Tips to Cut Your Health Care Costs

I recently had an experience that opened my eyes to the healthcare system. I have been fortunate to have good insurance coverage for the last 30 years. I am like many others, when the cost of care doesn't impact my pocketbook; I am not a wise a consumer as I should be.

We recently have had changes in our insurance coverage, as many of you have experienced too. We have had some hefty out-of-pocket costs that has set me on a journey to be a wiser consumer.

I found a report by Kiplinger "50 Ways to Cut Your Health Care Costs." I will share a few of the tips here. I have added it as a link on the website under resources. You may explore it further. I will hit the high points. Some you will know and others I hope you will find new and useful.

Stay in Your Network

Insurers have negotiated pricing with providers. You see those prices with providers in the network. You may also have a higher co-pay or co-insurance for providers out of the network, and also a higher deductible and a higher annual limit.

Save at Stand-Alone Radiology Centers

The average outpatient hospital cost for MRI and CAT scans is $1,384 to $1,668. But the average radiology center costs $445 to $725. (Information from Cigna) There can be a huge range between the highest and lowest costs in your area. [Most insurers have tools to help you compare the costs of x-rays and tests at different types of facilities in your area.] Check your insurer's website.

Ask Your Doctor about Cheaper Facilities

Most doctors have privileges at several hospitals or outpatient surgery centers. The doctor's costs will be the same. However, the facility fees can vary by thousands of dollars. This was an "A-Ha moment" for me. I learned after the fact, the doctor's clinic would cost 1/3 the fees as the hospital. I think that is one reason why so many of these clinics and surgery centers are sprouting up.

Avoid the Emergency Room if You Can

You may not always be able to avoid an emergency care visit. However, you may be able to go to a much less expensive urgent care center or convenience care clinic. Cigna suggests using these facilities for minor cuts, burns, sprains, joint or lower back pains, and urinary infections. The average cost nationwide for an emergency room visit is $1,553 compared with $135 for an urgent care center and $58 for a convenience care clinic.

Determine ahead of time, who is in your network. You don't want to be fumbling around when you have an emergency.

Sometimes you can't avoid a trip to the emergency room, but you can still manage the costs as best as you can. You may be in the ER, but you are still the consumer. The triage protocols have employees following certain procedures. You need to be vocal about what you believe is needed.

I had something stuck in my esophagus. I called my doctor's office to ask for assistance. I was told I needed to have my esophagus scoped; go to the ER. Because I presented with heart burn, - after all I had something stuck for hours in my throat - they followed procedures and were going to do an EKG. I was vocal and refused the procedure. Next they wanted to do some blood work. I also put a hold on that procedure. I did finally receive the services I came for and a bill of $4,500. I can't imagine the cost if I had let them proceed unfettered.

Sign Up For Special Health Programs

You may get extra cash or discounts on your premiums for taking a health risk assessment or participating in a tobacco-cessation program. Employers are moving towards motivating employees to be healthier. Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed employers and found more than half offer special disease management programs others may provide a work-out room within their building or pay a set amount towards a gym membership.

A healthy employee is an asset to an employer. They miss fewer days and can be more productive on the job. Costs of insurance are determined by claims. Individuals behavior can make a difference in some health costs. Employers are trying to incentivize them.

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Choosing A Health Plan For 2015

Health coverage is typically confusing. Most of us pick a plan and forget about it until we need it. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made it easier to choose a plan. But we have to get past the emotional aspect of change. Once we do, there should less surprises at claim time.

Easier said than done...

Why? Emotions distorts logic and forces you to make impulse decisions.

Some people pick coverage based on what their perception of health insurance coverage should be. This could lead you into financial trouble. Some will pick with their emotions and will find themselves with a very unaffordable plan, health insurance tax credit subsidies or not. Then you will lose your coverage by not being able to afford the payments.

Price is important, but not the only thing. We have to find a balance between coverage and cost. Lets set a reasonable expectation.

Choosing a health plan is more of a math problem than a benefits problem.

In a perfect world, with money not being an issue, you would choose the lowest out-of-pocket. But this could be a very expensive option. Then for others, having a $6,000 deductible could be very scary. But so is not having insurance.

How do you make a good informed decision when choosing your health insurance?

Here are a few things that you can do during your review:

    Review your medical expenses and usage in the past 24 months.
    Review any anticipated expenses that you are aware of. This could be current or foreseeable treatment; a birth of a child; etc.
    Analyze if it is worth the premium difference to add coverage, i.e. co-pays for doctor visits and the prescription drugs card.

If you are single, it may cost about $50.00 - $100.00 more per month to have doctor visit co-pay with a co-pay drug card. To have this kind of first dollar benefit of co-pays at the doctor's office and pharmacy adds value to the plan, hence the premium increase. Does the $100.00 per month justifiable for what you would be using?

    If yes, then it is worth adding the coverage.
    If no, then take the savings and put it into a Health Savings Account, or to better use. Just keep in mind you are saving money per month when you do use services and the service fees are applied to your deductible.
    Yes - it is insurance. Some may want to pay the difference in premium just for the likelihood they may need the coverage. If that is the case, then add it. It is worth it to you.

Another area to analyze is the choice of networks. Some insurance companies charge less per month to go to their smaller network of doctors and hospitals.

Some policyholders will absolutely require they have certain hospitals or doctors. If you are unwilling to move or review other choices, then you will pay the higher fee for the bigger/different network.

Being a little flexible on doctor choices could save you thousands of dollars per year. After all, a true emergency is covered out-of-network, but only for the emergency. As soon as you are stable you have to get out of dodge and move to an in-network facility. The savings could be beneficial to you and your family.

In some cases, you could be spending about $2,000 more per year just to keep your doctor. This is, of course, before you even use your benefits. Ask yourself, "is it worth it?". If it is, then go with it. If it is not, remain flexible and the savings will come.

Choosing a health plan for 2015 can be easy, if you remove the emotion out of it. If you can do that, you can save thousands per year on your new health plan.

Arthur "Butch" Zemar is a 2014 Broker of the Year Finalist, an insurance specialist, author and President at Elite Benefits of America. Butch Zemar is actively developing informative resources, such as articles and videos that deliver vital information on healthcare reform and employer options. Elite Benefits of America has consultative packages for employers, as well as insurance solutions, to keep employers compliant with healthcare reform and keep skyrocketing premiums under control.

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Common Health Insurance Terms Made Easy

Finding health insurance seems like it gets more and more complicated every year. There are many unfamiliar terms that make it hard for the average person to understand what's covered and what's not under the plans they're considering. Much of the time, plans differ by the level of the deductible and the amount of copay or coinsurance that customers have to pay. Here is an explanation of those terms for a better understanding of exactly what you're buying.

- Deductible. This is the amount you owe for services your plan covers before the insurance company will pay a claim. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, you will have to pay that amount before your coverage kicks in. However, it doesn't apply to all services, which means that some things, like preventative care or doctor's visits, may be covered before you've reached that $1,000 mark.

- Copayment (COP) vs. coinsurance (COI). COP and COI are two ways that health insurance companies can share the cost of the services with the patient. While they both have the same purpose, they're a little bit different. COP is a fixed amount that you pay whenever you get a specific service. For example, a visit to your primary care doctor will cost you $20 every time you go. You may also pay $10 for each generic prescription that you have filled. COI, on the other hand, is a percentage of the cost of the service rather than a fixed number. For example, with COI, you will be charged 20% of the cost of the visit if you see your primary care doctor, and the cost of the visit will vary depending on the nature of the treatment during that visit. Likewise, for a generic drug, you would pay a fixed percentage that would vary by the drug's cost and its tier. Most companies negotiate discounted rates with physicians and pharmacies, which means that you're usually responsible for a percentage of that discounted rate.

- Prescription drugs. The difference between COP and COI can be confusing when it comes to pharmaceuticals because of the different drug tiers. Each health insurance plan will come with a drug formulary to help you understand what you'll be paying for in that area specifically.

While these health insurance terms can be confusing, it's important to know what you're buying before you buy it, and this product is no different. There have been many changes recently in the way we think about coverage, which means that many people have encountered terms and conditions that they may not necessarily understand. Each person is different, and their personal well-being and their required level of treatment and maintenance will be different as well, which is why it's important that you choose the plan that best fits your needs. An understanding of the above terms is an important first step in this decision.

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How To Claim Insurance Policy

How To Claim Insurance Policy

An insurance plan to get us off our worries. It is an educational planning, health, life, auto, insurance, retirement planning, accident, or could be. Fast-paced living in a country where everything is a need to have an insurance policy. In the absence of this much-needed projects can cause you a lot of problems. Imagine when someone in the family is ill, what? Paying your hospital bills could be worrisome and how do you send your child to school without an educational insurance?

Some of the different types of insurance plans for their life and their family are safe. However, the insurance claim also discourages people from thinking about the necessity of acquiring an insurance plan provides negative feedback. Certainly, to understand the benefits of an insurance plan, but that is something that benefits the accused may be tedious and time-consuming. Only if we understand how to work with insurance companies to pay for the damages need not give us much trouble. To fully understand the issues and our insurance claim to save us a lot of problems So, let us take a look at this.

How to file your 4 significant compensation

To file a claim with your auto insurance

1. The assessment of the claim is worth the trouble

If you want to file a claim or filing for an auto insurance claim, before you decide. If you can not afford to pay for the loss, no matter who is responsible for it, then try not to make any claim. What is important, according to experts, a personal insurance, you need to keep your insurance record clean.

2. The risk to get the document

It is documented every detail of the accident, and then back up your story is very important to get the witnesses. The scene of a police record, you must have the support of your argument in a related document.

3. File the claim immediately

You do not need to lose time to file your claim. The question of who is responsible to take care of your insurance company.

4. Expect a call anytime

In the event that your version is expected to call for you to interview the other driver's insurance kampeninunci. Do not forget to document the conversation and ask you to make sure that the name of the agent.

5. In order to get your car fixed

If your claim is approved, then you have fixed your car in case of loss of the body. The estimated loss to the insurance company or the firm of their choice will not ask you to send your car to a car shop.

How to file a claim on your home insurance

Homeless, leaving you and your family in the event of a disaster, to file a claim on your home insurance. If you file a claim, make sure you have your insurance policy. If you have your copy is available after a disaster, and at least know the name of your insurance company and were not able to remember numbers. It is always, sometimes, he is represented by a variety of companies, not only for the name of your agent is not relevant to the agency.

Prepare home for a quick list

It is time for you to buy a home insurance plan is always better to take a video of your entire household goods. Keep a copy of the record-keeping in a vault in a safe place outside your home. It's insurance policies, property title, such as a bank deposit box for important documents is always good to keep

Notify your insurance company ASAP

It damages your policy if you use this feature may avail of the benefit of the reason it is important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Hotel bills, meals and other living expenses such as the cost of repairs will not cover the costs of the outside of your home country. It is essential that your bills will entitle you to receive immediate cash.

Start your suit filed

You claim that you can not be everything to be properly documented. If you have a document that contains a list of objects in your home, you do not have access to your damaged home, so it will be hard. Not only can you re-gain access to your home, you could document it properly. While you are waiting for the approval of the claim, you can make minor repairs, but you can be sure that the record of each disbursement. Do not make any major repairs until your claim is approved.

How to hire a contractor for insurance claim

To take care of the needs of your building or repair Find a reputable contractor. Contractors to grab an opportunity like this does not always take advantage of your concern. They always want to stretch your budget beyond the level of reasoning.

How to file a life insurance claim

After the death of a loved one is not really easy to filing an insurance claim. However, you have to be practical, it is at this point in life. You can spend the funeral, the family needs to pay the bills need the money more than anything. It is difficult to be left alone and to cope with all these problems, but if you love the dead should be grateful if you prepare for times like this. A survivor, we sometimes worries us is designed to give less of a life insurance plan, but we have other things to worry about and we are grieving a loved one, the family of the deceased will not solve the economic problem.

Find Life Insurance Policy

Policy, the policy holder is granted an important document. When you badly need to file an insurance claim. If he kept it failed to inform the party of the deceased have to make sure to look for it. This is a very important document seen or easily identifiable keeper may be kept in a place so you may have to keep in mind. You can have it in the plastic container or large enough to be seen in a sealed container. It is also on the board or lamp stand with your head in the cabinet could be placed in a small drawer in a cabinet.

If you can not find the insurance policy, but the American Council of Life Insurance you (ACLI).For a small amount of write succumb If you are sure that the holder of an insurance policy, ACLI conducts a search to find the policy. Address 101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004-2500 is. A self-addressed, business-sized envelope, do not forget to include.

The number of company policy Contact List

As soon as the number of contact or try to contact the numbers listed in the document. If you personally authorized representative or agent, as well as directly to him and tell him that you may want to file a claim. The company's agent is always ready to help you with your filing. He required application forms, you can drive. The insurance company can offer you waiting for instructions.

Needs to fill up and submit the required documents

After receiving the required form for the insurance claim filing the application, fill it with all the necessary information. Provide the necessary requirements for submission on the other. Death certificate is required to provide you with all the requirements of your application form is very basic. You decide how much you want to live the life of the policy. If you choose to receive the proceeds in a lump sum, or in a form of a monthly pension will receive or earn interest and dividends may opt to just leave the money on deposit.

Waiting for the release of funds

Relative to verify your application information to the insurance company still claiming to be the process for the approval of your fund is expected that it will take more than a month.

How to file medical claims for health

If you have to pay for your medical bills, then you have to file a claim on your health insurance. Here are some helpful tips in making your claim:

Place a classified report

And the accounts of all receipts issued by the doctor or pharmacist to make sure you obtain the statement. To summarize, so it is not easy to understand the insurance valuation. Attach it to your application form.

Fill-up application form with your argument

Contact your health insurance company as soon as possible. If you declare your desire to file a health insurance claim directly with your Application Form will happen to them. The application form is easy to fill up, but someone from the insurance company does not mean you are sure to help you out if there are certain aspects of the application form.

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5 Tips To Get Low Auto Insurance Rate For Arizona

Low Auto Insurance Rate

You can look for lowest Arizona auto insurance rates by vehicle online at the website of the insurance companies here. Negotiate better with the insurance company to get extra discount on your premium policy. The safety features of your car also get you more discounts.

Planning to buy a car in Arizona? Then buying car insurance is also inevitable to make it legal for you to drive your vehicle in the state. This is why many car buyers look for low auto insurance rate for Arizona online to make a fair purchase of the insurance policy. The auto insurance companies online provide instant quotes for various car insurance policies and they also offer Arizona cheap car insurance premium rates in their official website. You can visit the website of the car insurance companies in Arizona to get the quotes and also to apply for it instantly.

The following are seven essential tips to get low auto insurance rate for Arizona online:
Compare the quotes - The quotes for your insurance policy are instantly available online. There are also specialized insurance comparison websites existing online. You can just visit these comparison websites and compare your insurance quote with other policies to get a fair deal.

Maintain High Credit Score - Your credit score is also really essential to negotiate with the insurance provider about lowest premium and less processing fees for your policy. Make sure your credit score is above 700 so that you can negotiate better.

Drive very less - In Arizona the insurance companies offer various bonuses for the insurance buyers every year. The low distance driving bonus is one among the notable bonus offered to the insurance buyers. If you drive lesser distance every year, you can get this special discount on your car insurance policy from the insurance company.

Comprehensive coverage - For getting lowest car insurance rates in Arizona, it is ideal that you knock out certain coverage features from your insurance policy. Getting replacement value for your car is much different from a policy that ensures brand new car if your car encounters any severe collision or damage. Continue to opt for a protective policy while limiting the coverage benefits to prevent paying higher premium amount.

Extra features - The special safety features of your car like more number of air bags, anti-lock brakes and more can gain you more discount on your car insurance premium. Ask your dealer to list out these special safety features so that you can note them and submit to the insurance company to get extra discount on your car insurance. This discount is applicable not only for selected car models but for all models and vehicles other than cars.

You can also look for hidden charges and other charges levied annually in your insurance premium by reading carefully the payment break up provided by the insurance company.

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How My Auto Insurance Broker Saved Me

Auto Insurance

I was in a car accident. Another driver was making a lane change and must not have seen that I was there. So, we pulled off the road and found a safe place to park, take photos and share insurance information. Shortly afterward, I called my provider to let them know what happened and then sent over the images of the damage to both vehicles. The damage was nothing too extreme or severe, but it still caused enough damage where I needed repairs. Given the nature of the damages, it was pretty evident that the other driver had turned into me. It all seemed quite clear-cut.

A few days later, my insurance adjuster contacted me and said the other driver was not admitting fault. Then, I was nervous. I was worried that this claim was going to come down to somehow being my fault and I'd suffer the consequences. However, it turned out quite the contrary. After I had spoken to my insurance broker and let him know what was going on, he pretty much handled it from there. He definitely reassured me that I had him to advocate for me. As an insurance broker, he works for me, not the insurance company. Furthermore, his many years of experience as a claims investigator allow him to communicate with insurance adjusters in a language they understand.

After a few days, I got a call from my broker telling me that I could get an estimate on the damages to my vehicle so they could send me a check in the mail to cover the cost. I was very pleasantly surprised and I'm so glad I had a knowledgeable broker to take care of all that for me.

This is just one of many great success stories when the insurance broker has surpassed expectations. It really benefits the policyholder to have an insurance broker with thorough claims knowledge. Robert Rice and the team at Sargeant Insurance Agency, LLC have that knowledge.

With it being the holidays, you want to make sure not to have something else to worry about. The New Year is around the corner, and it may be the perfect time to evaluate your lines of insurance to determine if your current coverage makes the most sense for your life, that of your family and your business. Make sure next year is your safest year and have the insurance coverage that's right for you so you always have someone watching out for your best interest.

Contact Robert at Sargeant Insurance, LLC today to get your current policies evaluated or add additional coverage as your assets have grown. Auto insurance is just one line of coverage that is necessary to keep you, your belongings and your money safe. Other personal coverage such as homeowners, earthquake and flood, as well as commercial general liability and professional liability for your business are available through Sargeant Insurance Agency, LLC. We work for you, our policyholder

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