Health Insurance

It is almost impossible to live without health insurance these days. With the rising costs of health care, some people are finding it difficult to find affordable coverage. Whether your employer does not offer health coverage, or you are self employed, you may find yourself in a position where you need to seek your own health insurance policy.

Health insurance policies most often provide coverage for:

• Doctors visits
• Prescriptions
• Medical Testing
• Specialized care
• Surgical procedures

Although every health insurance policy is different, typically you can work with your insurance agent to create a policy that best suits your lifestyle and needs. It is important to consider your financial situation AND the health of you and your family members when creating a health insurance policy.

Health Insurance is available through two types of plans:

Group plans are offered through an employer or association

Individual or non-group plans are purchased directly from an insurance company

There are different options that may be available under a group plan or to an individual.

Fee-For-Service plans are often called traditional or indemnity health insurance. The health insurance company pays the bills after services are received by the insured.

Managed Care plans refer to a variety of health insurance programs such as:

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) which are organized systems for health care that provide comprehensive services directly to enrolled members for a fixed, periodic fee. They provide or arrange health care services through a network or group of health care providers.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that have contracts with health insurance companies. The providers agree to serve the company's members and charge negotiated rates. These become the company's preferred providers.

Point of Service (POS) is a health care plan that allows enrollees to choose whether to receive a specific service from a contracted preferred provider or a non-contracted provider. POS plans are a combination of either an HMO or PPO plan with a traditional indemnity plan.

The following are considered supplemental policies.

Disability Insurance pays a monthly or weekly amount if the policyholder is disabled and cannot work. It will not cover claims that are covered by workers' compensation.

Long-Term Care Insurance may cover services ranging from nursing home care to home health care, to providing benefits during an extended period of convalescence. Medicare does not pay benefits for most long nursing home stays or other types of long-term care. Read our 10 Reasons to Plan Now for Long Term Health Care

Medicare Supplement Insurance is specifically designed to provide benefits to help pay what Medicare does not pay. However, these policies may not pay all the expenses that are not covered by Medicare.

Some health care coverage can be acquired through a government-sponsored program.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance benefits for people age 65 and older, those receiving Social Security benefits for disability and those with end stage renal disease.

Contact Tim Shaw Insurance Group today for a free health insurance quote and more information on all of the Florida health insurance policy options we offer.