastrophic Plan Rent, internet bill, car payment and now you want me to pay how much for health insurance every month? These days it can feel like your paycheck is almost gone before you hit the grocery store or bar. The good news is you have more health insurance choices today than your parents did. And if you’re under the age of 30, you can get what’s known as a Catastrophic Plan, the most wallet-friendly of all wallet-friendly health plans. Built for healthy youngsters like you, a Catastrophic Plan typically has the lowest price tag and offers the simplest health benefits, covering you in case you get in an accident or sick. Friday’s Catastrophic Plan gives you...
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India is the diabetes capital of the world and as a population, we are exposed to an increasing number of lifestyle diseases. This combined with the rising cost of medical care makes a deadly combination that could create a rot that we in India will all suffer with – if we don’t find a way to manage it better and mitigate its impact. We are living in a world of increasing uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic has created mayhem and disruptions of unimaginable proportions across the world. Testing the most critical infrastructure of healthcare services, this virus has infected millions globally and has left thousands dead. Expansion and support from healthcare services, providing sustenance...
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Open enrollment gives people a chance to shop for health insurance once a year. In 2018, the open enrollment period for coverage starting next year begins on November 1 and runs through December 15. You have other chances to enroll, though. If you have a baby, get married, lose your job or move, you might be able to enroll in a major medical plan thanks to a special enrollment period. No matter when you sign up, though, coverage doesn’t start right away in the major medical world. (Short term health insurance is a different story.) Not sure when your coverage will start based on when you sign up? Here’s what you need to know. Signing Up During Open Enrollment As we mentioned above, the...
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Affordable Care Act Experts Health insurance may be the most important type of insurance you can carry. That’s because it affects more areas than just your health … it can also affect your financial bottom line. Unexpected medical bills can devastate your finances. Health insurance doesn’t just help you pay for care, it can protect you and your family financially in the event of unexpected—or potentially expensive illnesses and injuries. Unpredictable costs can rob your peace of mind. You don’t want to be in the position of adding “money stress” to an already stressful medical situation. Since care costs are so unpredictable, proper coverage can give you definite peace of mind in...
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Major Medical Health Insurance Major medical health insurance plans provide long term, comprehensive coverage for things like illnesses, injuries, and preventive care. Currently, a major medical plan must meet all of the essential benefit standards of the Affordable Care Act, also known as ACA or “Obamacare”. What do major medical plans cover? The Affordable Care Act mandates health insurers to cover these 10 essential benefits in their major medical plans: Outpatient care – care received without being admitted to the hospital. Emergency services – trips to the emergency room Hospitalization – inpatient care for treatment in the hospital Maternity and newborn care – care before and...
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Being your own boss is exciting! You’re in control and doing something you’re really passionate about! But what about the thing that most folks use their employer for: health insurance? If you’re self-employed, what are your options in the world of health care? We’ll walk you through the different ways to grab some good coverage right here! How Do You Get Health Insurance If You’re Self-Employed? Being self-employed could mean anything from owning your own business to working a steady freelance gig. Whatever the deal, you’re walking the tightrope of being your own boss and being in charge of everything including your health insurance! So, let’s talk...
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