Amanda Said:

Individual Health Insurance Plans - Medical history not perfect?

We Answered:

Do not try to do this by yourself on the internet. Those quotes are for people with no health issues at all and they don't take into consideration any health problems. Every company has different underwriting standards and you may end up hurting your chance to get on a plan.

For example, you had cancer but have been treatment free for 7 years. Company A will not take you unless you've been treatment free for 10 years so they will decline you (now you have to explain why you were declined if you apply with another company). Company B will take you after 5 years with no problem. Company C may take you but won't cover anything that has to do with or is a result of the cancer. Company D may take you but increase the premium up to 80% over the quoted premium. If you do this on the internet how do you know which is company B?

Go visit a local independent agent. This person knows the market in your area and can find the best plan for your situation. They don't charge you anything for the service. Stay away from medical discount plans unless you like getting scammed.

Jeff Said:

Is there an employer sponsored health insurance plan for individuals?

We Answered:

There are ways around it.

Depending on what state you're in, and the nature of your business, you may be able to get group coverage for just you. The easiest way is to pick an independent agent have a sit down and work with him/her.

Without the hundred phone calls? You're looking at spending time online, hunting through the carrier websites for contact information and calling up the companies to get a quote. That's really the only way to do it.

The pre-tax deduction is most commonly referred to as a Section 125 POP, many carriers offer them alongside an insurance plan. You must set up the Section 125 in order to take advantage of the tax savings, however, otherwise you're SOL.

If you're in California, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to walk you through how to make this happen.

Randall Said:

What are options for people that have Crohn's Disease when looking for individual health insurance plans?

We Answered:

You're not going to find an individual health plan to cover your Crohn's. So, it's going to be an HSA, or getting on to a group plan through an employer, and waiting out the pre-existing conditions period.

Leona Said:

Best individual health insurance plans in North Carolina?

We Answered:

Go talk to a local agent, who will know what's good in your area. There isn't much price difference, you get what you pay for.

Start with the guy that does your house/car insurance.

Alberto Said:

Family health insurance plan or individual health insurance plans for each person?

We Answered:

Usually, it would make more sense to have everyone one the same plan.

However, I have heard of circumstances where some members of the family have a separate policy, because of one family member's health issue. The healthy family members can stay on a lower premium policy, while the family member with the health complication goes on their own policy.

It really just depends on the circumstances involved. Make sure to get quotes for each scenario, so that you can make a fully informed decision.

Ricardo Said:

where should i look for health insurance plans?

We Answered:

You need a trusted adviser to help you through the process of purchasing health insurance so that you understand what you are purchasing. Some may suggest going on line to get a quote but you probably already know that there is much more to health insurance than price. Some might even suggest a discount plan which isn't insurance at all.

Ultimately, you are the one who determines the affordability of your health insurance plan by deciding how much you will participate in sharing the cost of your health care with your insurance company.

If you choose a plan that covers everything i.e. doctors office visits, prescription drugs, preventative health benefits, maternity coverage as well as low deductibles and low copays your monthly premiums will be significant.

On the other hand if you and your husband are young and healthy and rarely use the health care system you could consider a plan that covers only the major health catastrophe which will result in a relatively low monthly premium. You then can use the monthly premium savings to pay for the occasional doctor visit and still come out ahead.

Check with the agent that writes your home, auto or business insurance he/she can provide you a health insurance proposal that takes into account your budget and health situation.

Use the Internet to educate yourself but use an agent to purchase the coverage.

Alex Said:

Can you buy two individual health insurance plans?

We Answered:

No, it doesn't work that way. Most carriers require you to agree to cancel your existing policy when you apply for your new one, and if you have two policies one is going to be primary, and the other secondary. You will reap the benefits of the better plan, but where they overlap, only one will pay.

What you might want is be a supplemental or limited benefit plan to go along with your insurance policy. These are not insurance policies and I usually don't recommend them. I think your money would be better spent buying a better single policy, or an HSA type of plan and banking the savings.
Don
http://mtnhealthinsurance.com