What You Need To Know About Health Insurance
It's true that you can always use some good tips on health insurance to make sure you get the right coverage at the right price and you will find some practical tips in this article to make that a reality. You don't need to do it on your own if you take advantage of this helpful advice.
When considering a health care insurance plan from your employer, be weary of certain incentive based plans that attempt to lure you. These may seem attractive at first, but there may be hidden costs or loss of previous benefits. Always read the contract thoroughly and do not be afraid to ask questions about anything you are uncertain about.
One of the most basic tips about insurance is quite simple: never, ever put yourself in a situation where you have no insurance at all. Even if it means paying extra to your former employer to stay on COBRA, you never want to be without health insurance. Too many contingencies could come up that would very quickly put you in a precarious situation. The same is true for auto insurance: never drive uninsured. It's against the law in many states, so it isn't just a bad idea; in many places it is actually a crime.
Be realistic with your health care costs. If you know you may have difficulty affording a health care policy, you may want to opt for a lower cost one. While it may not offer as much coverage, it is better than having your insurance lapse because you could not afford to pay your premiums.
Medical insurance is a must have today. With premiums so high, it can seem like it is impossible to get a good rate. It is not hard if you stay as healthy as possible and reduce your risks to serious injury and disease. The fewer pre-existing conditions that you have and quitting dangerous habits can lower what you will pay in total costs towards your medical insurance.
If you do not visit the doctor often, it would be wise for you to open your own Health Savings Account (HSA). Take some of the funds that you would otherwise spend on an insurance premium and put it into your HSA. This way, you always have health care funds should you need them, but you aren't locked into an insurance contract.
Learn the strict coverage details of your health insurance policy. While your policy may state that it covers emergency visits, some hospitals and doctors charge separately for your care. Your policy may cover the hospital's charges, but not the doctor's. If you are unsure about how your company handles this, call them and ask.
The details of a health insurance policy are always changing. That is why it is important you keep up with its changes. For example, you could go to your doctor and find out you need a procedure that your insurance will not cover. For any questions you may have, you can call your insurance company.
You have a lot of choices when it comes to purchasing health insurance. Prior to signing on the dotted line, do your homework and know the options that are available to you. If you have any questions or are unclear about your plan, feel free to ask the agent, as asking for a small clarification early in your plan is much better than meeting an unknown disaster later on.
Make a point to factor in your favorite doctors before you commit to a health insurance policy. Many people have a regular doctor that they prefer. When choosing a health insurance plan, do not forget to check and make sure that they are covered by it. A quick check could save you a lot of hassle later on.
You need to get health insurance so that you are protected, in case anything happens. If you do not have health insurance and break an arm, you will have to pay for the medical bills, out of pocket. A visit to more info the emergency room can cost over $10,000. Most people cannot afford such a hefty bill and end up in extreme financial straits because they did not have health insurance.
Ask for a free trial. As with most things in life, your insurance plan may come with a free trial period. If this is offered, take advantage of it. Normally. this doesn't mean that you get a free month, rather that you pay for a month and if you aren't satisfied you can get a refund. Make sure you follow the guidelines though, such as needing to ask for the refund in writing.
Now that you have reviewed the ideas from some insurance professionals, you should have enough information to locate the health insurance plan that is right for you. Whether you are seeking insurance for yourself or your family, there is a plan available to meet your needs that is both affordable and effective.
Five times you should definitely go to the ER
You feel a dull ache in your chest and are unusually short of breath
Can you be too fit for a heart attack?
Can you be too fit for a heart attack?
Think about: A heart attack. Everyone knows that crushing chest pain is a hallmark of a heart attack. But that shouldn't be the only symptom on your radar. Signs can be more subtle in women than in men, says Heather Rosen, MD, medical director of UPMC Urgent Care in North Huntingdon, Penn. As a result, young women tend to brush off early symptoms and avoid seeking help, sometimes mistaking the pain of a heart attack for indigestion or acid reflux. Watch out for uncomfortable pressure in your chest (not necessarily in the middle—and not everyone experiences this), as well as non-chest pain symptoms, such as discomfort in one or both arms, nausea or dizziness, which are more common in women, per a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. Cold sweats, shortness of breath, and pain in the back, neck, shoulder, or jaw are other possible symptoms.
What to do: Anytime you suspect a heart attack, "err on the side of caution and call 911," advises Dr. Rosen. Once the ambulance arrives, the paramedics can perform an EKG and give you aspirin or another treatment en route to the hospital. Don't go to urgent care or your family doctor; they won't be able to run the necessary tests to evaluate your heart.
You're doubled over with abdominal pain
Think about: Appendicitis or an ovarian cyst. Belly pain can be caused by anything from a bad fish taco to a chronic condition like ulcerative colitis, making it difficult to recognize a true emergency. Confusing matters more, appendicitis doesn't always start with the classic pain in the right lower quadrant of your abdomen. You might have pain around your belly button, be queasy, lose your appetite, or feel discomfort when you move, explains Dr. Fix. "These are all signs of an irritation of the lining of your abdomen, which can signal that something serious is going on," she says. The pain can feel smoldering but will usually get sharper and more severe—think pain you've never felt before.
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/02/health/go-to-emergency-room/index.html
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1epF3asROLV-VbQsc3q4D-KoTPNFSY6wW-ygZRY4xrAo/edit#slide=id.gb305dd1d5e_0_6