Some Available Options

• National Plans (Internet) - There are a variety of national plans available. With the success of the internet and the availability it has provided to do business regardless of distance, insurance companies are able to over services to all parts of the country. A national insurance company such as the company Performax, will commonly have a locally recognized underwriter (in this case Performax's underwriter is Beech Street). This way you can receive local help in whatever state you happen to be in. Below are a few other nationally recognized insurance companies and their website information.
  
  • E-Health Insurance - www.ehealthinsurance.com
  
  
  • United Health Care - www.uhc.com
  
  
  • Aetna - www.aetna.com


• Local Plans - Local plans may be more familiar to you. For example, in Utah a major health insurance company is Intermountain Health Care. Intermountain covers areas mostly in Utah and Idaho. This means that most providers in these states accept Intermountain but fewer and fewer providers outside of the state will accept this policy

A quick interpretation of what all this means in terms of affordability is that local plans tend to have lower premiums but fewer national options and national plans tend to have slightly higher premiums but more options.

Insurance Agent - If you need help sorting out all of the insurance options that are available to you may consider consulting with an insurance agent. Insurance agents are paid by the companies that they represent and are therefore cost-effective sources of information. Be sure, however, that you consider all of the information provided objectively and that you are not pushed to commit to an insurance policy that you are not fully comfortable with.

Supplemental Plans - If a full coverage insurance policy is out of your budget, consider a supplemental plan or two instead. Supplemental plans are meant to supplement regular healthcare insurance but don't have to be used in conjunction with a policy. For example, if you are looking for insurance to cover you just in case you are hospitalized, you can buy a supplemental plan that just covers hospitalization.

Pre-Existing Conditions - Keep in mind that health insurance companies must look to protect their bottom line and are less likely to offer you coverage if you have pre-existing health conditions that would make you a more high risk patient. You can expect to either be denied or have to pay much higher premiums if you are not in good health.

Can you afford not to have insurance?

• Acceptance with exceptions


• Acceptance but with an increase rate


• Government help (Medicaid) - If you are really in a bind and meet government establish income limits you may be eligible to receive Medicaid insurance. Medicaid is a U.S. government program that is financed by federal, state, and local funds. Medicaid provides the health benefits of hospitalization and medical insurance for individuals who are in a low income situation. Not all who apply will qualify for Medicaid and the application process can be quite lengthy. However the benefits provided for those who do qualify are very generous. Medicaid benefits must be relinquished as soon as other healthcare options are available. Therefore, Medicaid is not meant to be a long term healthcare solution.