Can Anyone Reccomend A Medical Insurance?

Question

Me and my wife want to get it on our own not through our jobs. Is there a company that is worth looking at?

Answer 1

First, keep talking with people about what health plans they like and why they like them. You also need to figure out what you and your wife want out of medical coverage. It might be a good idea to write down different facets of a health plan (premiums, deductibles, access to health care, in-network physicians and hospitals, preventive care, copays, coinsurance, dental or mental coverage, et al), and then rank them in order of importance. You also might want to check out Consumer Reports or US News and World Reports for ratings of health plans. I’ve included links to both below.

I’ve also included a couple of articles that are a good introduction to buying health insurance. What to look for, what different terms mean, the various types of health plans, etc. HMOs are popular right now, but if you already have a doctor you’re happy with, you may want to go with a preferred provider organization (PPO) or a traditional fee-for-service plan. PPOs are like HMOs in that you get discounts for going to doctors and hospitals in their network, but they also allow you to go outside the network – although with less coverage and you may be responsible for more paperwork. Although HMOs are limited in the access to health care they provide, they do have a lot of perks – built in doctor’s visits and other preventive care as well as lower prices. Some HMOs also include dental and vision care. Fee-for-service plans allow you to go practically wherever you want for health care, although they are usually more expensive than HMOs or PPOs. Kaiser Permanente is a highly regarded HMO, while Blue Cross Blue Shield has many highly rated PPO plans. The Consumer Reports link below is a study of how happy people were with their managed care plan (HMO/PPO).

If you want feedback from an experienced insurance professional, try checking out MostChoice.com. It offers online quotes and policy descriptions from health plans in your area, and you can also get in touch with locally licensed health insurance agents. There’s no cost or obligation. Look at the quotes, and when you talk with the agents tell them what you want and what you want to spend. If you don’t’ like what they return to you with, you can move on the to the next agent or buy insurance on your own.

You can find MostChoice here: http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm

Hope this helps,
Barnes@MostChoice

Answer 2

Humana is a good and honest company. I've been on one form of Humana or another all of my life through my Dad's benefits, and I recently got on an individual plan. Military Active Duty, Military Retired, now I have a personal Humana plan that rivals their Active Duty benefits.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield is grossly over priced even for those with no pre-existing medical conditions, and Aetna doesn't really offer enough coverage. I'd only accept these if my employer was paying the entire premium, and then I'd still keep back up insurance.

Answer 3

As an Allergist/physician, I certainly have no love lost for ANY health insurance company!! Having said that, it is certainly WORTH purchasing some of that..at least to cover major medical/catastrophic events -- and bring you the peace of mind and financial protection that comes along with that. As for which company...this depends on your location and whether or not you go direct or go through an insurance broker...but start out checking the "blues" *(Blue Cross/Blue Shield) for the biggest choice to take a look at...also Aetna and Cigna and United Healthcare are major insurers nationwide (more so in some locales than others).

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 4

Many insurance plans will make it very expensive and difficult for an individual (vs. a business) to purchase a plan. The reason being, they're less likely to get screwed on payments by a business. (My parents are both self-employed and faced this problem.)

As far as a plan goes, we have Aetna - my parents purchased theirs and I have mine thru work. We've had no issues so far. But, you need to examine what you need. Do you just want it in case something happens? Do you have medical conditions that need to be addressed? Do you travel a bit? (PPOs offer out of network benefits, most HMOs do not, and if you get sick while away from home, they direct you to the ER, even just for an earache, and you can spend HOURS in the ER.) Are your doctors and the hospitals affilated with in the plan's network? Often, the lower your premium, the higher your copay/deductible. These are all things to explore and consider.


Good luck!

Answer 5

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the absolute best in my opinion. I have always had Blue Cross Blue Shield. I could get health insurance through my company but am very satisfied with my current coverage. My premiums and deductibles are also very low and all of my generic prescriptions are completely free (no copay). My copay for a doctor's visit is only $15.

Check to see if it is available in your area:
http://www.bcbs.com

Answer 6

NOT an HMO...you need referrals. Try an PPO they are the best. I like Personal Choice by Blue Cross and Blue Shield!

Answer 7

I have had good experience with Assurant Health. They have been around for 110 years and they concentrate on health insurance. And what is neat is that you can get good details and a no-obligation quote without dealing with an agent at http://www.wavehelp.com/health-insurance/index.htm
Best wishes

Answer 8

If you live in Florida I can help you. if not go to equote they have are great service that is free. If you have a question what to get let me know I can tell you which would be best.

Answer 9

I have United Health Care and its AWESOME..doctor visits are 15 bucks.. ER is 75..and its really cheap and really Great!