SINAI Urban Health Institute

Archive for the ‘Medical Insurance’ Category

Our eyes are the most beautiful possessions that God has given to us. Without this priced possession we will never be able to view and cherish the wonders of this breathtaking world. Thus taking good care of our eyes is one of our primary responsibilities. Along with our own eyes, our loved ones’ eyes also need constant care and checkups. But together with the rise in other consuming goods and facilities, the cost of eye care treatments and facilities are also in rise. This is where we need a proper eye care medical insurance.

No doubt there is a tremendous advancement in technology. This technology has given us computers, television, laptops etc, which has made our lives mush more comfortable and easy. But every coin has two sides, so also the impact of technology has two sides – one positive and the other negative. We have discussed about the positive sides, but its negative effects cannot be underestimated.

Too much indulgence in computers and television can bring a great danger to your precious eyes. This is where the need for regular eye care facilities has come up. With the increase in eye problems, eye care medical treatments are also on a rise. Now, with eye care medical insurances your tensions of paying for high cost eye treatments will vanish in thin air

Eye care medical insurance is different from normal health insurance policies. Eye problems are generally predictable. Therefore eye care medical facilities do not cover emergency treatments.

There are usually two plans that come under eye care medical insurance.

The first plan comprises of the basic eye care relief or treatment. But it does not include the cost of extensive or any high-priced eye treatment. This is covered under the second plan.

The second plan therefore comprises coverage for eye surgeries like LASIK surgery or any other retinal or cornea surgery. Such plans may generally demand a substantially higher premium than the first plan.

Most vision insurance plans require you to get your check-ups from optometrists registered with the insurance company. Your prescription glasses also need to be bought from the opticians who are included in the specific network stated by the insurance company.

No doubt there is a tremendous advancement in technology. This technology has given us computers, television, laptops etc, which has made our lives mush more comfortable and easy. But every coin has two sides, so also the impact of technology has two sides – one positive and the other negative. We have discussed about the positive sides, but its negative effects cannot be underestimated.

Too much indulgence in computers and television can bring a great danger to your precious eyes. This is where the need for regular eye care facilities has come up. With the increase in eye problems, eye care medical treatments are also on a rise. Now, with eye care medical insurances your tensions of paying for high cost eye treatments will vanish in thin air.

Eye care medical insurances come in group, family or individual categories. Most of the times it is an employer that provides for eye care medical facilities. But it can be bought by individuals for himself or his family.

It is one of the most important jobs to compare various quotes available in the market of vision insurance. Almost all companies now have internet facilities and they have provided all information in the net. All you have to do is go online and search for the perfect quote that will suit you and your family members.

Visiting the US from a foreign country can be an expensive experience if you’re suddenly taken seriously ill in Amoco or fallen down a ridge and broken your leg while touring the Grand Canyon. Healthcare in the United States is not subsidised by the Federal Government and hospitalisation in America can burn a huge hole in your pocket. With a Visitors Medical Insurance, you’ll be well protected from astronomical medical bills.

The right coverage

Before commencing your trip to the US, study the types of insurance policies available to cover any medical eventuality while travelling in the country. You should consider whether the costs of consulting a medical practitioner and purchasing prescription medicine are included in your policy. Unplanned emergencies like food poisoning or a fractured arm could easily occur and you’ll need to ensure that the medical expenses related to your urgent needs are indemnified. In most cases however, you would not be able to claim the costs of treating health conditions that you already have prior to coming to the States, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

How visitors insurance helps

Let’s say that you have to be admitted for emergency medical treatment or surgery at a hospital. Each day you’re attended to by doctors and hospital staff would significantly add to your final bill. The sheer worry of how you’re going to settle the charges would affect your ability to recuperate. If you’re protected by insurance, the burden is shifted to the insurance company and you can concentrate your energies on a speedy recovery.

What you need to know

The medical insurance procedures in the US could differ from those practised in your country of origin. Familiarising yourself with the processes involved would assist you in handling your medical emergency better.

* Insurance plan. You need to first purchase the correct insurance policy for your particular requirements. Be aware of what sort of medical contingency is covered by your plan. The premium payable is greater for total medical coverage compared to selected emergencies. Decide on what you want indemnity for.

* Insurance identification card. You’ll be promptly provided with an identification card after you purchase the policy. Check that your name and other details are printed correctly. They must match your passport exactly because the card will be used to convince medical administrative officials that you have adequate health insurance upon admission.

* Toll free numbers. These are included for your convenience to enable you to quickly contact the nearest health facility in case of a medical emergency.

* Indemnity. Some policies require you to settle the hospital bill first and claim a reimbursement later. Alternatively, you may want to select a plan that allows you to submit the necessary documents to the insurance company and payment will subsequently be released to the hospital.

Your trip to the US does not have to cost you an arm and a leg when you meet with an accident while crossing the road. With a Visitors Medical Insurance you will be well protected from the hazard of paying prohibitive hospital fees.

There are many options for you in medical insurance and you’ll find that there is no one plan that offers everything you will need. All plans differ in what is offered, what you have to pay, and how easy the services are to access. However, the following information will help you to determine what is the best medical insurance coverage for you and your family.

First of all, you will find that medical insurance plans are either that of indemnity, which are basically fee-for-service plans or managed care, which is basically an agreement to have a certain doctor look after your needs. Both of these plans have a different approach to your medical insurance.

With medical insurance under an indemnity plan, you’ll find that you will have much higher costs out of your pocket and how you pay the bill. Many of these types of medical insurance plans will not pay their share until they actually receive the bill from you. The best thing about this type of service is that you will have more options in your choice of doctors, including any specialists you may need during the course of any medical treatments you may need.

On the other hand, with managed care, you will have to pay less out of your pocket, but you are very limited in your choice of doctors. This type of medical insurance will have agreements with many different health care providers to give you service at a reduced cost. This, however, is one of the main reasons why many do not like the managed care plan of medical insurance. It does not necessarily allow one to have the doctor of their choice treating them.

As the medical insurance plans change, however, many of them become very similar. There are some types of medical insurance plans that are indemnity plans but offer managed care options, as well. Under managed care, you’ll find there are generally three different types:

The Preferred Provider Organization or PPO makes an agreement with health care providers to get lower fees for providing you with their service. You will have lower costs and you and your health care providers can refer yourself to another doctor should it be necessary. However, if you go outside for a referral, you will have to meet a deductible, instead of just paying for normal co-payment and you may pay a difference between the cost and what the provider will pay.

The Health Maintenance Organization or HMO is the oldest type of the medical insurance falling into the managed care plan. They offer many benefits, including preventive care, for one monthly fee. With this medical insurance, you will have to choose a primary care physician and you can only be referred to a specialist should your primary care physician deem it necessary. Some HMOs require a co-payment, while others do not. The downside to the HMO is that you can only receive coverage for services rendered by your primary care physician or a referral by them.

POS- The Point-of-Service plan is also under the HMO and allows the individual the ability to see a specialist, as long as they are an approved provider of the coverage. Your primary care physician can make a referral outside the approved provider list and you will be covered, but if you do this yourself, you will have to pay for the services provided by paying coinsurance.

The most important thing you can do when researching medical insurance options for you and your family is to ask questions and make certain you understand the coverage before you commit yourself to such an important part of your health care.