| Recently, Florida residents along the center of the | | | | policies vary from agent to agent, even in the same |
| State got another dose of natural disaster; a horrible | | | | city, so the best bet is to search all available health |
| tornado blasted through, killed 19 and injured dozens | | | | insurance companies through a total insurance |
| more. Most of the victims of the storm say they | | | | "provider" like: The first step in selecting health |
| just cancelled insurance because of rising rates - few | | | | insurance is being knowledgeable about what each |
| will get their property back - most will go bankrupt. | | | | type of policy is, and what they cover. Traditional |
| Everyday people in Florida talk about insurance. Do I | | | | health insurance, also called "fee for service" or 80 |
| have enough, Is my house covered, can I afford to | | | | 20, is the type of insurance that most of us grew up |
| buy health insurance? Floridians have had enough and | | | | with. With that type of health insurance, you are |
| vow to force Congress to fix Florida's insurance | | | | entitled to visit any doctor you choose, and the |
| problem. Rates for both property and health | | | | insurance company pays 80% of the bill. 80/20 Plans |
| insurance have gone up considerably since Katrina hit | | | | This (80/20) type of insurance offers the greatest |
| the Gulf Coast 18 months ago - some premiums | | | | flexibility, but carries the highest out of pocket |
| have more than tripled. Insurance carriers like State | | | | expenses. One thing to remember...a deductible must |
| Farm were hit with billions of dollars in losses and one | | | | be met before the insurance company will pay a |
| expert says, "It's now time for them to make up the | | | | dime. Another point to remember about buying health |
| difference." FLORIDA HEALTH NEWS FLASH How to | | | | insurance; the lower your monthly premium, the |
| find "Affordable Health Insurance" For Individuals and | | | | higher the deductible will be. The insurance company |
| Families living in Florida Florida health insurance for | | | | usually reserves the right to cap payments if, in their |
| individuals and families is relatively hard to find and | | | | opinion, the doctor's fees are higher than what is |
| most find coverage expensive or due to health | | | | thought to be "reasonable and customary" in your |
| conditions; not available at all. Health insurance rates | | | | area. This is an excellent type of coverage to have if |
| have skyrocketed in the last few years in Florida, | | | | you become extremely ill and require a network of |
| 21% of Dade county residents go without health | | | | specialists, or if your medical bills are astronomical. |
| insurance even though doing so puts you and your | | | | Once your expenses for the year reach a certain |
| family at risk. (read the PDF version) -- Adults | | | | level, the insurance company will take over and pay |
| younger than 35 are nearly twice as likely to be | | | | 100%. PPO & HMO Plans There are two basic |
| uninsured as adults 45 and older, according to a | | | | types of managed care - HMO and PPO. With a |
| report by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. | | | | Florida HMO, or Health Maintenance Organization, you |
| Twenty-seven percent of young adults in their 20s | | | | pay a monthly premium in exchange for |
| have no health insurance, according to a poll | | | | comprehensive medical care. There is usually a small |
| conducted by USA Today and the National | | | | co-payment for doctor's visits (usually ranging from |
| Endowment for Financial Education. Affordable health | | | | $5 to $25), and a somewhat higher co-pay or |
| insurance plans are out there, you just have to know | | | | deductible is needed for hospitalization. The upside to |
| how to put the Internet to work for you. To find | | | | this HMO Plan is: Your out of pocket expenses are |
| the best value in a health insurance plan you need to | | | | significantly easier to predict and manage with an |
| know that buying insurance policies direct from a | | | | HMO rather than a fee for service plan. However, the |
| "major carriers" without comparison WILL probably | | | | downside of this plan is: an HMO introduces the |
| cost you. The best way to find a policy is to: | | | | concept of a "gatekeeper." In an HMO, you must |
| • Find a Florida Health Insurance Consultant | | | | choose a primary care physician. That doctor, |
| • (recommended) • Select the | | | | working in tandem with a risk management insurance |
| most cost-effective plans • You can talk | | | | officer, will determine your access to specialists. |
| with a trained consultant - FREE! • Be | | | | Finally, a Florida HMO plan requires you to use doctors |
| covered a lot sooner than you think! One other note | | | | that are part of the Florida HMO's network. If you |
| on "Florida Health Insurance Web" -- They provide | | | | travel a lot, be sure to find out what the provisions |
| Floridians with a total review of all available insurance | | | | are should you require an out of network doctor. |
| plans, plus information about health insurance updated | | | | The other type of plan is the PPO. A PPO, or |
| daily. Is It Affordable?? Finding affordable health | | | | (Preferred Provider Organization), can be considered |
| insurance has never been easy; it is not "one size fits | | | | a blend of HMO and fee for service plans. You will |
| all." Depending on your current state of health, your | | | | choose a primary care physician in Florida, and |
| budget, and individual needs, the best insurance for | | | | generally use doctors that are part of the |
| you may be far different than the best insurance for | | | | organization. However, a PPO lets you see doctors |
| your friend or another family member. Now with | | | | who are not part of the network for a somewhat |
| rates so high, what do you do protect your family? | | | | higher fee. This increased flexibility is excellent for |
| Contact an expert insurance consultant and talk to | | | | those who travel frequently, or for those whose |
| them about your needs. They can show you all | | | | current doctor is not a member of the organization. |
| available policies, not just one policy from one carrier. | | | | Health Savings Many other options exist for covering |
| A basic understanding of the various types of | | | | your medical expenses. A Health Savings Account |
| insurance that are available in Florida, and what each | | | | allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars each month. |
| does and does not cover, can be helpful in | | | | Catastrophic insurance carries a low premium with a |
| determining which plan will work best for each | | | | high deductible, and is designed to cover you if you |
| person. Before you buy insurance for any purpose, a | | | | develop a serious illness or injury. However, for the |
| talk with a "Florida health insurance consultant" can | | | | average consumer, the choice is generally between |
| save you literally thousands of dollars per year. | | | | fee for service and managed care. All types of plans |
| Picking Policies Which policy to choose, how much | | | | carry their own advantages and disadvantages, and it |
| deductible is right for me, are my prescription drugs | | | | is important to understand what these are in order |
| covered; these are the things that are on most | | | | to make the right decisions for your family. Find out |
| people's minds when they look for health insurance. | | | | more about you available choices for health insurance |
| In Florida there are many insurance agents, selling | | | | from |
| their special type of health insurance policy. These | | | | More articles from this pro: Q. |