| Health Insurance:
Overview |
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One of the
major expenses for many families and individuals in the US is the cost
of health services. Rising premiums in the recent years made it either
more expensive or hard to afford service.
Unlike the
national health law in Israel, the health insurance carriers in the US
are for profit organizations, regulated by the each state. The health
insurance carriers have the power to accept or reject new clients as well
as terminate existing insured under the federal and the local state regulations.
There are
2 major health systems: The HMO and the PPO. There are 2 major health
insurance contracts: individual (for single person/family) and as member
of a group.
Each health
insurance contract has covered services and exclusions. The details are
varies from contract to contract.
Each health
insurance carrier has network of doctors, pharmacies and hospitals in
which the health services cost is based on a negotiated fee-schedule.
Any IN-NETWORK service is the most cost effective choice for the patient.
Services given OUT-OF-NETWORK without the insurance authorization could
end up with thousands of dollars of medical bills.
Most insurance
plans are available until the retirement age, where the federal Medicare
system kicks in for cava rage.
DENTAL
Coverage is not part of
the medical health insurance plans; it may be purchased as an additional
service, or as a stand-alone plan. |
