Future Health Policy to Include Individual Insurance Plans

If an individual works for himself, retires before Medicare is valid or don’t have health insurance through their employment, finding adequate healthcare that’s affordable depends on the state you live in. Some states chose to pass guaranteed-issue laws which forbid insurance companies from turning down someone because of their previous health status. This has resulted in high premiums for the sick and healthy alike.

With new healthcare policies, it should be easy for people to find coverage on their own, even if they have a pre-existing condition. Experts recommend going online and shopping for an individual policy. The site “eHealthinsurance.com” is a good resource and is somewhat of a national marketplace for health insurance policies. It allows the user the opportunity to compare a number of healthcare options. You can also use a local health-insurance broker. Brokers often know the local markets fairly well and can help you join the state’s high-risk pool, if necessary. The National Association of Health Underwriters can also let you know who the member agents in your area are.

Experts also recommend getting a list from the state insurance department’s web site. There will be a list of companies selling individual coverage locally. Many Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans don’t deal with brokers but prefer to deal directly with the company.

A total of thirty-three states have high risk pools that guarantee coverage to people who have been rejected by private insurers. Premiums in many states are limited to less than 150 percent of the cost of standard coverage. In the few states that don’t have open high risk pools, there is still healthcare coverage available through the HIPAA act of 1996. This Act requires that the states provide some kind of coverage even after you leave your job, regardless of health issues. You generally need to exhaust COBRA first. COBRA allows for eighteen months worth of coverage after leaving your job.

Find a new group plan by joining an organization that has group coverage. This can be established trade associations or other organizations. Short term policies provide a stop gap for up to 180 days and work until you get your own, more permanent, coverage. You can also consider health savings accounts to accumulate money in a tax sheltered account that can be used to pay the deductible on a policy.