Health insurance is one of the best ways to be prepared for unexpected health emergencies and expenses. Although the jargon and technicalities may seem confusing at times, it is important to prepare yourself mentally and read through all terms before making a big decision, such as finalizing your insurance provider and agreeing to their conditions. To make this process easier for you, here are six things you must know before buying health insurance:
Waiting period
The waiting period is the time where one cannot raise a claim against the health insurance plan. Generally, insurance providers have a 30-day waiting period, during which they may not accept claims. This period may be even longer for pre-existing conditions, maternity benefits, and certain other ailments, and will differ from company to company.
Coinsurance and copay
Coinsurance is the percentage of the claim that is borne by the policyholder. Copay is a flat fee paid every time you receive a health care service. When shopping for health insurance, it is important to find the right percentage of premium and coverage, as a lower monthly premium could mean higher out-of-pocket costs, and vice versa. Checking these details and choosing a policy carefully could significantly lower your healthcare costs over time.
Summary of benefits
Visit your insurance provider’s website for details about their various plans and the services they cover. Compare these benefits with other plans to find the right one for you and your family. You may find key differences in plans in areas like physical therapy, fertility treatments, and mental healthcare, so be sure to factor this in when making a decision.
Your family’s healthcare needs
Consider the amount and type of treatment you and your family members have received over the past. Some of these conditions may require regular intervention, making them a recurring expense. Weigh these needs against the list of benefits offered by your insurance provider. This may help you make a more informed decision, and reduce your bills in the future.
Health Plan Networks
When looking for a new health insurance plan, it is key to look for one with a larger network. This is because there is a significant difference in costs when one goes to an within-network provider, as opposed to one outside the network, as the insurance agency has already negotiated lower prices. If you already have a doctor you would like to continue seeing, ask them if they accept your new insurance plan.
Opting for a plan with a larger directory will give you more flexibility and more options to choose from, and switch between doctors if needed. Avoid opting for healthcare plans that do not have any local in-network doctors.
Comparing available insurance plans
Generally, there are four managed healthcare plan types to choose from – Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), and Point of Service Plan (POS). The main differences between these plans lie in their network coverage, requirement of referrals, and the cost.
HMO
You have the least amount of flexibility here, and must choose between in-network providers, except for emergencies. It generally requires referrals and has low out-of-pocket costs.
PPO
While there is more flexibility with these plans, staying within the network leads to lower treatment costs. Out-of-pocket expenses for such plans are generally high.
EPO
With an EPO plan, you can directly choose between the in-network providers, without having to work with a primary care physician. Out-of-pocket expenses for these services are lower than PPO.
POS
With a POS plan, you are required to visit a primary care physician and get a referral from them, before you can visit a specialist. Although referrals are mandatory, this allows you to have access to more provider options, and a primary care physician to navigate all your healthcare needs.
How to choose your health insurance policy?
When buying health insurance, the federal health insurance ‘Medicare’ is perhaps the most popular option. It has two coverage options: Traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B, and Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). Those looking for additional coverage may also opt in for Medigap.
Part A of this insurance plan covers inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B covers necessary, as well as preventive services like clinical research, ambulance services, durable equipment, in-patient care, outpatient care and partial hospitalization for mental health services, and limited outpatient prescriptions. These plans require the payment of a deductible and coinsurance, which is usually 20% of the cost of the approved service.
Part C or Medicare Advantage is rolled out by a private company and may offer extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental services. It also sets a limit on what you will have to pay out of pocket each year for covered services, making it a more attractive option for many.
Anyone can join these plans during these enrollment periods.
Initial Enrollment Period
You can join a plan when you first become eligible for it.
Open Enrollment Period
You can join, switch, or drop a plan between October 15 – December 7 each year. Coverage for the new plan begins on January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan may choose to switch to another, or go back to the Original Medicare Plan between January 1 – March 31 every year.
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3 popular dishwashers to consider buying
Read moreDishwashers have been an essential appliance in most households for decades. And over the years, they have become more energy efficient and technologically advanced. However, there are many options on the market from different brands, making it hard to choose. Keeping this in mind, we have picked the three most affordable and efficient models you can consider. We have also listed the features to give you an idea of what you expect from the product.
Frigidaire FFID2426TS
Frigidaire is one of the country’s go-to brands for budget-friendly appliances. This 24-inch dishwasher is ENERGY STAR® certified, built to offer four dedicated clean cycles. The basic model comes with a capacity for 14 place settings, includes the OrbitClean® spray arm wash system, and operates quietly at a silence rating of 54dBa. In addition, this Frigidaire dishwasher consists of a stainless-steel food crusher that removes any food particles and prevents them from clogging the drain spaces.The Frigidaire FFID2426TS dishwasher is easy to operate with Ready-Select® pre-programmed controls and DishSense™ technology. The latter automatically adjusts the cleaning cycle and locks the controls once operations are underway. Other features to enhance efficiency include a delayed start, self-cleaning filter, hot wash, and child lock. At $779, Frigidaire FFID2426TS is the most affordable, compact, user-friendly, and functional dishwasher you can buy in the built-under systems segment.
Bosch 300 series
Bosch is a name that is synonymous with kitchen appliances, especially dishwashers. The 300 series is designed to include a third rack to enhance loading and cleaning capacity. It also features Bosch’s RackMatic™ technology for the upper adjustable rack with nine distinct positions and three unique height settings. It is possible to shuffle around oddly-shaped utensils with this unique feature.The 300 series is a built-under dishwasher that comes with multiple cycle settings. You can even adjust the 24-hour delay start timer and use the dishwasher during off-peak hours in areas that suffer from water scarcity. Bosch claims their dishwashers are the quietest machines in the segment that do a thorough job. At just $899, Bosch 300 series is one of the more affordable options to go for this year.
Miele G7556
Miele is one of the top picks among the high-end dishwashers with abundant features for a reasonable price tag. You can shop for their built-under, semi-integrated, and fully integrated models depending on daily use, kitchen size, layout, and also budget. Miele’s G7556 comes fully loaded with the SCVi AutoDos system that takes care of your essential dispensing needs. You get a 3D MultiFlex Tray that has adjustments to fit all types of utensils and cutlery. An LED light illuminates the interior to make loading easy. Further, Miele’s innovative design makes it convenient to open and close the tray.The key highlights of the G7556 are the multi-language control dashboard and smart synchronization with an app for monitoring the appliance. At $2,499, the Miele G7556 is one of the best fully integrated dishwashers with automatic dispensing systems trending on the market.
It is advisable to compare brands and products based on specific features as most offer more or less the same technology. Some patented innovations in the dishwashers we have listed here set them apart from many others on the market. Also, your budget will further help filter the top picks and choose the best.
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Psoriasis – Types, causes and popular treatments
Read moreCharacterized by a rapid build-up of cells, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition and is usually chronic in nature. Due to the rapid build-up of cells, the surface of the skin becomes red, scaly and inflamed.
If the condition is too severe, the surface of the skin may even crack and bleed.
Skin Psoriasis usually develops on the joints such as your elbows and knees. However, it does develop in other areas of your body like the hands, feet, neck, scalp, mouth, face and genitals.Different types of Psoriasis
The five most common types of skin psoriasis are as follows:Plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. It results in inflamed, red patches all over the skin. Most of these patches are covered with silver-white scales or plaques. Plaque psoriasis is usually found around the elbows, knees, and scalp.Guttate psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis usually affects children more than adults. It is usually characterized by pink spots and is commonly found around the torso, arms, and legs. The pink spots are not as thick and raised like plaque psoriasis.Pustular psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is usually found more commonly among adults. In this condition, you will find white, pus-filled blisters and red, inflamed skin. It is usually found on the hands and feet.Inverse psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis is characterized by bright areas of inflamed, red, shiny skin, which develop under the armpits or breasts, the groin and around the genitals.Erythrodermic psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis usually covers large areas of the body and is not as common as the other types of skin psoriasis. People with this condition almost look sunburned.What causes skin Psoriasis?
One of the most common causes of skin psoriasis is your genes. If you have a family history of the disease, then you are more prone to end up with the same.
Another causal factor of skin psoriasis is a weak immune system. Since the immune system is supposed to protect the body from disease, people with skin psoriasis do not have a very strong immune system.Some of the other causes of skin psoriasis are:
- Stress
Skin injury like cuts, scrapes, burns - Skin infections
- Medications
Skin Psoriasis: Treatment
For a mild form of this condition, skin psoriasis treatment includes topical treatments like the application of certain creams, lotions or sprays. Injections can be used to treat this psoriasis too.When the case is more severe, skin psoriasis treatment includes a larger area of skin, so topical treatments will not be very effective. In such cases, ultraviolet light treatments and systemic treatments that include total body treatments in addition to tablets and injections.In spite of the many skin psoriasis treatments that are available, this skin disorder is not entirely curable and can occur every once in awhile. However, with proper care of your skin and good medication and treatment, skin psoriasis can be managed effectively.
- Stress