health insurance plan

It is widely known that women outlive men and more female babies survive than male. Nowadays men live an average of 5 years less than women, which is 4 years more than it was almost a hundred years ago. Why is this the case and how can men correct this problem? Some of the reasons are rooted in the way men take care of themselves in general and how they approach purchasing health insurance. Other reasons are simply because of how men don’t take care of themselves physically and when selecting or even purchasing health insurance policies.

Most men don’t even bother with health insurance, nor do they even consider looking for it. More and more women are purchasing health insurance for their spouses, but what about all the single men out there? If you obtain a quote for a man’s health insurance, it will usually be higher than that for women. Men don’t just slack off on the health insurance coverage, they don’t seek medical help even if they do have medical insurance. Getting a good health insurance policy is one of the few steps to a healthier and longer life.

A man’s health is not just important to him, but to his offspring and to his spouse. If you die, what will happen to your wife and kids? Health insurance and life insurance for men go hand in hand sometimes, and you should get both. Since the men tend to bring home the bread more, or earn more income, it is important that men have a decent health insurance plan to cover them and probably their family for when things go wrong. Being covered not only physically but financially by a good health plan will reduce the risk of death for not only you but for your entire family. It would be wise to obtain health insurance early on or just finding the best plans available on the market today.

Health insurance becomes more important for men as they age, as this is usually when more and more health problems and risks arise. Widows are left with expensive medical bills and post postmortem expenses after their husbands die from easily preventable diseases and complications. With health insurance men are more inclined to see the doctor and are better cared for by health professionals since necessary tests are covered. Guys wouldn’t bother with tests if they weren’t paid for and convenient for them, thus health plans will help them stay healthier.

Men leaving their wives in poverty is becoming more common as they die without life and health insurance, leaving their entire family to deal with the left over medical expenses. There are more elderly women than men in the United States and it seems to be getting worse while men don’t take care of themselves. Men need to get out there and find those popular health plans aimed specifically to males so you can be there for your wife and kids. For single guys this means living longer than your ex-girlfriends and your other friends!

Mike Bell is the owner and operation of the Insurance Options Guide. A site dedicated to providing users with appropriate information to make informed insurance decisions.

Introduction

If becoming unemployed isn’t bad enough, you also just lost your employer sponsored health insurance. While nothing I can suggest will make this bad situation into happy times, ideas for coping with the resulting health insurance problem can help. The choice of health insurance needs to be made quickly to retain your important health insurance protection. Are you going to bite the high cost of COBRA or strike out on your own health insurance plan? Not enough money for COBRA? What are there other choices?

To COBRA or Not to COBRA

If you were employed by a company that was large enough to be COBRA qualified, then you can keep your current health insurance but it will be a painfully high price. Your recent employer is required by this Federal Law to send you notice of eligibility. You have 63 days to either choose COBRA or not and then it’s off the table. You can then keep a COBRA health insurance plan for up to 18 months.

The hard part of COBRA is that the cost can be out of reach particularly since your paycheck just got eliminated. If you have substantial ongoing medical costs or pre-existing conditions, this will provide an essential bridge to your future group coverage and is the only safe route to go. A COBRA health insurance plan is “HIPAA” qualified and will not exclude your pre-existing health conditions. Also, when you are hired and can join a new employer based group plan, the HIPAA rule will apply and your new group plan will count your time on a COBRA plan as “Creditable Coverage.”

Note: COBRA coverage is dependent on the prior employer’s group plan. If the company is out-of-business or ends their group health benefit, you will lose your COBRA benefit.

State Continuation

Texas and some other states have a mandated health benefit continuation. This can help if your employer is too small for COBRA (less than 20 employees). Generally it is a much shorter benefit period (Texas is 6 month) but it is worth asking about if no COBRA health insurance benefit is available. Like the COBRA option, paying the whole price is the downside.

Short Term “Gap” Health Insurance

Inexpensive “Gap” plans are designed for short time periods and need protection for an unexpected acute illness or injury. These plans can work great if you are “between jobs” and are just waiting for eligibility with your new employer’s group health plan. Generally, short term policies are offered for up to a six month contract period.

They are not a safe choice for anyone with significant pre-existing medical conditions since prior medical conditions will be excluded on Short Term plans. Also, Short Term plans are not considered “Credible Coverage” under the HIPAA rule and your future employer group plan can apply pre-existing condition exclusion if your gap between group plans is 63 days or more. Third, while Short Term plans have simplified health screening, you still have to have good health to qualify. A fourth concern is the potential risk of a new illness or injury occurring that can require treatment beyond the very limited contract time period.

Individual / Family Health Insurance

If you and your dependents can qualify on the initial health screening and can afford the price (High but often much less than COBRA), your own Major Medical Insurance Policy is a good option. The High Deductible plans that are also Health Saving Account compliant can deliver good protection from the risk of a major illness or injury on a tough budget. Unlike Short Term “Gap” plans; a Major Medical plan (including the High Deductible versions) has real staying power and substantial benefits.

Many employers, particularly smaller companies, don’t offer a group medical insurance benefit. Having your own health insurance can open your job hunt to these positions without employer benefits. Having your own medical benefits also can help open the door to being self-employed.

Summary

First, good luck on your job hunt. While you are looking for new work, don’t risk being without the financial protection of health insurance. COBRA can be painfully expensive but may be necessary if you have ongoing healthcare needs. An inexpensive Short-Term “Gap” insurance plan can be a good fit for some situations. Getting you own Major Medical Insurance policy is a third option that can also broaden your employment prospects.

David W. Crump, Ross Gray Insurance Agency

Link to Health Insurance information & quotes: http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/pages/home/health-insurance.php.

I specialize in Business, Health and Personal Insurance sales and service. A graduate of Texas Tech University (BBA Marketing), I began my career in retailing of Toy, Hobbies and Games. I have been a business owner but changed careers to insurance after selling my interest in a Dallas area Game Store Chain thirteen years ago. Hobbies include Gardening, Music (Bass Vocal) and Stock Investing.

See our website at http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/.

Ross Gray Insurance Agency has a 30+ year history serving Central Texas on all facets of insurance. We are located in South Austin at 2404 S. IH-35. We are here to help!

Male Specific Health Insurance By Michael Bell Platinum Quality Author

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