An indemnity plan allows you to choose your own doctors and hospitals. This allows you to receive care from a provider you trust.

Health Insurance ABCs

Let's face it, in today’s world, health insurance is a necessity. With medical expenses soaring higher than a hang glider, paying for them could have you digging deep into the pockets of your jeans.

What types of health insurance are available?

• An indemnity plan allows you to choose your own doctors and hospitals and pays for medical expenses: totally, part or up to a specified amount.
• Managed care plans generally provide broader coverage, but they all involve an arrangement between the insurer and a selected network of health care providers.

No matter which type of health insurance you buy, you will need to make sure it offers the right kind of coverage with a premium you can afford.

What should be covered?

A good health insurance policy should contain the following:

• Hospital expense: pays your room, board and incidental services when hospitalized
• Surgical expense: pays your surgeons’ fee and related costs associated with surgery.
• Physicians’ expense: pays for visits to a doctor on outpatient basis or when confined.
• A stop loss with a high lifetime maximum: after a co-insurance is met (an amount that you are responsible for) the plan pays 100% up to a selected maximum benefit of insurance coverage. The coverage should be broad and designed to protect you against losses from catastrophic illnesses or injuries.

What might be covered?

When comparing health plans, check to see if they provide additional benefits that you may need, such as:

• Prescriptions
• Preventative care
• Vision
• Dental

What will it cost?

Usually insurance companies use the following variables when determining premiums:

• Age
• Number of members to be insured
• Use of tobacco
• Medical conditions
• Height and weight
• Geographic location
• Selected benefits on the insurance policy such as co-payment, deductible and co-insurance benefit

How do I decide which plan is the best?

The best health insurance plan for you is the one that gives you the greatest flexibility and the most benefits for the lowest cost. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a standard health insurance plan. Here are a few points to consider:

• Freedom to choose medical providers
• Cannot be singled out for rate increases or cancellation based on claims submitted
• Insurer must have at least an “excellent” rating from a major rating organization such as A.M Best
• Offers national and emergency worldwide coverage
• On the job coverage for self employed who are exempted from workers’ compensation coverage.
• Affordability
• Insurer dedicated to world-class customer service Those that will assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with your insurance needs

What if I got declined for the health insurance policy I applied for?

If you request an application through American Insurance Agencies for health insurance and were declined coverage, our representatives with your permission have the ability to shop other carriers that may have different underwriting guides.