I had the option of paying $308 out of pocket for the health plan at work – just for me, but knew I could never aford that, so I started shopping around. I purchased a Kaiser plan for $170, but it turned out to be too much for our family budget, so I started looking again.

The internet may not seem like a good set to purchase insurance, but if your coverage needs are simple you can save Hundreds of dollars every month. Here is where to go on the internet to review policies, pricing, coverage, and to ultimately purchase healthcare coverage at low prices. Each opinion is a little different, be sure it meets your needs. Here are the places I looked at – One being the best and where I found the best deal for me at $48.

5) United Health Care Coverage can be found on the web at: http://www.uhc.com/ . On the main page is a button where you can ‘Get an Individual or Family Quote’. Click on this button to be directed to a quote generating engine. For a 26 year frail female in Colorado prices range from $59 - $108. Put in your have information or your children’s information for coverage quotes. Be distinct to take a look at the Health Benefit Plan Description in the moral hand column you do not want any surprises.

4) Anthem Blue Cross/ Blue Shield requests that you fill out an inquiry form on their web page Here with your name, phone number, and e-mail address so that they can get in touch with you. If you would rather, you can call their toll free number to speak directly with an agent at 1-866-806-6709.

3) One of the many online insurance brokers is http://myinsurancerates.com . They allow you to get quotes and apply completely online also. They claim to carry multiple insurers, though the only two that came up for a 26 year old female in Colorado were United Health One and Celtic. The prices ranged from $60 – $250 a month for individual coverage.

2) Humana One Insurance coverage can be located at Humana One. The form needs only your state, zip code, gender, and birth date to generate quotes for you online. Their prices for a 26 year old female in Colorado are $52.14 – $202.

1) My number one favorite site and the one I ended up using is ehealthinsurance . They have plans to offer from Aetna, Anthem, Kaiser, CELTIC, RMHP, United Health One, and Companion. There are 105 plans available for a 26 yr old female with a price range from $48 - $303 in every possible combination of benefits. You can compare plans side by side by using the check marks on the left hand side of the page. If you are concerned about being able to keep your doctor there is a button to search for doctors attached to the belief, and a plan details button. Remember to spy at this before you purchase insurance!

Sources:

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com

https://www.humana-one.com/secured/individual-health-insurance-quotes.asp

http://www.anthemforco.com/

http://myinsurancerates.com

http://www.uhc.com/

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Prospective clients often have numerous questions about obtaining insurance coverage at certain times in their planning process. Some, usually guided by an experienced agent, have everything in place when the need occurs. Others enjoy the waiting game, trying to pick up something in location right before the time of need. This is a dangerous game to play.

The most common question we hear is WHY? Why was I denied coverage? Why does it cost so much? Why was I rated up for the coverage I requested? More often than not, the client was approached at some point about proper planning, but either didn’t want to consider the possibilities, or simply thought it would never happen to them.

Three major areas we address when looking at long term planning are life insurance (used for income replacement, inheritance, or estate planning), long term care coverage ( in-home care, assisted-living facilities, adult daycare, nursing home care), and medigap (medicare supplement) protection to cover deductibles and coinsurance associated with medicare part A and B.

Underwriting, the process of determining if the client is healthy enough for coverage, varies with each product, and sometimes with each company. Applying after a life changing health event occurs will often result in a decline for coverage. Insurance is meant to be placed while still healthy enough for the coverage requested.

Life insurance is underwritten with the conception of what conditions are life threatening, because death triggers this benefit. If you have a condition that the risk is early or potential death, then the coverage may be declined. The reverse is true with Long Tern Care coverage. Companies are not looking so closely at death risk, as much as they are what condition would prolong life, while needing outside care for the individual. Heart conditions are often a decline for life insurance, but Long Term Care policies can often be written as soon as six months after surgery. Severe arthritis is a decline for Long Term Care coverage, where life insurance views it more favorably. Smoking increases the cost of life insurance tremendously, where it does nothing for the pricing of Long Term Care insurance. Each product has different requirements.

The only product that enjoys a health free underwriting process is the medicare supplement. The government feels that this is such an indispensable product, that by law, there is an open enrollment period six months before and six months after your 65th birthday. Health is not an order during those time frames, and the client is guaranteed insurability. If the client goes outside of this window, then they will be required to go through health underwriting. There are special enrollment times when health is not reviewed, but they depend upon different scenarios.

Education is the key to obedient planning in our world, and I would encourage everyone to acquire some time out of their busy schedule, sit down with a professional and do some long term planning for their retirement years. Waiting until the last moment often has disastrous results.

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A home is likely to be the largest investment most families ever make so you want to spend what ever is necessary to protect your family’s investment. Purchase enough coverage to avoid a major financial loss if you experience a catastrophic event. This means keeping realistic current value amounts of coverage on your house and contents. Home owners insurance comes in many different prices and configurations; it is important to get the insurance that fits. Flood and earthquake damages are not covered under standard homeowners insurance and must be purchased separately. The hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors discovered that hurricane coverage often excluded flood or storm surge damage even though that was caused by the hurricane winds. Be sure to understand the fine print and if you need to select a separate flood or water damage policy, it may be expensive but worth the cost. Premiums will cost widely different amounts in different areas of the country. While you want the best insurance possible you also want to hold the costs down. Follow these steps to secure the best deals. 

In the aftermath of the hurricane disaster on the Gulf Fly many home owners found their insurance to be inadequate. Sometimes that was due to misunderstanding the policies and sometimes due to insurance company chicanery. These issues will eventually be sorted out but in the meantime it has set the rest of us to thinking about how well covered we are in the event of an emergency. Some estimates of the number of underinsured homes say as many as three out of five are underinsured by around 20% to 25%. (Coolidge, C., 2006, A Good Policy, Forbes 2006 Investment Guide, Forbes Magazine, 60 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011)

1. A lesson learned from the victims of Hurricane Katrina is that it may be best to get separate coverage for wind, water, fire, or “environmental” afflict. Try to be sure your policy includes incidental damage after a disaster such as the mold caused by the heat and moisture after hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. 

2. Review your current policy to make certain it is sufficient for the prove value of your home. Home improvements (such as kitchen renovations or adding a deck) can add significant value to your dwelling but if you do not tell your insurance agent and adjust your insurance, it will not be covered. 

3. Comparison shopping is the tool of choice for finding bargains in any purchasing situation. Like any good thing this will take a bit of time and effort but the savings could be well worth it in the end. The way to go about comparison shopping for home insurance is to originate with your status insurance department. States often keep records of the frequency of customer complaints on different insurance companies and may be able to tell you what typical rates to inquire of. Always check with the Better Business Bureau and any other consumer information guides available to you. Research the financial stability of the insurance company on www.standardandpoors.com or at www.ambest.com in addition to checking the status of the company at your State Insurance Commissioner’s office. 

4. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Deductibles are the amount of money you pay for any damages to your home before the insurance kicks in. Deductibles can be negotiated but most insurance companies recommend a $500 dollar deductible. The higher amount you negotiate to pay for deductibles the lower the premiums you pay for your insurance will be. If you can afford to pay out of pocket costs of $1000 dollars or more you may be able to reduce your premium payments by as much as 25%. If you live in an residence that repeatedly sees certain types of natural disasters your insurance policy may have different deductible amounts for damages caused by different kinds of events. 

5. Get all your insurance policies from the same company. Companies who sell car insurance often sell home owners insurance as well. It can save you as much as 15% of your premium cost to get your home owners policy from the same company that insures your car. Read the policy carefully and invent comparisons because this is not always suitable. Seek at the total cost of separate policies or separate insurance companies. Then compare the total separate costs with the cost of a combined policy. 

6. Maintain your credit. Insurance companies may increase the cost of your insurance if your credit rating is not good. Check your credit ratings often to make sure it has not been compromised by identity theft. Keep your bills paid and your credit to earnings ratio low. 

7. Update your policy limits on contents of your home. You should review this section of the policy every year. You want a policy that pays plump replacement costs not just the depreciated value of appliances, clothing and furniture. The difference between “actual cash value” and “replacement cost” can be substantial. To get full coverage for valuables you need appraisals on collectibles, artwork, jewelry and antiques. You need to keep receipts and a full inventory. It helps to have pictures and/or a video record of a home’s contents. The documentation of personal belongings should be kept in a separate and safe location. 

8. Longevity counts with insurance companies. If you have been with your current insurance company for many years it is best to stay with them. If another insurance company offers what seems to be an unbeatable deal you can talk to your current insurer to see if they can meet or beat the offer. Most insurance companies offer discounts for longevity; as much as 10% if you have been with them continuously for more than six years. 

9. Update all the safety features in your home including the fire alarms and the burglar protection systems. Install deadbolts and window locks and consider apprehension systems that alert the local police and fire departments to emergencies at your home. You can usually get insurance discounts for installing suitable fire and burglar dread protection systems. Update plumbing and wiring if your home is more than twenty years old. 

10. Consider the area you live in for special effort related insurance. Flood, fire and earthquake insurance all cost varying amounts depending on where you live. If you live in a heavily forested area you can lower your premium by establishing a fire protection zone around your home and using tile or metal roofing. In earthquake prone areas your insurance will be much less if you have a stick built house instead of brick. In California earthquake insurance information can be obtained at (www.earthquakeauthority.com). In hurricane prone areas bring your home up to current hurricane codes to lower risk and insurance costs. Install hurricane shutters and reinforce roofing to withstand hurricane force winds. If you live in a flood prone area you may want to contact FEMA for information on flood insurance. (www.fema.gov/nfip). 

11. Sustain the cost of land separate from the replacement cost of the house and contents. The land is permanent and except for those areas where slides or erosion might descend you into the nearest river or the ocean you should not include the cost of the land itself in the value estimate of your home.

A safe insurance policy will pay for replacement or repair costs as specified in the policy; but to guard against increases in construction costs due to inflation or material shortages after a anguish you may want to get extra protection specifically to cover them. Extra coverage will include a surcharge on the premium of 10% to 15% but if you live in hurricane or earthquake zones it may be worth the extra charge.

Prefer a policy from a company with the insurance grade of “A” from www.ambest.com . The risk of getting a policy from a company that is not highly rated is not worth the possible premium savings. Allstate, MetLife Auto and Home, State Farm, Chubb, Liberty Mutual, Hartford, USAA and Travelers all are rated “A” or better and are the largest sellers of homeowners insurance.

Additional information may be obtained from:

Insurance Information Institute
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038

(212) 346-5500
(www.iii.org) or (www.insurance.info)

State Insurance Regulators:

Alabama
201 Monroe St., Suite 1700
PO Box 303351
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-269-3550
Fax: 334-241-4192
E-mail: insdept@insurance.state.al.us
www.aldoi.org 

Alaska
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community aand Economic Development
Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1560
Anchorage, AK 995013567
907-269-7900
TDD: 907-465-5437
Fax: 907-269-7910
E-mail: www.dced.state.ak.us/insurance
Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community aand Economic Development
PO Box 110805
Juneau, AK 99811-0805
907-465-2515
TDD/TTY: 907-465-5437
Fax: 907-465-3422
E-mail: www.commerce.state.ak.us/insurance/ 

Arizona
Department of Insurance
2910 North 44th St., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85018-7256
602-912-8444
Toll free in AZ: 1-800-325-2548
Fax: 602-954-7008 (Complaints)
E-mail: consumers@id.state.az.us
www.id.state.az.us 

Arkansas
Department of Insurance
1200 West 3rd St.
Little Rock, AR 72201-1904
501-371-2600
501-371-2640 (Consumer Services)
Toll free in AR: 1-800-282-9134
Toll free: 1-800-852-5494
Fax: 501-371-2618
E-mail: www.arkansas.gov/insurance 

California
Department of Insurance
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1500
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-492-3500
415-538-4010 (San Francisco}
213-897-8921 (Los Angeles)
Toll free in CA: 1-800-927-4357
Fax: 916-445-5280
www.insurance.ca.gov
Dept. of Managed Health Care, California HMO Help Center
(We assist all California Consumers that are enrolled in a California HMO, Blue Cross of California PPO, and Blue Shield of California PPO)
980 Ninth Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814-2738
1-888-HMO-2219 (HMO Health Center Consumer Complaint Line)
1-877-525-1295 (HMO Help Center Provider/Physician Line)
1-877-688-9891
Fax: 916-229-0465 (Conplaints) or (916) 229-4328 (Independent Medical Review)
E-mail: GenInfo@dmhc.ca.gov
www.hmohelp.ca.gov 

Colorado
Division of Insurance
1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7490 or 7499
Toll free in CO: 1-800-930-3745
TDD/TTY: 303-894-7880
Fax: 303-894-7455
www.dora.state.co.us/Insurance 

Connecticut
Department of Insurance
Consumer Affairs Dept.
PO Box 816
Hartford, CT 06142-0816
860-297-3900
Toll free: 1-800-203-3447
Fax: 203-297-3872
www.state.ct.us/cid 

Delaware
Department of Insurance
841 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
302-739-4251
Toll free in DE: 1-800-282-8611
Fax: Fax: 302-739-6278
E-mail: consumer@deins.state.de.us
www.state.de.us/inscom 

District of Columbia
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
810 First St., NE, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20002
202-727-8000
Fax: 202-535-1196
E-mail: info.disb@dcgov.org
disb.dc.gov 

Florida
Office of Insurance Regulation
Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300
(850) 413-3100
Toll free in FL: 1-800-342-2762
TDD: 850-410-9700
Fax: 850-488-2349
www.fldfs.com 

Georgia
Insurance and Fire Safety
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-2070
Toll free in GA: 1-800-656-2298
TDD/TTY: 404-656-4031
Fax: 404-657-8542
www.inscomm.state.ga.us 

Hawaii
Insurance Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811-3614
808-586-2790 or 2799
Fax: 808-586-2806
E-mail: insurance@dcca.hawaii.gov
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ins 

Idaho
Department of Insurance
700 West State St.
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0043
208-334-4250
Toll free in ID: 1-800-721-3272
Fax: 208-334-4398
www.doi.state.id.us 

Illinois
Division of Insurance
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
100 West Randolph St., Suite 5-570
Chicago, IL 606013395
312-814-2420
TDD: 312/814-2603
Fax: Fax: 312-14-5435
E-mail: Director@ins.state.il.us
www.set.il.us/ins
Division of Insurance
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767
217-782-4515
Toll free: 1-877-527-9431 (Office of Consumer Health Insurance)
TDD: 217-524-4872
Fax: 217-782-5020
E-mail: director@ins.state.il.us
www.idfpr.com 

Indiana
Department of Insurance
311 W. Washington St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787
317-232-2385
Toll free in IN: 1-800-622-4461
Toll free: 1-800-452-4800 (in-state senior health insurance information)
Fax: 317-232-5251
www.space.in.us/idoi/ 

Iowa
Division of Insurance
330 Maple St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5705
Fax: 515-281-3059
www.iid.state.ia.us 

Kansas
Insurance Division
420 SW 9th St.
Topeka, KS 66612-1678
785-296-7801
Toll free in KS: 1-800-432-2484
TDD/TTY toll free 1-877-235-3151
Fax: 785-296-2283
E-mail: commissione4r@ksinsurance.org
www.ksinsurance.org 

Kentucky
Office of Insurance
215 West Main St.
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3630
Toll free: 1-800-595-6053
Fax: 502-564-1650
doi.ppr.ky.gov 

Louisiana
Department of Insurance
1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-342-0895
225-342-5900
Toll free: 1-800-259-5300
Toll free:1-800-259-5301
Fax: 254-342-3078
www.ldi.state.la.us 

Maine
Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
207-624-8475
Toll free in ME: 1-800-300-5000
TDD: 207-624-8563
Fax: 207-624-8599
www.maineinsurancereg.org 

Maryland
Insurance Administration
525 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 212022272
410-468-2000
Toll free: 1-800-492-6116
TTY toll free: 1-800-735-2258
Fax: 410-468-2020
www.mdinsurance.state.md.us 

Massachusetts
Division of Insurance
Consumer Service Section
One South Station, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-521-7777
TDD: 617-521-7490
Fax: 617-521-7575
www.residence.ma.us/doi 

Michigan
Office of Financial and Insurance Services
611 West Ottawa St., 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, MI 48933
517-373-0220
Toll free: 1-877-999-6442
Fax: 517-335-4978
www.michigan.gov/ofis 

Minnesota
Department of Commerce
Market Assurance Division
85 7th Place East
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-296-2488
Toll free in MN: 1-800-657-3602
Fax: 651-296-4328
E-mail: www.commerce.place.mn.us 

Mississippi
Department of Insurance
PO Box 79
Jackson, MS 39205
601-359-3569
Toll free in MS: 1-800-562-2957
Fax: 601-359-1077
E-mail: consumer@mid.state.ms.us
www.doi.state.ms.us 

Missouri
Missouri Department of Insurance
PO Box 690
301 West High St., Room 530
Jefferson City, MO 651020690
573-751-4126
Toll free in MO: 1-800-726-7390
TDD/TTY: 573-526-4536
Fax: 573-751-1165
www.insurance.state.mo.us 

Montana
Department of Insurance
840 Helena Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
406-444-2040
Toll free in MT: 1-800-332-6148
Fax: 406-444-3497
www.state.mt.us/sao 

Nebraska
Department of Insurance
Terminal Building
941 “O” St., Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 685083639
402-471-2201
Toll free in NE: 1-877-564-7323
TDD toll free: 1-800-833-7351
Fax: Fax: 402-471-6559
www.nol.org/home/NDOI 

Nevada
Division of Insurance
Department of Business & Industry
788 Fairview Drive, Suite 300
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-7650
Fax: Fax: 775-687-3937
E-mail: insinfo@doi.state.nv.us
www.doi.dwelling.nv.us/
Division of Insurance
Department of Business & Industry
2501 East Sahara Ave, Suite 302
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 486-4009
Fax: Fax: 702-486-4007
www.doi.state.nv.us/ 

Fresh Hampshire
Department of Insurance
21 South Fruit St., Suite 14
Concord, NH 03301-2430
603-271-2261
Toll free in NH: 1-800-852-3416
TDD/TTY toll free in NH: 1-800-735-2964
Fax: 603-271-0248
E-mail: requests@ins.dwelling.nh.us
www.nh.gov/insurance 

New Jersey
Department of Banking and Insurance
20 West State St.
P.O. Box 325
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-633-7667
Fax: 609-292-5571
www.njdobi.org 

New Mexico
Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 1269
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1269
505-827-4601
Toll free in NM: 1-800-947-4722
Fax: 505-827-4734
www.nmprc.place.nm.us 

New York
Consumer Services Bureau
Insurance Department
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
518-474-6600
Toll free: 1-800-342-3736
Fax: 518-474-6630
www.ins.state.ny.us
Consumer Services Bureau
Insurance Department
65 Court St. #7
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-7618
Toll free in NY: 1-800-342-3736
Fax: 716-847-7925
www.ins.state.ny.us 

North Carolina
Department of Insurance
Dobbs Bldg., 430 North Salisbury St.
1201 Mail Service Cetner
Raleigh, NC 27699-1201
919-733-7349
Toll free: 1-800-546-5664
Toll free:1-800-662-7777
Fax: 919-733-0085
E-mail: consumer@ncdoi.net
www.ncdoi.com 

North Dakota
Insurance Department
600 East Boulevard Ave.
5th Floor
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2440
Toll free in ND: 1-800-247-0560
TDD/TTY toll free: 1-800-366-6888
Fax: 701-328-4880
E-mail: insurance@state.nd.us
www.state.nd.us/ndins 

Ohio
Office of Consumer Services
Department of Insurance
2100 Stella Court
Columbus, OH 43215-1067
614-644-3378
Toll free: 1-800-686-1526 (consumer hotline)
Toll free:1-800-686-1527 (fraud hotline)
Toll free:1-800-686-1578 (senior hotline)
TDD/TTY: 614-644-3745
Fax: 614-387-1302
E-mail: nancy.colley@ins.station.oh.us
www.ohioinsurance.gov 

Oklahoma
Insurance Department
2401 N. W. 23rd St., Suite 28
PO Box 53408
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3408
405-521-2828
Toll free in OK: 1-800-522-0071
Fax: 405-521-6635
E-mail: okinsdpt@telepath.com
www.oid.state.ok.us 

Oregon
Insurance Division
350 Winter St., NE, Room 440-2
P.O. Box 14480
Salem, OR 97310-3883
503-947-7984
Toll free in OR: 1-888-877-4894
Fax: 503-378-4351
E-mail: dcbs.insmail@state.or.us
insurance.oregon.gov 

Pennsylvania
Bureau of Consumer Service
Insurance Department
1321 Strawberry Square
13th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-2317
Toll free: 1-877-881-6388
Fax: 717-787-8585
www.insurance.state.pa.us 

Puerto Rico
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Call Box 8330
Fernandez Juncos Station
Santurce, PR 00910-8330
787-722-8686
787-721-5848
Fax: 787-722-4402
www.ocs.gobierno.pr 

Rhode Island
Insurance Division
Department of Business Regulation
233 Richmond St., Suite 233
Providence, RI 02903-4233
401-222-2223
TDD: 401-222-2999
Fax: 401-222-5475
www.dbr.state.ri.us 

South Carolina
Consumer Services
Department of Insurance
300 Arbor Lake Drive, Suite 1200
P.O. Box 100105
Columbia, SC 29202
803-737-6180
Toll free in SC: 1-800-768-3467
Fax: 803-737-6231
E-mail: CnsmMail@doi.state.sc.us
www.doi.state.sc.us 

South Dakota
Division of Insurance
Department of Revenue and Regulation
445 East Capital
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3563
Fax: 605-773-5369
www.state.sd.us/drr 

Tennessee
Department of Commerce and Insurance
500 James Robertson Pkwy.
5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0565
615-741-2241
Toll free in TN: 1-800-342-4029
Fax: 615-532-6934
www.station.tn.us/commerce 

Texas
Department of Insurance
333 Guadalupe St.
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, TX 78614-9104
512-463-6169
Toll free in TX: 1-800-252-3439 (consumer help line)
Fax: 512-475-2005
E-mail: rbordelon@opic.situation.tx.us
www.tdi.state.tx.us 

Utah
Department of Insurance
State Office Bldg., Room 3110
Salt Lake City, UT 841146901
801-538-3805
Toll free in UT: 1-800-439-3805
TDD: 801-538-3826
Fax: 801-538-3829
www.insurance.state.ut.us 

Vermont
Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration
89 Main St., Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
802-828-3302
Toll free in VT: 1-800-964-1784
Toll free in VT: 1-800-631-7788 (Health Insurance)
Fax: 802-828-3306
www.bishca.state.vt.us 

Virgin Islands
Divison of Banking and Insurance
Kongen’s Gade #18
St. Thomas, VI 00802
340-774-7166
Fax: 340-774-9458
E-mail: vidoi001@aol.com 

Virginia
Bureau of Insurance
State Corporation Commission
PO Box 1157
1300 East Main St. (23219) (only for special delivery and walk-ins)
Richmond, VA 23218
804-371-9967
Toll free in VA: 1-800-552-7945
TDD: 804-371-9206
E-mail: www.state.va.us/scc

Washington
Office of the Commssioner of Insurance
Insurance 5000 Building
P.O. Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255
360-725-7103
Toll free in WA: 1-800-562-6900
TDD: 360-586-0241
Fax: 360-586-3109
E-mail: mikek@olc-wa-gov
www.insurance.wa.gov 

West Virginia
Department of Insurance
1124 Smith St. (25301)
P.O. Box 50540
Charleston, WV 25305-0540
304-558-3354
Toll free in WV: 1-888-TRY-WVIC (888-879-9842)
Fax: 304-558-0412
E-mail: wvins@wvinsurance.gov
www.wvinsurance.gov 

Wisconsin
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
125 S. Webster St. (53702)
P.O. Box 7873
Madison, WI 53707-7873
608-266-0103
Toll free in WI: 1-800-236-8517
Dial 711 and ask for 608-266-3586
Fax: 608-266-9935
E-mail: information@oci.site.wi.us
oci.wi.gov 

Wyoming
Department of Insurance
Herschler Bldg.,122 West 25th St.
3rd Floor East
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0440
307-777-7401
Toll free in WY: 1-800-438-5768
Fax: 307-777-5895
E-mail: wyinsdep@state.wy.us
insurance.state.wy.us/

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I hated to admit it but after years of dodging the issue of some other kind of supplement to counteract the costs that Medicare parts A and B don’t shroud, I decided to look into it. For at least three years I stuck my head in the sand saying I couldn’t afford a third premium.

In May of this year, the billing department at my doctor’s office made me pay two years of unpaid visits totaling $96.36, which I paid in full. I called in October of 2007 looking for the first charge. The lady on the phone said Medicare would handle it and that I was fine. They called me into the billing department in 2008 and told me of the $49.30 I owed from 2007. After explaining to her that I never got the bill, she made me pay a $49 co-pay before proceeding to the triage situation. I never received the bill from ‘07 or the new charges incurred from ‘08. I asked the new people in that office to find out why I wasn’t getting my bill. All they would say was that Medicare had to refile in ‘08, and that we send out bills once a month. Something wasn’t legal because I never got a bill.

Now, for the reason I need a Medicare Supplement Plan, my doctor bill for May of 2009 was $139.82. That covered the May 12 visit and the follow up visit May 26 after the blood work. Medicare only covered $68 of this bill because on the bottom of the Medicare Summary behold, it said I have used $68 of the annual $135 deductible. The reason why I had a big charge was, the second visit ran 5 minutes over the faded 10-minute limit. It cost me $8 per minute, which made my bill $40 higher. Medicare only paid $10 for the lab work and $20 for the first visit, there were probably a few other charges not marked on my bill but they are marked on the summary notice.

While a lot of people don’t think a $140 doctor bill isn’t all that bad, another bill like this in the same year would harm someone on a fixed income. They seem to forget I paid a chunk in addition to this bill too of back charges. I want a supplement to cover what Medicare parts A and B don’t, If I find a little coverage for Medicare Part D,

I won’t complain. Because of all the procedures done on my lower extremities in 2005, I now know how it hurts to pay for meds out of my pocket. The blood thinner I took cost $91.40 for a 30-day supply. I split it into two payments of $45.70, putting it on a credit card. This happened two months before Medicare Share D Prescription Drug Coverage opened to the public.

Mom suggested I try to catch Medicaid to pick up my expenses. In the state of Texas, under a program called QMB or Righteous Medicare Benificiary, one can do that, but they have income requirements. One can effect up to but no more than $903. I make more than then that amount. Once they see my bank statement, it will show I can make my premiums. Full medical coverage wouldn’t be possible. My friend at church, Ms. Charli Tulk who is on this program, discovered this when we discussed this notify two months ago on the phone.

I don’t know how many online medical forms I filled out on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, but I was bombarded with calls starting at 11:25 a. m. with Medigap360. This man asked me the necessary questions to determine whether I was eligible for coverage. After 10 minutes of third degree, the agent informed me the only company in Texas that would insure me was AARP. Since he already knew my birth date, we both knew I was too young for that program. His advice was to sit tight, wait till I turned fifty, and sign up then. After what I went through in 2005 and a few months ago, that wasn’t the smartest option. I had been rejected two times for supplement coverage before 2 p.m. because the agents that contacted me didn’t do that. However, the agent from IMAC said he could place me in contact with agents that covered Medicare Supplement Plans in his company. By this time, I had decided to go with Blue Gross Blue Shield of Texas. Blue Medicare Rx covers me on Medicare Part D. Maybe they had Medicare Supplement Plans. As luck would have it, they did.

I filled out the form on line, but it wouldn’t go through, so I copied the 1-800 number down and dialed it. That was a mistake, because it was the wrong department. I went through two more toll free numbers and a host of automated menus before getting to the true department, I begged the third operator to transfer me because my head throbbed so badly. She connected me to a lady named Sara. After answering Sara’s inquiries on my health and whether I had Medicare A and B and what type of Social Security I received, she put me on hold, but not before taking my address and phone number. I also mentioned that her company covered my Medicare Part D Plan. After putting me on hold, she told me to expect a packet in the mail of Medicare Supplement Plans and premiums, with her card in it.

Right now, it doesn’t hurt to notice into the issue of Medicare Supplement Plans. I was warned that it wasn’t cheap to do this, especially through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Hopefully, by the time I need the above, there will be an act of congress forcing medical companies to low their rates so that everyone will be able to afford coverage. I forgot to factor in my $135 Medicare A and B Deductible. Prices get lower when it gets used up. Hopefully, by the time I need the above, there will be an act of congress forcing medical companies to low their rates so that everyone will be able to afford coverage. While it doesn’t look like that will happen this year, there is a intention to execute your voice heard. I would read the Myths vs Facts page at the end of this article first and watch the video. I saw the video on television this weekend. Go to Healthactionnow at the end of this article. Click on your state of residence. It will give you the list of House and Senate Representatives. Use the form letter on the accurate to state those names in the form before sending.

Yes, this decision was very hard to make, but I’d rather do it before another medical catastrophe hits me that I’m unprepared for than afterwards. Now is not the time to stick my head in the sand or talk myself out of getting coverage by saying I couldn’t afford it.

Do you contain your possess business, or freelance?   Are you working part-time and, therefore, not eligible for benefits?   Health insurance is extremely essential as healthcare costs are going through the roof.  One of the ways to win health insurance is to join a trade association or some kind of formal group that provides health insurance for it’s members.  The American Automobile Association  (AAA) offers short term medical insurance for between 30 – 185 days which is cheaper than COBRA.  This is a advantageous map to maintain yourself insured without breaking the bank (crucial at a time when saving every penny counts).  They also offer permanent insurance for college students (up to age 63).  This is substantial for students who can’t go on their parent’s belief as dependents, or are international students, and can be a cheaper alternative to the college health insurance plans.   eHealth Insurance offers quotes for comparison for people seeking insurance for themselves and their families.  It allows you the flexibility to decide your deductible, compare coinsurance rates and observe what your monthly payments will be.  Healthinsurance.org offers you the same options as well as links to websites that offer risk pools (insurance for people who cannot procure insurance because of their medical/pre-existing conditions, or a change in their circumstances that makes them ineligible for benefits).  

Freelancers can join the National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE) and join their Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that allows you to write off 100% of your medical expenses, including the cost of the health insurance premium.  Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are another blueprint to go.  You would have to pay a deductible but you glean pre-tax savings.  BibleHealthcare.com and  Samaritan Ministries, offer a medical sharing program that covers bills by having a group of people pool money to benefit each other pay for medical costs.  People perform a monthly contribution and can choose from several plans. You will want to check if this option is available in your residence.  You will also want to compare the benefits you salvage to the regular insurance rates and contemplate if this is an option that will work for you.

Your chamber of commerce, trade association, or parenting club or organization are always trustworthy places to begin in your quest for affordable insurance.   Quit healthy and prosper.

Do you acquire your maintain business, or freelance?   Are you working part-time and, therefore, not eligible for benefits?   Health insurance is extremely indispensable as healthcare costs are going through the roof.  One of the ways to score health insurance is to join a trade association or some kind of formal group that provides health insurance for it’s members.  The American Automobile Association  (AAA) offers short term medical insurance for between 30 – 185 days which is cheaper than COBRA.  This is a fine map to withhold yourself insured without breaking the bank (crucial at a time when saving every penny counts).  They also offer permanent insurance for college students (up to age 63).  This is titanic for students who can’t go on their parent’s opinion as dependents, or are international students, and can be a cheaper alternative to the college health insurance plans.   eHealth Insurance offers quotes for comparison for people seeking insurance for themselves and their families.  It allows you the flexibility to settle your deductible, compare coinsurance rates and gawk what your monthly payments will be.  Healthinsurance.org offers you the same options as well as links to websites that offer risk pools (insurance for people who cannot accept insurance because of their medical/pre-existing conditions, or a change in their circumstances that makes them ineligible for benefits).  

Freelancers can join the National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE) and join their Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that allows you to write off 100% of your medical expenses, including the cost of the health insurance premium.  Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are another scheme to go.  You would have to pay a deductible but you accumulate pre-tax savings.  BibleHealthcare.com and  Samaritan Ministries, offer a medical sharing program that covers bills by having a group of people pool money to relieve each other pay for medical costs.  People develop a monthly contribution and can choose from several plans. You will want to check if this option is available in your residence.  You will also want to compare the benefits you find to the regular insurance rates and contemplate if this is an option that will work for you.

Your chamber of commerce, trade association, or parenting club or organization are always worthy places to commence in your quest for affordable insurance.   Stop healthy and prosper.