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Personalized Quotes
This is for people who are seriously looking for the best "fit" for their health insurance dollar
NOW. (For on-line browsing, see Instant Quotes
below.)
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form below. Our independent Florida agents work by telephone and mail. (No one will ring your doorbell.) We will
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If you are currently without health insurance, we have
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Instant On-Line Quotes
Here you can quickly browse one of the Web's Most
Popular online quote engines.
As you view online quotes, be aware that
very different types of health plans, i.e. Temporary Medical, Basic
Medical, and Major Medical, are often grouped together for simple comparison purposes.
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quote now.
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Tips II - Become a Consumer Tiger
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Don't be intimidated by the
complexities of health insurance shopping. Here's some powerful tips that will
make
you a more formidable consumer! |
Seven Savvy Tips:
(1.) Look for the term - Major Medical
- in writing!
In general, a "Major Medical" or "Comprehensive
Major Medical" health plan covers
medically necessary treatment unless specifically excluded. On the other hand, a "Basic Medical" or
"Hospital/Surgical" typically covers only treatment that is specifically included
on a schedule of benefits.
Look carefully at the difference.
"Basic Medical" or "Hospital/Surgical plans serve a purpose and
their premiums are usually lower. However, if you
qualify and you want the most comprehensive protection, look for the words "Major Medical" or "Comprehensive Major Medical"
on the offering brochure or policy.
(2.) When comparing health plans, check the
"Exclusions"
first.
One of the first things an experienced agent looks at in a health
insurance plan is the list of plan exclusions, or what is NOT covered. Often
found in small print, what is NOT covered is equally as important as what IS.
Many exclusions are typical (i.e. acts of war,
self-inflicted injuries, custodial care, etc.), while others are not and should
be carefully considered when comparing health plans. For example, does the plan have a
waiting period for certain conditions? One exclusion of
a "Basic Medical" or "Hospital Surgical" plan is "anything not specifically listed in the
policy."
(3.) A "stop-loss-limit" restricts the amount of medical charges you pay.
Not
all policies include such a limit.
After you pay the deductible, major medical insurance
normally pays a portion of the covered charges (i.e. 80%) and you pay the other
portion, known as "co-insurance", until your out-of-pocket expense
equals the policy stop-loss-limit. Once you've paid your limit, the
policy then pays 100% of the covered charges up to the policy maximum.
Be sure you're protected with a stop-loss-limit. In
a PPO, you should check for a stop-loss-limit on both
"in-network" and "out-of-network" charges.
(4.) Check how a health plan will
pay your medical claims. Look for the term "Reasonable" as well as "Usual
and Customary".
Sometimes, insurance companies will pay for medical
procedures based on a schedule of fees that are considered to be the "Usual and Customary"
for the region. However, if an unexpected complication occurs and reasonable, extra
services are required during a medical procedure from a doctor or hospital, these
reasonable, extra services may not
be covered under the definition of "Usual and Customary" alone.
Complications can be costly, sometimes very costly! Look
for the term "Usual, Reasonable, and Customary" for greater
protection.
(5.) "Test the waters."
Call customer service.
When considering a health plan, call customer service once
or twice and note how long it takes to reach a live person. Explain that
you are simply testing their service response time, thank them, and that's it.
Your agent should be happy to provide you with the phone number, especially if
he or she knows the company offers good service!
Unlike your life insurance, health insurance is an
asset that you're likely to use more than once. If the need arises, how difficult
will it be
to get your questions answered? It’s useful to know what to
expect before making your decision.
(6.) Having a skilled agent on
your team could prove to be invaluable and costs you nothing!
Just because you're frustrated with the complications of
health insurance, you should not allow yourself to be "sold" by a
salesman who knows or cares little about the marketplace. Locate an
experienced agent who can help you
"buy".
Whether your insurance
application is given over the internet, to an insurance company employee, or to a licensed,
independent agent, your monthly premium is exactly the same. So why not use
the services of a independent professional, who by Florida law works for you?
(7.) Activate your memory
when completing the health questionnaire. Here’s why:
The final step in obtaining health insurance is qualifying through the
health questionnaire. It’s important to remember that by nature,
the human mind tends to forget or minimize past or present illness. A positive
attitude can be a benefit in the healing process. However, failing to disclose a
material health condition, past or present, could jeopardize your
coverage entirely.
Medical audits are often done when there is a major claim.
By law, the insurance company can revoke coverage and return all premiums if it can be shown that the policyholder failed to disclose a material
condition on the application.
Never give the insurance company a potential way
out of paying a major claim. Even though this is the last step in the
process, don’t be hurried. (If an agent ever suggests that you be anything
less than diligent and complete, fire 'em!)
Disclosing past illness or injury is not an automatic
negative. Truthful, clearly written phrases such as "complete
recovery", "no further treatment", and "well
controlled" go a long way with a skeptical company underwriter. Be sure
to clearly state the positive.

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