Comments on: Health Insurance Plan Types

By: Teresa N.

Teresa N. — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:54:45 +0000

I have regular health coverage through my spouse but would like the indemnity plan in addition to that for added security and to offset any extra expenses that could occur during hospitalization. Was just surprised at the limited options in New Jersey.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:28:56 +0000

Teresa, are you covered under a group health policy now or individual? If under a group, you may be able to get Aflac or Colonial Life or something like that. The employer would have to sponsor the program though. I’m pretty sure Aflac will sell to individuals as well. It’s a limited portfolio of products though.

Tell me more about what you have now and I will try to help. I work as an independent health insurance broker in NJ. Hopefully I can help you locate what you are looking for.

By: Teresa N.

Teresa N. — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:57:31 +0000

I have been searching high and low for a good individual hospital indemnity plan or hospital sickness indemnity plan available in New Jersey and I have not been able to find one. Pretty much all of them I have found say not available in NJ. I guess this state has very strict limitations on the type of insurance you can purchase on your own, which is ridiculous considering we pay the highest taxes in the U.S. and children in urban areas here are still in mediocre schools. They seem to tighten the screws any chance they get. How can we not be allowed to choose the type of insurance we want? Of course, accident/injury insurance is always available in NJ but that’s not what I need. Looking for one that pays at least $100 daily during hospitalizations with affordable premiums for individual and family. Anyone have recommendations besides AFLAC?

By: Amir M

Amir M — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:38:26 +0000

In addition to the individual plans defined above, there are a couple of other types consumers might find helpful:

Short-term plans- These plans provide you with coverage for a limited period of time, and work well for people between jobs or those waiting for other health insurance to start at a new job. Typically, short-term plans offer coverage up to six months, although some plans may offer coverage up to 12 months. The application process for these plans is simpler than individual plans and can be approved in as little as 48 hours. Short-term health insurance plans are designed to protect against unforeseen accidents or illnesses, rather than to provide comprehensive coverage.

Student plans- You must be an eligible college student between the ages of 17 to 29 to purchase a Student health insurance plan. These are indemnity plans, so you can visit the doctor or hospital of your choice. No referrals are needed, no out-of-network penalties are incurred … the choice is yours. On our site, you have the option to pay premiums semi-annually or annually.

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com –where I work—has a help center, glossary, licensed agents that can help you understand what is on our site and recommend plans as well as lot of other tools that can help you learn about what’s available.

- Amir M, licensed agent at eHealthInsurance.com

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:12:47 +0000

I’m a health insurance broker in NJ and I know it can be really difficult to find coverage and understand what plans cover etc…. While ehealthinsurance may be a good start, I would recommend finding a good local broker. You will get much better info from someone that deals with it everyday opposed to trying to read and understand what is out there on the web. I would check out the National Association of Health Underwriters website and you can do a search for brokers in your area. http://www.nahu.org

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:52:51 +0000

Through my employer I too have a PPO, but I grew up with an HMO. I have my issues with the PPO plan.

Bottom line for me, PPO is time consuming & Pharmacy, X-rays, Lab work are all different businesses across the city. HMO = no fussing, just park the car once and see your doc/get your X-rays/antibiotics/whetever you need.

Some people may like driving all over town for medical services, but I’m not one of them. If I break my finger (again), I don’t want to have to keep driving from place to place… I’ll just use popsicle sticks (LOL!).

By: carla

carla — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:59:49 +0000

I currently have PPO through my employer and I would never go back to an HMO again (if I had to choice)! Because I am “high maintenance” I need to have the flexibility. Since I am uninsurable outside of a group plan, I’m not sure what my choices are (if any)