How To Get Insurance with Current Medical Condition

For years it was almost impossible to find insurance that adequately covered preexisting conditions. This is no longer the case in the United States following the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which passed in 1997. Getting insurance with a current medical condition maybe easier than you think – in the United States at least.

Current Medical Conditions

According to HIPAA, a preexisting, or current, medical condition is anything that has been treated in the last six months. This does not include pregnancy or new babies. Those are not considered preexisting conditions at all and can not be subjected to wait periods. The only limitation an insurance agency can put on you (and your preexisting condition) is a twelve month waiting period before coverage for that treatment begins.

The Waiting Game

HIPPA also allows for your prior health insurance to be credited toward the twelve month waiting period provided you didn’t lapse in insurance for more than 62 days. This means that if you were diagnosed with an illness one year ago, but remained insured for that year, you no longer qualify for a waiting period and can begin new coverage immediately. An insurance company can not make you wait for treatment or deny you coverage based on that condition. This is true when going from one group plan to another, but things do become more complicated when a large insurance plan is not involved.

COBRA

If you are leaving a job for any reason but being fired, you can use your COBRA rights to continue your current benefits until you find a new job, preferably one with group coverage. COBRA will offer you the same insurance you had at your prior position, even if you are laid off, so your treatments should be covered for up to three years. During that time, you can find a new position or with the conclusion of treatments, lose your preexisting condition status.

No Coverage

If you are entering a group policy without insurance for the prior 62 days, you may be put on a twelve month waiting period – at least for the specific condition. This may also be true if you are seeking independent insurance not bound by group policies or limitations. If this is your case, consider taking the following steps to find coverage:

• Get a clause in an insurance plan excluding the specific medical condition, but allowing for coverage of any other sort.
• See what plans your state offers for those who can not get medical insurance.
• Look into plans and treatment options at county or state run facilities.
• Find a group of other independents to join that have a medical plan. (i.e. Realtors, artists, etc…)
• Get a catastrophic plan which doesn’t cover doctor’s visits, but does cover emergency care and hospital bills.
• Speak with a Health Benefits Counselor about your best options.
• Appeal the refusal – especially if there are additional state laws protecting citizens with poor health, obesity, etc…
• Wait it out. Find a way to make ends meet until the waiting period is up, and then never let your insurance lapse more than 62 days.

For additional information on insurance outside the United States, visit:

http://www.global-health-insurance.com/pre_existing_conditions.php

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How To Get Health Insurance As An Expatriate

When you’re an expatriate, you have special limitations. You also have tremendous freedom, but with that freedom comes responsibly. By moving to another country or losing your citizenship, it’s entirely possible you lost your health insurance as well. There are a few ways to find coverage if you are an expatriate.

Marriage

One easy way to get insurance as an expatriate in many countries is through marriage. Of course you shouldn’t get married simply to take advantage of your spouse’s insurance, but it does make things easier. In some cases, even marriage won’t allow you medical coverage, but it all depends on the laws of the country you are living in, the citizenship of your spouse and the time you’re spent in the new country.

Employment

If you can obtain a visa or permit for employment with a company that offers group insurance of some kind, it is likely that you would qualify for insurance through employment. Of course, many expats head to distant corners of the globe to escape exactly these kinds of jobs, so this might not be the ideal solution.

Expatriate Insurance

Another option would be to apply for and obtain a specialized type of insurance called expatriate or international health insurance. Choosing expatriate insurance is an obvious solution, but can be tricky – especially if you are unfamiliar with the types of insurance plans available.

Choosing Expatriate Insurance

To make a choice in expat insurance, begin by thinking through the coverage you need. While it can be simple to assume you won’t be getting sick or need something like major dental surgery, it might be only your ego or misinformed nature speaking. After all, insurance is most often used in emergencies, and those happen everywhere. In many cases, letting your insurance lapse for more than a month or two might keep you from getting insurance later, even when you return to your own country, so be liberal in your selection – this is your health you’re protecting after all.

Types of expat insurance include: general medical, inpatient (admitted to the hospital) outpatient (doctor’s office only), dental, vision, maternity, chronic conditions, and evacuation. The industry is constantly releasing new packages as we become a more global society, so it important to understand your specific needs when comparing plans.

For example, if you are a woman, you will most likely need general medical insurance with both inpatient and outpatient components. If maternity is not covered in that plan, which it often is not, you will need a separate maternity plan – even if you don’t plan on becoming pregnant; you might not be able to qualify for one if an “accident” should occur. You’ll also need to consider dental and possibly evacuation assuming you have no chronic or preexisting conditions.

Research what various companies offer and compare plans side by side. Don’t necessarily go with the cheapest or the most expensive until you know exactly what your money is buying. Read reviews by others on various companies and plans, and speak with a person about your unique situation. Your insurance can mean the difference between a successful time abroad or one of poverty and misery – be sure you are adequately prepared.

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How To Find the Truth about Maternity Insurance

Maternity insurance is a specialized insurance offering that only a few need, well, at most only 50% of the population needs. Maternity insurance is often misunderstood, especially when it is not included in a standard group policy of some kind. If you are struggling to wade through the facts and rumors of maternity insurance, learn how to find the truth about maternity insurance.

It’s Already Included

In many group policies, maternity medical insurance is included, but you should never assume this is the case without checking. If you have an independent policy, you may be very surprised to discover that maternity is most often not included. Not only that, but it might not be available in your area – at least not through traditional insurance companies. This is definitely something to check before becoming pregnant if at all possible. Read through your policy handbook or speak with a knowledgeable representative to determine exactly what is included in regard to maternity coverage in your current policy.

It’s Easy to Get

It’s possible, but most often maternity insurance is complicated to get if it’s even available. The coverage options vary by state, and by country. If you are already pregnant, it can be challenging to get separate maternity insurance or even a general insurance policy. It can also be challenging for other members of your family to get insurance if you don’t already have it thanks to the new baby’s ability to be put on any current insurance plan for the first thirty days of life. Research your options in advance and find the ideal solution for your family – be it a traditional group policy through a company or collection of independents, or possibly a maternity rider on an independent policy.

I Don’t Need It

Even if you are planning on a simple home birth, there are many other complications to consider with a pregnancy. Delivery may be the bulk of your costs, but even simple deliveries with a midwife or knowledgeable relative can turn expensive quickly if the baby is in trouble, you need emergency care, or a situation such as a breech position baby or twins makes it unsafe for a home or center delivery.

Maternity insurance also covers prenatal and postnatal care as well as sonograms, routine tests and blood work that can alert you to any conditions you or your baby might suffer. General insurance will not cover these costs, and even a twenty-four hour stay in a hospital can cost thousands.

I’ll Pay Cash

Unless you have a great deal of money on hand, you won’t qualify for a cash discount. If you prepay delivery, you can save, but there are additional savings with negotiated insurance rates as well. Even the most basic maternity coverage can cut your costs tremendously. Why throw away cash when you can save it by picking up a simple maternity rider before beginning a pregnancy?

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How to Apply for Medicare

If you qualify for Social Security, you qualify for Medicare. Medicare is the medical insurance plan available for those over sixty-five or disabled individuals. There have been many proposed changes to Medicare recently, but the application process has remained essentially the same.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a government program designed to ensure all elderly citizens of the United States have adequate health insurance. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be sixty-five or older. You may be younger with a disability or long-term disease. You must also have earned coverage by working (or being married to someone who worked) in a Medicare qualifying position for ten years.

Medicare helps to cover doctor’s visits, prescriptions and special items such as hearing aids or insulin pumps. Medicare Part A is free for those eligible, and Medicare Part B is an additional payment of about $50 taken directly from your Social Security check. There is also a program called Medigap insurance which helps to cover anything not already covered by Medicare Part A or B.

Applying for Medicare

If you’re already receiving Social Security payments, you’ll automatically be registered for Medicare three months before you turn 65. If you’re not already receiving Social Security, you can apply yourself three months before you turn 65 or wait and apply in the next general enrollment period following your birthday.

You can only enroll in Medicare through the Social Security office. You can arrange forms over the phone at (800) 772-1213 or in your local Social Security office. When you’re applying you’ll need your Social Security Card, your driver’s license or identification card, your birth certificate and any other insurance you may have. You should also strongly consider bringing your medical records such as doctors and previous treatments, especially if you’re apply for Medicare with a disability.

For additional questions about applying for Medicare, contact your local Social Security office or visit the Social Security website.

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