| When it comes to health insurance in the | | | | In California with all the insurance |
| state of California there are definitely a | | | | companies to choose from, insurance companies |
| lot of options available. The competition | | | | are constantly introducing new plans to be |
| between the insurance companies for your | | | | more competitive. That does not mean that |
| business is fears, even though it might not | | | | suddenly they just decided one day that they |
| seem that way when considering monthly | | | | don't want to make money and that they don't |
| premiums. The reason for the completion | | | | want to stay in business. New plans that are |
| between the insurance companies in the sate | | | | being introduced and some have been available |
| of California is California laws and the size | | | | since late nineties. Today consumer needs to |
| of the population. Laws in California | | | | be educated when choosing a health plans |
| surprisingly make it much more affordable and | | | | since plans that are offered today give you |
| easier to get health insurance than in states | | | | flexibility to get a plan where it covers |
| like Washington and New York. Where average | | | | only what you think is important to you. It |
| premium is three times of what it is in | | | | could be a scary proposition since how can |
| California. The problem with laws in | | | | you possibly know what you really going to |
| California is that insurance company can | | | | need coverage for. In most cases with all the |
| decline and charge more money anyone with any | | | | big name insurance companies, the flexibility |
| medical issue. It is a win solution if you | | | | of the health coverage only applies to |
| are healthy and almost no solution if you | | | | preventative care. Every plan has a number |
| have medical issues. If you do not work for a | | | | called "maximum out of pocket" that should be |
| company and do not have group plan available | | | | considered all the time when comparing health |
| to you then your only options of getting | | | | plans. That number represents the maximum |
| health insurance in California is thought | | | | dollar amount you can be out of pocket in any |
| program called MRMIP. It is a California | | | | given year for all the medical expenses |
| state sponsored high risk group health | | | | before insurance company starts paying for |
| insurance plan that anyone can join with | | | | everything at one hundred percent. There are |
| medical issues. It is a limited health plan | | | | some really cheap plans offered from every |
| and is very expensive. | | | | major insurance company where nothing gets |
| | | | applies to this number except in case of |
| When is comes to choosing a health plans in | | | | catastrophic even where you end up in the |
| the state of California one generalization we | | | | hospital. Then insurance company starts |
| can make to make it easier to choose and | | | | paying at one hundred percent after your |
| compare plans. That if it is a large | | | | hospital bill reached that number called |
| insurance company with over one million | | | | "maximum out of pocket". |
| people insured than the cost of the insurance | | | | |
| is going to be pretty close to being the | | | | The great thing is that insurance companies |
| same. That means that no matter which company | | | | are getting smarter and give us the consumers |
| you are comparing it the cost of insurance is | | | | the option to have the health plan we want |
| going to be very close to being the same. | | | | with monthly premium we can afford. When |
| This includes companies like Aetna, Assurant, | | | | working with agent or representative and you |
| Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Celtic, HealthNet, | | | | get a quote ask him or her what is not |
| PacifiCare, Nationwide and Kaiser is going to | | | | covered with this plan versus the plans that |
| be exception because it only offers HMO type | | | | cost more money. Insurance agents get paid by |
| of plans. Cost of insurance meant that you | | | | the insurance companies and come at no cost |
| are going to get so much coverage for every | | | | to you. Therefore do not be afraid calling an |
| dollar that you are going to spend with the | | | | agent or agency and asking them questions. It |
| insurance company. You have to consider this | | | | always makes sense to go through agency or |
| when comparing health insurance plans. When | | | | independent agent since they can assist you |
| you are looking at a plan from one company | | | | with any health insurance company in the |
| that you think you are getting this "greatest | | | | state of California. Also your agent or |
| deal", when you are actually are not getting | | | | agency is going to be there for you incase |
| something. Insurance companies are in | | | | you have any issues with billing or claims. |
| constant competition on who can create a more | | | | It's your agent's responsibility to take care |
| of a creative plan. What that means is that | | | | of you if there is a need, take advantage of |
| there is a reason why one plan is much more | | | | your agent. |
| per month than the other plan from different | | | | |
| insurance company even though the benefits | | | | Dennis Alexander - leading consultant for |
| might look identical. | | | | employer group and individual/family health |
| | | | insurance. |