Don’t pay for it

There are so many options for obtaining free Texas health insurance quotes that there’s no reason to pay for one.  If a company wants your money before giving you a quote, then move onto the next company.

Shop around

These days it’s very easy to obtain a Texas health insurance quote.  Simply go online and companies are eager to provide you with what you need, but make sure your quote is coming from a health insurance provider licensed to operate in your state, or from a reputable, certified broker.

The Lowest Price Isn’t Always the Best

While a low cost quote is very attractive on the surface, it’s important to consider value, rather than just price.  If the plan doesn’t cover the services you require, like prescriptions or maternity care, or if it doesn’t cover your preexisting condition, then you’ll end up paying much more money in the long run.  Anyone can give you an inexpensive quote, but unless it’s for a Texas health insurance plan than offers the benefits and services you need, keep on looking.

And a High Price Doesn’t Mean it’s Good

Similar to how a low cost quote isn’t always a good bargain, a high priced quote doesn’t mean you’re getting the best coverage. An expensive health insurance plan can offer comprehensive services and benefits, but unless you’re going to use those benefits, you’re wasting your money.  Make sure the Texas health insurance plan you select isn’t stuffed with services you’ll never use, or you’re just throwing money away.

Employer-sponsored health insurance plans operate under group rates and maintain a one-size-fits-all dynamic.  This blanket coverage results in certain individuals paying for coverage they don’t need in order to subsidize those employees who require more extensive health care.  Since these extra costs are absorbed by all employees, group plans are unnecessarily expensive for certain workers.  Such workers may benefit from an individual health insurance plan, which can be tailored to fit one’s particular needs and budget.

Another benefit of an individual Texas health insurance plan is that it’s portable.  When an employee loses his job, changes his job or branches out on his own, his benefits will lapse, leaving him and his family defenseless against a major medical emergency.  An individual health insurance plan, however, stays in place regardless of a change in employment status, ensuring coverage during tumultuous times.

Since money is tight, the job market jobs remains uncertain and increases in health care costs continue to outpace wages, there’s no better time to consider an individual Texas health insurance plan for personalized, affordable and portable health coverage.

1. Individual Texas health insurance – Purchasing individual Texas health insurance allows you to customize a plan that fits your health needs and budget, without paying for unnecessary items that were bundled into your group plan.  You can choose between a variety of plans, including PPOs, HMOs, fee-for-service plans and even a Texas health savings account.

2. COBRA – Those who leave their job for self-employment may be eligible to continue their coverage through COBRA.  The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 allows workers to extend their employer benefits for up to 18 months after leaving a job, but since the employer is no longer subsidizing the plan, this can be a very pricey option.

3. Join your spouse’s plan – If you’re married and your spouse’s employer offers solid health insurance, consider joining his or her plan.  It may be cheaper than purchasing insurance on your own, and group health plans will usually accept you regardless of health history.

4. Put a broker to work for you – A certified Texas health insurance broker can sift through all the clutter to help you find the best plan for you.  Brokers are eventually paid by the health insurance company you choose, so their services are free to use.

5. Short-term health insurance – If self-employment is only a temporary stop in your career, then a short-term Texas health insurance plan may be a good option.  It will keep you covered at a reasonable price until you move onto a job with employer-subsidized benefits.

When selecting an individual Texas health insurance plan, you can choose between indemnity, or fee-for-service plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), point-of-service (POS) plans, preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and even Texas health savings accounts (HSAs).  Run through the benefits, services and price structures for each type of health insurance plan to decide which plan best conforms to your health needs and budget.

One of the biggest advantages of purchasing individual Texas health insurance is that you have the freedom to pick and choose the benefits and services you want.  Whether it’s low monthly premiums paired with a high deductible, or higher monthly premiums matched with no deductibles or copays, you can customize individual plans to meet your needs and budget.  This is in contrast to group plans that offer broad coverage for a broad range of people, which can result in you paying for services you don’t want or need.

Another advantage to obtaining individual Texas health insurance is that it’s portable. Employer sponsored coverage ends when your job ends, but an individual plan goes with you, so regardless of job status, consumers can rest assured that they’re covered.

For personalized support in choosing the best individual Texas health insurance plan for you, try working with a Texas health insurance broker.  A broker can guide you through various plans and options as well as make suggestions that align with your medical background and health care needs.  And since health insurance rates are regulated, the rates obtained through a broker are the exact same as rates received directly from the insurance company.  Plus, because a broker’s fee is paid by the health insurance carrier, there’s no extra cost to you; and if you need some help along the way, you’ve got a local advocate to navigate the health insurance maze on your behalf.

But in addition to those who are forced to find alternative health insurance, many people are simply choosing individual health insurance plans rather than enlisting in their employer-sponsored plans.  Here’s why:

Customization  &  Cost

Group health insurance offers a broad range of benefits intended to cover a wide variety of people. And to keep from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions, the health insurance company providing the group benefits covers all employees, regardless of their health.  This creates extra costs for all employees, whether they need extensive care or not.  Because of this, group plans can be unnecessarily expensive for healthy individuals.

If you are a healthy individual on a group health insurance plan, you may be overpaying for health insurance and getting less desirable benefits. Consider opting for an individual Texas health insurance plan instead – one that’s customized so you only pay for the benefits you need and want.  You can receive free health insurance quotes from brokers like Custom Health Plans, who guide you through the process of setting up your new plan.  Their fee is paid by the Carrier you choose, so this service for all intensive purposes is free to you so why not utilize it.

Portability

With the fluctuation in the job market, group health benefits can be very inconsistent.  Being laid off leaves you without the benefits that you and your family need, and even changing jobs can render you uncovered for a period of time.  To combat this, many people choose individual health insurance plans, even if their employer offers benefits.  This way, consumers can rest assured that their family will be covered despite any changes in their employment status.  You own it once you are approved.  It is usually a 12 month or 24 month guaranteed renewable policy, which means your plan cannot be canceled for any reason, other than nonpayment. Not even if you get cancer or diabetes.

Because money is tight, jobs remain uncertain and health care costs continue to increase, people everywhere are turning to individual Texas health insurance plans for customized , affordable and portable health coverage.

Short term health insurance is fairly inexpensive for healthy individuals, and you are still allowed the freedom to choose which doctor or hospital you prefer. Most short term health insurance plans offer a wide range of options, from very basic coverage to comprehensive coverage, usually with a moderately low deductible. These plans work like most individual Texas health insurance plans, covering doctor visits, hospital care, emergencies, surgery, lab work and more. And while they usually last from one to six months, most policies can be renewed for a total of 36 months.

There are many perks to obtaining short term health insurance. The application process is quick and easy, allowing most applicants to be covered within 24 hours. This quick turnaround also prevents the insured from having a gap in health insurance coverage, which is helpful when applying for future health insurance.

When life circumstances change, it is important to know what options are available when making decisions concerning your Texas health insurance. Short term health insurance might be the answer for you if you are:

Between jobs – If you’re between jobs, consider purchasing Short Term Medical. For about half the cost of COBRA, Short Term Medical offers next-day coverage to help you bridge the insurance gap.

Waiting for employer benefits – New employers often impose a waiting period before you’re eligible for health benefits. With Short Term Medical, you stay insured and can choose your own plan duration.

A temporary or seasonal employee – When your employment schedule is unpredictable, it’s difficult to maintain health coverage. Short Term Medical offers you prescription drug savings and flexible coverage options to suit your situation.

A new graduate – If you’ve just graduated, you’re probably no longer eligible for health insurance through a student plan or your parents’ plan. Short Term Medical is an affordable way to guard against unexpected medical bills until you secure permanent coverage.

If students do not provide documentation of insurance coverage and submit an Insurance Waiver Form, they will automatically be enrolled into the SMU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and charged a $669.00 per semester premium charge. This premium charge is to be paid in addition to the health fee students pay each semester.  Even though the health fee allows access to some medical services, SMU is still requiring all students to acquire comprehensive medical insurance in order to “make sure they have the necessary medical care needed in case of [serious medical or surgical care requiring hospitalization].”

In addition, all international or embassy plans will not be accepted as valid health insurance. Any other individual health insurance plan considered as valid SMU student health insurance must have at least a $200,000 maximum lifetime benefit per accident or sickness, comprehensive in and out patient hospital care, physician coverage payments, pharmacy benefits and outpatient diagnostic coverage.

SMU Students will benefit if they obtain an individual health insurance quote or a short term health plan plan for SMU students through Custom Health Plans – specializing in Texas health insurance for students for more affordable, personalized health care coverage.  Custom Health Plans has local, knowledgeable health insurance agents who will educate and guide students to the right health plan for both their medical and educational needs!

Who knew that maintaining student health insurance would be a qualifier for earning a college degree?

First things, first…let’s define the difference between an individual health insurance plan and a group health insurance plan. Individual health insurance is a health care plan offered to individuals and their families (not just to individuals) through private insurance companies. Group health insurance is a health care plan sold to employers by these same private insurance companies at a discounted rate, depending on the size of the company (and the number of people covered).

What is not common knowledge is that individual health insurance plans are almost always CHEAPER than the cost of similar benefits with the same insurance company offered through a group health insurance plan!

So why would anyone get group health insurance through their company?

The primary benefits of group health insurance are received by the employee, not the spouse or dependents of the employee. If the employer is paying all of most of the premiums for the employee, then, essentially, the employee is receiving free money toward health insurance coverage. Also, group health insurance must cover every employee regardless of pre-existing conditions; therefore, the employee can save money through a group health insurance plan, if he/she has existing conditions that could deter them from being eligible from obtaining individual health insurance or that could increase the premiums of an individual health insurance plan. Finally, the primary benefit of group health insurance is the addition of maternity coverage. Most individual health insurance plans do not include coverage of maternity costs, though this option is available to be added by most private insurance companies. However, not everyone needs maternity options and why should everyone’s premiums be increased to cover those employees with pre-existing conditions, if you or your family don’t have any pre-existing conditions?

Because private health insurance companies can pick and choose who they cover under individual insurance plans, these plans are usually very affordable and far more customizable to the personal needs of the individual and their immediate family members. If your family is healthy and maternity coverage is not an issue, an individual insurance plan for your spouse and dependents most likely will be the most affordable and most beneficial option for your Texas health insurance needs.

In a time where the cost and quality of health insurance coverage is more important than convenience; Texans must look at other options, even non-traditional ones, in order to protect themselves and their families.

With Texas leading the nation with the most uninsured individuals, it would be safe to assume that a large majority of Texans are experiencing stress over the health care reform bill and how it will be implemented in 2010. The Senate passed the infamous health care bill on Christmas Eve, but now it is up to each state to determine how this law will be enforced and implemented.

As Texas is gearing up for a gubernatorial election, the implementation of this bill and how it will be enforced upon Texas health insurance companies will be of primary importance. Unfortunately, this only prolongs the process and allows for even more uncertainty. Therefore, for Texans, the new year of 2010 only promises more political talks and campaigns concerning the unhealthy topic of health care reform.

So, if the previous year can be described as stressful and annoying for Americans, due to political debates concerning health care reform; then the new year can possibly be described as stressful and annoying for Texans, due to the concerns over how the health care reform bill will affect individual, Texas health insurance plans.

If you have questions regarding your current Texas health insurance plan or to learn more about quality, affordable Texas health insurance plans, please contact Custom Health Plans today. It may be hazardous to your health, if you don’t!

There are some advantages to purchasing your own health insurance; for instance, you can scale back coverage to your essential needs to save money on your monthly premiums.  And you often have more options in choosing your health care policy than when you were receiving employer-provided benefits.

Individuals purchasing health insurance can choose between indemnity plans (also known as fee-for-service plans), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), health maintenance organizations (HMOs), point-of-service (POS) plans and even health savings accounts (HSAs).  This freedom to choose between various health insurance plans available in a variety of cost structures can result in finding the best plan that’s most tailored to your specific needs.

Another option to consider if you have lost your job and want to continue your current health coverage is COBRA, which grants individuals meeting certain criteria the ability to continue the health insurance policy from their prior job, generally for up to 18 months.  Coverage for COBRA participants is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, however, since COBRA participants generally pay the entire premium themselves.  But through a government subsidy included in the February 2009 stimulus bill and amended in a December 2009 appropriations act, the government may cover up to 65 percent of COBRA’s costs for up to fifteen months, making it much more affordable for individuals.

Paying for individual health insurance may seem like an unnecessary cost to some, but since emergency medical care, unexpected operations and hospital stays are so expensive, maintaining health insurance while unemployed or self-employed can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.  To find the best Texas health insurance plans and rates for you, try using a qualified Texas health insurance broker to match an insurance plan with your needs and budget.