6 Choices for Affordable Healthcare

Author: Rudy Wilson

Serious health issues can cause you to be labeled as uninsurable. Cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and obesity are all too common in our world today. These health concerns are causing thousands to be declined for health insurance. It is a challenge for individuals with pre existing conditions to find uninsurable health insurance or pre existing condition health insurance.

Pre existing conditions can sometimes make you uninsurable and will limit your health insurance choices. However, there may be ways to provide you with coverage. By using creative insurance planning, combined with knowing and understanding what is available, you can greatly reduce the potential financial strain on you and your family.

Let’s say you do locate a health insurance company that will provide you with healthcare coverage. Expect to pay more than someone with no known health problems. Also, the coverage will probably be limited in scope. So here’s the bottom line, if you do find health insurance coverage, it’s probably best to take it until something better comes along.

If you are uninsurable, let’s take a look at some of your options. Listed below are some choices. Which option you choose to explore is dependent upon your individual situation.

Group Health Insurance

If available, this is by far the best choice for those with chronic health concerns or pre existing conditions. This is guaranteed issue health insurance. Group health coverage is generally provided by an employer, so usually the employee has little or no choice concerning the features. The principal advantage of group insurance is that coverage is typically available to newly hired employees without any medical questions or concern for a pre existing condition. However, coverage typically ends when the employee’s job ends. Group coverage can sometimes be available, even for the self-employed, if coverage can be obtained through a spouse’s employer.

Professional Organizations

A professional organization might offer members a health insurance program as a fringe benefit. This coverage could be a way to stay insured if you are uninsurable. Health insurance for preexisting conditions or health insurance for the uninsurable is not easily obtained. A paid membership may be all that is required to start a health insurance plan. You may be required to have certain career experience or a certification. Other associations might accept membership from anyone interested in joining. Even if membership is expensive, it still may be money well spent.

Private Individual Health Insurance

Individuals with pre existing conditions, who are without health insurance coverage from an employer sponsored plan or a professional organization plan, will probably find private insurance a little pricey. Insurers can and do decline a request for coverage from someone who has preexisting conditions or if they are uninsurable. As stated earlier, if you can find health insurance coverage, even if somewhat limited, it’s probably best to take that coverage. You can always switch to a better plan should the opportunity present itself.

State Risk Pools

For individuals who have serious medical conditions, some states allow access to either private individual health insurance for uninsurable or health plans for uninsurable. These plans are defined as high-risk health insurance pools. Individuals in these state risk pools have access to comprehensive private coverage plans. However, the premiums can be very costly, often double what private health insurance would cost for someone who is healthy. Individuals may find enrollment is closed to a new enrollee or the state pool has a long waiting list. These high-risk pools are often the last resort for people who have serious pre existing conditions and are paying exorbitant fees for their insurance, or who are able to meet key state conditions for enrollment.

Discount Health Cards

Consumers seeking affordable healthcare will find many companies selling discount health cards. It is stated that these cards can save you money. They offer discounts on prescription drugs, doctor’s visits, hospital trips, eye care, dental and other medical services. But do they really save the consumer money? These discount health cards can be confusing because they are not real health insurance. Medical bills are still the responsibility of the consumer. The cards offer a discount on services from healthcare providers who agree to accept the price terms. Sometimes these health cards make inflated promises about the expected savings and benefits. It’s best to use caution when purchasing these cards. Often they cost more than the money you save.

Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance

Known as a “mini-med” plan, this coverage may be ideal for those who have pre existing conditions or who are uninsurable. Most guaranteed issue health insurance plans are affordable and cover preexisting conditions after 12 months. Usually no medical questions or physical exams are required to start this coverage. Guarantee issue health insurance is not basic health insurance or major medical coverage but offers limited indemnity coverage. Simply put, the plan pays a defined amount for each service and procedure. Most plans allow you to choose your medical provider and they pay in addition to other insurance coverage. Usually covered are doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospital charges, surgery, accidental death, etc. These plans are not the same as “discount health cards”.

Rudy Wilson is an avid proponent of affordable health insurance and a researcher of guaranteed issue health insurance plans. To learn about the guaranteed issue health insurance plan that Rudy recommends after extensive research,

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