Self-Employed, Individual, and Family Health Insurance

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEALTH
INSURANCE BEFORE GETTING A QUOTE!!

There's more to a health insurance policy than price.

1. When you are quoted a premium for a new health plan it is based on the ZIP CODE in which you live.

2. Conditions such as High blood pressure and High Cholesterol are treated differently by each carrier.

3. Though some carriers will not consider asthma conditions, others will.

4. Your occupation could play a big role in your premium.

5. Many carriers will not accept people with sleep apnea.

6. Your overall driving record and DUI'S could hurt your chances of getting insured

7. Some carriers rate everyone on the policy as a smoker even if only one smokes, thus increasing your premium

8. You don't pay us - the insurance company does, but NOT until you are approved!

The knowledge that we have, as Independent Agents, is not found in the sales brochures the insurance carriers print. Get an edge in your search for a proper health plan  - call us.

Don't place a life insurance or health insurance application until an insurance professional helps evaluate your insurability. Getting declined on health insurance compares to getting a bad mark on your credit report. In most cases it can be avoided.

Getting affordable health insurance that you need can seem overwhelming in a system that's constantly changing. Our independent group of health insurance specialists is constantly looking for ways to give consumers the information they need so they can get the best value for their hard-earned money.

Navigating the Healthcare Maze - Trying to understand how health insurance works, staying covered, and keeping costs down can be tough with today's often confusing features of health insurance. Not for us, though. Everyday we do much of our work with small businesses and those who are self-employed or do not have benefits at work.

But, it's a fact - you need it. Simply put, health insurance is protection against today's exorbitant medical costs. Without coverage, you risk losing your assets or being in debt for years.

But, do you really want to spend valuable time shopping for health insurance; trying to decipher the differences between all the plans available; pouring over the limitations and exclusions they all have; keeping up with changing laws?

We’re here to help you understand your options and keep costs under control by directing you to the right health insurance plan.

TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Co-payments, Deductibles, & Coinsurance

Most health plans require you to pay some part of the cost of your health care. This "cost sharing" can come in a variety of forms. As the price of health care coverage rises, you can expect to see your share of the cost increase too. When you look at different health plans, be sure to compare the cost sharing provisions to see which policy works best for you.

Co-payment. A co-payment is the amount you pay for a particular service. When you see your doctor, you may have to pay a $15 co-payment for the office visit. If you go to the pharmacy to fill a prescription, the pharmacist may charge you a $10 co-payment. The health insurance will pay some or all of the rest of the doctor or pharmacist's charges, depending on whether you have a deductible or coinsurance.

Deductible. This is the amount of your health care expenses that you need to pay before your health insurance even begins to pay. Deductibles range from $500 to $5,000 or more. The deductible usually runs on the calendar year, meaning that each January 1, you start at zero. As the year goes on and you submit charges to your insurance, you will have to pay the charges yourself until you reach the deductible amount for the year. A health plan with a higher deductible is less expensive than the same plan with a lower deductible.

Coinsurance. This is the amount that you must pay after you have met your deductible. Usually, the coinsurance amount is a percentage of the charges. For example if you have a $1000 deductible and it is an 80/20 plan, that means that you will pay the first $1000 of medical expenses submitted to your health insurance. After the $1000, your insurance will pay 80% of the charges, and you are responsible for 20%.