People go to the gym for various purpose, but mostly they want to achieve body goal or simply want to be healthier. Other benefit from working out at gym is you can lower your insurance premiums. Actually, if you do not go to gym but doing exercise at home, jogging at park will work as well. Any kind of sports or exercises will do. The main purpose is a health benefit. Health is one of several qualifications for insurance company to determine insurance premium. So, if you are a smoker, drinker, overweight or have chronic disease, you can not lower your insurance premium. The insurance company even might encourage you to have healthier lifestyle. And the benefit will come to you, isn't it?

Life Insurance Health Program

It is rare for life insurance company to give discount for their customer. But there are few of them give discount with terms and conditions. One of the conditions is, the customer will be monitored, like 24/7. The insurance company will give monitoring device that tracks customer's physical activity. Customer will accumulate points through exercises they have done such as sit-ups, push-ups, running, jogging, etc. They will get discount based on their level. The higher the level, the bigger the discount. However, insurance company can cancel the discount if customer don't record any activity for a period of time. Basically, they will know if you are slacking off. 

Health Insurance Program

Several health insurers give incentive that lower insurance premiums if the participants show improvements on their health record. Health insurance company use their wellness program to encourage healthier lifestyle and get lower insurance premiums as bonus. They use tracking devices to measure body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol level at different intervals. Then, the insurers assess overall wellness of the group as a whole and adjust the premiums when there's any improvement.

Company Wellness Program

Many companies offer wellness program and give financial incentive for their employees. The purpose is encourage their employees to exercise regularly and having healthier lifestyle. It gives some benefits to companies too, as they could save cost on health expenses and lower the group health insurance premiums. Beside, the employee will have fewer sick days and their productivity might improved as well. The financial incentives are varied among the companies based on the company's policy.

Make A Move!

Whether you have insurance or not, it will not hurt if you start to life healthier. Have a healthy life is not only give benefit to your body, but also some aspect in your life. Stop smoking and drinking, get healthier lifestyle. 

People may think health insurance is not that important for them who have good health record. However, for others, having no health insurance is quite risky and medical bills can be burdensome. There are several reason why people opt to not covered in health insurance. The biggest reason is health insurance is not cheap. Insurance company acknowledge this, therefore they provide some alternative health coverage in certain area like prescription drug or hospital bills. You can also find some health clinics with low-cost or even free healthcare services.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a program provided by joint-federal state for citizens with low income. The government assessed the people eligible for aid based on their income, asset and another resource. This program can help pay the hospital bills, home care, doctor and other medical bills. For more information, you can visit medicare website http://www.medicare.gov/ and search for medicaid.

Membership Program

Some network of healthcare providers usually held membership program and attract their potential customer by giving discount when they apply for membership. For example, private hospital "A" offer membership program, their members can get discount for their services, such as vision, dental, pediatric, drugs, home care, child care and many more. The members will get membership card. Something you have to understand is this membership program is not an insurance, so it does not have deductibles and you have to pay the services with your pocket.

Free Health Clinics

These free health clinics provide health services for low income and homeless. They usually provide low-cost and/or free healthcare services. Like charity program, they open for donations to run the clinics. Middle-low income citizen also allowed to use the services, although the clinics might charge them with low bills.

Medical Services Program Sponsored by State

Each state in the U.S have their own medical assistance program to help their low-income resident to pay their medical expenses. Every state have their own resources and program, and it might vary between states. This program is designed for those who can't afford health insurance.

Health Saving Account

Health saving account is indeed involving health insurance. These savings are funded by deductible contributions to cover huge expenses. The withdrawn money is tax-free and can be used for almost all health-care services, even alternatives medicines. 

If you are a college fresh graduate, unemployed, self employed, retired and so on, you might need a private health insurance. The reasons are:

Unexpected life events can happen anytime anywhere and if something happen, it will possibly ruin your financial state. Medical treatment can be really pricey without health insurance. Do not think that health insurance is expensive and unaffordable. You don't have to buy a complete package plan if you don't need it. First, learn every type of plan before deciding to purchase so you can figure out which one suit you the most. It doesn't matter if you only purchase a basic plan, it's better than have no coverage at all. 

Next stage is determine your deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. But you need to reflect on your cash flow, if your monthly cash flow is low, choose a higher deductible. After determine deductible, visit health insurance companies' site and check your deductible options. Their insurance plans will be vary by state or by zip code. The quotes on the site usually is the lowest available and assuming you are in good condition. When you decide to apply, they will check your medical record and determine your premium. 

Since health insurance company offer different plan from each other, sometimes it will be difficult to compare one after another. You can limit the companies and choose the plan according to your budget because you need to pay the premium monthly. Also, you have to consider your needs. If you want family plan or employer plan, you also need to consider other' needs as well.

There are a lot of things to consider on purchasing health insurance beside type, budget and needs. You have to pay attention to every detail the insurance company offered. You might want to know about prescription drug coverage, insurance company sometimes only cover the generic ones or specific brand names. In addition professional services like surgery or lab test, hospital stay, emergency room, dental, and so on. 

Health insurance is one of the most important insurance type a person should have. It is really important decision since it involves health issues and money saving, possibly. Enough said, these are things you should avoid when you are about to purchase health insurance.

Give Too Much Attention to Premium And Deductible

If you are planning to purchase health insurance, please pay attention to additional coverage and cost. Do not stuck on premium and deductible only. It is understandable if you only look on premium and deductible to arrange your budget, but you also need to consider other cost and possible situations as well. 

Get Over Insured

Something that attached with word "over" is not good or even worst. Over insured is not good for your financial's health. Sure you will get the best and complete coverage, but you don't need pay too much when not needed. If you rarely seeing doctor, purchase health insurance with lower premium. 

Not Reading The Policy's Print Thoroughly

Insurance contract usually printed in multi-page and people usually did not read it thoroughly. You need to read it carefully to avoid coverage miscalculations. 

Overconfident on Good Health Record

Why I have to waste my money for paying health insurance premiums while I have good health, strong immunity, never visiting doctor and so on? Get rid this mindset. It is still important to be covered to avoid unexpected life events. Who would know that maybe someday (I hope not) you are injured in an accident. You can not be sure that you will be absolutely healthy for the rest of your life. If paying premium is a huge burden for you, buy a most basic plan. It's better to prevent than sorry.

Purchase From A Provider Without Comparing

People often purchase health insurance from the very first provider they meet which comply their needs. This is not exactly wrong, but you will get the best coverage with best price if you comparing multiple insurance companies. They offer different coverage and prices from each other. You don't have to visit their office one by one. You can get quotes online from their site without buying their coverage and start comparing from those quotes. Unless you want specific explanations, then you need to visit their office or contact their agent. 

Not everyone has health insurance, especially in the United States. Although the number of uninsured has dropped since the implementation of Affordable Care Act (ACA) which giving subsidies on healthcare plan, many Americans still choose not to apply or having healthcare plan. Many citizens are not qualified for healthcare subsidies, although many others are qualified, they opt to not participate in government healthcare plan. Moreover, some employers change their benefit program which cause financial difficulties for their employees. In the end, many people did not think health insurance as their needs. 

There are many reasons why they did not have health insurance, such as:

There is indeed a risk (or more) for not having health insurance. The obvious risk is financial difficulties once the uninsured need medical assistance with expensive cost. Another risks are unable to have some types of medical services and have to pay tax penalties.Having health coverage give advantage for people who want to access preventive care for free. Since ACA requires many preventive services to be covered in insurance policies. Preventives care is important to detect illness early before it can develop into critical problem. It also increases the success treatment probability. 

If you have no health insurance coverage, you need to pay your medical expenses with you own pocket. Sure you assume you will not require medical assistance for years, but what if you need to be hospitalized because of accident or sudden ill? The medical expenses is no joke. Having no health coverage can make you fall in debt or even bankruptcy. In addition, you will get tax penalty, assuming you relatively healthy. You might have to pay penalty as high as health insurance premium. 

Having insurance means having protection in our life, especially financial protection, since there are many unexpected things happen in life. Insurance has many type of policies, it would be difficult to choose what you really need. Before making a plan on your insurance, you should consider the factors around you, such as your family, age, health, lifestyle and so on. After that, you can search on the internet or asking a financial expert to get insurance recommendation. Generally, financial experts recommend these types: health, life, auto and long-term disability. 

Life Insurance

Basically, life insurance give financial protection for those who left behind due to death. If a family only have single income and dependent on one person, then having life insurance is a good option. An expert suggest that life insurance policy should cover ten times yearly income. Therefore, if something happen to you, the death benefit will cover existing expenses, funeral expenses, and financial protection. Your family can use the financial protection for any purpose, such as get income by establishing small venture. When you estimate the amount of life insurance coverage, you should remember another factor like if you still have mortgage payments, loans, credit card, taxes and also child care or future college tuition. 

Health Insurance

No one want to get sick or being hospitalized. Being sick or hospitalized, mild sickness or serious illness, both can drain your pocket. That's what make health insurance become important. Health insurance is expensive and finding affordable health insurance without employer program is difficult. However, rising co-payments, yearly deductibles and dropped coverage make health insurance become more affordable. It is better to have minimal policy than having no coverage. Even it is minimal coverage, it can provide some benefit for your hospital stay.

Long-Term Disability

You might think we need this coverage the least, as you assume no one will be disabled. Let's say someone get an accidents in her/his workplace and become disabled, her/his health insurance will cover the hospitalization and medical bills. But nothing will cover daily expenses if they can not return to work anymore. Companies usually offer short-term and long-term disability coverage as part of their benefit package. If the company you worked in don't offer it, you might need to see private insurer. Disability insurance will cover you income when you can't work both in short or long period.

Auto Insurance

If you drive without any types of auto insurance and have accident, brace your self to pay fines, car repair, and medical bills, if you are injured. In addition when the accident involved third party or property. You will pay those damages on your own. Even if you have huge savings, paying those expenses will be burdensome. Therefore, having auto insurance is important as well. 

Any types of insurance is indeed not cheap, but going on without any insurance will ruin your financial status either. Another way to seek economical coverage is checking your employer whether they offer coverage. If they don't, you can always get quotes from multiple insurance provider to get the best offer. Remember to read the copy of policy before purchase and consult with their agents about the coverage you really need.

Buying health insurance can be very complicated and confusing since there are many type of health insurance offered by insurance companies. Especially when you have always been covered under your parents' health plan, spouse's health plan, or workplace. These little tips might help you before purchasing your own health insurance.

1. Checking insurance plans with your insurance provider

Each person must have their preferred primary care physician or specialist, so the first thing you have to do is checking whether your insurance provider accepted your preferred doctor or not. You need to check their other plan and future plan as well. You also have to notice upcoming network change by asking their up-to-date network list. It will be waste if you decide to purchase an insurance which your doctor is on the list but since you are not aware of their change, your doctor in fact no longer in the network. Not all of your current providers accept the same insurance. You might have to replace with different providers or pay for out-of-network rates. And you also need to make sure about prescription drugs (if you take it on regular basis). If you are in this situation, you can always ask and consult with your insurance provider. 

2. Look out the exchange

You can purchase health insurance from two markets: the government market and the private market. Comparing both market can give your best coverage in affordable price. If your household income is low, you may ask for a subsidy to help pay your insurance premiums. However, you need to meet the qualification to get subsidy. You can also check the exchange which run annually. In the exchange, you can get exchange-based plan. 

3. Comparing Choices in Private Market

Use comparison shopping sites or search directly in health insurance company websites. You need to provide your basic information such as your gender, date of birth, household income, household size and zip code. The sites will provide list of plan choices and important details about each plan, such as premium, co-pay, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum and covered prescription drugs. You must buy marketplace plan through the marketplace to be eligible for a subsidy. 

4. Considering using insurance broker

Getting insurance broker can save your time and energy. If you think it is exhausting and take a lot of time, contact an insurance broker. They work independently from many different companies and the most important thing is using them won't cost you any penny. They will get commission from the insurance company whose plan you buy. 

As the title says, is medical insurance important? Definitely. No one plans to get sick. No one want to get sick or hurt. Even when we get sick or hurt, we wish that the medical expenses won't hurt our pocket as well. That's why we need to invest on medical insurance. Why I say investment? Because we won't know when or where we will need medical care. We won't need medical care every time we get sick, but at some point we will need medical care.

Here are the reasons why you need medical insurance:

Insurance claim is a formal demand to insurance company for a payment based on insurance policy. Claim may be filed directly to insurance company or filed through their insurance brokers or agents. Insurance broker/agent duty including sells, solicits, and/or negotiate insurance for compensation. Marsh & McLenna, Aon Corporation, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co and Willis Group are the largest insurance brokers in the world based on revenue. 

Insurance company reviews the claim for its validity and will pay the claim to the insured or third party (broker or agent on behalf of the insured) once the insurer approved. Most insurance company claims department hire a large number of claim adjusters. Claim adjusters or claim handler will investigates insurance claims by interviewing the claimant and witnesses, consulting police, checking hospital records, and inspecting property damage to determine the extent of the insurance company's liability.

These are typically claims adjusters' duties :

Insurance company need to balance the elements of customer satisfaction, administrative expenses, and claim overpayment leakages. The company have to manage and overcome the major business risk, fraudulent insurance practices. It may lead to a disputes between insurers and insurance company and could escalates into litigation.

Medicare

In the United States, Medicare is a single-payer, national social insurance program administered by the US federal government since 1966, currently using about 30-50 private insurance companies across the Unites States under contract for administration. Medicare provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older who have worked and paid through payroll tax. It also provides health insurance for younger people with some disabilities status as determined by the Social Security Administration, as well as younger people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).(source: Wikipedia)

Medicare has 3 type :

1. Part A Hospital Insurance

Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or their spouse already paid for the premium through their working payroll taxes. Part A Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (custodial and/or long-term care are not included). This Part A also helps cover hospice care and some health care.

2. Part B Medical Insurance

People pay a monthly premium for Part B. This medical insurance helps cover doctors' services, outpatient care, some of the physical services and occupational therapists and also some home health care which are not covered by Part A Hospital Insurance.

3. Prescription Drug Coverage

Starting on January 1, 2006 new Medicare prescription drug coverage will be available to everyone with Medicare. Most people choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. This coverage help lower prescription drug expenses and protect against higher costs in the future. Like any other insurance, if you decides not to take a drug plan when they are first eligible, you might pay penalty if you choose to join later.

Medicaid

Medicaid is USA government insurance program for persons of all ages with low income to pay for health care, pregnant woman, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Each state currently having leniency to determine who is eligible for the program's implementation. Medicaid beneficiaries must be U.S citizens or legal permanent residents, low-income include adults and their children, and people with certain disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. This program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.

There is mandatory Medicaid benefits, states are required to provide under federal law, and also optional benefits that states may cover. The mandatory benefits are:

You can read further information about medicare and medicaid on these website below:

https://www.medicare.gov/

https://www.medicaid.gov/index.html

What is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a type of insurance that protect insured from medical expenses. You may choose reimbursement policy or paid the expenses directly by the insurer. Every country have their own regulations regarding providing health insurance for their citizen. Several country provide national health insurance and/or employee health insurance and require the citizens to be enrolled in it. Another country relies on private health insurance. 

Health Insurance Forms

There are several forms that often used in health insurance policy :

Health Insurance in USA

United States has an organization work as a medical insurance group that provides health services for a fixed annual fee, which called Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). They manage care for health insurance, self-funded health care benefit plans, individuals, and other entities in the United Stated. HMO use the term "health plan", while the commercial insurance companies use health insurance. 

According to the United Stated Census Bureau, roughly 55% obtain insurance through an employer, while about 10% purchase it directly. About 31% of Americans were enrolled in a public health insurance program: 14.5% (45 million - although that number has since risen to 48 million) had Medicare, 15.9% (49 million) had Medicaid, and 4.2% (13 million) had military health insurance (there is some overlap, causing percentages to add up to more that 100%). Employers may also provide reimbursement for health insurance purchased individually by their employees through a Defined contribution health benefits plan. Employers are allowed to pay employees cash in lieu health insurance, but this is uncommon as it is subject to strict IRS regulations. (source: Wikipedia)

There are many types of coverage in health insurance system in USA, I will explain those types in next article. In my opinion, purchasing a health insurance is like an investment. Because we won't be 100% healthy in full year, we can get mild ill or worse. It's not bad for having "backup coverage" like insurance so that our pocket won't get hurt too much. Beside, many countries have regulations for its citizen must enrolled in health insurance.