(NaturalNews) In an astonishing turn of events for a nation that seemed headed for certain economic destruction just weeks ago, Americans overwhelmingly chose Democratic candidates in yesterday's elections, selecting Obama as the next U.S. President and securing Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate. While virtually the entire world is now celebrating the close of the era of Bush tyranny, the question that's on everyone's mind today is: Ok, now what?
For starters, in the last eight years, President George W. Bush has managed to leave behind a God-awful mess. The nation is embroiled in two wars, a cascading banking crisis, out-of-control debt spending, an unprecedented health care crisis, an environmental mess and an international relations reputation that's downright disastrous. Its economy is in serious trouble, its manufacturing base is all but gutted, and its citizens are far less free today than they were eight years ago, thanks to the ill-named Patriot Act and all the fear mongering that followed 9/11.
Any person thinking they can waltz into the White House and fix these issues needs to have their head examined. In fact, it's not unreasonable to wonder if the half-dozen or so men who actually control the world have allowed Obama to win this election in order to have a convenient scapegoat for upcoming economic disasters. What better way to discredit the very idea of a black President than to make sure the Titanic starts sinking under his watch?
Of course, that's the conspiracy theory viewpoint on all this. The Optimists Club viewpoint says that Obama will solve real problems for our nation. And while I could write an entire article on the justified skepticism about any one President being able get much of anything done in our present political environment, in the spirit of positive change, I'm going to focus instead on offering suggestions for how we can revolutionize our national health care system under an Obama presidency.
Let's start with some good news: The days of Big Pharma's dominance over Washington may be coming to an end. No more drug companies ripping off the taxpayers thanks to a Bush-approved Medicare bill that made it illegal for the U.S. government to negotiate volume discounts with Big Pharma. An Obama presidency will stick it to Big Pharma and work to help lower the cost of prescription drugs for consumers. (But that's not really a health care solution. It's just making dangerous drugs cheaper.)
You can also say goodbye to any kind of ridiculous pre-emption ruling that would grant Big Pharma blanket immunity against claims by victims who are harmed by their dangerous products. An Obama presidency will very likely see the passage of laws reinstating the rights of consumers to sue companies who sell them dangerous products, even when they're approved by the corrupt, fraudulent U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Here's an important question: Could an Obama presidency prioritize meaningful FDA reform and the restoration of health freedoms for all Americans?
(NaturalNews) Economic times are tough and many are facing layoffs. Even more are being told that their employer will be eliminating or reducing health benefits. As a result many people are losing their health insurance coverage. Legislation is currently being proposed that can help those without health insurance but sometimes your health cannot wait and you need help now.
1. Use COBRA if You Are Laid Off - If you get laid off from your job and need health insurance you can Use COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation). COBRA is available for 18 months after loosing your employer health coverage. COBRA allows you to keep the health plan that your employer used to provide as long as that plan still exists. If your employer is still in business and offering some health insurance to current employees you can usually qualify. COBRA will be more expensive than the premiums deducted from your paycheck but this is sometimes necessary if you are unable to get health care elsewhere. COBRA is often cheaper than private and individual health insurance plans.
2. Continue Preventative Measures - Without health insurance it is now more important than ever to live a natural and healthy lifestyle. Use preventative measures such as regulating weight, exercising, eating healthy, lowering your cholesterol (http://www.naturalnews.com/025715.html), and reducing stress from your life. When possible you can resume other preventative measures such as regular checkups and diabetes & cancer screenings.
3. Ask Your Doctor for Help - Ask your doctor about reduced fees or treatment and drug options for those with lower income or no health insurance. Your doctor may also be able to recommend a health care discount card that they accept.
4. Decrease Stress - Stress has a terrible effect on your body and your health. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, eat natural and healthy foods, and actively use relaxation techniques such as yoga or breathing exercises.
5. Not Smoking - By not smoking you increase your chances of being approved for another health insurance plan including private and individual health insurance plans. Non-smokers receive much lower health insurance premiums and have less risk of overall health problems.
6. Apply for Medicaid - Almost every state has a local Medicaid office and toll-free numbers. Visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services web site for information on how to apply: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicai.... Each state is different but Medicaid allows low-income and eligible people to qualify to have their medical bills paid directly. Some still require co-payments.
7. Apply for Medicare - Medicare is available only for those 65 years of age or older who meet special criteria. You can contact your local Social Security office or the main office at 1-800-772-1213. You are allowed to apply 3 months before reaching 65.
8. Alternative Natural Treatments - Alternative Medicine is currently used by thirty eight percent of adults in the United States. http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000... Acupuncture and herbal remedies are often cheaper than expensive prescriptions or medical treatments and can provide similar results.
9. Get Health Insurance through Spouse or Partner - Your spouse or partner may have a health insurance plan where you can qualify as a dependent. Although the cost can be high this typically results in fewer coverage rejections than applying for private or independent health insurance coverage.
10. Take a Lower Paying Job For Better Health Insurance - Consider taking a lower paying job for better health benefits. How important is your health? What is money without your health? It may mean taking a large pay cut, extra searching for a job with good health benefits, or asking more questions during a job interview. There are some employers out there that pay very little but offer a good health insurance plan. Make sure to ask about waiting periods and how coverage begins.
When you move abroad it can all seem a little overwhelming financially speaking, you have to take on the additional expense of renting a home or buying a property, you have to move personal effects and perhaps buy new furniture and a car, then you have the actual cost of physically transporting yourself and your family to your new destination.
For a while it seems like all you will be doing is shelling out money to get your new life established – and at times it can seem a little bit scary. But don’t panic, there will come a time when it will be all done and dusted and you will be well settled into the routine and delights of your brand new life as an expatriate.
In the meantime, there is another financial outlay that you will need to consider and one that should not be overlooked – and that’s getting the essential insurances in place. You will want home and contents cover, you will need health insurance, and you will also need to think about getting travel insurance. The good news is that we have some top tips about how to get cheaper expat travel insurance to save you just a little bit of cash – after all, any money saved is better in your pocket than in an insurance company’s coffers isn’t it!
Getting travel insurance in place is quite possibly going to be one of the absolute last things you have in mind when planning and starting your new life abroad. You may well purchase basic cover with your flight tickets to ensure your bags end up in the right place and to give you that little bit of peace of mind when you fly, but actually getting longer term, more comprehensive cover in place will be down towards the bottom of your list along with finding the nearest recycling centre abroad or perhaps making a dentist appointment!
However, as an expat it’s true that you will more than likely make the very most of your new destination and location and engage in much more travel as a result. It’s one of the things expats love about living abroad, the fact that they can so easily take in a whole new set of destinations. For example, when I lived in Germany I visited so many other mainland European nations and drove or took a short plane ride to them – easy and cheap. When I lived in Cyprus I took in Greece, Turkey and Egypt…all practically on my doorstep. So no matter where you go abroad to live, you will begin to get the travel bug and want to explore nearby nations and cities too. As a result, you need a comprehensive expat travel insurance policy.
Some expatriates are given a level of cover if they open an offshore bank account – one of the offshore banking options for expats from the NatWest International Personal Banking division includes travel insurance for example. Otherwise your health insurance company may throw in travel cover for free…but if neither of these alternatives is an option for you, here’s how to get cheaper expat travel insurance…
Firstly shop around – different companies back home and now where you’re living abroad will offer different levels of cover to you, with optional or additional extras and incentives for you to sign up to their policy. Look at the level of cover you need and want and avoid those companies who are willing to throw in the likes of winter sports coverage if you’re allergic to snow! Chances are they are not ‘throwing’ the cover in for free, it will be included in the basic premium they charge.
Next up we suggest you get online, some of the cheapest insurers are online and cut their overheads massively by exclusively maintaining a presence on the Internet. It may not seem fair, but often these companies are just so much more competitive than more traditional bricks and mortar insurers. Another top tip is to see if a company will match or beat other quotes – so if you find a quote you like but have a preferred insurer, see if that insurer will match or beat the preferential quote! If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Also read the small print of any policy documents and if there are levels of travel insurance cover in there that you simply don’t require, ask whether removing that cover will bring the price of the insurance down.
If you take out a family package or an annual package this can reduce costs, and finally, think about upping any excess – if you do this usually brings the insurance costs down. Although, do bear in mind that if in the unfortunate event you do have to make a claim, you will then have to wear that excess!
We hope this article has been of assistance to you – we understand that all of the financial elements associated with becoming an expat are daunting to say the least, but if you plan carefully, are realistic about what you will have to spend and set a budget for yourself, you’ll get over the fiscal hurdles and soon have your life the way you want it in a fantastic and exciting new destination.
One of the best ways to evaluate a health plan is to take a good look at what it doesn't cover. Exclusions are the health care services not covered by your policy, and a cheap health insurance plan might carry too many of them. Here's what to look for. This page:
Identifies the exclusions in the average health insurance policy
Reveals some hidden exclusions often implied in a plan
Provides an easy way to compare different plans' exclusions
Compare health plans and get instant quotes:
The search for the best coverage at the lowest price starts with comparing as many plans as possible from providers in your area.
To choose among the hundreds of plans available to you, use our fast and free comparison service to get quotes from major insurers in your state:
Exclusions in your policy's benefits section
Start by reading over the benefits section and writing down any health care service that is not covered by your health insurance policy. These are a few of your health insurance exclusions.
Exclusions in your policy's definitions section
Next, locate the definitions page of your health insurance policy. Often, health insurance companies hide coverage exclusions within their definitions of words.
The way your health insurance company defines a certain word may be quite different than the common definition.
For instance, you may define the term "emergency" as anything that requires instant medical attention, while your health insurance policy may define it as "a life threatening condition that cannot be reasonably treated by your primary care physician." Using this definition, the health insurance company can deny coverage for emergency room treatment of a broken arm on the grounds that a broken arm is not life threatening and you can, therefore, wait until you primary care physician gets off the golf course to treat it. This is an extreme example, but a good illustration of how a coverage exclusion can be hidden in a definition.
We advise you to read over the health insurance policy definitions, paying close attention to these seven key words: medical emergency medically necessary accidental injury experimental or investigational pre-certification pre-existing condition, and reasonable and customary.
These words and any words that are open to interpretation should be regarded with wariness. Find out how your health insurance company defines each of these. What health care services are experimental? What is considered an emergency? These are definitely some of the questions you will want to ask.
Exclusions in your policy's conditions section
Finally, find the section describing the procedures you must follow in order for your health insurance company to reimburse you. These policy conditions or prerequisites are typically worded in a positive tone.
For instance, a policy may state that your primary care physician will be responsible for arranging all your health care needs, making referrals, and approving health care treatment. However, this may mean emergency medical services without a pre-approval from your primary care physician will not be covered by your insurance company.
Read through each condition carefully, make notes and call your health insurance company with any questions.
Comparing policy exclusions
The easiest way to compare exclusions, is to take two policy contracts, find the exclusions sections, and start reading.
But what are the odds that you'll be able to get your hands on all the contracts for policies that you are interested in?
The next easiest way is to use an online service such as eHealthInsurance. After you obtain your free quote for the health coverage you desire, apply for it online, and you'll obtain all the information that you'll need to compare exclusions in the policy (though sometimes this will take a little digging.)
If you'd rather receive personal help when deciphering exclusion provisions, fill out a free quote request form at NetQuote. They will put you in touch with independent agents in your area who will help you further. Source: www.healthinsuranceindepth.com
Good ratings are especially important if you are purchasing your policy from a new or unfamiliar company. Of course, it is always wise to check out every potential provider's health insurance ratings to ensure you are dealing with a valid and trustworthy business.
Remember, before insurers agree to supply anyone with health insurance, they investigate every applicant and their background to protect themselves from fraud. You should put them to the test as well. Look for insurer and health insurance ratings through A.M. Best, Moody's, or Wiess rating agencies. (eHealthInsurance does this for you, free, before you apply for your free quote.)
2. The Lifetime Payout
In the event of a catastrophic illness, your policy needs to provide a sufficient amount of health care coverage. However, to protect itself from ever having to pay too much, your insurer limits the lifetime payout. Therefore, lifetime payout is the maximum amount of reimbursement the health insurance company provides during your lifetime.
A $1 million lifetime payout is a good rule of thumb. Anything less and you run the risk of prematurely depleting the entire compensation for health care costs available to you, while aiming for a higher limit might make finding an inexpensive health insurance plan too difficult.
3. Largest deductible and co-payment you can afford
Setting a high deductible and high co-payment will lower your premium payments significantly. Although this will raise your out-of-pocket medical expenses, remember that the higher your deductable and co-payments are, the lower your premium will be. The question you want to ask yourself is how much can you afford to pay out-of-pocket in an unforseen medical emegency?
4. Reasonable out-of-pocket limit
This policy provision limits your out-of-pocket payments over the course of a year. It is especially important in the event of a serious illness, and we recommend that you consider only policies that carry one. However, it's wise to consider that setting a low maximum will increase the amount you pay in premiums. Try to establish a reasonable out-of-pocket maximum to balance risk with cost.
5. Waiver of premium provision
A waiver of premium provision allows you to skip premium payments during lengthy illness. Although this potential aspect of your health insurance policy is not absolutely necessary, the provision is helpful, sometimes vital, should an illness prevent you from working for an extended period of time.
6. Renewable provision
The renewable provision is an absolute must when it comes to finding your perfect health insurance policy. This provision guarantees your health insurance plan can not be canceled because you become ill. You may or may not be required to continue paying your premiums while ill, depending on whether or not you health insurance plan includes the waiver of premium provision, but you won't lose your coverage right when you need it most.
7. Timely coverage of pre-existing conditions
Often insurers require a waiting period before covering the health care costs for pre-existing health problems. Although it is standard for them to assign a waiting period, it should never be over a year, and my be as little as three months. After picking through all the health insurance plans that satisfy your other requirements, check to see that the waiting period is not more than a year.
8. Emergency coverage
Another must for your health plan is coverage of your emergency medical services. In the past, some managed care plans were criticized because they required the primary care physician to approve emergency health care. This tactic may save money, but emergency care shouldn't be jeopardized. Read through your health insurance plan paying special attention to the definition of emergency and verify with the health insurance company what is exactly covered. If you have access to health insurance ratings, take note of this factor.
9. Few prerequisites
Prerequisites are requirements you must first fulfill before receiving medical attention. Health insurance plans with too many prerequisites are too restrictive. A policy with a few prerequisites is fine - it's how the company survives (and how you get a low cost health insurance policy), but good health care should never be sacrificed. Deciding on what is too many is a bit subjective, but if it seems to you that the policy requires you to jump through too many hoops, than you may want to look elsewhere (or simply at a slightly different policy from the same insurer).
10. Use online resources to find the best health insurance plans
Our favorite rule! The internet is a great source for health insurance ratings, learning centers, and comparisons, but it's a great place to shop too. You won't feel pressured into buying a "hard sell" policy, and you can take your time and really comparison shop for the best low cost health insurance policy.
We have two great partners who will help you further:
eHealthInsurance lets you compare all managed and fee-for-service plan side-by-side, and even gives you the financial ratings up front. Learn more about the many health insurance providers they represent or get an instant online quote with comparisons now.
Or, if you prefer a more personal approach, visit NetQuote, a service that will put you in touch with several agents who compete to provide you with the lowest premiums and best service possible. www.healthinsuranceindepth.com
We all know that inadequate access to health insurance is one of Oklahoma's most urgent and troublesome problems. Almost 650,000 Oklahomans lack health insurance coverage, a situation which places great strains on our health care industry, endangers the health and financial well-being of the uninsured themselves, and drives up costs for everyone else.
While efforts to move us along the road to greater coverage are to be applauded, one approach under consideration which attempts to target uninsured young adults may not only fail to move us forward but may actually land us in the ditch.
While people of all ages are represented among the ranks of the uninsured, young adults between the ages of 19 and 34 are most likely to lack coverage. Oklahoma's uninsured rate for members of this age group, who are less likely to be employed in jobs that offer employer-sponsored coverage, is 35 percent, compared to 21 percent for the adult population for a whole.
A bill introduced this legislative session proposes to address the high incidence of uninsured among young adults by allowing insurers to offer health insurance coverage to adults under age 40 that is exempt from all state insurance benefit requirements, or mandates.
Oklahoma currently mandates coverage of 24 medical services, including mammograms, contraceptives, minimum maternity stays, diabetic supplies, ambulance services and mental health parity. Presumably, mandate-free policies would be offered at a lower cost and would appeal to younger individuals
in good health who do not anticipate needing many services.
Unfortunately, there are at least two major flaws to this approach. The first is that removing benefit mandates is unlikely to succeed in significantly lowering the cost of coverage. A significant body of research reveals that the net cost impact of mandates is modest only 3 to 4 percent of the total cost of insurance premiums in one state study.
The impact on premium costs of waiving mandates, therefore, is likely to be minimal. Moreover, in states that have actually experimented with waiving mandates, experience finds that most consumers are uninterested in purchasing bare-bones coverage. A Montana mandate-lite program managed to enroll only 53 individuals before it was discontinued due to low enrollment.
An even more problematic flaw with the proposal to allow bare-bones insurance is that it undermines the central premise of health insurance risk pools, that of spreading risk across a broad and diverse population. If mandate-free plans succeed in siphoning off the young and healthy, the inevitable impact will be to make insurance even more expensive for those who are left behind in the general coverage pool.
That will include not only those over 40, but also younger people most in need of comprehensive coverage: persons with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or Crohn's disease, those with mental health problems, and women of child-bearing age, who would be denied assurances of contraceptive coverage and maternal health services that are currently protected under state law.
Ironically, expanding coverage for those least likely to need it could end up threatening coverage for the most vulnerable.
There are better alternatives for targeting the young uninsured, including allowing parents to claim their children as dependents in family coverage through age 25.
Ultimately, though, we are only going to steer our journey to the destination of affordable coverage for all if we recognize that we are all in this together.
"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb 1.Move More Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it! 2.Cut Fat Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one! 3.Quit Smoking The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one. 4. Reduce Stress Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them. 5. Protect Yourself from Pollution If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily. 6.Wear Your Seat Belt Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up. 7.Floss Your Teeth Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss. 8.Avoid Excessive Drinking While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time. 9.Keep a Positive Mental Outlook There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing. 10.Choose Your Parents Well The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
1. Portion control! There is no reason to pile food on your plate! Just take a reasonable amount, and you should be good! Overeating has always been a huge problem!
2. Eat slowly. I know when you are really hungry that can be hard, but if you take time and chew everything slowly, you are less likely to overeat. How crazy is that? Just slow down, and enjoy the food.
3. If you don't like the food, don't eat it. I know that sounds silly, but we tend to just eat whatever is in front of us, whenever it is there. But if you only eat what you really like, that will also cut down on your food intake.
4. Don't park close to the store. I know everyone wants the "prime" parking places, but it won't kill you to walk the extra few hundred feet from the car to the store.
5. Switch it up! Don't eat the same thing every week. Variety is the spice of life, and trying new things is good for your digestion as well!
6. Eat as much fresh food as possible. I know its tough sometimes, but be sure you aren't always eating packaged food. They tend to have much higher amounts of sodium and other bad things for you.
Listed below is a subset of the insurers drawn from our extensive database of the international providers/insurers we partner. By completing the quote form we will be able to advise you on the best plan at the best premium according to your specific situation and needs.
We try to show providers/insurers health plan benefits on a like for like basis so that you may make an informed unpressured selection of medical insurers. We always ensure that you can compare insurer-to-insurer and product-to-product.
A privately owned company, à la carte healthcare works with advisers to provide international private medical insurance for expatriates of any nationality, local nationals, international business travellers, groups and large corporate schemes.
They deliver their services with the care that only comes from years of experience and a deep understanding of the complex needs of clients.
• Caring, responsive and professional at all levels • Flexibility of benefits • Head office – West Sussex UK • Regional offices – Spain & Hong Kong
Allianz Worldwide Care specialises in providing international health insurance for employees, individuals and their dependants, wherever they are in the world. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Allianz Group, the company is able to draw on the resources and expertise of one of the world’s leading insurers and financial services providers.
Founded in 1890, today the Allianz Group is one of the leading global services providers in insurance, banking and asset management. With approximately 182,000 employees worldwide (as of September 30, 2008), the Allianz Group serves more than 80 million customers in approximately 70 countries.
Allianz ranks number 22 in the Global Fortune 500 (and number 12 in Europe’s Top 50). In fiscal 2007 the Allianz Group achieved total revenues of over 102 billion euros. Allianz is also one of the world's largest asset managers, with third-party assets of 765 billion euros under management at year end 2007. While the Standard & Poor's rating for Allianz is "AA", Allianz Worldwide Care has been assigned an "A" rating in its own right.
AXA PPP were founded in England in 1940, with the active support of the medical royal colleges, the British Medical Association and the King's Fund to set up a health insurance scheme for people in London. PPP International serve around 2.5 million customers and their business activity includes Medical insurance for individuals and companies throughout the world and Dental care services. Today they are members of the global AXA group.
BUPA International operates in 190 countries across the globe, over one million members of 115 different nationalities rely on BUPA International to provide quality international health care whenever and wherever they need it. BUPA International members have access to a 24-hour multi-lingual helpline that is open 365 days a year. BUPA International is the specialist international division of BUPA, the UK's leading independent health care organisation.
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. Our products are innovative and result from an ongoing programme of research and customer feedback, which means that we are continually exceeding customer's expectations. CIGNA's business is built on our vision to be the most exciting, innovative and successful company at the leading edge of healthcare management.
Coversure has been supplying HealthCare Insurance for many years to expatriates living throughout Europe and, whichever plan is chosen, provides medical cover both in the country of residence and when travelling. As part of our seamless service, we also operate our own Claims Department and a 24-hour Medical Assistance Company. The Medical Assistance Company has doctors and nurses available 24 hours a day, and also operates with multi-lingual co-ordinators.
Exclusive Healthcare was launched exclusively for people from other countries coming to live in France. The founders have lived in France themselves and have worked in the healthcare insurance industry for many years. Their work has brought them into close contact with many countries with a great number of families on the move, their needs and their problems.
Expacare serves people of all nationalities living in over 150 countries around the world. As one of the UK's longest established international health insurance providers, we have made it our business to find solutions to meet the healthcare needs of individuals and their families as well as companies both small and large. We take pride in giving personal service that delivers excellence and exceeds expectations.
Vanbreda International - By joining expatplus from Vanbreda International, you can be sure you have access to the most comprehensive and affordable health cover for individuals and employees of small to medium sized companies. Vanbreda International is backed with an international experience of 30 years in protecting more than 250.000 lives. We are recognized market leader for cross-border employee benefits serving employees of international organisations.
Why choose Expatplus?
1. Comprehensive
You are covered by default for all medical, emergency & repatriation expenses, but also maternity and preventive care.
2. Affordable
You only pay for the cover you want.
3. Flexible
You are offered a full range of options such as dental plan, personal accident insurance, temporary incapacity cover and permanent disability.
4. Reassuring
You can make FREE use of a 24h multilingual helpline 365 days a year in more than 20 languages.
Expatriate Healthcare, based in London with worldwide, multi-lingual service and support, provide a collection of Private Medical Insurance plans for the expatriate and international traveller.
Plan features can include: Chronic Conditions cover, Preventative Health Screenings, Routine and Restorative Dental Cover, Routine and Emergency Pregnancy Cover - as well as the usual In patient, Day patient and Out Patient cover for your healthcare support.
Underwritten by a specialist division at AXA Global Group, we use moratorium based underwriting. This means that we don't need you to attend a medical or even ask you any medical questions and you can request immediate cover on application.
At Expatriate Healthcare we believe that service comes first and, to this end, we don't out source any aspect of the underwriting, administration or claims handling; so we can service and support you whenever you need our help.
Goodhealth Worldwide has written international medical insurance for over 25 years and its niche market is the provision of first class medical expenses protection for expatriates and local nationals. Goodhealth is now recognised as a leading international healthcare brand. Operating from established Group offices around the world, it serves markets in the UK and Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Goodhealth Worldwide offers brokers a wholesale service covering a range of medical expenses solutions.
HTH Worldwide (HTH) applies global expertise to bring innovative healthcare services and insurance to international travel, study and commerce. HTH plans are geared for U.S. Citizens living part time or full time overseas as well as foreign nationals living in the U.S. Each year hundreds of thousands of international travelers and assignees protect themselves and their families with HTH. Our programs combine comprehensive, insurance products with critical travel health information, security information and online/toll free medical assistance services. Members enjoy access to our community of contracted physicians in more than 160 countries, our translation guides for brand name pharmaceuticals and common medical terms and phrases, featured articles on dozens of travel-health topics and up-to-date health and security alerts.
ihi Bupa is a Danish company, established in 1972 and registered in Copenhagen. IHI specialises in high quality comprehensive worldwide medical and travel insurance - for both private individuals and corporations. IHI is wholly owned by BUPA, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.
IMG Europe with their international operations centre based near London, England, are a wholly owned subsidiary of International Medical Group (IMG) headquartered in Indianapolis, USA. IMG Europe and IMG seamlessly offer a complete range of international healthcare insurance-related products and services through over 25,000 intermediaries worldwide.
IMG is a worldwide leader in designing, distributing and administering global healthcare benefits. Since 1990, IMG have built a solid reputation for providing innovative and highly competitive international health insurance products, offering medical security and Global Peace of Mind® to individuals, families and corporate groups worldwide.
With virtually all services provided in-house, IMG present a unique, full service approach to the international medical/health insurance community.
IMG Europe Limited are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
InterGlobal is an award-winning provider of international health insurance based in the UK. Known for our innovation, flexibility and personal approach to service, we have seen great success in this competitive and growing market. Since the company was founded in 1998, we have seen rapid growth and now have customers in 189 countries and eight offices worldwide, offering local support to our members.
In 2007, the InterGlobal group of companies set up a new division, InterGlobal Insurance Company Limited, to provide the financial security and underwriting for our products.
IPH the International Private Healthcare Premier range of medical insurance plans, underwritten by Lloyds, offer you and your family the peace of mind of knowing that wherever you are in the world you have access to the best medical attention available. IPH has many years experience giving their customers security and peace of mind, wherever they are living or working.
Medicare, all around the world, different cultures have discovered different remedies for ill health. Some work, some are said to work and some just don't work at all. It's a bit like the standard of health care abroad. How can you be sure that if you were to require medical help abroad, you would get the right treatment, when you needed it? Medicare claim to answer these questions.
Morgan Price International Healthcare
With many years experience in international health insurance, Morgan Price takes great care in providing protection for expatriates and their families all over the world. As specialists in international health insurance (many of the team have been expatriates themselves) Morgan Price are totally committed to and focused on the needs of members and take pride in offering an exceptional personal service. Plans have been designed to offer a variety of comprehensive benefit levels, meeting the needs of individuals and corporate clients anywhere. Products are underwritten by some of the worlds leading insurers. When you choose an International health insurance policy you want the comfort and confidence that you can count on it wherever you are in the world, that’s what we offer for our members - peace of mind.
OracleMed Health is a registered global business which controls a unique range of international medical insurance products, to companies and individuals, the families and dependants of local nationals and expatriates working and resident in Africa.
The scale of our operations together with the knowledge and understanding of the healthcare delivery services available throughout Africa will provide you with peace of mind should there be a medical emergency and/or hospitalization required.
Seven Corners has been offering international medical insurance to the worldwide community since 1993. Seven Corners offer various travel and long term comprehensive health plans to travelers, expatriates, students, overseas visitors, immigrants and global citizens. With expertise and efficiency, Seven Corners serves clients in over one hundred countries throughout the world.
MultiNational Underwriters, Inc. (MNU) was established in 1998. It quickly became a recognized leader in the field of international health insurance, offering a complete portfolio of health and life insurance products to customers in over 130 countries.
From its beginning, MNU has focused on providing superior customer service. Emphasizing creative yet solid solutions to the administrative difficulties and service barriers inherent in the international market, MNU has attracted a team of professionals - including underwriters, claims analysts, and customer service specialists - that are unrivalled in today's market. Augmented by state-of-the-art information technology services, MNU delivers on its promise of astonishing service that adapts to the changing needs of its customers.
William Russell, underwritten by the Hauteville Insurance Company, offers a range of international health insurance plans that give you access to first class medical care, wherever you are, without having to worry about the cost. They have years of experience in the international health insurance industry - plus the financial security of their insurance partner, AGF, and the world-wide presence of their medical assistance partner - CEGA Air Ambulance - making Global Health the complete solution to your health insurance needs.
By requesting a free quotation Medibroker will be able to advise you on the best plan at the best premium according to your specific situation and needs.
If insurance lingo sounds more like Greek than English to you, then never fear. These tips will educate you just enough to help you successfully navigate your way through the insurance buying process.
Shop Around. This is easier than it may sound because here in Texas, many insurance agents sell the same products. For instance, most agents that sell Unicare products also sell Blue Cross / Blue Shield and UnitedHealthCare plans. With just one call, you can get quotes from each of those three companies. Get at least three quotes from your agent.
Talk To Friends And Relatives That Are Satisfied Customers. This is an excellent resource that many individuals forget to use but is by far one of THE best tools to guide your decision making process. Ask questions about how quickly the insurance company pays its claims; the type of customer service it offers; if it is a company that most physicians and hospitals will accept.
Talk To Friends And Relatives That Are Unsatisfied Customers. If your friends and relatives are unsatisfied customers, you can learn from their experiences without having to go through the same frustrations. Listen carefully. Many people just don't understand the way insurance is supposed to work, so be sure the complaint is a legitimate one before you strike that company from your list.
Compare Products. As mentioned previously, you can get a quote from three companies with one phone call, but generally, the policies being sold are different in small ways making it difficult to compare plans equally. For instance, one quote may give you deductibles of $1,000 per individual / $2,000 per family while the other one has a minimum deductible of $1,500 per individual / $3,000 per family. Ask your agent for a comparison plan chart that you can use to check differences. Typical differences between plans will be in deductible amounts as we just considered and in the coinsurance coverage. Since you will be responsible for paying a portion of the coinsurance, it is important to learn how much you will owe. These will vary from 75% to 80% on most types of treatments. Some policies cover preventive health treatments a full 100%.
Do Your Homework. When finances are tight, one of the most attractive alternatives for consumers is to go onto the internet, get a few quotes and buy the cheapest policy available. While tempting, price cannot be the sole criteria you use to buy your insurance policy. The phrase, "you get what you pay for" is especially true and dangerous in the insurance industry when it comes to getting your claims paid. Be sure and choose a company that is financially stable and has a good outlook. You can access this information for free on the internet at ambest.com. In the search box, put in the names of each company that you are considering. Their rating should be at the very least an "A" and their outlook "stable" or "positive". Any other rating or outlook indicates that a company's financial condition is not secure. This can potentially mean that you don't get your claims paid. And if a company can't pay its claims, you practically don't have insurance coverage at all.
Find An Agent You Trust. Using insurance lingo does not equal understanding and to help bridge the gap, you need a professional that you know will keep your best interests in mind. Don't rely solely on the internet to help you find an agent. Again, talking with friends and family is an excellent way to find a trustworthy agent to help you find a policy that best fits yours and your family's needs.
These are your basic tools. All that is left is for you to get started.
What good is life if you can't enjoy it? Health insurance helps ensure that you will be able to live your life fully. So, health insurance is very important indeed. There is no perfect plan already set up and there is no one single perfect provider. What you need to do is choose the plan that is perfect for you (your personal needs given your situation) at the lowest price. That is the best deal out there for you.
What Coverages Will Be Best For Me?
If you are not worried about paying out of pocket for doctor visits and such, and they are few and far apart, and you are young and healthy, then perhaps all you need is a catastrophic health insurance plan. Catastrophic coverage will only cover, yep, you guessed it, things that are catastrophic. Your coverage plan will have a detailed list of things considered catastrophic such as you get your head smashed in a car wreck or you wake up one morning and discover you have cancer. This type of coverage is the cheapest but obviously, very needed for everyone.
Additional Coverages
Usually when one thinks about what one wants covered, we remember to take into consideration doctor visits, injuries, illnesses, lab work, hospital stays, and those kinds of fun things, but there are many additional things that many do not think about that requires additional coverage. Suppose you needed a root canal, or your mind was no longer quite there, or, you became pregnant? You would need health care for those things along with, I am sure, plenty of prescription drugs to go along with it which also, by the way, usually requires additional coverage as well unless you plan on paying out of pocket. So, never assume you are covered for something. Have the whole coverage list in front of you so you won't forget to cover yourself for something you may regret in the future. For example, did you realize that some plans have additional options called wellness benefits that can help you pay for classes to help you stop bad habits hazard to your health, memberships to help you stay in shape, and consultations for your nutritional needs? There are usually more options than people realize, so make sure you know them all, then pick and choose from the entire list of options to tailor your plan exactly how you need it to be.
The Best Way To Protect Yourself Through Your Coverages
It is especially important to make sure all your needs will be met if you have your health insurance through your employer. Do not assume that any health insurance through your employer will be good enough for you. You may need to add additional benefits to your insurance to get the proper coverage that you need. And, of course, one must be honest on all the forms. It would be horrific to be denied coverage after paying premiums for so long only because of a question on the form answered dishonestly. Remember, your coverage is based on the forms you fill out, so be as detailed and accurate as possible. The coverage only covers the person on the form, not anyone else!
Should I Get An HMO Plan Or A PPH Plan?
HMO (health maintenance organizations) or also known as managed care, are typically less expensive but you are limited to using only their very specific network of doctors and therefore, hospitals as well. If you go anywhere else for your care you will have to pay full price. Your main doctor (primary care physician) will refer you to a specialist if the need is present. You will not simply be able to go wherever. However, many HMO plans now offer more choices to help ease the burden of being so constricted.
PPH (preferred provider health insurance plans) are more flexible in that you can choose from many more doctors and hospitals because they usually have many other providers also registered with them, but you also pay more for that flexibility.
So, you must decide which is more important to you, more flexibility or paying less for insurance. Once you decide that you will be able to decide on the plan.
How Can I Save On My Health Insurance Plan?
First of all, if you can get your health insurance through your employer, then chances are that that is going to be the best deal for you financially because your employer is going to be paying part of that cost and usually, insurance companies give good discounts for many purchased all at once. That is not to say that that is going to be sufficient coverage for you, as mentioned earlier, but you can always add onto that insurance plan as needed. The older you get the more expensive health insurance will get, so it will be especially good to get any kind of discount you can, especially when you are older.
If both spouses work with each spouse on a different insurance covered through their work, depending on the insurances, it may be cheaper to have both on one. That you will need to figure out to see which option is cheapest for you.
Another great way to save money, just like auto insurance, is to up your deductible (the money you are required to pay before your insurance will help you out). The larger your deductible, the lower your premiums (your monthly payments to stay insured). Just make sure that you will be able to pay your large deductible should the occasion arise (if something major happened).
How To Pick A Good Health Insurance Company
Call their customer service with as many questions as you can think of and see how they handle it! And, see how long you are on hold for. If calling them seems like a nightmare than chances are they are not the right company for you!
Of course, there is always word of mouth too, which works great, and there are many forums on-line to read about what others have to say. Ratings are good to look at too. Experiences from friends and relatives are among the most important ways to tell how a company will treat you as well.
FoxQuotes provides competitive insurance quotes online. You fill out a simple form and compare quotes. FoxQuotes also provides helpful articles for choosing your insurance and live chat when available.
What good is life if you can't enjoy it? Health insurance helps ensure that you will be able to live your life fully. So, health insurance is very important indeed. There is no perfect plan already set up and there is no one single perfect provider. What you need to do is choose the plan that is perfect for you (your personal needs given your situation) at the lowest price. That is the best deal out there for you.
What Coverages Will Be Best For Me?
If you are not worried about paying out of pocket for doctor visits and such, and they are few and far apart, and you are young and healthy, then perhaps all you need is a catastrophic health insurance plan. Catastrophic coverage will only cover, yep, you guessed it, things that are catastrophic. Your coverage plan will have a detailed list of things considered catastrophic such as you get your head smashed in a car wreck or you wake up one morning and discover you have cancer. This type of coverage is the cheapest but obviously, very needed for everyone.
Additional Coverages
Usually when one thinks about what one wants covered, we remember to take into consideration doctor visits, injuries, illnesses, lab work, hospital stays, and those kinds of fun things, but there are many additional things that many do not think about that requires additional coverage. Suppose you needed a root canal, or your mind was no longer quite there, or, you became pregnant? You would need health care for those things along with, I am sure, plenty of prescription drugs to go along with it which also, by the way, usually requires additional coverage as well unless you plan on paying out of pocket. So, never assume you are covered for something. Have the whole coverage list in front of you so you won't forget to cover yourself for something you may regret in the future. For example, did you realize that some plans have additional options called wellness benefits that can help you pay for classes to help you stop bad habits hazard to your health, memberships to help you stay in shape, and consultations for your nutritional needs? There are usually more options than people realize, so make sure you know them all, then pick and choose from the entire list of options to tailor your plan exactly how you need it to be.
The Best Way To Protect Yourself Through Your Coverages
It is especially important to make sure all your needs will be met if you have your health insurance through your employer. Do not assume that any health insurance through your employer will be good enough for you. You may need to add additional benefits to your insurance to get the proper coverage that you need. And, of course, one must be honest on all the forms. It would be horrific to be denied coverage after paying premiums for so long only because of a question on the form answered dishonestly. Remember, your coverage is based on the forms you fill out, so be as detailed and accurate as possible. The coverage only covers the person on the form, not anyone else!
Should I Get An HMO Plan Or A PPH Plan?
HMO (health maintenance organizations) or also known as managed care, are typically less expensive but you are limited to using only their very specific network of doctors and therefore, hospitals as well. If you go anywhere else for your care you will have to pay full price. Your main doctor (primary care physician) will refer you to a specialist if the need is present. You will not simply be able to go wherever. However, many HMO plans now offer more choices to help ease the burden of being so constricted.
PPH (preferred provider health insurance plans) are more flexible in that you can choose from many more doctors and hospitals because they usually have many other providers also registered with them, but you also pay more for that flexibility.
So, you must decide which is more important to you, more flexibility or paying less for insurance. Once you decide that you will be able to decide on the plan.
How Can I Save On My Health Insurance Plan?
First of all, if you can get your health insurance through your employer, then chances are that that is going to be the best deal for you financially because your employer is going to be paying part of that cost and usually, insurance companies give good discounts for many purchased all at once. That is not to say that that is going to be sufficient coverage for you, as mentioned earlier, but you can always add onto that insurance plan as needed. The older you get the more expensive health insurance will get, so it will be especially good to get any kind of discount you can, especially when you are older.
If both spouses work with each spouse on a different insurance covered through their work, depending on the insurances, it may be cheaper to have both on one. That you will need to figure out to see which option is cheapest for you.
Another great way to save money, just like auto insurance, is to up your deductible (the money you are required to pay before your insurance will help you out). The larger your deductible, the lower your premiums (your monthly payments to stay insured). Just make sure that you will be able to pay your large deductible should the occasion arise (if something major happened).
How To Pick A Good Health Insurance Company
Call their customer service with as many questions as you can think of and see how they handle it! And, see how long you are on hold for. If calling them seems like a nightmare than chances are they are not the right company for you!
Of course, there is always word of mouth too, which works great, and there are many forums on-line to read about what others have to say. Ratings are good to look at too. Experiences from friends and relatives are among the most important ways to tell how a company will treat you as well. You can compare quotes online at http://www.foxquotes.com
FoxQuotes provides competitive insurance quotes online. You fill out a simple form and compare quotes. FoxQuotes also provides helpful articles for choosing your insurance and live chat when available. http://www.foxquotes.com
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Identifies the exclusions in the average health insurance policy
A privately owned company, à la carte healthcare works with advisers to provide international private medical insurance for expatriates of any nationality, local nationals, international business travellers, groups and large corporate schemes.
AXA PPP were founded in England in 1940, with the active support of the medical royal colleges, the British Medical Association and the King's Fund to set up a health insurance scheme for people in London. PPP International serve around 2.5 million customers and their business activity includes Medical insurance for individuals and companies throughout the world and Dental care services. Today they are members of the global AXA group. 
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. Our products are innovative and result from an ongoing programme of research and customer feedback, which means that we are continually exceeding customer's expectations. CIGNA's business is built on our vision to be the most exciting, innovative and successful company at the leading edge of healthcare management.
Exclusive Healthcare was launched exclusively for people from other countries coming to live in France. The founders have lived in France themselves and have worked in the healthcare insurance industry for many years. Their work has brought them into close contact with many countries with a great number of families on the move, their needs and their problems.
Expacare serves people of all nationalities living in over 150 countries around the world. As one of the UK's longest established international health insurance providers, we have made it our business to find solutions to meet the healthcare needs of individuals and their families as well as companies both small and large. We take pride in giving personal service that delivers excellence and exceeds expectations.
Expatriate Healthcare, based in London with worldwide, multi-lingual service and support, provide a collection of Private Medical Insurance plans for the expatriate and international traveller. 
HTH Worldwide (HTH) applies global expertise to bring innovative healthcare services and insurance to international travel, study and commerce. HTH plans are geared for U.S. Citizens living part time or full time overseas as well as foreign nationals living in the U.S. Each year hundreds of thousands of international travelers and assignees protect themselves and their families with HTH. Our programs combine comprehensive, insurance products with critical travel health information, security information and online/toll free medical assistance services. Members enjoy access to our community of contracted physicians in more than 160 countries, our translation guides for brand name pharmaceuticals and common medical terms and phrases, featured articles on dozens of travel-health topics and up-to-date health and security alerts. 
ihi Bupa is a Danish company, established in 1972 and registered in Copenhagen. IHI specialises in high quality comprehensive worldwide medical and travel insurance - for both private individuals and corporations. IHI is wholly owned by BUPA, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.
IPH the International Private Healthcare Premier range of medical insurance plans, underwritten by Lloyds, offer you and your family the peace of mind of knowing that wherever you are in the world you have access to the best medical attention available. IPH has many years experience giving their customers security and peace of mind, wherever they are living or working.
Medicare, all around the world, different cultures have discovered different remedies for ill health. Some work, some are said to work and some just don't work at all. It's a bit like the standard of health care abroad. How can you be sure that if you were to require medical help abroad, you would get the right treatment, when you needed it? Medicare claim to answer these questions.
MultiNational Underwriters, Inc. (MNU) was established in 1998. It quickly became a recognized leader in the field of international health insurance, offering a complete portfolio of health and life insurance products to customers in over 130 countries. 
