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.

Basic Michigan Health Insurance Questions and Answers

January 5, 2010 at 8:47 am • Posted in PoliticsComments Off

For Michigan health insurance, the selection of medical coverage entails understanding various legal requirements, underwriting stipulations, as well as preexisting medical guidelines. Refer to the questions and answers to shop around for health insurance.

Are there any rate restrictions? Insurance carriers do not have any rate restrictions; however, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is required to community rate products for individual plans.

What are the underwriting stipulations for Michigan health insurance? In Michigan, all insurance agencies with the exception of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have the autonomy to medically underwrite services.

Is it legally plausible for insurance providers to apply elimination riders during open enrollment? During open enrollment, HMOs and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan must certify coverage, which includes HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-eligible consumers and excludes elimination riders.

Are there strict guidelines for Michigan’s Patient Bill of Rights? Effective since, October 1, 1997, the Michigan Patient Bill of Rights grants patients the right to obtain their medical information and health coverage sooner for conditions that were diagnosed prior to enrollment of the current Michigan health insurance. The legislation does not apply to self-funded health care plans.

Does Michigan have any preexisting condition requirements? Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have a 6-month look-back and an exclusionary period limit for preexisting medical conditions. As for individual policies from other Michigan health insurance plans, providers have to follow a 6-month look-back and a 12-month exclusionary period limit for preexisting medical conditions.

Is there a source for the consumers in need of health insurance quotes to gather hassle free medical coverage information? Any insurance representative, charging for Michigan health insurance quotes is breaking the law.

For no obligation whatsoever, licensed insurance agent, Michael Novelli offers instant, free medical quotes at MichiganHealthandLife.com.

To speak with a trusted agent in Michigan about Michigan health insurance, speak to Mike Novelli at 1-866-522-5953. Or you can obtain your own free quote by clicking on this link, Michigan health insurance quote.

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.