Health insurance terminology can be hard to follow at times, but we’ve broken down the five most important ones to note: Premium – while you pay a monthly bill for your health insurance, the cost of said premium doesn’t necessarily equate to the cost of the health care services. Deductible – this is the out-of-pocket amount you must pay for health care services before your health insurance takes effect. Once you’ve paid your deductible, you still may be required to pay copays or coinsurance until you hit your limit for those payments. Copayment – also known as “copay” is a fixed amount you pay for a service or medication. This is often the way health insurance companies will split the

In a society where health and safety are rapidly changing, having Medicare coverage is of the utmost importance. However, Original Medicare does not account for office visits and prescriptions. That is where a Medicare Supplement Plan, also known as Medigap, comes to your aid. Since most Medigap plans are standardized and can be used with any medical provider who accepts Medicare, having a Medigap plan gives you all the added benefits while staying with the doctor you feel most comfortable with. There are three ways in which Medigap plan premiums are calculated: issue-age rated, attained-age rated, and community rated. Understanding your needs and options will help you determine which plan and insurance provider to choose. Still have questions and want

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law some 56 years ago. A lot has changed in that time, and there are some facts that Americans may not be aware of the health insurance program. Claiming Social Security does not mean Medicare will automatically start. Check your enrollment period so you don’t miss out on important dates! Medicare insurance isn’t entirely free. Hospital insurance is covered at no additional cost by Medicare; however, the deductible is $1,364 for each benefit period with a $0 for the first 60 days of a benefit period, but then goes up from there. You don’t have to enroll in Medicare just because you turned 65, but you may want to. Check what coverage you

If you are in an original Medicare program, also known as Medicare Part B, you are entitled to 80 percent coverage of most medical equipment and supplies. You may be wondering what sort of items are included and whether the ones you depend on are on that list. These items include, but are not limited to wheelchairs, artificial limbs, pacemakers, commode chairs, hospital beds, appliances to aid breathing, neck and back braces, oxygen supplies, and more. To qualify for Medicare coverage, the equipment guidelines are as follows: Medically necessary for the insured Prescribed by a primary care professional Reusable and durable Applicable for in-home use There are a few other things to note about medical equipment – one being that

There are several different health insurance plans it gets a little confusing which ones fall under each category. All health insurance plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, are major health insurance plans.  Here are a few other health insurance plans that you may be familiar with: Health insurance for individuals and families Employer-based health insurance Qualified health plans Catastrophic plans Government-sponsored health insurance coverage – Medicare, Medicaid, etc. While most Americans get their health insurance from their employer or union, many people also get it from the government through Medicare or Medicaid. Unfortunately, many individuals are not insured at all. This becomes an even bigger problem because according to Obamacare, everyone is required to have

Here at Health Plans of America, we are dedicated to helping Americans find affordable health insurance. Health Plans of America is not a health insurance company. Rather, we are one of the largest and most trusted sources for competitive health insurance quotes. Whether you’re a recent graduate, self-employed, working without coverage, retiring, or just trying to save money, use our website for relevant information about all things health coverage-related.