Medical Insurance for Students

Many students decide that studying in another country would benefit not only their educational experience but add a great deal to their life experience as well.

One important detail that many students don’t give thought to before they embark on their journey to another country to learn is what will they do if they become ill or find themselves in an accident.

Medical insurance for students is extremely important and you should have a policy in place before you even board the airplane. There are many companies that offer medical insurance for students who are traveling abroad. If the student is still covered under their parent’s medical insurance plan it’s advisable for the parents to inquire about traveling insurance. This might afford the family the best value for medical insurance for students who are studying in another country.

If the student has been paying for their own insurance they’ll want to check with their carrier. Many companies recognize that there is a need for medical insurance for students who study in foreign countries and they have policies that are focused just on those circumstances.

Another resource that might help the student is to inquire at the financial services department of the school they are attending. The people who work in this department have a lot of knowledge regarding medical insurance for students. In some cases certain insurance carriers provide medical insurance for students of a particular school at a discounted rate. This includes travel insurance.

Many insurance companies now sell their services online. The student should take a few moments and see what options are available to him or her via the internet. Some insurance companies are now only offering medical insurance for students. This is their specialty and it allows them to offer very competitive rates.

Students who are planning on taking up studying in another country need to be aware of what the medical insurance for students plan they choose is offering. It’s important to have basic coverage for things like doctor’s visits and hospital stays. Although no one likes to consider the possibility that they might become ill, it does happen and it’s best to be prepared.

If the student already has a pre-existing medical condition they need to take that into consideration. They’ll want to find medical insurance for students that includes treatment for their condition. If this includes frequent trips to the doctor’s office they’ll need a more elaborate plan than a student who isn’t facing those same health struggles.

Any student who wants to embark on an educational experience outside the borders of their native land should strongly consider getting medical insurance for students. It allows the student to concentrate fully on what’s important, that is their education.

National Health Insurance Companies

National health insurance companies are insurance companies authorized to do business in all states of the United States of America, excepting New York. It is basically a Texas-domiciled insurer that has a California Certificate of Authority number of 4765. The national health insurance company was founded in 1923 as the William Harvey Life Insurance Company. It was in 1965 that the company was incorporated as the Trinity National Life and Accident Insurance Company, and added health insurance to its product line in 1966.

It was in 1975 that the National Health Insurance Company pioneered the first 100% catastrophic insurance plans. These plans had high deductibles for the self-employed and those having small businesses. It is the same market focus that has continued today. The name National Health Insurance Company came into use in 1978, and it was then that the company filed as a legal reserve company in the state of Texas.

There are many affiliated providers linked with National Health Insurance Company, like Beech street, Midlands Choice, Interwest, Multiplan, PHCS (Private Health Care System) and Pro-net. Policyholders of National Health Insurance Companies can approach these affiliate providers for any health problems they face, which are covered in their health insurance policies. However, as providers may sometimes withdraw from the National Health Insurance Company network, it is always better to confirm with the facility or physician of the affiliate if they are still participating in the network, before getting any medical treatment. If they are not participating, then you will not be able to make your claims with National Health Insurance Companies.

It should be remembered that the National Health Insurance Companies only provide health insurance policies to you, and are not responsible for the quality or outcome rendered by physicians and facility to you. One of the benefits of getting an insurance policy from National Health Insurance Companies is that insurance claims can be made from one of the many providers found all over America.
By: Kent Pinkerton

Health Insurance for Unmarried Partners

Generally, and unfortunately, if an employer offers health insurance coverage to the spouses of employees, they usually don’t extend the coverage to unmarried partners too. Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), employers are not required to offer health insurance to any employees, spouses, or "domestic partners" (this term is often used to include same-sex couples and unmarried opposite-sex couples, as well as common law marriages). ERISA also does not compel employers that provide health insurance for employees and legal dependents to extend coverage to domestic partners.

Nevertheless, thousands of employers across the country have begun offering domestic partner benefits in the last several years, and the number continues to grow. Employment experts predict that this trend will continue, as small companies start to follow the lead of large employers that have introduced domestic partner benefit plans in recent months.

In addition, some state and local laws have recently been passed in favor of domestic partner rights. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle have ordinances requiring all businesses with municipal contracts to offer same-sex benefits if they offer benefits for married couples. Vermont recently enacted the country's first "civil union" law, which grants same-sex couples nearly all of the benefits to which the state's married couples are entitled. Provisions regarding health insurance are still being written, and it is not yet known what they will entail.

When benefits are offered to domestic partners, the level of coverage varies depending on the employer. Domestic partner benefits may include long-term care, group life insurance, family and bereavement leave, and most commonly, health, dental, and vision insurance. The definition of domestic partner may also vary from employer to employer. Some companies include same-sex couples, unmarried opposite-sex couples, and common law marriages. Others cover only same-sex partners on the grounds that opposite-sex couples can receive spousal benefits by getting married, while same-sex couples do not have this option. Regardless of how the term is defined, employers typically require domestic partners to sign an affidavit stating that they are in a lasting, committed relationship. They may also require that a couple live together for a specified period of time before they become eligible for domestic partner benefits.

Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.

Top 10 Ways to Cut Your Medical Bills

With health-care costs on the rise, you may be looking for ways to lower your medical expenses. Here are 10 ideas:

1. Practice prevention
2. Shop around for health insurance
3. Cut the cost of prescription drugs
4. Check your medical bills
5. Join your spouse's health plan
6. Keep track of your medical expenses
7. Negotiate a discount with your health-care provider
8. Contribute to a flexible spending account
9. Take advantage of free health screenings
10. Get to know your health insurance


Practice prevention
As basic as it sounds, one of the most effective ways to lower your medical expenses over time is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, you can:

* Take advantage of wellness programs
* Maintain a healthy weight
* Exercise regularly
* Kick unhealthy habits (e.g. smoking)
* Have regular checkups

Shop around for health insurance
If you don't have employer-sponsored health insurance, you may be looking to obtain coverage on your own. To get good coverage at an affordable price, shop around. Because premiums vary widely, you'll probably save money if you get quotes from several companies. Evaluate each plan's coverage and features, taking into account exclusions, limitations, and the freedom to choose health-care providers, among other things. Also find out how much you'll end up paying out of pocket in the form of co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles, because even relatively small amounts of money can really add up if you make frequent visits to your doctor.

Cut the cost of prescription drugs
Prescription costs can eat up a large portion of your budget if you take prescription drugs regularly. Fortunately, it's not hard to find ways to save money. For example, try ordering your prescriptions through the mail, using a traditional or online pharmacy. If you belong to a prescription drug plan (e.g. through your health insurance), you may be able to get a three-month supply of your prescription drug through the mail for the same price you would pay for a one-month supply at your neighborhood pharmacy. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor to recommend a less-expensive generic drug whenever possible.

Check your medical bills
Medical bills are often confusing to read. However, taking a few minutes to go over the charges may save you money in the long run. Check to make sure that the bill accurately reflects the procedures you have undergone and takes into account any applicable insurance coverage you may have. Some errors, such as wrong computer codes, are common, and you may be billed for health care you never received. Contact the appropriate billing office if you think you've found a mistake. If you've received an explanation of benefits from your insurance company that you believe is wrong, ask the company to review your claim.

Join your spouse's health plan
Many married couples maintain separate health insurance coverage even though it may not be cost effective to do so. Examine both your coverage and your spouse's coverage to see if it makes sense for either of you to join the other's plan. Keep in mind that most plans allow you to add a spouse to your plan within a certain time period after you get married (e.g. 30 days). Otherwise, you may have to wait for the plans' annual open enrollment period.

Keep track of your medical expenses
Come tax time, you may be able to deduct certain medical expenses if you itemize, and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Allowable medical expenses include everything from health-care services to medical aids (e.g. eyeglasses, hearing aids). Keep track of these expenses if there's a chance you'll be able to deduct them on your income tax return.

Negotiate a discount with your health-care provider
Many people don't realize that you can sometimes negotiate to lower your medical bills. While it may not always work, it doesn't hurt to ask your doctor, hospital, or pharmacy if they're willing to come down in price. Before you begin to negotiate, do a little research to find out what other health-care providers in your area are charging. You can also ask your health-care provider if they'll lower their price if you pay in cash up front.

Contribute to a flexible spending account
Your employer may offer a flexible spending plan that allows you to put pretax dollars in an account. You are then reimbursed for your out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and co-payments. Because flexible spending contributions are taken out of your pay before federal and state taxes are calculated, you get to use pretax dollars to pay your medical bills.

Take advantage of free health screenings
If your health insurance doesn't provide adequate coverage in some areas, or if you don't have any health insurance coverage at all, you may want to look into free health screenings. Local clinics and hospitals often provide a variety of screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and mammograms.

Get to know your health insurance
Your health insurance may cover more than you think. Nowadays, insurance companies often provide benefits designed to help you stay safe and healthy. For example, you may receive discounts on vitamins, alternative medicines, health club memberships, or bike helmets. You may also be surprised at the range of coverage your health plan offers. For instance, it may cover dental care for young children, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. Read your plan membership materials to find out what products and services are available through your health plan before you pay for them on your own.

Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.
Article source: insurance.com