A nice site is http://www.health-insurance-quote.net
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Faceless:
How health care system works in USA? If you are unemployed what happens when you get sick or need an operation? What do you get if you pay health insurance in USA? Can you go to any hospital you want or what?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The full answer is beyond the scope of this forum. But basically, the government only has insurance for poverty level folks and people over 65. This is funded through payroll taxes deducted from employed citizens. For those who work at businesses that provide health insurance, premiums are deducted from your paycheck to be part of a group insurance plan entered into between the employer and an insurance company. Insurance companies have networks of providers (doctors, hospitals) which they contract with to provide care for set, agreed upon prices. So, you can typically only go to providers in the network with which your insurance company has contracts. As part of the contract, patients typically have to pay co-pays for each visit, and/or deductibles for expensive procedures, before real coverage is paid by the insurance company. It can get much more complicated than that with what is called "managed care", but the above describes a typical arrangement.
How health care system works in USA? If you are unemployed what happens when you get sick or need an operation? What do you get if you pay health insurance in USA? Can you go to any hospital you want or what?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The full answer is beyond the scope of this forum. But basically, the government only has insurance for poverty level folks and people over 65. This is funded through payroll taxes deducted from employed citizens. For those who work at businesses that provide health insurance, premiums are deducted from your paycheck to be part of a group insurance plan entered into between the employer and an insurance company. Insurance companies have networks of providers (doctors, hospitals) which they contract with to provide care for set, agreed upon prices. So, you can typically only go to providers in the network with which your insurance company has contracts. As part of the contract, patients typically have to pay co-pays for each visit, and/or deductibles for expensive procedures, before real coverage is paid by the insurance company. It can get much more complicated than that with what is called "managed care", but the above describes a typical arrangement.
Thanks jdjohn
jdjohn, If you had medical on your last job you are entitlrd to COBRA. You have 60 (?) days to make your first payment. If you choose to participate in COBRA make sure you get a letter from your employer stating you have unbroken coverage. This info will get you pointed in the right direction but I'm by no means an expert on this (or much else either).....ScottyS
ps COBRA is between you & COBRA not you & your former employer although you will make the payments to your former employer.
ps COBRA is between you & COBRA not you & your former employer although you will make the payments to your former employer.
scott, you are correct. Luckily I am currently gainfully employed, so not an issue for me right now. However, I have had to utilize COBRA in the past until benefits from the new employer kicked-in. I also had to administer COBRA to former employees because of my position at the company.
Good point about the 60-day window. The letter you speak of is important, too. I think it is called a "Letter of Insurability". It basically allows you to pick-up new coverage without the threat of a pre-existing condition. Without this letter, any pre-existing condition you have may not be covered by a new insurance company. For example, if you or your spouse are already pregnant when you sign-up for new insurance, and you don't have a letter of insurability, the mother's hospital and physician charges will be not covered. But, the baby's charges incurred upon birth will be covered as they would be considered a new dependent after the coverage begins. This is, of course, only applicable for family, not individual, coverage.
COBRA not only allows you to pay for continuing coverage once you leave a job, it also protects you from pre-existing condition clauses as long as the rules are followed.
Good point about the 60-day window. The letter you speak of is important, too. I think it is called a "Letter of Insurability". It basically allows you to pick-up new coverage without the threat of a pre-existing condition. Without this letter, any pre-existing condition you have may not be covered by a new insurance company. For example, if you or your spouse are already pregnant when you sign-up for new insurance, and you don't have a letter of insurability, the mother's hospital and physician charges will be not covered. But, the baby's charges incurred upon birth will be covered as they would be considered a new dependent after the coverage begins. This is, of course, only applicable for family, not individual, coverage.
COBRA not only allows you to pay for continuing coverage once you leave a job, it also protects you from pre-existing condition clauses as long as the rules are followed.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jazz:
Actually, it's 18 months ... here's a link to government info on COBRA, be sure to scroll down for more links on this page, a lot of info here ...
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Jazz, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Actually, it's 18 months ... here's a link to government info on COBRA, be sure to scroll down for more links on this page, a lot of info here ...
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Jazz, that's exactly what I was looking for.
