Some Michigan Health Plans Lack Proper Coverage

February 3, 2010 at 7:03 am • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

With a variation of policy exclusions, premiums and overall out of pocket, costs, it’s no wonder that all Michigan health plans are inequitable. Then tack on the numerous plans offered by major insurance providers, and the confounding jargon; hence, selecting a Michigan health plan without getting burned with an astronomical medical bill is a daunting task for most Michiganites.

Since, consumers are unaware of the terms of the insurance policies, market research surveys for the health care sectors, gathered from national agencies, indicate a high propensity of Americans purchase policies with inadequate coverage. Add to the mix, the uninsured consumer, who has a checkered medical history, buying a Michigan health plan-and there’s a high possibility that the policyholder will be subjected to paying off a hospital bill for the rest of their life.

President and publisher, Michael Novelli of Michigan Health and Life.com traces the Michigan health plan quandary on the fact that ‘the vast majority of laymen are not educated about what they are buying and with an unreliable insurance agent, trying to close a deal, the consumer is the victim.” The online publication, Michigan Health and Life.com features information about current news events, the health insurance reform bill, Michigan health plans, and complimentary medical quotes, serving as a concise resource for Michiganites in quest of viable health insurance.

A number of red flags highlight serve as caveat to the worthless Michigan health plan. These include:

* Miniscule – Insufficient benefits. “No major medical” and “limited benefit” insurance are two terms, indicating the potential composite of an insufficient Michigan health plan. These policies typically exclude the cost of a major illness, such as a heart attack, cancer, or diabetes. With the average treatment for colon cancer costing $250,000, it is quite obvious that health care expenses are outrageous. Michigan health plans with a $250,000 lifetime are substantially deficient in medical coverage benefits.

* Excluded medical services. Assume that any medical benefit not mentioned in a policy is not covered in the plan. Make sure that the plan accounts for in-hospital stay, physician’s visits as well as any outpatient medical treatments. Also, analyze whether the medical policy has adequate per-day benefits. Certain Michigan health plans impose ceilings for specific benefits. For instance, $800 per day is inadequate sufficient

* Ceaseless out-of-pocket costs. Depending on the Michigan health plan, the policy may not delineate a cap or maximum amount of the out-of-pocket costs. In other words, any co-payments, including doctor’s visits, medications and diagnostic procedures are not credited toward the out-of-pocket expense.

* Amazingly economical premiums. Anytime the premiums for a Michigan health plan seem abnormally low to be accurate, be sure to assess the cost of other plans (i.e. comprehensive and managed care plans. For example, Michigan Health and Life.com supplies several quotes to analyze the best-sized Michigan health plan.

Bookmark or visit Michigan Health and Life.com for additional information pertaining to Michigan medical insurance coverage. The site maintains the latest news, resources and free Michigan medical insurance quotes, online.

How to Exercise Michigan Health Insurance Patient Bill of Right

January 21, 2010 at 12:19 pm • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

Licensed insurance broker, Mike Novelli says: “Comparing quotes as in exercising the patient’s bill of rights is in the consumer’s best interest.” With one in four citizens having a health maintenance organization (HMO) as medical coverage, it appears to be a popular form of health insurance in Michigan. Despite Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan being the state’s leading provider, Michiganites fall short of shopping around to compare Michigan health insurance plans.

Exercising patient’s medical rights by comparing quotes prevents the pangs of unforeseen medical expenses. To ensure that you buy the best coverage, obtain medical quotes from a pool of local insurance providers. An insurance agent, who is licensed in Michigan, can expedite understanding the terms of health plans.

What benefits are in included with the Michigan health insurance plan? Despite Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s basic benefit requirements, specific medical services are not included, which may be needed for individuals afflicted with certain health necessities (in example: cancer, diabetes, mental health care).

How much should the consumer expect to pay out of pocket (deductibles, co-payments for physician’s visits, co-insurance)? Calculate the frequency of needed medical care, the cost of the affordability of the policy to the annual budget.

Inquire about which services require preauthorization. Various medical policies inflict stringent, preauthorization requirements, accounting the policyholder financially responsible for services rendered.

Ask about the protocol for medical services, requiring, preauthorization. Some health plans accompany stiff preauthorization requirements, financially obligating the policyholder to pay out of pocket. Review the health plan’s definition of “emergency room” visits. Remember not all emergency visits necessitate coverage.

In the end, an ounce of prevention and exercising one’s patient bill of rights alleviates unforeseen bills and an inability to maintain Michigan health insurance.

Bookmark or visit Michigan Health and Life.com for additional information regarding health coverage in Michigan. The site maintains the latest news, resources and a free Michigan health insurance quote, online.

How important is it to obtain Michigan health insurance?

November 17, 2009 at 6:48 pm • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

Michigan health insurance coverage is equivocally as important as carrying a car insurance policy. A chronic illness like diabetes, cancer could render someone financially destitute. The financial woos, of unemployment and a recessed economy, leaves many Americans forgoing health insurance coverage.

Between the growing cost of hospitalization, prescriptions and diagnostic testing, it’s no secret that the cost of medical care services. It is the reason that legislators are trying to make health insurance coverage a legal obligation.

Some Michiganites think that because they have health insurance through their employer that they are covered. For others, the homework of finding a low cost plan with adequate protection is too involved.

Although no own can predict hospital bills, there are tactics to buying an affordable health plan. Michael Novelli, an insurance broker analyst of MichiganHealthandLife.com recommends the importance of having a Michigan health insurance before a serious medical complication arises.

Mr. Novelli advises that not carrying insurance today can ultimately minimize future affordable health insurance.

Exercise prudence in your selection of affordable medical coverage. As Michigan health insurance vary from policy to policy. Apply for a minimum of three health insurance quotes from different insurance agencies. To ease shopping around for quotes, find a licensed broker who represents several companies.

Besides searching for an economical Michigan health insurance policy, shop for policies that meet the following guidelines: 1) Select a health plan providing coverage from mega medical costs. 2) Opt for a policy that is effective the day of your first payment. (Various health insurance plans require that new members wait a specified time before taking effect).

Also, be sure that the insurance plan features a “free look” clause, meaning that you have a minimum of 10-days to rescind the coverage.

For additional information regarding Michigan health insurance, bookmark or visit www.MichiganHealthandLife.com in Michigan. The online resource doubles as a library and health insurance quote portal.

The Swine Flu Vaccine Debate

November 4, 2009 at 12:38 pm • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

With flu season coming up, the number of flu incidents is already well ahead of its usual pace. I saw a report on TV a few nights ago that said there have been more illnesses from flu this year than there usually are in a whole season.

Scarily enough, many of the cases (and the deaths) are affecting young children and adults. This is a stark contrast from the usual flu, which strikes the elderly and those already ill the hardest.

Typically, a strong immune system will fight off bugs. This, on the other hand, seems to strike ordinarily healthy people the hardest.

Having said that, officials are recommending the use of an H1N1 and regular flu vaccine each year to minimize the chances of the worst possible impact nationwide that health officials fear. They say this is the best protection against potential infection.

On the other hand, the swine flu is said to only end up killing less than one percent of those afflicted with it. Being that just a fraction of one percent of those will face a death rate, is it worth getting vaccinated from this epidemic?

Others are simply afraid of these vaccines. Very recently, a story in the news covered a woman in the DC area who was left virtually paralyzed after getting a simple vaccination. Incidents like these naturally scare people.

At the end of the day, your decision to vaccinate yourself from H1N1 should really rest on the advice of your medical professional. As someone who has no affiliation with the medical profession, I really can’t advise you on something like this – but, I will advise you to speak to your doctor to ask for the best recommended course of action.

As this swine flu continues to make its rounds, we must learn more about this subtle but lethal illness. Discussing our options will help to keep things in the spotlight.

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Illinois Health Insurance is Non-Negotiable When It Comes To The H1N1 Virus

October 30, 2009 at 8:05 am • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

This year’s flu concerns should heed caution for individuals, who do not have Illinois health insurance. At present date, the H1NI has assumed 20 lives and hospitalized 476. [Source: Illinois Department of Health http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_statistics.htm] Between the sick days, doctor’s visits and other medical necessities, the uncertainties of the H1N1 virus are too ominous to chance until the Obama health plan is finalized.

It is estimated that some 250,000 children in the state of Illinois do not have medical coverage. With the death of a Naperville high school student, uninsured families have a few affordable health care plans. [Source: http://www.allkidscovered.com/]

The Kronishs’ experience with H1N1 was a sickeningly expensive fiasco. When Mr. Kronish lost his job, the cobra benefits for a family of six was too expensive to maintain on a $57,000 annual income. Not to mention, all four children aged eight, 11, 13 and 14 had been a pillar of good health.

After their 11-year old son complained of all the symptoms associated with H1N1, an emergency room visit turned into a 23-hour observation; and, thus a $3500 bill for all the tests and overnight stay. In an effort to prevent more of the same, the remaining Kronish family members were vaccinated, costing an additional $375.

The cost of a doctor’s office visit or clinic consultation ranges from $60 to $150 if one does not have insurance. Vaccinations are $75 to $85. In Illinois all medical providers are required to dole out H1N1 vaccinations to insured patients, directly billing the insurance company. Additionally, various big box stores, such as Osco Drugs, Walgreens and CVS are providing vaccinations in coordination with the insurance companies.

The H1N1 virus exemplifies how a simple emergency room visit and an overnight observation can add up to an expensive incident that a normal Illinois health insurance policy would cover.

Bookmark or visit Illinois Life & Health for more information pertaining to Illinois medical insurance. The site maintains the latest news, resources and a no obligation Illinois medical insurance quote, online.

Should the Uninsured Defer Coverage for the Obama Health Plan?

October 15, 2009 at 10:44 am • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

Deferring today’s health issues provokes tomorrow’s chronic medical conditions With Obama’s health plan in the works, it will be years before the uninsured can expect a government backed policy to take effect. Cancer is a prevalent chronic medical condition, affecting over a million Americans and accounting for more than 500,000 deaths each year. Almost 8 percent of the American population is afflicted with diabetes. Annually, heart attacks account for 300,000 deaths each year. [Source: National Institute of Health] The aforementioned diseases represent the leading causes of death. Obtaining a diagnosis before it is too late to manage these life-threatening ailments significantly influences morality.

As in the case of Bea Levinson (59), she had gone without health insurance for five years. By the time she was diagnosed with lung cancer, it was in its final stage, rendering no hope for treatment. Ms. Levinson’s case reflects the risk of waiting for a finalized Obama Health Plan to pass. Out of the leading causes of death, the National Institute of Health says that finding these complications early could extend life with the proper medical care, long before the complication evolves into the critical stages.

Those, who are afflicted with a chronic illness, may end up covering their own medical expenditures. Being uninsured, many Americans tend to forgo health insurance coverage and ultimately treatment. Inevitably, deferring Michigan health insurance until the final details of the Obama health plan is refined is like imposing self-inflicted euthanasia.

Nevertheless, waiting for the final draft of the Obama Health Plan is tantamount to giving one a death sentence. The misconception that Michigan health insurance is an optional requirement is the reason many fall prey to financial devastation. Regardless of one’s current situation (unemployed, college student or a preexisting medical condition), a wealth of affordable Michigan health insurance policies can be can be customized to meet a consumer’s unique financial and medical situation. Use the following strategies for shopping for an economical Michigan Health Insurance plan:

- Shop for a Michigan health insurance plan customized to your specific employment, health and financial situation. Assess each medical plan, reviewing the specific details of the coverage.

- Protect your health. As it could be another five years before the Obama health plan is finalized, do not defer coverage until the program is refined.

If you’re looking for an economical Michigan health insurance quote, Michigan Health and Life is affiliated with several top insurance companies (Aetna, ING, Blue Cross Shield, Uniare and UnitedHealthOne and more). Let us help you find an economical policy for your budget and health requirements. Please follow our link Michigan Health and Life