California Health Insurance Buyers Guide

Whether you are buying health insurance coverage through your employer’s group health insurance plan or you need to buy your own individual health insurance or family health insurance policy, it is important that you first health insurance choices and pick the best health insurance program that is best for you and your family. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when choosing a health insurance or major medical insurance plan: 

Affordable Health Insurance starts with examining the cost of care.

• What is the monthly health insurance premium I will have to pay?
• Should I try to self insure most of my medical expenses or just the large ones?
• What deductibles will I have to pay before the insurance plan starts to reimburse me?
• After I have met my deductible, what percentage of my medical expenses are reimbursed?
• What is the cost if I choose to use doctors outside the insurance company’s network?

Does the health insurance plan cover the services I am likely to use?

• Are the doctors, hospitals, laboratories and other medical providers that I use in the health insurance company’s network?
• If I want to use a doctor outside my PPO network, will the plan permit it?
• How easily can I change primary-care physicians?
• Do I need to get permission before I see a medical specialist?
• What are my insurance benefits for a health emergency, at home or out of town?
• If I have a pre-existing medical condition, will the plan cover it or is there a waiting period?
• Are the Rx prescription medicines that I use covered by the plan? Is there a separate deductible
• Does the health plan offer alternative therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment?
• Does the plan cover maternity or well baby benefits?

The best way to buy affordable health insurance is online using comparison software offered by Quotebroker.com. Within minutes you can shop all available insurance plans in your State, compare features and apply for coverage online directly with the insurance company of your choice. For more information call (800) 783-0802

Anthem Blue Cross One Year Rate Guarantees Going Away

Anthem Blue Cross of California is following the actions of several other health insurance companies by implementing a six month rate guarantee on all individual and family policies sold after 1/1/12.

The good news is that you can still apply online and request a 12/30/11 effective date and lock your premiums in for another 12 months.If you are healthy or have minor pre-existing conditions you will find individual and family plan plan prices cost MUCH less than association plan product offerings. Shop online and compare all available health insurance companies in minutes. Easily sort and compare plans by company, benefits or price.

Are you over age 50? If so, there is a AARP AETNA plan available for your consideration.

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2012 Health Savings Accounts Limits Released

The 2012 maximum annual amount that can be contributed to a Health Savings Account is:

• Individual HSA limit is $3,100
• Family HSA limit is $6,250
• Annual catch up for individuals over age 55 remains to be an additional $1,000

The HSA limit in 2012 for High Deductible Health Plans have not changed from 2011, which equal:

• Individual $1,200 Deductible / maximum Out of Pocket Expense = $6,050
• Families $2,400 Deductible /  maximum Out of Pocket expense = $12,100

To avoid taxation, all HSA distributions must be used for qualified medical expenses, which include:

• Amounts paid for medical care that is not reimbursed by insurance;
• COBRA health insurance premiums, and Qualified Long Term Care premiums
• other health insurance premiums, but only if a person is receiving unemployment compensation

Quotebroker offers free online quotes and comparisons of available Health Savings Accounts in your area. You may also call (800) 783-0802 weekdays 8:30am - 4pm.