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