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Employee Benefits
Life
Travel

ASSOCIATIONS

Associations

CARRIERS

BlueCross BlueShield
Holding Companies
Pension

CONSULTING

Consulting

MANAGED CARE

Health Maintenance Organizations
Preferred Provider Organizations
Resources

 

 

 

 

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Health Insurance Info Online


Questions and Answers:

From premiums to deductibles, HMOs to PPOs, below are some important frequently asked questions to help you decide on the best health insurance policy available online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Health Insurance Online

Are there many companies offering health insurance online?

Yes there are. In fact you will find an almost overwhelming selection of health insurance offers online. Some of the most popular sites are meant for getting quotes from several different insurers. Shop around to get the best deal.

Is buying health insurance online a good option?

Health insurance is a complex product and involves many complex issues. Online stores are usually automated to handle massive numbers of transactions, and therefore will try to generalize about you, and may wind up treating you more like a number than like a customer. See if the website has a phone number and try calling it. Ask you questions to the operator, and if you are happy with their service then consider purchasing from them.

How do I compare online health insurance plans?

The first rule for shopping for insurance online is to level the playing field by making sure that you are comparing plans with equivalent levels of coverage. Make sure that you will be able to go to a doctor you like, and that any special health needs you may have will be covered, like homeopathic physicians, chiropractic, physical therapy, eye sight, dental, etc. Also be sure to look for information on your rates and under what conditions they may go up under.

Can I purchase health insurance from any company online?

The insurer that you purchase from should be licensed in your state to provide health insurance. You can find out from their web site which states they are licensed to do business in.

Should I get more than one quote for health insurance online?

You should usually get at least 5 quotes from different companies to make sure that you are getting the best rate. You just want to take a little extra time and do some research to make sure that you are getting the best deal, and this means getting at least 5 quotes.

What is the difference between an HMO Plan and a PPO Plan?

The lowest cost plans are the HMO Plans. HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, and these companies are kind of like mass produced health care. You generally have fewer choices of where you can go to see a doctor, and in many cases the level of service provided is lower than the PPO plans. PPO plans let you see any doctor you want and they also cost more. They offer better coverage of more expensive medical treatments and give you more choice on who you want to see.


Consumer Safety and Information



HealthCare - www.healthcare.gov

Provides Insurance options and other Healthcare related information.

AHRQ - www.ahrq.gov

Consumer health information for people with a disease or chronic condition on how to obtain reliable treatment information.

Health Plans - www.dol.gov

Provides consumer health plan information and guidance.

Health Insurance - www.ct.gov

Provides consumers with information about Health Insurance.

Information Center - www.consumeraction.gov

Consumer Action Handbook - Insurance - Health Insurance.

Recommended Health Insurance Websites


Aetna - provider of managed care benefits and dental, pharmacy, vision, and group insurance coverage.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association - official site. Contains information on programs, doctor/specialist lookup, insurance purchase information, and health resources.

Insure Kids Now - information on state government programs offering low-cost or free health insurance for kids in working families.


Health Insurance Sites on the Internet


CIGNA- http://www.cigna.com/
Formed in 1865 as Connecticut General, CIGNA is an employee benefits company in the U.S. and in selected markets around the world.


Other Health Insurance Information


Find Health Insurance Quotes

Visit our Shopping Guides and Credit Card Fraud sections for useful information.

Certifications

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AGENTS AND MARKETERS

Employee Benefits - It's a medical plan provided by your employer to cover employees directly or through insurance. Employee organizations, like a union, can also establish a group health care plan.

Life - Life insurance is a contract between the policy owner and the insurer, where the insurer agrees to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the occurrence of the insured individual's or individuals' death or other event, such as terminal illness or critical illness.

Travel - Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, financial default of travel suppliers, and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one's own country, or internationally.

 

ASSOCIATIONS

Associations - Is a national political advocacy and trade association with companies that sell health insurance coverage to people.

 

CARRIERS

BlueCross BlueShield - The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States.

Holding Companies - A Health Insurance holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock.

Pension - In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment.

 

CONSULTING

Consulting - Consultation and negotiation for initial disability claims, pending claims, and buyouts or termination of claims.

 

MANAGED CARE

Health Maintenance Organizations - A health maintenance organization is a type of managed care organization that provides a form of health care coverage in the United States that is fulfilled through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract.

Preferred Provider Organizations - In health insurance in the United States, a preferred provider organization is a managed care organization of medical doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who have have contacted insurance companies to give reduced rates.

Resources - Resource sites for professionals in the industry and other interested parties. Forums, articles, links, guidelines, and coverage of information technology and its relationship to managed care.