Affordable Healthcare Coverage Options

“Is it my breath? Oh my! maybe I’ve got something in my nose. Why else would the staff be leering at me and whispering. I’m in trouble now…I’ve been summoned to step around the corner for a private discussion. The billing clerk started the discussion with I’m sorry (at this point I’m thinking I must really be sick if she’s sorry and I haven’t had the medical test performed yet) we didn’t know you were a self-pay when the appointment was made. Next she wanted to know if I would be able to pay at least 50% of the charges. I smiled, as politely as the circumstances would allow, and said I don’t know….what are the charges? Fortunately for me my credit card had enough available credit to cover the charges.”

Yes, I was among the 47 million Americans without health insurance. Whether you agree with Senator Obama that health care is a right or with Senator McCain that health care is a responsibility; we have to do something in the interim until our next president either implements a plan to provide mandatory coverage of pre-existing conditions, tax credits for families and the expansion of Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or provides a refundable tax credit of $2500 for individuals and $5000 for families

Consider these options…

1. Take advantage of local health fairs. Last summer I attended
Indiana’s Summer Celebration health fair. My cholesterol was checked,
I was tested for diabetes and screened for breast cancer—all free of
charge.

2. Most states provide coverage for children of low income families.
Visit your states’ department of insurance website to see if you
qualify and for more information.

3. Income too high for #2, consider your states’ assigned risk plan
(please note that these plans are primarily for those Americans who
can afford to buy health insurance, but are denied affordable health
insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition). Again, check
your states department of insurance website or check with you personal
lines agent.

4. Live in a state without an assigned risk pool or risk pool still too
costly? All is not lost. Consider a mini-med policy (these are
defined benefit health plans that are guaranteed issue). Guaranteed
issue means no underwriting and no health questions. These policies
tend to be less expensive than a comprehensive plan. However, please
note these policies are designed to provide for basic medical care not
catastrophic care.
http://aimhealthplans.com/hio/

5. This may seem impossible with all you already have to balance—but if
your schedule will allow consider a part-time job with a company that
offers health benefits. If health benefits are not offered for part-
time employees stash your part-time earnings specifically for health
insurance premiums.

Whichever of the above options you are considering or have considered our country has a long way to go before the current healthcare insurance crisis is resolved (especially for those of us without healthcare coverage). Be sure to join the insurance forum for other ideas and to voice your opinion.