Beldames’ Saloon

Sleep-at-night coverage with a Private Health Insurance

Health Insurance: a sense of dissatisfaction The three C’s, customization, consumerization and customer-satisfaction, seem to be at the core of the business mantra for every service provider. The health insurance provider industry is no exception to this rule. With an increasing concern among the tax payers of US regarding the number of people uninsured in the country, there is a burgeoning market for the providers. Even though, this seems to be a buyer’s market, there seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction among the people with the red tape and bureaucracy involved in claims processing, exclusions and limitations. Based on a survey conducted a couple of years ago, only 1 in 4 Americans said, they are “very satisfied” with their medical coverage. In general, the consent was that the people were dissatisfied with the bureaucracy of the provider, rather than the health plan itself.

Taking a closer look at the Indemnity Plans Let us now try to take a microscopic view of the intricacies of the two major types of health insurance: Indemnity vis–vis the Managed Care. The Indemnity is the traditional fee-for-service plan allowing more flexibility in terms of choosing your physicians and health care providers in lieu of an annual deductible amount. This is also referred to as the typical private or individual health insurance plan, tailored to the person’s situation. Exclusions are defined when you buy your policy for your particular scenario. Due to the personalization nature of the policy and the subsequent risk exposure to the insurer, this comes with a higher price tag.

Exploring the intricacies of a Managed Care Plan A Managed Care plan will typically restrict the individual to visiting in-network set of physicians, hospitals and health care providers. This encompasses the Group Health Insurance plan, usually extended as part of an employer benefit. A single policy is designed for a big group of individuals belonging to different age groups and with varied medical conditions. Due to the economies of scale, in terms of risk distribution, these plans have lower premiums and out-of-pocket expenses than the private health insurance plan.There are three variations of the Managed Care plans: PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and POS (Point-of-Service). The in-line exclusions of these plans are a major concern, which are probably not always evident to the policy holder till the unforeseen happens. The provisions in the policy are decided between the insurer and the policy owner (typically your employer). Due to the restrictions imposed to visit doctors registered with the plan, you may come across a situation where you do not have a doctor to treat your specific illness. Simple surgeries and diagnostic tests can add up to thousands of dollars in medical expenditures due to the exclusions. In the long run, the lower premiums may not actually save your money due to these occasional exclusions/limitations. Thus, it always becomes an annoyance for the consumer to choose a well-rounded managed care plan that covers all or most of the medical diseases and/or illnesses. The bureaucracy and red tape involved in these policies to obtain authorizations and referrals even for the slightest of variations, for cost control measures always lead to a lot of dissatisfaction. Typically, you are also required to go through a primary care physician (PCP) for any of your treatment needs and may not be able to get your treatment done with the doctor of your choice to avoid excessive costs to the insurer.

Private Affordable Health Insurance gives you the freedom of choice! Comparing the two major variations, private health insurance seems to be the option to get the peace of mind for your healthcare needs. With the rising discontent among policy holders, this seems to be a more economically viable option for the long run depending on your health conditions. It is all about the “freedom of choice” and the flexibility to guarantee you the best medical care. The exclusions are defined at the onset of the contract based on your specific requirements and if you can afford the extra dollars, you actually get the perfect “sleep-at-night” coverage! Unlike group coverage, the provisions are negotiated by the policy holder and depending on the financial ability the policy can be designed as comprehensive as possible. In addition to the customized health care, the next most important advantage is the flexibility to choose your own doctor or specialist and the hospital of your choice. Private health insurance is a surging business in the United States because of the freedom that policy holders have in choosing what they want and how they want to be insured. You can secure yourself against any financial devastation for any and every imaginable health condition.

Consider your priorities for a secured health insurance, make an informed decision! In order for a person to have a secured life, the right health insurance will give the shield for any medical emergency. The comparative analysis is very much subjective and varies from one individual to another. Considering the issues highlighted in this article, here are some other pointers to keep in mind in choosing the side between a managed care vis–vis private health insurance plan. Consider the quality of care with the doctors in your policy. In times of distress, mental peace is probably the most important thing you are looking for and with a private health insurance plan; you can easily switch physicians, if you are not satisfied with the service. With the restrictions imposed in a managed care policy, you should give it a second thought by considering the list of in-network doctors and health care providers. Consider the lifetime payout on the policy, which is the maximum reimbursement offered by the policy for your whole life. Lower premiums are not the end of the world, it is a decision you need to make for your life, so you actually maybe better off paying the higher premiums of a private health insurance plan as opposed to rapid depletion of a managed care lifetime payout. Consider the delicate balance between the paying out too much on your out-of-pocket expenses vis–vis the risk of your exposure to a serious illness. If you feel, you are more prone to getting infected, you might be better off taking up the more expensive individual affordable health insurance option to save you money in the long-term. Provisions for emergency care, is another major factor to be considered in choosing your health insurance. Typically, some of the managed care plans have been occasionally criticized due to the requirement of primary care physician’s approval for an emergency care. You must definitely put your step down on this one, as emergency care is something you do not want to jeopardize due to higher premiums on the policy. Last but not the least, are the pre-requisites defined in the policy before you are eligible for getting medical attention. Keep in mind; if you are not feeling well, you deserve the right to visit your doctor, do not let the limitations in your affordable health insurance policy scare you away from getting your treatment. Occasionally, people have compared buying a private health insurance policy to buying a Rolls Royce, but wouldn’t you rather enjoy the tranquility of a peaceful ride rather than traversing the rough terrains with the restrictions put in by the managed care policies? It is a rhetorical question!

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How is rollover of a Medical Savings Account (MSA) into an HSA treated by the federal government for tax purposes?

Funds from an “Archer MSA” may be rolled-over into an HSA within 60 days of withdrawing the funds from the MSA. There are 2 different types of rollovers and the differences are critical in terms of tax implications:

1) Trustee-to-Trustee: this involves a direct transfer of funds from the old MSA trustee to the new HSA trustee, and there is no money or checks that the individual receives directly. This is technically not a rollover, because a rollover means that the funds were first distributed to the individual participant. This trustee-to-trustee method does not trigger a taxable event since the participant never touches the money. Trustee-to-trustee transfers are not subject to any tax withholding and are exempt from the one per 60 day rollover rule.

2) Actual Rollover: a rollover occurs when the trustee distributes the MSA assets directly to the individual participant (the participant receives the check). In this case, the individual must transfer the assets to the new trustee within calendar 60 days after the receipt of the distribution. An IRS reporting requirement and potential tax penalties are imposed if the person misses the 60 day deadline.

In general, individuals are allowed one MSA to HSA rollover per 12 month period. In addition, asset rolled-over during the previous 12 months (e.g. MSA to MSA) are not eligible for rollover.
If a rollover is made from the MSA that does not meet the criteria described above, the action will be considered a non-qualified distribution that should be included in the account beneficiary’s gross income and also subject to an additional 10% tax.

Tax treatment of MSA to HSA rollovers can vary at the state level. The federal government does not tax MSA to HSA rollovers as long as the rollover meets the criteria described in item 5 above. Therefore, states that have harmonized their tax treatment of HSAs with the federal government will also allow tax-free rollovers. In states that have not harmonized HSA tax treatment with the federal government, MSA to HSA rollovers would be considered a non-qualified distribution. The rollover funds would therefore be subject to state income tax plus a 10% penalty.

If I live in a state that has not harmonized its HSA tax treatment with the federal government, then what are my record-keeping overheads to do my federal and state taxes correctly?

In this situation, the individual has significant record-keeping responsibilities. Record-keeping requirements would pertain to HSA contributions as well as the account’s earnings as the earnings would be subject to state income tax. Qualified distributions would be tax-free since fund contributions have already been taxed at the state level. Tracking the income (e.g. interest, dividends, realized capital gains) that an account holder should report on a state tax return could prove challenging and is significantly affected by the reporting capabilities of the given financial institution.

Generally, the HSA owner needs to keep a permanent record of: a) the deduction taken at the federal level for the HSA contribution; b) the amount of income generated during the course of a given year, and; c) the amount of income that has been reported each year for state income tax purposes.

If you rollover an MSA into an HSA in a state like California, those rollover funds would be considered a “non-qualified distribution” and would be subject to state income tax as well as the 10% penalty.

Kurt Stammberger is VP, Marketing at Healthia Inc. Healthia provides integrated comparison-shopping information on health insurance, health care products and services, doctors and health insurance plans to empower the drive towards Consumer-Driven Health Care.

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Most individuals have some form of insurance, whether it is for their vehicle, home or health. But it is important, however, not to overlook the benefits of life insurance, which pays money to beneficiaries when the insured dies.

HOW LIFE INSURANCE WORKS

Typically, the insured person makes payments into the plan - called premiums - in exchange for a “death benefit,” the money that is paid at the time of death. If you are considering purchasing life insurance there are a few potential problems you need to be aware of.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

There are numerous types of policies you can choose, but life insurance policies generally fall into three categories - protection, long-term savings and estate conservation.

Many people purchase life insurance for the purpose of providing for their dependents in the event of their death, thus protecting your existing stream of income. If you are in the protection category you may want to consider term life insurance, which offers only a death benefit for a specified period of time such as until you retire.

If long term savings is your reason for purchasing insurance, you may consider a cash value policy. With this type of life insurance, your beneficiaries receive a payment upon your death based on the full amount of coverage , not the cash value of the plan. The value of these plans is usually tied to an underlying investment portfolio and that is how funds accumulate.

Another added benefit is that these policies usually allow a holder to borrow from the accumulated funds in the plan without taxes or penalties. Depending on the policy, you can typically withdraw a portion of cash value and not pay it back, or even cancel the policy and receive the money that has been accumulated over the years.

USE LIFE INSURANCE FOR ESTATE PLANNING

Life insurance can also be used as an estate planning tool, especially if your goal is to preserve wealth for future generations. This type of policy covers one or two lives; the cash generated by these plans typically helps your heirs pay estate taxes and provide otherwise.

Now you have to decide how much coverage you need to provide the amount of income your family will need in the event of your death. After all, your goal in purchasing life insurance most likely is to ensure that income continues for those who are now dependent upon your income.

WHO NEEDS LIFE INSURANCE?

It also is important not to ignore the need for life insurance protection in a single or dual income family. The death of either spouse could create a financial strain on your family.

Ivon T. Hughes of The Hughes Trustco Group is a licensed Insurance Broker. Author of The Life Insurance Handbook. - Get a FREE Copy TODAY!
Email: info@trustco.ca Web: www.hughestrustco.com

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Each year, flooding causes damage to millions of homes. When flooding occurs there are some individuals who are luckier than others. You may be wondering how a homeowner with flood damage could be lucky. The lucky ones are the homeowners who purchased flood insurance.

Flood insurance is coverage that protects a home when flooding occurs. Flood insurance coverage is similar to other insurance policies. Homeowners are able to choose the amount of coverage that they wish to purchase for their home. Flood insurance, like most other insurance policies, does have a small deductible. Many homeowners wonder why they should have a flood insurance policy. The answer cannot be summed up in a few words because there are an unlimited number of benefits to having flood insurance.

The greatest benefit of having flood insurance is that your home and the belongings inside will be covered in the event of a flood. This means that should your home flood, you will not have to worry about paying out-of-pocket to replace all of your items. As previously mentioned, you will have to pay a deducible. Your deductible will be decided when flood insurance is first obtained and the amount is usually reasonable.

Another flood insurance benefit is that your home is covered under a wide variety of different flooding events. Flooding most commonly occurs when an area has received too much rain in a short period of time. Despite the fact that too much rain causes most of the world’s flooding, there are other events that may cause flooding. Flood insurance covers a home that is damaged due to a swimming pool leak, melting snow, clogged storm drains, and much more.

The price of flood insurance is another benefit of obtaining it. The cost of your flood insurance will all depend on the coverage plan that you select. It is important to note that no matter what plan you select, flood insurance can be obtained for a low price. In fact, to guarantee that you are getting a good deal on flood insurance you should search for a low-cost flood insurance provider.

One of the most popular low-cost flood insurance providers in the United States is AmeriFlood. AmeriFlood is a licensed agent that sells flood insurance coverage at a discounted price. Their flood insurance coverage plans are recognized and have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that you are obtaining quality flood insurance coverage, but for a discounted price. In fact, that discount can be up to 12%.

The above mentioned flood insurance benefits are just a few of the many. Many other benefits cannot even be expressed in words. Until you experience flooding firsthand, it is hard to imagine the pain, anger, and sorrow that a homeowner goes through. Hopefully you will never have to experience these emotions, but if you do be prepared and have flood insurance.

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It’s important to realise that there are more things to be taken into consideration when you have an accident than who was at fault. The insurance company will be looking out for other factors that may have contributed to the accident - bald tyres for example, or worn down brakes. And it won’t be just your car they’ll be looking at - they’ll need to be sure that you are roadworthy too - specifically when it comes to your eyesight.

Many people explain away an accident by saying “the other vehicle just appeared, I didn’t see it” - but what if that was a result of your bad eyesight rather than the other driver being at fault?

It’s our responsibility to look after our eyes and visit the optician regularly to make sure that we are wearing the right glasses if they are needed. If you do need to wear glasses or contact lenses then you must wear them while you are driving, and if you feel that your eyesight is getting worse, you must arrange to see the optician again.

I had an encounter just a few days that really made me think about this subject. I was going through a one-way system in Leeds when the driver in front of me slowed right down, even though it was a green light. He was trying to work out which way to go by reading the signs, and was obviously having a lot of difficulty in making them out. We eventually reached the lights, which were red by this time, at just 10mph and he rolled through them, oblivious to the cars joining from the right as he was concentrating on trying to read the signs. He was lucky not to cause an accident!

This man was breaking the law - which states that all drivers must meet a minimum standard of eyesight before they can legally drive. If they fall short of the minimum standards, then they must relinquish their licence.

The standard eyesight test for drivers’ sets some clear targets - for example, as long as you can read a number plate which is 50 mm wide and 79mm high (a standard number plate with numbers and letters) from 20 metres away, then you are permitted to drive. It’s acceptable for this standard to be achieved with the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

The law does not force you to have regular eyesight tests however, the onus is on you to keep on top of the situation. If you develop a medical condition that affects your eyesight to a degree that cannot be aided by glasses or contact lenses, that is when you need to tell the DVLA. To withhold that information from them is considered to be a criminal offence.

In America, some states have introduced laws that require drivers to take a sight test every five years, but it is not something that is being considered for the UK at the moment. However, we so have some rules relating to elderly drivers. After the age of 70, drivers are required to complete a medical form that states that they are fit to drive, and included within the definition of ‘fitness’ is eyesight. Any driver aged over 70 that doesn’t send the form in automatically loses their licence.

From the insurance companies’ point of view, if your eyesight is defective and could well have helped cause the accident, they will probably refuse to pay out on any claim. Perhaps you usually wear glasses but didn’t have them on at the time - an expensive and potentially very dangerous error.

Keep in mind that you are endangering yourself and others if you drive knowing that your eyesight is not up to scratch. And book an appointment for the optician!

Michael writes for Brokers Online Life Assurance who specialise in Cheap Car Insurance online.

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Although it makes sense to get in touch with a life insurance company to cover your dependents in the eventuality of your untimely death, there are integrity issues surrounding the insurance companies and agents. Broadly there can be 3 ways your life insurance company is scamming you. We have enlisted them for your benefit.

Selling Coverage that you don’t need!
The insurance companies thrive on the fact that most people don’t understand their life insurance needs. With standard products, they try to sell you coverage that you might not need, but, which are lucrative for them. The insurance agents expedite the process so that you skip the fine print and sign up for a coverage that is ill-suited to your needs. The trick is to play on your fear factor and sell you heavy insurance, even if you don’t have dependents.

Coaxing you to pay ‘Cash’
We strongly suggest, do not pay your premium through cash to an agent. Further, do ensure that you get a receipt for the payment. There are numerous fraudulent entities posing as genuine insurance agencies that extract hard cash from you in lieu of insurance premium. They ask you to sign at blank spaces in a form, assuring you that it is just a formality. Once you have fallen for their trick, you are left without an insurance coverage. The worst part is that most victims only come to know of this scam, when they have met with some mishap and there is not insurance to cover them.

Luring you with benefits!
Insurance agencies and agents have a way of promising you unbelievable benefits out a life insurance policy. Life insurance agents might offer you plans, with a guarantee that the policy would run premium-free for a specific period. Some agents play it smart and offer you great discounts for signing you up for a new policy, while replacing an old policy. The trick is that the old coverage gets terminated and new coverage does not get initiated due to the cumbersome procedural bottlenecks. Thus, exposing you to risk without cover.

John Castanella recommends that you visit www.instaquoter.com/life/ for an online life insurance quote.

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Gone are the days of the cinder block and wood plank bookcases. You’ve come along way from that old reliable jut rug and CDs (or in some cases, actual vinyl albums) stored in milk crates. That’s the way it is with first apartments, and sometimes second and third apartments too. It’s what you were able to afford when you first set out own your own. And it was fun, sort of. But today’s a new day, and you’ve paid your dues and then some. You’re the king or queen of your own castle, a castle as well-appointed as any luxury model home, with beautiful area rugs, antique furnishings, and other treasurers that you’d hate ever to see lost.

Because your home, and to a certain extent the items in that furnish it, will most likely be the best investment you’re likely to make, it’s important to protect this investment and those items that enhance it. The simplest way to do this is to make sure that you are carrying adequate insurance coverage on your home and its furnishings.

How Much Coverage is Enough?

Determining the amount of coverage needed is crucial. Say, that beautiful oriental rug once belonging to Great Aunt Hilda has finally come to rest in your hands, only to be irrevocably damaged when someone at the party you’re hosting spills Merlot on it. Other than frantically going at it on all fours, with club soda and Baby Wipes to the delight of your guests, what would you need to do in order to be “made whole” again, and most importantly, stop Great Aunt Hilda from spinning in her grave?

First, if you own your home and have a mortgage on it held by a bank, then you will be required to maintain adequate coverage on the “dwelling,” the actual building which makes up the structure of your home for the life of the loan. The lender recognizes the value of this investment, and will make sure that their investment is protected by requiring it be adequately covered by insurance. But how does this insurance coverage extend to Great Aunt Hilda’s prized Persian rugs and all the other furnishings that adorn the inside of your castle/home?

Estimating Value

An insurance agent writing a policy on your home will probably leave an estimation of the value of your home’s contents to your discretion. Your insurance agent may even ask you directly: “How much do you think your household contents are worth?” Following this query with yet another you may or may not feel qualified to answer: “Is that replacement or actual estimated value?” Your agent may encourage you to opt for coverage that allows for those lost items to be either made whole again either by: repair, replacement or receipt of cash payment–as most common household furnishings (other than fine art and other collectables), depreciate considerably in value with time.

But what about those two rare oriental rugs left to you by dear Aunt Hilda? Will you be expected to determine the value for these items? Well, not exactly. It’s one thing for you to estimate the value of last year’s CD player for $129, when it’s costs may be closer to $89, and quite another for you to estimate the value of a pair of rugs at $5000 each. Because you are limited to $1000 coverage per theft on these types of items when claimed under your Homeowner’s policy, an estimation of $5000 for each rug under your standard policy would only you provide with $1000 worth of coverage, for items you say are worth closer to $10,000. That’s why you may want to consider covering such items, those you value at over $1,000, with a Schedule to your Homeowner’s policy.

• So, what is a Schedule?
  It’s a list of items which may not receive adequate coverage under your standard Homeowner’s coverage.
• Who should consider a Schedule?
  If you own fine art, rare collectables, guns, jewelry, silverware, and fine area rugs, you might very well benefit by having a Schedule added to your policy.
• Do Schedules cover loss other than standard peril?
  Items listed on the Schedule are subject to broader coveragebeyond fire and peril–than those provided for under the standard Homeowner’s policy. Schedule items include coverage for accidental and unforeseeable occurrences: like rugs permanently stained by Merlot.
• Are Schedule items included under the deductible?
  A Schedule also benefits you because these items are not subject to a deductible.
• What proof needs to be provided to add a Schedule to your Homeowner’s policy?

  To include a Schedule to your homeowner’s policy, will be asked to substantiate the value of each item to be included on the Schedule. This can be provided in the form of certificates of authenticity, sales receipt or by appraisals.

Whether or not your household items merit the inclusion of a Schedule should be determined by you, the homeowner, assisted by your insurance agent. This way, with a little additional coverage, your Aunt Hilda’s treasured rugs may exist to be passed on to the next generation.

Willett Thomas (willett_thomas@yahoo.com)is a freelance writer living in the Brookland section of Washington, D.C.

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In this time of uncertainty, we never know what will happen next. Whether we are riding in the most luxurious of vehicles or driving in the cheapest car there is, it doesn’t matter; we are not exempted from the uncertainties and risks of life. Accidents may happen anywhere at any time and in usually in an unpredictable manner. We are not in control of these kinds of circumstances. All we can do is to protect ourselves from these risks.

Car manufacturers, in order to solve these problems, put additional parts in cars to enhance their safety components. They put seatbelts and air bags to protect the driver and the passengers. They also make the body of cars durable enough to withstand collisions. Car manufacturers usually put every car through several tests to determine how it will react to collisions, before putting it in the market to insure its durability.

Even with these safety measures performed by car manufacturers, accidents still happen. Most accidents are caused by reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcoholic drinks. On the average, a motor vehicle crashes every 5 seconds, a person is injured in an accident every 11 seconds and a fatal injury occurs every 12 minutes. These statistics are convincing evidence of why auto insurance coverage is so necessary.

Drivers are not the only reason why accidents occur. Sometimes, the cars that drivers use can also be the major cause of an accident. Passenger cars and light trucks accounted for nearly 95% of the 11 million vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes in 2004. Large trucks accounted for only 15 % of the vehicle accident. Regardless of the severity of the crashes, the majority of the accidents occurred during daylight, in normal weather conditions, while driving on a straight roadway. This pattern shows that no one can say that he/she is safe riding in any type of vehicle.

As stated, accidents do happen, but you can avoid them by following simple safety measure, include the wearing of seat belts and the following of simple traffic rules such as paying attention to speed limits and being cautious of your surroundings. Having car insurance is also advisable for your protection. This will serve as a protection for you and your family. It does not protect you physically in the same way that seat belts and air bags or helmets do, but it can protect you and your family financially.

Most countries like United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand make it compulsory for drivers to get their own coverage. In most countries in Asia, a driver cannot renew his license without getting covered.

A useful tool to find more information about car insurance can be found at
www.1carinsurance.org.

Clive Green is a writer with expertise in the fields of self-improvement and finance. http://www.1carinsurance.org

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Do you think you have the best auto insurance coverage just because you’re with a “big name” company?

News flash, you’re probably getting less coverage than you think.

But first let’s talk about accident statistics in the U.S.…

The Facts:

There are about 3 million car-related injuries a year
• 2 million permanent injuries
• 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year

About 40% of car accident fatalities are related to drinking and driving.
• 30% to speeding
• 33% from a car going off the road

Car accidents are currently the number one killer of people ages 1 to 37.
About 1 in 30 young drivers will be injured in an accident each year.
Young drivers are four times more likely to die in car accidents.
• much more prone to speed
• drive recklessly
• not wear their seat belts
• and drink and drive

There are Approximately 6.4 million accidents each year

Approximately 40,000 people die in auto accidents each year.

You may ask yourself what are the odds of me getting into an accident?

There were 48,366 Transportation accidents in 2002.
• One year odds of You getting in an accident are 1 in 5,953.
• Lifetime odds of You getting in an accident are 1 in 77. Are you the 1 in 77 to get into an accident this year?

Did you know?
Midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays proved to be the deadliest 3-hour periods throughout 2003?

In 2004 there was a total of 38,253 Fatal Crashes.
• Over 26,756 Driver crash victims
• 10,304 Passenger Victims
• 4,641 Pedestrian Victims
• 725 Pedacyclist Victims

Let’s move on to Insurance Coverage.

Here are the 7 things your auto insurance company should give you but doesn’t!

1. Full replacement cost paid if your new car is totaled in the first year at no additional cost.

2. Towing and roadside assistance included with your policy at no additional charge and no reimbursement required.

3. Bilingual insurance representatives available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide policy service or take claim reports.

4. Extension of your policy coverage and limits when driving in Mexico within 100 miles of the U.S. Border.

5. Discounted rates for qualified members of certain occupational groups.

6. Temporary coverage for student children home on holidays at no additional charge.

7. Waiver of collision deductibles if both parties involved in an accident are customers of the same company.

Want to check you’re car insurance coverage plan? Visit these reputable carriers today.
http://www.insurancebystate.org

Jack Roberts is an independent writer for himself who loves nothing more than to have his articles published.

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In the state of New York, you may qualify for low cost health insurance whether you are a small business, sole proprietor or individual.

In 2000 the NY Legislature enacted regulations in response to the Governor’s proposal to make available comprehensive insurance coverage for New York workers and their families who are uninsured. The name of the program is Healthy NY.

This program helps the small business owners (businesses with 50 or fewer employees) to provide health insurance to their employees and their families. Additionally, Workers who are unable to purchase insurance through their employer because the employer doesn’t offer insurance and the sole proprietor may purchase coverage directly though Health NY.

All HMO’s in the state of New York offer standardized health benefit package that is made affordable through the sponsorship of NY State. This makes it more affordable for small employers and uninsured employees.

There are certain eligibility requirements for each section:

Small Employer

Business must be located in New York
 The business must have 50 or less eligible employees
 30% of employees must earn $34,000 or less
 The business must not have provided group health insurance to employees in last 12 months (with certain stipulations)
 50% of eligible employee participation and at least one earns $34,000 or less
 Employer must contribute 50% of premium
 The employer must offer plan to employees working 20 hours or more and earning $34,000 or less

Individual and Sole Proprietor guidelines:

The individual must live in the state of New York
 Must be currently employed or have been within the last 12 months
 Employer does not provide health insurance
 Have not health insurance for past 12 month period
 Ineligible for Medicare
 The annual household income must meet the Healthy NY Income Guidelines
 

View our Recommended Health Insurance Company in New York, a simple site that has an easy to fill out application. It also has a lot of great info about Home Owners Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes

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