Health Insurance, popularly known as Mediclaim in India, offers protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies. In case of a sudden illness or accident, the mediclaim policy takes care of the hospitalization, medical and other costs incurred.

There are lots of general insurance companies (both public and private) in India offering health insurance. But what sets ICICI Lombard’s health insurance policies apart? Why should one choose ICICI Lombard over others? Following are a few reasons why

Wide range of plans
We offer you not just one but four innovative health insurance plans to choose from. Each plan is carefully designed keeping individual needs in mind and offers something unique (in addition to the usual mediclaim policies) to suit your specific needs.

Huge network of hospitals
We have one of the largest networks of hospitals. Avail cashless settlement of claims in more than 4500 hospitals across the country.

One policy for the entire family
ICICI Lombard is a pioneer in the family floater concept – where the entire policy is covered under one single policy with one single premium.

The convenience of buying online
One of the first general insurance companies in India to offer policies online. One can now insurance policies in just a few clicks of the mouse.

Access policy anywhere, anytime
When you buy online, a digitally signed policy is generated instantly. This policy is available 24X7 online, and can be accessed from any place in the world. The customer can take prints instantly. (The hard copy of the policy shall be couriered to the customer which will reach him/ her within 2 – 3 days.)

Instant policy, no paperwork, EMI without any extra charges
When you buy a policy online from ICICI Lombard, no paperwork is required. You just need to fill in the requied information and the digitally signed policy is generated instantly. Also, you can pay online through your ICICI Bank, Citibank & HDFC Credit Card, net banking (direct debit), and cheque / demand draft and avail of equal monthly installments (EMI) without any extra charges.

Track your claims online
Not only can you buy health insurance online, you can also track the status of your claim online.

Renew online
When your health policy is due to expire, you can renew it online in just a few minutes.

Source by Laxmi Wadhwa

Buying backpackers travel insurance is the best investment that you can make for yourself before stepping out of your home. Backpackers are at the greatest risk as they are on a tight budget and therefore, stay in cheap rooms or dark dorms and eat street food. They are highly susceptible to sickness, fever, allergies and other diseases. They explore off-beaten tracks and remote areas. This puts them at risks of falling foul of illness and crime. In such a scenario, covering your trip becomes essential to protect yourself from sudden financial disasters. 

Backpacking insurance provides financial coverage to loss resulting from curtailed, delayed or cancelled trip, missed, delayed or cancelled flight, theft/damage or loss of baggage, money, mobile, laptop, watch, jewelry, passport, sports equipments and other important documents, injury, sickness, personal accident, broken bones, fractured ligaments, allergy, hospital expenses, ambulance expenses, surgical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation. In the event of any mishap, the financial loss will be compensated by insurance company.

Once you have made up your mind to purchase backpacker insurance, make sure that you get exactly what is required. Most people purchase it just for the sake of buying it. They actually don’t know how much coverage they want. If you’re a backpacking enthusiast and planning a trip, it is wise to gain understanding about insurance coverage before shelling out your money. By knowing what to cover and what not to cover, you can buy adequate insurance cover at cheap prices. Internet is a good source of information. You can conduct an online research before buying insurance.

Once you know what you want, contact the insurance companies of repute and ask for their quotes. Critically examine these policies and check if they match with your requirements. Buy the one that perfectly meets your requirements and budget. Always remember to buy insurance only from those companies which operate on national or international basis.

Backpacking insurance provides financial coverage to loss resulting from curtailed, delayed or cancelled trip, missed, delayed or cancelled flight, theft/damage or loss of baggage, money, mobile, laptop, watch, jewelry, passport, sports equipments and other important documents, injury, sickness, personal accident, broken bones, fractured ligaments, allergy, hospital expenses, ambulance expenses, surgical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation. In the event of any mishap, the financial loss will be compensated by insurance company.

Source by Jamesh Hopes

Like most insurance policies, motor vehicle accident (MVA) insurance is something you “have”, but tend not to investigate until you need it. Policies vary in coverage and amounts paid should an accident occur. Although no policy is complete, anyone injured in a MVA is entitled to certain benefits no matter who was at fault.

Under the Canadian No-fault law, car accident victims are allowed to sue the other party for damages in addition to the insurance settlement. Insurance companies pay benefits out according to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), but these payments may not be enough to remedy expenses in a fault MVA. In the rare case that neither party has insurance, the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund takes care of the injured party’s expenses.

Expenses covered are:

* Loss of Income. If injuries sustained from the accident prevented you from working at your job, the income lost during the recovery period may be reimbursed. Under the Insurance Act, parties are eligible for up to 80% of their net income from accident to trial and up to 100% gross income loss after trial.
* Medical Expenses. Any medical costs incurred. This includes rehabilitation.

* Attendant Care Expenses. After being injured and then released from the hospital, you may require the help of a nurse or other professional. MVA payments cover this.
* Additional Expenses. Expenses relating to the treatment of injuries sustained during an MVA such as travel costs, any prescribed apparatus, and other costs incurred because of the injuries.

Consulting with your lawyer after an accident is the best way to figure out what you are entitled too. The means of tabulating damages can be complicated and an experienced Canadian lawyer will have a good idea of what settlement you deserve. They will guide you on what to do if your insurance company wants a statement or the other party’s insurance company wants to talk with you among other issues.

It is best to be proactive about your MVA insurance policy. Before an accident occurs, find a lawyer to discuss what is and is not covered and what coverage would be best for you. A little preparation goes a long way and a simple consultation can help ease the mind over one’s safety if an accident ever does occur.

Source by Tamia Johnson

Motorhomes offer their owners a fantastic amount of freedom – opening up a wealth of travelling opportunities.

However, as any motorhome owner will tell you, they can be expensive both to purchase, and of course maintain. As such, when you are insuring your motorhome – it’s really worth making sure that you are getting appropriate coverage from your policy.

If your motorhome insurance policy is up for renewal you may like to check out our guide – to make sure that you’re getting the best deal for you.

How is my Motorhome Insurance Premium Calculated?
Your Motorhome Insurance premiums are calculated in a very similar fashion to a regular car insurance policy. As such the following key factors are taken into account:

-The age of your motorhome

-The make and model of your motorhome

-The size of the engine

-The annual mileage

-The age and experience of the driver

-The insurance history of the driver (i.e. whether or not the driver has made any claims in the past)

In addition to this, the following factors are also taken into account:

-Where the motorhome will be stored (e.g. parked on the street, in a secure garage etc)

-The Excess you are prepared to pay

-Whether or not your motorhome has an alarm or immobiliser fitted / is electronically tagged

Finally, the amount of cover you will require will also affect the amount you pay for your motorhome insurance premium. Consider the following options:

– Overseas cover
– Breakdown cover (both in the UK and abroad)
– Temporary accommodation (in the event of a breakdown or accident in the UK and abroad)
– Replacement vehicle cover
– Glass / Windscreen replacement
– Legal expenses cover
– Contents insurance (i.e. to cover the possessions which are in your motorhome in the event of theft, fire, flood etc)

If you are looking to save money on your motorhome insurance you might consider one or more of the following:

1. Only pay for the cover you need – it might sound obvious, but if you don’t drive your motor home abroad – make sure you’re not paying for insurance cover to do so

2. Fitting your motorhome with an alarm or immobiliser or having it electronically tagged

3. Some insurers offer discounts for motorhome owners who are members of certain clubs / organisations – this can be as much as 15%

4. Shop around – ideally get at least three quotes from different providers to make sure you get the best deal. – However – buyers beware – not all insurance policies are the same. Make sure that the quotes you get are comparable (i.e. are offering the same level of cover, extras, excess, etc)

5. Consider paying a higher excess – you may find if you increase your excess, the cost of your premium will drop.

Along with motorhome insurance, some of the policies can cover caravans for UK motorhome owners which may have a further bearing on the insurance premium that one may need to pay. As a result, the caravan or motorhome owner may find that particular policy which will save them a considerable amount of money in the short and long run.

There are a number of different providers that are current providing various auto insurance policies for different auto vehicles, however, the savvy caravan owner will choose the policy that is specific to caravan builds and protection. Hence, companies such as lifesure which cater specifically for motorhome and caravan owners.

The motorhome/caravan owner should undertake research when choosing their desired policy.

Source by Kev Taylor

Did you know that, statistically speaking, over 40% of drivers feel like they’re paying too much for their car insurance coverage? Even more alarming, did you know that 20% of them are absolutely right? Between the constantly shifting algorithm used by car insurance companies to calculate your rates and the fact that most people don’t even realize they’re missing out on opportunities to buy cheap car insurance, it’s almost impossible for your average, everyday driver to get the affordable coverage they deserve!

Note the use of the word “almost” in that sentence. There’s a large, easily distinguishable difference between “impossible” and “almost impossible,” and if you know what that difference is you can easily whip out of the slow lane and onto the fast track for cheap car insurance.

To lower your car insurance rates ASAP, all you have to do is:

a)      Raise your deductible. This has the most immediate effect on your insurance rates, so this is a great place to start. Insurance companies love it when you actively try to save them money, and they’re usually more than happy to return the favor. Just try not to go overboard; remember, you’re going to have to actually come up with that money sooner or later!

b)      Talk to your agent about any car insurance discounts you might be missing out on. I’m not saying that your agent would deliberately lead you astray, but there are a lot of options out there when it comes to saving money on your insurance and not all of them are on the handy-dandy cheat sheet agents use when they first sell you your car insurance policy. You might be surprised at how much you missed out on when you sit down with an experienced agent and make a point by point examination of your car, your driving history and your lifestyle.

c)       Clean up your driving record. It’s hard, very, very hard, to resist hopping into the fast lane when you’re out on the freeway and putting the pedal to the metal. If you want to get those cheap car insurance rates we keep talking about, however, you’re going to need to keep your nose clean. Qualifying for a five year good driver discount can do more to improve your rates than just about anything else on the market.

d)      Volunteer to go back to driving school. Yes, the thought of repeating driver’s ed is probably enough to leave you shaking in your shoes, but car insurance companies absolutely, positively LOVE drivers that are willing to go the extra mile to minimize their risk. Low risk drivers pay low risk (read: cheap) car insurance rates.

Saving money on car insurance isn’t nearly as hard as most people think it is, and don’t you deserve to be able to do something better with your paycheck than put it in your insurance company’s pocket? Of course you do. Everybody does. Follow these steps, and you’ll finally be able to.

Source by Anthony Peck

What Are Quotes?

Quotes are basically an estimate of how much an insurance company will charge you for your insurance policy. A quote is only an estimate because insurance companies need some personal information and have to run checks in order to give you a true quote. A quote will be useful when you are trying to get an idea of how much a company will charge. Typically a quote is going to be pretty accurate and your real price will be close to it. As long as you are honest when filling out the quote form you can usually rely on these quotes to determine the cost of your car insurance.

How to Get Quotes

Getting car insurance quotes is simple. There are many companies that offer quotes online. There are also services where you can get multiple quotes at once. Be sure when you are getting quotes that you enter the exact same information and choose the exact same type of coverage for each quote. You have to have similar policies to compare or you won’t be able to really find the best insurance.

How to Use Quotes

Once you have gathered quotes from various companies, try to get at least three, you can begin comparing them. As mentioned you can only compare quotes that are for the same coverage if you really want to find out which is the best. Of course, each company will slightly differ. Quotes are just a rough idea of that lets you compare cost. You also want to think about customer service, consider their claims policy and think about the overall reputation of the company. Another thing to think about is if the company offers any special free services. Some companies offer free roadside assistance with every policy, for example.

Getting car insurance quotes can really help you to find the company that can give you what you need for the lowest price. You just have to be sure that you think about more than the cost. Make sure the company can really give you all the coverage that you want. Also think about the extra details of the policy that can affect you. In the end you should be able to find car insurance that you are very happy with and that offer you the protection you need to stay legal and stay safe on the road

Source by Muneeb Ahmed

In many US states, it’s mandatory to get auto insurance. And just in case you need any further motivation to get one, then do consider the following statistics: on the average, someone gets hurt in a car mishap every 11 seconds, an automobile crash happens every five seconds, and a life-threatening injury takes place every 12 minutes.

So apart from the fact that you’re obliged to get car insurance, it really does provide the peace of mind you need while on the road. After all, even though you may consider yourself a great and safe driver, you cannot vouch for all the others driving on the same street as you.

To help you in your search for a good car insurance provider, we’ve taken a quick look at AIG and Mercury insurance to see how they fare against other carriers.

A Look at AIG and Mercury Car Insurance

Two big firms in the auto insurance business are AIG and Mercury. AIG Auto Insurance holds one of the biggest member policyholder numbers, and is an American International Group member. Mercury Car Insurance Company has insurance available for families, businesses and individuals. It writes auto insurance mainly in the California region but Mercury also offers car insurance coverage in other states.

AIG auto insurance focuses on owners with high-value vehicles. The firm’s pricing strategy benefits people owning many pricey vehicles and searching for special protection. AIG provides the following coverage.

• Deductibles Waived. Deductible are relinquished in situations of total loss.
• Extra-vehicle discount.  Markdowns for any other vehicles you insure with the same provider.
• Unlimited Capacity, including physical damage to regular-use autos, specialty vehicles and collector cars.
• Agreed value. Autos are insured for specific agreed-upon amounts between the AIG Private Client Group and the owner. In case of partial loss, there is no deduction provided for parts depreciation.

Other features of AIG coverage include multi-policy, multi-vehicle and mature driver discounts, transportation replacement, OEM parts, vehicle lock, coverage for rented vehicles, loan/lease gap coverage, and accidental airbag deployment.

Mercury auto insurance, on the other hand, has 24-hour claims services. The company has a list of pre-approved repair shops providing quality customer service. With Mercury, people can pay their car insurance premiums either online or at a nearby office.

Aside from personal auto insurance, commercial insurance is also available at Mercury. This is for firms and people using their autos for business. Mercury car insurance also has ‘umbrella coverage’ to protect people in case an occasion comes up and their auto insurance does not cover or excludes them from filing claims.

Good car policies do not mean they have to be super expensive. And now that you know that both AIG and Mercury extend various discounts and savings, you only need to ask which ones are applicable to you.

Source by Joe Deacon

In2007, a 12-yearold boy from Prince George County died because of an untreated dental abscess. This tragic event was an eye-opener for the American government to reassess the issue of unmet health care need of children in America. Dubbed as a “silent epidemic”, oral disease is not something to be ignored as it afflicts millions of children today. Even among adults, oral cancer kills more than cervical cancer.

But despite the lack of dental insurance of millions of people today, oral hygiene should never come last when it comes to health concerns. If children are taught proper oral hygiene early on, oral disease can be prevented. However, when it comes to adults, oral hygiene is a different story. Today, a lost tooth can be easily replaced through placement of bridge, false teeth, or implant crown. These innovations in dental care are a great help in achieving better oral health and cosmetic appearance.

Implant Crown Use

The common problem of people with poor oral health is teeth loss. When the teeth are badly decayed, there’s nothing else left to do but remove it. But you need not suffer from the shame of losing a tooth as it can be replaced nowadays. An implant crown can be placed over the lost tooth to hold the remaining teeth together. This can prevent the other teeth from weakening and getting damaged altogether.

An implant crown is usually made from different materials. The most common of them are the following:

• Porcelain. It may not have all the strength of metal crowns, but it’s tough enough to last a long time and it looks more like a normal tooth.
• Metal. This is the toughest of all types of implant crown. It usually has metal or gold alloy in its structure allowing it to withstand any wear and tear.

Having an implant crown though doesn’t mean you don’t need to brush anymore. You can still get cavities; therefore, brushing, flossing and getting fluoride treatment is still necessary.

Dental Insurance and Implant Crown

An implant crown procedure would be much cheaper if you have a dental insurance. But it seems that oral care is not getting enough attention these days. It’s not even covered by health insurance despite the fact that it’s five times as likely as asthma to be found in children and adult alike.

If only health plans would fully integrate oral health into the health-care system, many would benefit from more affordable dental treatments. Likewise, what happened to the Prince George County boy would not be repeated.

The only drawback of dental insurance is that not all costs are covered by the insurance. So, you need to speak to your dentist to know how much you need to pay in excess of the insurance. But just the same, a dental insurance will help a lot in reducing the cost of an implant crown procedure.

Source by jackie myers

Many people seeking to avoid the saddening effects of ID theft are in search of ways of minimizing such losses. Apart from enrolling in a credit card protection program, you can opt for identity card insurance, an insurance package tailored to meet the specific needs of potential ID theft victims.

Identity theft insurance, just like any other insurance is meant to cover for costs or losses incurred in the event of you becoming an identity theft victim. With cases on ID theft on the rise, it has become normal if not a prerequisite for one to have identity theft insurance. The many insurance companies marketing this service offer various policies depending on what your specific needs are, or what you risk looing in the event of ID theft.

The amount of coverage given for ID theft protection will largely depend on the type of policy you choose. The amount you will need to contribute will also depend on specific factors which will be inclusive in your policy.

Some companies offering credit service provide these policies as part of their plan or a form of endorsement to other forms of insurance policies. In such occasions the amount charged is often less. You can ask your creditor if such services exist in their products.

The most important thing to know before you take an insurance policy is its terms and conditions. This may be same across many insurance agencies but when it comes to what is covered in your policy, the list may vary sharply across the board.

Most insurers will cover legal costs incurred when you get an advocate to look into your case. Some will compensate for wages lost during the time you will spend dealing with the ID theft case. The loan re-application fees may also be covered by your agent. The mailing charges and other notary fees will also be inclusive in most policies. You may also send while notarizing various important documents to the relevant authorities.

Before going for an ID theft insurance policy, be informed of the above and such factors from the insurance agency in order to ensure the policy you get will provide you the maximum protection available. Identify theft insurance policies are a great way to protect you and your family against the growing threat of identity theft.

Source by Bernz Jayma P.

The history of health care and health insurance is a fairly new concept in the United States. The first health assistance plans began to surface during the Civil War but they only covered accidents which were related to travel. These plans covered people who were traveling by train or boat. These early plans were the inspiration for health plans that covered more medical expenses such as illness and hospital benefits. The first acknowledged history of a health care plan dates back to 1847 and originated out of Boston.

It was in 1929 that a more modern style of health assistance was formed. This came about when a group of teachers approached Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas and offered to pay a monthly fee if they could live there and have access to medical care. Shortly after this event there were life insurance companies looking at the prospect of offering health assistance insurance to go along with their life policies.

It is with little surprise that when you start searching the history of health care in this country you run across the name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Blue Cross began negotiating with workers and facilities to offer health assistance at a discount. In return for this discount Blue Cross would pay a large portion of the bill. This appealed to the industry because it meant they would get their money within a reasonable amount of time and their clientele would increase.

The Need For Health Care In Our Country

It soon became evident that certain members of the population were not able to afford to pay their health care costs nor were they able to work in order to take advantage of the health care benefit. Seniors and persons with disabilities were faced with rising costs which they were unable to pay. A look at the history of health care shows us that the government came up with a plan to cover all retired citizens who were over the age of 65. The Medicare program was established with funds that were collected from the wages of employed workers. The idea was that you would pay your premiums while you were young but you would not receive your benefits until you retired.

When looking at the history of health care we see where the government had to make further efforts to offer insurance coverage to those who were disabled or lived below the poverty level. Medicare can now cover an individual who is unable to work because of a disability even if they are not 65. Medicaid was also established for those who cannot afford health coverage or health insurance. For many reasons there is fear that this system is beginning to fail and there is an urgent need for health protection reform. It is time for the United States to take a good long look at their current health care issues.

Source by Roland Jefferson III

This article is Part 1 of 2 Parts. Part 2 is – – Kemper Insurance California Longshore Act Claims: What Else Can I Do?

Recently there have been reports that Kemper Insurance Companies is headed for insolvency. Kemper Insurance wrote US L&H coverage in California. That is, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act insurance policies for California employers. Which raises the question: What do I do if I have a Longshore Act claim with Kemper Insurance in California?

If this is you, the first thing you have to realize is the rules are murky in this area. In other words, there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot of guidance. However, here is some insight.

BACKGROUND ON THE LONGSHORE ACT

The United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal law that provides workers compensation protection to longshoreman, shipyard workers, harbor workers and other maritime workers for injuries or occupational diseases. The Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC), under the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), administers the LHWCA.

WHO HAS TO PAY THE CLAIM IF THE US L&H INSURANCE COMPANY GOES BANKRUPT?

Under Section 904 of the LHWCA, the employer has primary responsibility for meeting it’s obligation under the Act. Here, the employer is required to either self-insure/ self-fund or have insurance to cover Longshore Act claims. If the employer has US L&H insurance, payments by the carrier satisfy the employer’s obligation. If the US L&H insurance carrier becomes insolvent and is unable to pay claims, the employer has primary responsibility to pay the benefits.

WHAT ABOUT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SPECIAL FUND?

A Special Fund was created, under the Longshore Act, to deal with claims for second injuries. The Special Fund was created to encourage employers to hire workers whom had previous injuries or work impairments. In essence, the U.S. DOL assesses carriers and self-insured employers on the basis of claim payments.

Some folks contend, the U.S. DOL Special Fund will kick-in, so to speak, in the event the U.S. L&H carrier are insolvent and employer is insolvent or is at risk of becoming insolvent. However, there is no guarantee that this can and will occur. This is part of the murky area of the law.

THE PROCEDURAL QUAGMIRE

Here is a quick overview of the procedure which must be followed pursuant to Section 918 of the Act:

(1) You will need to obtain an award of compensation.

(2) The employer/ carrier has to be in default in payment for over 30 days.

(3) Within one year after such default, you have to make application to the deputy commissioner making the compensation order or for a supplementary order declaring the amount of the default.

(4) After investigation, notice, and hearing, as provided in Section 919, the deputy commissioner shall make a supplementary order, declaring the amount of the default, which shall be filed in the same manner as the compensation order.

(5) File a certified copy of such supplementary order with the clerk of the Federal district court for the judicial district in which the employer has his principal place of business or maintains an office, or for the judicial district in which the injury occurred.

(6) Such supplementary order of the deputy commissioner shall be final, and the court shall upon the filing of the copy enter judgment for the amount declared in default by the supplementary order if such supplementary order is in accordance with law.

(7) The review of the judgment entered is the same as civil suits for damages.

(8) Final proceedings to execute the judgment may be had by writ of execution in the form used by the court in suits at common law in actions of assumpsit.

IT COULD BE A RACE TO THE MONEY

If your employer is still in business, then enforcing the judgment against your employer is the “fastest way” to getting your LHWCA workers compensation benefits. However, you need to realize it may be a race to see who can enforce their judgment against employer first. These claims may put the employer out of business.

If you, the Claimant, are unable to satisfy the judgment due to the carriers and employers insolvency, the Secretary of Labor has discretion to make payment from the Special Fund. This is more murkiness.

The foregoing procedure could take years and years. Hence, the quagmire.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not legal advice. I have been simplistic in order to achieve clarity. You are expressly advised to seek competent legal counsel if you have a US L&H claim with Kemper Insurance Company or any other insolvent US L&H carrier in California. Remember, always tell the truth when you are making a claim for compensation. Your credibility is always at issue.

Source by William Turley

Health insurance has now become a necessity. When an individual health insurance plan is chosen, it will not given to you be the employer, but you would be buying it for yourself and your family. You should know the details of the individual health insurance plan before deciding to choose it. Check out for health insurance plans in California. Blue Cross Health is available in California.

1. All health insurance providers will be able to provide you with details of the various plans that are available. You should read it thoroughly, ask questions if you do not understand something and know what exactly the coverage offers you. You should review the plan that you currently have and keep a list of the doctors and medications that you are taking. This will help you to know exactly what you current plan gives you and what you want out of a new plan that you are going to opt for.

2. Shop around. Go to the internet and find out various options. Contact the local broker or health insurance agent and find out details about the different plans available and the amount you will have to pay. You can also choose a health plan on you own without going through an agent.

3. You should compare the plans that are offered by different Companies choose the plan most suited to you.

4. You should get the health insurance quote and then make a decision.

5. You should be aware that your insurance premium will be based on your location which is determined by your zip code. In California you can get many types of health insurance plans.

6. It would be best to find a professional health insurance broker who is well trained, to give you the available options and help you in understanding the plans. This will help you to know deductibles and co-pays, cost shares and percentage. The broker will not charge you and will get a commission directly.

7. The professional broker will be able to help you in going through the process of getting the insurance plan with ease. He will be able to guide you as to which insurance company and plan you can choose. Some companies might not accept you and this can save from a denial from a health insurance company.

8. You can choose short term plans which will be easier to get and the coverage will start almost immediately. The disadvantage will be that once the term ends you will have to re-qualify.

9. You should also compare the individual plans with the once offered by your employer and choose the one that gives you the best coverage.

10. You should read the find print to be aware of the limitations and the exclusions. You should also know the lifetime maximums, in case you develop some major health problem.

11. You should also make sure that the list of doctors and hospitals offered by the plan is what your family requires. You should also know whether the medicines that you are taking are included in their list. You should also know whether dental and eye care is included.

Keeping these tips in mind, you should do a thorough research and find out the best individual health insurance plan that is most suited to your needs and fits your budget.

Source by Peterjohn

Many Americans without health insurance are faced with the prospect of joint replacement surgery, but do not have the means to pay the high rates in the United States. Both knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery can cost upwards of $70,000 in the United States — a significant cost by any measure.

As osteoarthritis continues to afflict a growing number of Americans, more and more patients are seeking alternatives to the extraordinary costs in the United States. It is estimated that osteoarthritis afflicts upwards of 20 million Americans, most of whom are over the age of 45. In addition to this, there are over 40 million Americans who do not have health insurance. Since the only long-term treatment to osteoarthritis is total joint replacement, many Americans are left with few options for surgery.

Medical tourism provides a solution to the millions of Americans afflicted by osteoarthritis who have no insurance. By traveling overseas for medical care, patients can experience a savings upwards of 75%. For example, knee replacement surgery in Taiwan can be obtained for less than $10,000. Even after the price of flights and accommodations, many medical travelers find themselves saving tens of thousands of dollars by traveling overseas for their medical procedures.

Uninsured and underinsured Americans have been a topic of much discussion in the healthcare debate. For the thousands of Americans who cannot afford the expensive medical care in the United States, medical tourism offers a low-cost alternative. The standard of care in many medical tourism destinations is as high or higher than that in the United States, and in many cases the doctors are U.S.-trained and educated.

Patients who are considering delaying or forgoing knee replacement or hip replacement surgery, medical tourism is an option that should be considered. Instead of living with pain and reduced mobility, thousands of Americans are traveling overseas to receive much-needed joint replacement surgery at affordable prices.

Source by Donny G

If you’re looking for a HMO California medical insurance plan a good company to consider is Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser was created in the 1930s as a pre-paid group practice health care plan designed to care for workers building the aqueducts and dams in the Mojave Desert and later the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State. After World War II ended in 1945, the Plan developed into a community program. Kaiser Permanente only offers HMO plan and you are required to use the network for all treatment. Then only time you are able to receive medical treatment outside of the network is when seeking emergency treatment. With a total of 14 different HMO plans in their extensive network Kaiser offers more HMO plans than any other health insurance company in California.

With 14 different plans Kaiser has a plan for just about every budget whether large or small. Like other companies with inexpensive plans the less the premium the few first dollar benefits you receive and the more out-of-pocket expenses you will be responsible for.  Most of Kaiser Plans have set co-pays for all medical services such as office visits, lab test, hospital stays and surgeries.

Since Kaiser is an HMO network you are required to get referrals from you primary care physician prior to receiving any medical treatment or to see a specialist. Since you have to get a referral it can take longer to be able to get appointment to a specialist or to receive medical treatment. For many people it having to wait on a referral for medical treatment is a big burden. For those who want more control over their medical treatment a different type of California medical insurance plan should be considered.

Overall Kaiser has a love hate relationship with consumers. Either consumers love their service or the hate it, there really isn’t anyone in between. For those that love Kaiser their feelings stem from having medical services performed in one building, co-pays for office visits, lab and x-rays, hospitals stay and surgeries. Overall Kaiser Consumers enjoy lower out of pocket cost which is very attractive to families and individuals. But for those that dislike Kaiser their feelings stem from slower referral processes and the lack of control over their medical treatment.

Depending on your preference and the location you live in Kaiser may be a good fit for you. If you’re a little unsure if they are right for you contact an independent California insurance agent who specializes in California Medical Insurance and ask them for assistance in choosing the right type of health insurance coverage.

Source by Adam Sepulveda

A retirement health savings plan is also know as Health Savings Plans.

They were established as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act which was signed into law by President G.W.Bush and was developed to replace the Medical Savings

Account system.

Retirement<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link/3236917’);” href=”http://retirementusa.com/health”>

 health savings

</a> 

 plan is a tax advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers of the U.S. who are enrolled in a high deductible health plan. The funds deposited are not subject to federal income tax at time of deposit. Funds deposited to your retirement health savings plan roll over and accumulate year to year. A retirement health savings plan is owned by the individual. Beginning early 2011, you will not be able to pay for over the counter medications with your retirement health savings plan ( see section 9003 of H.R. 3590). Withdrawals from your retirement health savings plan not used for medical treatment are best used after retirement age. If taken earlier, they may incur penalties.

Funds in your<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link/3236917’);” href=”http://retirementusa.com/insurance”>

 retirement health</a> 

 savings plan can be invested in the same manner as in an individual retirement account (IRA) sheltered from taxation until the money is withdrawn and can still be sheltered.

You always need to speak with a financial specialist, CPA or tax attorney before making any investments toward your future. 

The benefit to your retirement health savings plan is generally less of a premium than that of a traditional health insurance plan. Over time,

if your medical expenses are low, and contributions are made on a regular basis to your retirement health saving plan, the account can accumulate  significant assets that can be used for your health care tax free. They can also be used for your retirement on a tax-deferred basis.  

Source by ric dalberri

Looking for the right health care insurance for you and your family is tough. Everywhere you turn you are getting bombarded by hundreds of different insurance companies trying to get you to buy their product. The last thing you need is unwanted emails, phone calls, or mailings telling you that you need this or need that. At Humana health insurance we believe that getting to know you and your family is the first step in building a lasting relationship. Humana health insurance believes that each family has different needs and wants and we know we can meet all of your health care insurance requirements. Humana health insurance wants to get to know your family and your budget. It is important to us because when we understand how important your monetary budget is and we can fit you and your family with the perfect health care insurance plan based on that. It is very important to us that you and your family are taken care of. We have dedicated a support staff to ensure you get all your questions answered and get the right health care insurance plan.

With a Humana health insurance policy you have a wide variety of coverage to choose from. The overall health and well being of your family is important to you so it is important to us. We strive day in and day out to make sure you are taken care of.  Whether it be answering a co-pay question or setting you up with a reliable and trustworthy dentist, we are here for you. Humana health insurance offers many different plans and options to suite the needs of any America family. Whether you want a low co-pay or a low deductible, we are able to figure out what plan best matches your requests.  If you have a lot of prescription medications, we have a plan that allows you to get everything you need at an affordable price.  If you go to the doctor more than a few times a year and want a more in-depth plan, we have that too. Humana offers PPO’s, HSA’s, and other great options for you and your family.

Knowing what you want for your health care insurance company can sometimes be hard.  There is a lot out there to choose from and Humana understands that. Once you do a comparison of our services versus the other health care insurance companies out there we know you will see the difference. We have quality employees who understand the importance of a great doctor, dentist, or any other medical professional. Our employees also understand that times are tough and money might be tight. We are able to work with you and pick the best plan for the best price that you and your family are comfortable with. Take a look at Humana and you will see. We do our best to make sure that you and your family are taken care of and everyone gets the health care they deserve and need.  At Humana, we are here for you and your family whenever you need us.

Source by henry turner

Insurance is an expense we’d all like to minimize – without loss of quality. There are several services that encourage insurers to make their best offers, but it can be difficult to distinguish whether the website or 800 number is truly representing multiple insurers, or is just pushing a single company’s products. We also find that, having requested quotes, there are likely to be follow-up e-mails and phone calls for a year or more afterwards that need to be dealt with. Once a company has your contact information, they tend to be very persistent and even aggressive in trying to sell you insurance.

But there is a better way. What if you could solicit bids for the insurance package you need without revealing your contact information? Say you could spell out what level of house insurance, car insurance, life insurance and/or medical insurance you need, and have insurers bid on the package in competition with each other – without contacting you directly or through e-mail – wouldn’t that be a great way to select your provider or providers?

You can do this. Reverse auction sites allow you to specify what you want, and the site invites suppliers to bid on your needs. You decide what service, product or combination you want and how long the bidding should be open. So you could post your needs six weeks before your insurance contract expires, let it run for a month, and have a couple of weeks to select the winner and create the contract.

Reverse auction websites do not allow you to publish your contact information. This protects you from aggressive solicitation, and avoids bypassing the site – which normally charges a small amount for the service they provide. Some will allow the provider to publish contact information, trusting that you will complete the contract through the site, since the site typically allows listings to be free and charges a small success fee to the winning bidder. Most people find one of the greatest benefits of the reverse auction process to be the privacy it generates for them, and the sense of control they have over the transaction. This is only possible if you do your negotiating through the site without revealing your contact information – it leaves you in charge of how to evaluate the bids, and avoids coming under pressure from each supplier who gets your contact information before the contract is completed.

The art in posting a requirement is to understand what the supplier needs to know, and to describe what you want clearly enough that the suppliers can bid responsibly. For house insurance, you might want to specify:

• Replacement value of the property;

• Type of construction;

• Age of house;

• Whether you have fire extinguishers;

• Value of furnishings – often estimated as about 75% percent of the value of the property;

• Zip code you live in;

• Any special valuables you want to include.

• What liability limits you would like;

• Whether you want the insurance to keep pace with inflation;

• The size and the AM Best or other industry rating of the company offering the insurance;

• Etc.

A review of your existing policy can help tailor your custom-made request.

Do the same for all the other insurance needs you have. Review each policy that you want to replace, or review websites of insurers to understand what needs to be specified for new policies you don’t yet have, and carefully select what you want.

Once you have posted your requirements on a reverse auction website, you’ll want to monitor the post so that you know when insurers or agents have questions to clarify your needs. You’ll also be able to see what bids are coming in and start assessing the different suppliers from their write-ups. Over time, each supplier builds up a rating on the website based on how they have served other clients, so you should be able to assess their reliability. Initially, before they have a significant rating, you will have to trust that they fairly represent their principal (the company whose insurance they are quoting), and base your choice on evaluation of the insurance company rather than the agent.

Finally, at the end of the auction period that you specified, or earlier if it suits you, you can make your pick and accept a specific bid – assuming that at least one meets your needs. From there, you and the agent work out the details. Remember that the bid you accept represents a legal contract. The agent is obliged to provide you what was bid at the price bid, and you are obliged to pay that price for the insurance you have contracted for. Be aware that they may still try to upsell you, so be prepared. The more homework you have done before accepting a contract and talking to the agent, the better prepared you’ll be to stick to your original requirements.

If you decide to split the contracts between two or more insurers, you’ll have to accept a bid for one part of the package, and re-post the remainder, making sure that your desired bidder is invited to bid on the restructured package.

Try it and see whether you don’t reduce your insurance costs – without losing quality of coverage and without the avalanche of agents contacting you for your business.

Source by Patrick Hesselmann

All of us have to be familiar with the cost of healthcare has increased faster than inflation? Health checkup costs can be a big drain on finances. A medical crisis can strike anyone, anytime and may even force an individual to dip into savings to meet these sudden and steep costs. Such an eventuality could delay or destroy a cherished financial goal. No wonder, health is wealth. The health of every member of the family is precious and you need to safeguard it as a priority. Use some Health Plans to make sure your family stays fit and fine as suggested by some insurance company.

Health Insurance, popularly known as Medicash in India, offers protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies. In case of a sudden illness or accident, the medicash policy takes care of the hospitalization, medical tests and other costs incurred.

There are a number of insurance corporations (both public and private) in India offering health insurance and Affordable health insurance plan.

There is a certain criteria for choose best health insurance policy as follows..

I. Wide range of plans:– Varieties of plan is carefully designed keeping individual needs in mind and offers something unique (in addition to the usual Medicash policies) to suit individuals specific needs.

II. Huge network of hospitals: Organizations should have one of the largest networks of hospitals.
III. One policy for the entire family
IV. Access policy anywhere, anytime
V. Instant policy, no paperwork
VI. Track your claims Easily
VII. Renew Easily

One of the most important thing is Always read the policy wordings carefully. Be clear on the coverage’s, exclusions, terms and conditions and clear out any confusion you might have before buying your policy.

http://www.maxnewyorklife.com/individual/health.aspx

Source by narendra kumar singh