If you are in excellent health with no conditions or medications, or if you are in fairly good health, with limited minor conditions, you should be able to qualify for an underwritten policy. This particular type of coverage is ideal for the time frame needed and there are many large dependable companies that will offer a policy.

If your Medicare benefits begin in less than six months, then it’s possible that a temporary policy will be the perfect solution. Although pre-existing conditions are excluded and a deductible (that you select) must be met before most benefits are paid, the cost is roughly half of other health insurance plans. The major risk is that you would have a very large major medical claim that involved expensive medications. This scenario would be very expensive for you, and especially if you have to attempt to renew the plan.

When Medicare eligibility is more than six months away, then a private individual or family policy will be the best solution. Since you are the owner of your plan, you can keep benefits in force and avoid any gaps in coverage. Once approved, if your health were to change, you’ll still be able to retain your policy, and keep it until your new benefits begin. However, since it will be difficult to change companies, hopefully, any rate increases will be nominal.

If the interruption of coverage is longer than a few years, a more comprehensive policy might be a better recommendation. But if it’s a smaller time frame that needs to be covered, a more low-cost catastrophic contract may perfectly suit your needs.

Since a private plan is medically underwritten, it is possible that the quoted premium will actually rise, due to admitted treatment and/or conditions. The increase could be slight (minor issues such as allergies or high blood pressure) or it could be rather steep if more than one ailment is being treated. And it’s also possible that the insurer could simply decline the application.

If that occurs, there are still a few viable options. The “Risk Pools” provided by each state offer medical coverage for persons that have serious health problems and that have been denied by two insurance companies. If you have been declined once, there’s a good chance you will be declined a second time.

However, to qualify for this special plan, you must have a six-month lapse in your coverage. Yes, it is a bit silly, but I assume that requirement was added so that most applicants had no prior insurance. I don’t recommend going six months without coverage. However, if you have already had a lapse of at least five months, it might be conceivable, although there still is a tremendous risk.

Many states offer “Open Enrollment” programs that do NOT require a lapse in coverage to apply. Often, different health insurance companies rotate to determine who offers a policy during particular months of the year. Rates can be a bit high compared to “Risk Pool premiums, but policies are offered on a near “guarantee issue” basis. Also, there could be a waiting period before existing conditions are fully recovered.

And of course, there may be COBRA availability, if you are leaving an employer. Under certain conditions, your group health (and dental and vision) benefits from your employer will extend for 18 months, followed by HIPAA plan options. Premiums will be quite high since pre-existing conditions will be covered.

Naturally, this option would not be a good choice for persons in excellent health. Also, if you are currently under doctor’s care for a recent surgery, you should not relinquish your COBRA plan. Once treatment is completed and you are recovered, the timing would be much better.

And finally, if you’re willing to go back to work, you may be able to find an employer willing to hire you part-time, and possibly share in the cost of your health care benefits. While this is unusual, there are some larger corporations that might be willing to help.

In a perfect world, you would not have a gap from your current medical coverage to when Medicare begins. But avoiding this situation is often not possible so, alternative policies have to be utilized.

Don’t give anybody your credit card, checking account or other sensitive financial data over the phone. Most  insurers do NOT require you to provide those details during the application process. Once you are approved, and you received written confirmation, it is OK. It is also a good idea to request a copy of your application for your records.

Do ask for help from a live experienced agent when you visit a website. You’ll be shown plan information from approximately 3-7 companies, which could include hundreds of variations in coverage. If the site is reliable, a live licensed person should be able to pinpoint some of the best plan options. They can also advise you what companies are not competitive. You can also ask them if they are registered with the “Better Business Bureau.”

Do check the Company Network of available doctors, specialists, hospitals and other health care providers. Having a great  insurance plan won’t help you if you can’t use the providers you are accustomed to using.

Don’t terminate your current medical plan…and THEN go shopping online for new coverage. What happens if you are inexplicably declined? Now what? Oh…you don’t want to know.

Do utilize our wonderful website, majormedicalhealth.com. The quotes are free. The constantly updated health care reform information is free. The company reviews are free. But sorry. We don’t give out free coffee.

Don’t buy expensive riders if you don’t need them. If you aren’t going to use maternity benefits, then you don’t need the rider. If you don’t need any additional life insurance, don’t sign up for a term life rider. And if you already have dental benefits, don’t pay for additional dental coverage. Same with vision.

Don’t be lured into purchasing a “Discount Plan.” Often advertised as affordable  coverage…quite simply, they are not! Usually there is an application fee (which you NEVER should pay when you are applying for a policy), very vague description of benefits and pressure for you to buy before a “deadline” ends. Folks…stay away from these offers.

Do take the time to look over your policy after it has been approved and sent to you. Do you have enough ID cards? Is the premium correct? Is the effective date what you requested? Are all persons to be insured listed separately on the policy? Is your checking account or credit card being billed in the correct manner?

Do make certain that if you are over age 65, that the website specialized in Medicare Supplement plans and recommendations. These types of policies are much different than conventional private contracts.

Don’t expect pre-existing conditions to be covered if you haven’t had prior coverage for a while. Typically, you may have to wait about a year before any conditions/medications you have will be covered. During that time, try to keep you current policy in force, and of course, continue to get treatment for any conditions you have, even if it means paying for the expenses yourself. At some point, those prior conditions may be covered.

Do utilize your free preventive coverages that are provided by most comprehensive plans. Routine annual physicals, mammograms and child well-check visits are just three of many available benefits. Not only are they free but there is no waiting period either.

Don’t spend any money when you buy medical plans online. If a website wants to charge you money or insists that you “try out a new product” before showing you quotes, then leave that web page immediately. And don’t come back.

Buying a medical plan doesn’t have to be difficult.  Simply follow some simple guidelines, provide some basic information for a free quote and you’re on the way!

Well…we believe the future is bright. The US health care delivery system is certainly in a bit of disarray right now. Rates seem to be constantly increasing, although not at the alarmingly fast pace that we saw in the previous two decades. Although the recent passage of “The Affordable Care Act” has brought us free preventive care and the elimination of lifetime caps, there are still plenty of problems.  And the problems will get worse in the upcoming years.

And a big fat variable in this  insurance business is the expected Supreme Court ruling in a few months on portions of “Obamacare.” After initial arguments are head from both sides, a ruling will be issued on the legality of forcing individuals and families to buy medical insurance. This could also impact the future of the “Exchanges,” which are supposed to be set up by each state to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of health care. Based on recent testimony, there is a high probability that portions of the Act may be struck down.

But back to the original issue. The future of medical insurance premiums here in the US. Based on my 31 years in the  business, I foresee a bright future for both the consumer and the insurer. I believe there will be increased synergy between the two, as future  contracts will blend a combination of preventive care, tax deductions and monetized incentives to stay healthy. Rates may even start to stabilize, and hopefully reduce. Insurers and policyholders will thrive.

The “new” plans of the decade may be a blend of Health Savings Accounts and government (state and/or federal) “credits” that reward policyholders for their good health and lower than expected claims. However, to take advantage of these credits, all required preventive services must be completed. An HSA combines a catastrophic  insurance policy with a savings account that allows the insured to accumulate tax-free dollars.

Just imagine if you were able to purchase a policy that covered preventive services at 100%, and provided a negotiated re-pricing on all other medical expenses. Once you meet your deductible, virtually everything is covered with no out-of-pocket expense to you. That deductible is negotiable but typically is in the $2,500 range per person and perhaps $5,000-$7,000 per family. The rate is affordable…perhaps in the $200 per month per person and $450-$750 per month per family.

But here’s the twist. At the end of the year, your paid premiums and paid medical expenses are totaled. Hypothetically, let’s assume you have a family plan with four persons insured and you paid $6,000 in premiums and had $2,400 in  expenses. The difference is $3,600 and you receive a “healthy bonus” check of 20% or $720. Tax free. A portion of the remaining difference bankrolls the cost of policies that had much higher medical costs than premiums. And perhaps each state could fine-tune this concept to better match the needs of their own residents.

A specific amount of funds are provided by the state and federal government to maintain these types of policies. Could it work? Yes. Is this the future of medical insurance in the US? Maybe. We may find out soon.

What Is Considered A Dependent?

Traditionally, it is your spouse or child. Stepchildren are usually included in the definition although an ex-spouse is typically not allowed to be classified  for insurance purposes. If they are listed  on your tax return, there could be an exception. There also may be an age requirement for the requested change.

How Do I Find Out How Much It Costs To Insure A Spouse Or Child?

We make it easy to view rates from all of the top companies. The top portion of this page allows you to enter your zip code to start the free quote process. Quickly, you’ll be able to provide some basic information to determine which companies will offer you the lowest rates. And you can view information for just yourself or yourself and other family members. You can also exclude any person if they are covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

How Expensive Is It To Add A Dependent To An Existing Plan?

The cost depends on a number of factors. Of course, a single person is going to cost less than adding a spouse and multiple children. Also, rates in certain states, such as Ohio, will tend to be cheaper than other states such as New Jersey or New York. If it is a group-sponsored plan, than the percentage of the premium paid by the employer will have a tremendous impact on your cost. Many years ago, most employers paid the full cost of  many benefits.  Today, of course, that has dramatically changed. In fact, many small businesses provide very little benefits for their employees. Keep in mind that children can remain on their parent’s coverage to age 26.

If you already have an existing independent health insurance policy, juvenile premiums should not be that high. Usually, the monthly cost will be between $25 and $100 per month per person, assuming there are no major health issues present. However, adding a spouse can be more expensive since the husband or wife will be much older than the children.  Also, the likelihood of a major health condition is higher, so the risk of denial of coverage is a possibility. Online coverage is always available.

If a spouse or child can not be added to an existing policy because of medical problems, there are other alternatives. Most states have “Open Enrollment” programs that offered medical coverage to dependents. “High Risk Pools” have been created by the “Affordable Care” Act that could potentially help, if all of the criteria are met. Rates will vary from one state to the next. Pennsylvania rates, for example are only $270 per month (approximately). Most other states have higher premiums. In 2014, it’s possible that State Exchanges will offer coverage. This may be decided by the Supreme Court very soon.

Can A Dependent Buy His/Her Own Medical Insurance?

Yes, they can. However, depending on the age of the person to be insured, options may be limited. For example, if it is a child under age 19, many health insurers will not offer coverage unless a parent is included on the policy. “Child only” health care plans were largely eliminated in 2011 due to changes from national health care reform. “Short-term” plans are usually available although benefits will be limited. Also, many existing conditions may not be covered. Once again, there are exceptions. Highmark offers “child only” plans.

A spouse can easily apply for their own personal plan. The  a separate cost of a plan is often substantially lower than the group rate through an employer. The reason is that often group medical insurance premiums through employers are often very favorable for the employee. But once a spouse and/or dependents are added, the employer may no longer be contributing towards the coverage, and the cost increases.

Maternity benefits are much more likely to be covered under health care through an employer. If this is a potential issue, spouse benefits through an employer should typically be accepted, unless an individual plan is available with maternity coverages. However, many individual plans either don’t include maternity coverage or charge a very high premium for its inclusion.

This type of policy can also be used for US citizens that are traveling to foreign countries and need temporary medical coverage. Whether the trip is for a few days or is an extended visit of a few months or more, there are affordable options offered from highly-rated insurers. And it’s possible it will not be a “name” company. But as long as they are highly-rated, they should be safe to use. There are many reputable rating agencies that we will be happy to provide.

What Do These Plans Cover?

A standard  health care plan covers the most common emergency room and hospital expenses such as room charges, surgery, inpatient diagnostic testing, many outpatient expenses, intensive care, anesthesia and various facility charges. Private duty nurses, office visits and prescriptions may be covered, although subject to policy restrictions. Long-term treatment is usually listed in policy benefits, subject to some restrictions.

However, often there are  limitations on the covered amounts per event or the total benefit for the life of the plan. Typically, the maximum lifetime benefit is between $25,000 and $100,000. Also, often there are scheduled maximum benefits for many items including surgeries and daily room charges. This could be a concern if you have a serious surgery and there are complications. If there is a rider that will enhance surgery coverage, it should be purchased.

What If I Live Here In The US And I’m Traveling Overseas And Coming Back?

Actually, that’s what many of these types of contracts are designed for. The vast majority of persons who travel to Europe, Asia or other destinations, do indeed return! Depending on the type of current policy you have, some benefits should provide coverage, especially for major catastrophic expenses. However, often, unexpected physician calls (or to a specialist ) may not be covered under your personal or group plan. And overseas prescriptions may not be covered. The type of treatment you receive may be unusual as well, especially in Third-World countries.

Many of these types of health insurance policies can provide some of this missing coverage. Although you won’t have the same comprehensive benefits that you are accustomed to, a portion of these physician expenses or prescriptions will be paid for. There will be limitations, depending on the plan you select, and many times it will NOT be cost effective to add limited physician and/or RX coverage. Your main concern should be large hospital and ER expenses. It may not make sense to try and cover inexpensive doctor expenses.

We Just Hired A Nanny From Overseas. Can She Get Medical Coverage?

Usually, she can, although some companies may want her to be a “legal resident” of the state for a period of time. Typically, that time frame is about 6 months. However, there are many health insurance companies that would be able to offer her a policy very soon after she arrives. And once she becomes eligible, if she is in good health, many policies will be available. You should check in advance with a broker before you apply. There is no reason to be denied for coverage if it can be easily avoided.

Initially, she may only qualify for a basic catastrophic plan with very little office visit or prescription coverages. But preventive benefits should be included with no out-of-pocket cost and at some point (perhaps within 3-12 months), a more comprehensive plan will be able to be offered. Each company has different guidelines so it’s always important to research more than one carrier. And premiums will be different, depending if she receives a preferred or standard classification from the underwriter. It’s possible that she may have to provide some documentation of her last checkup.

Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthOne and any regional insurers in your area would be good choices to check. When you request a quote at the top of the page, you’ll be able to view and compare options from most of those companies. Each company will clearly provide their policy on foreign travel and how it affects policy benefits. Not all carriers will offer the specific benefits you need. But we will help you find the best solution.

Who Qualifies For A Preferred Medical Plan?

Although each insurer has a different set of guidelines, there are some common factors that each company uses. The BMI (Body Mass Index) is commonly utilized to help determine a rating. For example, if you are a 5’10” male, you will probably have to weigh less than 200 pounds to qualify for the best classification. A 5’4” female will probably have to weigh less than 165 pounds. Different carriers, however, will have slight variations to these numbers. A few selected companies may vary from these examples by 15 pounds.

Also, if an applicant weighs more than these suggested weight limits, it does not mean their application for coverage will be declined. They could be assigned a “standard” rating, which may slightly, but not significantly raise the amount you pay. But a combination of major weight problems along with multiple conditions could cause an underwriter to deny coverage or increase the premium. Occasionally, a different plan may be offered, which may contain some limitations.

How Much Lower Are Preferred Rates?

Each company determines their own underwriting criteria and guidelines, but generally, a preferred classification is about 10%-20% less than a “standard”  in health insurance. Typically, the insured must be taking no medication (there are exceptions) and have no ongoing conditions (again…there may be exceptions) to qualify for the best rate. It’s possible that a major condition that occurred more than 10 years ago, may not impact the consumer’s premium. The big variable is the wording of the questions on the application.

Many companies offer “modified”  classes that will often provide charges 25%-100% above normal. While this isn’t an ideal rate, it does have its place. Sometimes, there are only a few different classifications. However, a few carriers will have many rate classes…even as many as 10 different ones! Usually, Blue Cross has many tiers while UnitedHealthcare has approximately three.

For example, if an applicant for  coverage takes medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and is also 35 pounds overweight, it is possible the policy will be approved. However, the issued rate may be 75% higher than the original estimate. This “modified” increase does not impact the benefits of the policy, just the cost. If there are other family members applying for coverage, that could be viewed as  more favorable and receive a much more attractive offer.

Other common conditions that can cause the original quoted premium to increase are restless leg syndrome,  irritable bowel syndrome, gout, asthma, seizures, arthritis, headaches, and sleep apnea. Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive list and the severity of the condition will affect the cost of the policy. On most underwritten plan, insulin-dependent diabetics will be declined so perhaps we can suggest other alternatives.

Are Some Medical Insurance Plans Better Than Others?

Yes. The most expensive policies will often have low or no major medical deductible. For example, often HMO plans will contain a small daily maximum expense instead of a larger deductible such as $2,500. Many PPO plans offer low deductible options (such as $250 or $500), which can raise the rate as much as 25%-40%. If you are in reasonably good health, a low deductible is typically not advisable. An HSA may be a better policy option.

Depending on the carrier and state you reside, you may see a “Cadillac” plan that features extra benefits such as brand-name prescription benefits with no deductible to meet, enhanced mental illness coverage and first-dollar coverage on hospital claims with no coinsurance or deductible. These plans are very expensive, so unless your employer is paying the cost, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a policy that costs less. A higher deductible could drastically cut your health care expenses.

Other forms of insurance, such as dental, life and vehicle plans, will also have preferred classifications. But health care is clearly the most intriguing, since in many instances you can change your behavior and improve your own class. When you request to view rates at the top of the page, you’ll be able to determine your own personal rating and compare offers from different companies.

The top portion of every page on this website provides you with the opportunity to quickly compare the policies that are likely to be able to help you cut your costs. Entering your zip code and other information will be required. But don’t worry. We don’t want or need personal financial information such as your social security number.  And it doesn’t take long for you to view and compare low rates.

Recent changes to national health care here in the United States have improved the quality of individual and group plans. But at what cost? Now that there is no cap on lifetime payable benefits and mandated preventive coverage is required, both private and employer-sponsored policy premiums have risen. Additional changes resulting from future government regulations could further strain medical rates. Ultimately, someone must pay for these changes.

What Can You Do About Your Costs?

Consumers can often effectively reduce their medical insurance premiums. Naturally, the most common method is to reduce or eliminate coverages. Typically, we don’t recommend changing your benefits unless you fully understand the impact of the proposed changes and the “worst case scenario” that can result. And sometimes, if you delete a benefit, you may not be able to get it back.

For example, if you alter your private health care plan by substantially bringing your catastrophic deductible up to $10,000, your potential costs (with coinsurance) could be as much as $15,000. If you were to have two major claims in successive years, are you prepared to pay $30,000 out of your own pocket? While the $3,000 (or more) savings per year would have been nice, in retrospect, changing your policy could create some major financial hardship.

Shopping and comparing to find new medical coverage can be time-consuming so it’s best to let the experts do all of the legwork for you. And yes…that’s where we can help! Whether you have pre-existing conditions, or you’re in perfect health, we’ll be able to evaluate dozens (often hundreds) of available plans in your area, and advise you if it’s feasible to reduce your premiums in a way that won’t jeopardize your long-term health care. And we’ll also try to point out situations where your payments are tax-deductible (possibly an HSA).

How Are  Insurance Premiums Calculated?

Actually, there are a number of factors. Of course, your overall health plays a huge role in this calculation. If you don’t have any existing conditions, don’t smoke, don’t take any medications and you have a normal BMI (Body Mass Index), you’ll probably enjoy a low rate. Conversely, If you have been treated for cancer, diabetes or heart disease, there’s a good chance you’re not going to be happy with the rate you are being charged. Some conditions, even cancer, will not substantially impact the rate after a specified number of years.

As expected, your smoking status, age and state of residence will also influence your rate. If you’re a young healthy male in Ohio, you will be paying a ridiculously low rate. If you move to New Jersey, for example, you will see a significant increase in your premium. Also, typically, males pay less than females until about age 50.

We’ll continue to monitor rates of health care providers and publish the latest information that may help you stabilize and possibly lower what you pay for your own coverage.

What Is A Deductible And How Does It Work?

Quite simply, it is the dollar amount that you are responsible to pay if you have a major medical claim. Typically, these types of claims include inpatient or outpatient hospital bills, ER charges and certain other expenses. The insurer will generally pay a large portion (or sometimes all) of the remaining charges. There usually is not a lifetime cap on benefits paid unless it is a short-term plan.  And on short-term plans, the cap is often around $1 million, which is usually sufficient. However, many short-term plans only offer $250,000 of benefits.

If you have a comprehensive health insurance policy, which is sometimes fairly expensive, many of your medical costs will not be subject to high out of pocket costs. For example, most “copay” policies have a specified amount (usually between $15 and $40) that you pay for a covered office visit. Although there may be a limit to the number of covered visits allowed per year, most plans allow for unlimited covered visits. Qualified preventive office visits and expenses would not have to meet a copay or any type of waiting period. Often diagnostic tests and Urgent-Care expenses have small copays also, especially on HMOs.

Prescriptions work very similarly. A catastrophic medical plan will either exclude RX benefits or force you to meet a deductible before any benefits are paid. But a comprehensive policy will feature copays that allow you to pay just a small portion of the actual cost of the prescription (non-generic). Generic prescriptions are generally so inexpensive that you often pay those expenses yourself. For example, if your cost at Krogers or Costco is only $6, you would not bother to submit it for a claim if you had to pay $15. Of course, a non-generic prescription would be more costly and you probably would use your policy.

What Is The Best Deductible To Have?

The best option is the one that allows you to pay the lowest possible amount on the combination of your medical insurance premium and out of pocket expenses. We’ll create a few scenarios to help you understand the concept.

If you are very healthy, have few medical expenses and no serious physical conditions, a higher one is your best choice. For example, by having a $5,000 deductible on the large claims instead of  $1,000, you may save as much as $2,000-$4,000 per year, depending on the number of persons that are insured. Thus, the meaning of this is if you were to meet your deducible once every five years (which is much more often than expected with healthy insureds), you would pay $8,000 more in deductibles but perhaps save as much as $10,000 to $20,000 in premiums.

However, lower health insurance deductibles make more economical sense if the risk is higher that you medical expenses will reach or exceed your stated amount. For example, even if you save $3,000 per year with a higher deductible, if your out-of-pocket expenses are more than the savings, you are better keeping it low. Essentially, each situation is different, and also your health can change quickly, which would impact any potential savings. In fact, you may be forced to stay with your current company if you develop a chronic condition.

What Are The Highest And Lowest Deductibles Available?

Most large insurers will not offer options lower than $500. Occasionally, a $250 option may be available. But the rate will be very high, and even without any  issues, the rate may not be competitive. You may be paying $350 per year to save only $250. Many Blue Cross plans across the country have low amounts. And of course, HMOs often have $0 options.

Higher options are much more popular. The $2,500 and $1,000 choices are among the favorites of individuals and families that purchase their own private medical insurance. However, most companies offer $5,000 options and a few allow you to pick deductibles as high as $25,000. The rate will be low but your risk will be quite high. Typically, we don’t recommend anything above $10,000. The incremental decrease in premium is not that much to warrant the risk.

Can I Ever Change The Deductible On My Health Insurance Plan?

Yes and No. OK…I’ll explain. Usually, on the anniversary date of your policy, you can request a change. However, you may have to answer some medical questions to qualify for a  change, especially if you want to lower the amount. Naturally, if you have any surgeries planned, you will not be granted the request. Typically, if you have no medical problems, you can change deductibles. And, you can also change companies. Of course, if you change carriers, you need to secure an underwritten offer first, for your protection. Otherwise you risk cancelling one policy and not being able to obtain that same rate again.

How Many Times Per Year Do I Have To Pay It?

Most medical insurance policies limit one  per person per year. If there is more than one person insured under the plan, it is possible that the maximum may be increased to two (and rarely three) deductibles. But generally, the deductible is satisfied “per year” instead of “per occurrence.”  A common exception is short-term contracts through selected carriers. It’s possible you could pay multiple times within a policy period. And yes…that could get expensive.

Your Health

How is your health? Do you have serious medical problems that need immediate attention? Or have you received treatment for internal cancer or heart disease within the last seven years? If so, obtaining coverage through your DOI (Department Of Insurance) might be the best choice. Also, your State Risk Pool is established to find affordable medical coverage for persons that otherwise can not find a company that will insure them. Rates will vary. Pa High Risk Pool rates are under $300 per month. Many other states are more expensive.

If you don’t have any serious medical issues (usually, high blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, allergies and most other conditions are acceptable) then the process will be easy. An agent with plenty of experience that represents multiple companies is a good resource. Or, you can make it simple and get your health insurance quote at the top of the page (by providing your zip code). We’re confident you’ll receive the lowest available rates offered by all of the companies.

What Type Of Policy

What type of coverage do you want? If you are mainly concerned with “big ticket” items such as hospital and surgery expenses, then a “high deductible” policy will suit your needs best. The rates are low and policies like this (catastrophic plans) will pay for the big expenses and allow you to sleep at night! This is much better than having no medical insurance.

If you are willing to pay a higher rate in exchange for much better office visit and prescription expenses, then a “comprehensive” policy would suit your needs the best. This type of policy is much more common when you have multiple dependents and the likelihood of many more claims is likely. And you can always change from one type of policy to another, or from one carrier to another (assuming you can medically qualify).

How Much Do You Have To Pay Now

That varies. There are still a few companies that allow you to apply for a policy without paying an upfront premium and without providing any credit card or billing details. In some states, for example, Blue Cross does not request an initial payment to accompany the application. However, many carriers do require you to give them billing information. Often, once the policy is approved, you will be charged that premium. Of course, you can request a refund if the policy is unacceptable to you. And all companies allow you to pay for your coverage monthly.

How Long Will It Take To Get Your Medical Insurance Approved?

Not too long. If it is a short-term policy, then you can expect an answer from the underwriter within a few days. Sometimes you are immediately approved. For most other plans, it usually takes between a week and a month to issue a policy. You do not have to take an examination, but the application must be reviewed. Sometimes, if there are existing conditions, additional information (such as medical records) may be ordered. If you have not had a physical in the last 5-10 years, and you are 50 or older, additional requirements may be required, especially if you have no health care coverage.

However, if you request a specific date for the policy to take effect, generally that request is honored if the process takes longer than anticipated. Of course, this assumes you are approved and you accept the offer that is made by the insurer.

The Insurer Told Me My Policy Was Approved. Now What?

Congratulations! You now have medical insurance! Your ID card will be arriving shortly with a policy that may take you a few weeks to read! But take the time to read it and make notes of any portions of the contract that you don’t understand. Before you seek treatment, make sure your providers are “in network.” The provider list can be found online or provided by your broker who sold you the medical plan.

We have created a “Top-Ten” list to help guide consumers as they get ready to purchase medical insurance. We’re confident this list of recommendations will save you time, money and frustration!

1. Carefully choose the websites you visit. If you see many advertisements mixed in with the content, you may want to find another website. The articles you see should be relevant and fairly up-to-date. If you are reading an article that appears to have just been written, and it is actually a few years old, this website probably won’t help you.
2. State-specific websites are always the best to use. That is, if you live in Virginia, most of the content on the site should revolve around Virginia medical issues, not other states.
3. Never pay an agent or broker a fee. You don’t have to. Agents and brokers are compensated by the carriers, and there is never a reason for you to pay them any additional amount. Also, rarely are there ever any fees when you apply for coverage, although short-term plans may impose a small administrative charge. But they are usually only $10-$20.
4. If you are replacing an existing policy, request an effective date far enough in advance so that you have time to review the new plan. For example, by asking for an effective date 45-60 days from the application date, you’ll be able to closely examine policy differences with your broker. Of course, if you need coverage immediately, this may not be possible.
5. Be aware of “pre-existing condition” clauses and how it affects you. If you are being treated for a condition, it’s important to understand if the new policy will cover your medical costs and if there will be a waiting period. If you take a non-generic prescription, the policy should not just cover generic prescriptions.
6. Don’t invite strangers to your home just so you can view a proposal. If a broker or company can not email, fax or send (through the mail) a specific proposal and explanation of coverages, then find someone new to work with. Most (perhaps all) reputable health care professionals can easily provide the information you need within an hour…and often within a few minutes. There is never a reason someone would have to make a home visit.
7. Only purchase medical insurance from a reputable company. If you never heard of the carrier, and neither did anybody else, it may be a stripped-down discount policy that will provide very little benefit to you. If you are asked to pay a large application fee, it is likely it is one of these types of policies. Avoid them.
8. Check your provider network. You can be paying the lowest rate in the state. But if you have to drive 100 miles to be treated, your policy won’t be very valuable to you. Also check availability of hospitals and other facilities. At least a few of your local hospitals should be included in the Network. If they aren’t, it might be a good idea to consider a different health insurance company.
9. Don’t buy additional riders unless you have carefully reviewed their cost and benefit. Supplemental accident, life, dental, vision and maternity are a few of the most popular add-ons to policies. If they’re not cost-effective for you, then take a pass. Most riders can be added at a later date so it’s not imperative to make a rushed decision on them. Often (not all of the time), they are not a good buy.
10.   Don’t do it alone! Websites like this, which provide free quotes and information, are great tools that can only help you. You buy medical coverage every few years while we help thousands of individuals and families each month. We can help! Use the “Get Free Quotes” space on this page.

We help consumers purchase medical insurance plans at the best possible rates. There are never any fees for the help we provide and you can always contact us with your health care concerns or questions. Our goal is to save you money by finding the best available coverage for you.