VISTA Health Solutions

Is there a cure-all in sight, especially for those individuals most afflicted in our country today? When does the health insurance industry plan to stop restricting insurance coverage for those afflicted with a pre-existing condition? This is a rather archaic attitude and it is high time this practice transforms into insurance coverage that is more suitable for the mass public. It seems the individuals that need the health coverage the most are the same individuals who are desperate.

Part of the difficulty is with the undefined term of pre-existing condition, as it is very vague. Until the present time it has been to the discretion of the various New York insurance firms to define as they see fit. The insurance firms have made this decision long before they established the health insurance quotes they recite to a multitude of individuals. Yet, the thousands of medical doctors who care for these patients have a different list which conflicts with the insurance companies. The main reason why defining what a pre-existing condition is so difficult and vague.

Even with these hurdles to overcome there are a few things the self-employed can do to reach the desired goals of full medical coverage.

1.    Talk with your physician to prove one condition is unrelated to another. Copy of your medical records for submission is important.

2.    Research the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) program. Individuals who had insurance before under a group medical care plan and are obtaining a new type of medical insurance are able to have their pre- existing condition covered as long as they meet the criteria.

There is various form of pre-existing conditions in the medical community today. Some of the more common pre-existing conditions that raise the average monthly cost for health insurance today:

1.    Fibromyalgia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity

2.    Obesity and yes, even pregnancy is a pre-existing condition.

With that said, if you fall into this category, take advantage of HIPAA by switching from one group policy to another group policy. This will keep the individual from having to pay for costly individual health insurance, because of a pre-existing condition or having a difficult time obtaining medical insurance. Many insurance corporations which offer individual insurance require a waiting period of twelve to eighteen months before they will consider paying medical bills related to pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately, the individual will have to do much homework in this area.

There are so many students graduating from college each year. The employment market is full with newly graduated individuals. The one problem is there are so few positions of employment offered to the individual. The graduating student is at the bottom of a long list. Employers burdened with resumes every day and to read them all is next to impossible. Today’s graduate patience is short and finding a place of employment is difficult.  Many now turn to being self-employed. The other problem they are facing is locating low cost health insurance and until they do they remain uninsured. In some articles, they stated that they list a few options open to young graduate entrepreneurs searching for the right medical insurance.

1.      Continue searching for the plan that fits your personal needs and your budget. This will take time, but due diligence will see you through.

2.      Remain independent in your search because an individual insurance plan or a group health insurance plan may be a more effective choice since remaining self-employed.

3.      Filling out various insurance applications, especially through the internet is a dangerous adventure. Choose the insurance companies and stay with the insurance companies you are familiar.

4.      There are permanent long term insurance policy and there are short term insurance policies. Choose wisely the policy that will fit your needs and your budget.

Deciding on the health care insurance policy to fit your needs is arduous, but in the end you will benefit from all the hard work. At the current moment you are uninsured and you do not want to be uninsured for a long time. This will hurt you if you become ill in the interim. Another item to keep in mind is prescription drug coverage to cover the expense of your medication. A dental plan will also be something you will want to look into because dental work today is very expensive. A few of the items to interest you with affordable health insurance coverage in New York:

1.      The average cost ranges as high as $400.00 per month for a young male or female, healthy individual.

2.       Most plans have a co-pay of $15.00 to $35.00.

3.       You have the right to choose your own medical doctor, but first call to find if they accept your insurance carrier.

4.       Includes a prescription drug program and covers generic drugs.

5.      There is full Hospitalization, but there is a deductible to pay and you will have to see if the hospitals in your area accept your insurer.