Are you lost in the maze of confusion information about the price and cost of health insurance and health insurance plans? The experts at HealthCompare put together some slide to help you through the health insurance clutter and make finding the right affordable health insurance easy. HealthCompare.com provides Affordable Health Insurance Quotes and makes it easy to buy Individual Health Insurance, Family Health Insurance and other Health Insurance Plans. http://www.healthcompare.com

1. Prepared by REV Media Marketing LLC March 2010 Why You Need Health Insurance The Price and Cost of Health Insurance

3. Pre-existing conditions like chronic illness or diabetes can increase your premiums and may also be subject to “waiting periods” before you benefit from coverage.

4. Lifestyle choices such as smoking will increase your premiums.

5. If you want lower premium payments, opt for high deductible plans.

9. A study by Harvard University researchers showed an average out-of-pocket medical debt of $12,000 for individuals who filed for bankruptcy. The study also found that 50 percent of all bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses.

10. Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy resulting from the aftermath of a serious health problem.

11. Medical expenses can lead to housing trouble. Many consumers can’t pay their mortgage or get credit approval due to outstanding medical debt. Source: National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC)

13. When you use the services offered by the pre-approved providers you are using “in network” services.

14. There are two different types of plans to choose from: fee for service plans and indemnity plans.

15. Fee for service plans (HMOs, PPOs, POS plans, and EPOs) have negotiated agreements with specific doctors, hospitals and health providers. Fee for service plans typically involve the insurance company directly reimbursing providers for claims that you incur.

16. By using the provider network for medical services, you qualify for the special rates and range of services outlined in your policy.

18. When you use a doctor in a provider network you are using “in network” services. For their services you inquire a lower out-of-pocket cost than if you had an indemnity plan, which does not rely on provider network agreements.

19. When you have a fee for service plan, your network of preferred or participating providers make all decisions for your health care needs, including—with HMOs—referrals to obtain specialized medical care.

22. Haggle over the hospital bill. Hospitals may be willing to reduce an account balance if the patient can demonstrate that the payment of a co-pay or deductible is a hardship. If you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it.

23. Eliminate unnecessary follow up appointments. Question whether or not you need a follow up appointment or if it can be handled with a simple phone call.

24. Inquire about less expensive prescriptions. When prescribed a name brand prescription, ask if a generic will suffice.