Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lose your Job? Interim Health Insurance is the answer

By Jeff Cline

When someone loses their health insurance due to a job loss or divorce it can be a scary time. You should not have to worry about the security of health insurance. Interim health insurance can provide a safety net during these times.

If you would like the security of health insurance until you secure permanent health insurance interim health insurance is the solution. You can purchase as long as you need. Usually 1-12 months. Most insurers will allow you to extend coverage if you need to.

A good way to shop for a plan is online. Many sites offer comparison rates. The plans tend to carry the very similiar benefits, but rates can vary. You also need to consider how you would like to pay. Is your budget better month to month or would you rather pay the entire term up front?

Typically, interim insurance covers the basics. Hospital expenses, emergency expenses, Lab & x-ray expenses as well as prescription. You will have to meet a deductible before your benefits kick in. These plans never cover pre existing conditions. You can not expect them to pay rountine or preventative care either.

HIPPA legislation does not apply to interim health insurance. So if you have a pre exisiting condition they could, decline coverage or exclude that condition. Also, they do not have to renew your policy like traditional insurance does.

Depending on the plan features you are looking for these plans tend to be very low cost. Sometimes as low as a $1 a day. A good way to control cost is going with a high deductible like $5000-$7500 dollars. Many people are comfortable doing that to save a buck since it is only a short term plan.

Here is a good example of how beneficial even a high deductible plan can help you. Carol's plan has a $3000 deductible and 80/20 co insurance with a $5000 maximum out of pocket. Carol went into the hospital for a ruptured cyst. Her bill for the 3 days of hospitalization was $12000. Carol must pay $3000 to meet her deductible, that leaves $9000. She then must pay 20%. So she will pay $3000 + $1800 for a total out of pocket of $4800. the insurer will pay $7200.

To many people decide it is a good idea to go uninsured during these gaps of coverage. Looking at the example paints a different story. If you had to pay the entire $30,000, you could be in financial ruin. $5000 is a much better option. - 20785

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