Health insurance is something we all ideally should have. Getting seriously ill is stressful enough, emotionally and financially, without having to add on the worries of how to pay for medical care. Had I not had health insurance earlier this year when I underwent major surgery we’d be looking at a lifetime of debt. Now we no longer have health insurance, and I literally make a wish every morning that we stay healthy.
Fall is traditionally health insurance open enrollment season for those who receive health benefits from their employer. Evaluating what your health insurance options are can be confusing, and that comes from someone who has worked with health insurance for a living for more than five years. Whether you receive employer-based health insurance coverage, are self-employed, or unemployed, rising medical costs and new laws make now a good time for everyone to re-educate themselves about their options.
To make the process a bit easier, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has compiled the tips below to help you and your readers make educated health insurance decision.
NAIC Health Insurance Tips
* If you receive health insurance through an employer, consider the following before selecting coverage this year:
- Review options for changes: Don’t automatically renew what you have had before because employers are making changes due to rising costs.
- Do the math: To pick the best plan, calculate healthcare costs from recent years and try to estimate costs for the coming year; don’t assume you know what plan will be the most affordable.
- Check out tax-free savings: Open a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan or a health savings account if that is available to you. And, don’t forget about dependent care savings accounts.
- Look for wellness incentives: Find out if your employer is offering a wellness program or incentives for healthy behaviors such as exercising regularly or not smoking.
* If you are self-employed, you face some unique challenges in finding and keeping health insurance, but you have a range of choices. Tax laws may allow you to deduct the cost of health insurance for yourself, your spouse and dependents.
- Spouse plan: First, check about being added to your spouse’s or domestic partner’s employer plan.
- Individual insurance: Consider shopping for private insurance. This option allows you to customize care to your lifestyle, health and budget. New Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans could help if you have had trouble qualifying for coverage in the past
* If you are unemployed, you were likely forced to determine how, or if, to continue your health insurance coverage within the past year.
- Now is a good time to review your decision and determine if your choice is still appropriate and if you or your family members might be eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
- Some professional or philanthropic associations offer state regulated health plans. For a fee, you can join these organizations and have the ability to participate in their plan.
WIN IT!
ONE winner will receive a Timex exercise heart rate monitor ($36 value) to help with achieving a healthy lifestyle.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter visit the NAIC site and then leave a comment here telling me if your family has health insurance AND one thing that you learned on the site.
BONUS ENTRIES – LOTS OF THEM!
1 – Leave a comment on MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE stating which giveaway you’re entering. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog. (in sidebar)
1 – Visit one of my other blogs – From Val’s Kitchen, Val’s Views, Game Review Network and Living With Special Needs – and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 – Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry. Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
The winner will be selected using the “And the winner is” plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Thursday 10/27/11 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
I will be receiving a heart monitor in exchange for sharing this information an hosting the giveaway. As always, please note that my opinions are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
