Friday, May 15, 2009




    follow me on Twitter


    How to Buy Individual Health Insurance in Utah

    By Bret Harding

    ONE OF THE hardest things about leaving a job is walking away from the benefits package. Once you're out on your own — whether you're starting your own business, working for a small employer that offers no coverage or suddenly find yourself among the ranks of the unemployed — the reality is the same: You must cough up a lot of dough for what will feel like inferior health coverage.

    Before you start your search, brace yourself. The Utah health-insurance market isn't pretty, but when navigated properly can save you money in the long run!

    The key, of course, is to shop around and make an informed decision that you and your pocketbook can live with. This will take some time. Experts recommend you give yourself at least 60 days to examine your options and apply for a policy. There's a lot more to it than when your former employer asked you to check a box electing a managed-care plan or a preferred provider organization.

    Here's how to navigate the private Utah health-insurance industry.

    How it Works
    If you thought buying life insurance was tough, just wait until you shop around for health coverage. Unlike an employer-sponsored plan that has to accept everyone at the same price, private plans in most states are underwritten based on your age, weight, smoking status and health history. In some cases, applicants will even have to undergo a medical exam. A preexisting condition as common as asthma could be enough for an insurer to hike your premiums, while a history of anxiety or depression might cause an underwriter to think twice. And if you have a history of heart disease, cancer or diabetes, you could be out of luck entirely. A plan could either be too expensive or include a rider that excludes the very ailment for which you need coverage. "If they look at your application and see something they don't like, a $600 [a month] policy could go to $850," says Bret Harding, chief executive of online insurance broker Utah Insurance Solutions.

    You should also know that health insurance is regulated at the state level. In places like New York, New Jersey and Vermont, insurers must offer coverage to every applicant, regardless of age or health status. This egalitarian approach sounds great — until you see the premiums. Even young healthy men, who are the cheapest to insure, could be charged as much as $1,000 a month, says Bland. In other states, such as California and Utah, there are fewer restrictions on the insurers, and premiums tend to be more reasonable for young people and pricier for older folks. The problem in these regions is that insurers can outright refuse to provide coverage. In such cases, consumers can buy pricy policies from a state high-risk pool. But it won't come cheap, and it could exclude pre-existing conditions. For more information on the rules for your area, contact your state insurance commission's Web site.

    How to Buy It
    The quickest way to get a handle on your options is to look for policies on Web sites such as UtahInsuranceSolutions.com. If you need a little more hand holding, you should contact a local health insurance broker. Just make sure you find someone who represents a lot of companies and understands the underwriting standards for each insurer. The last thing you want is to be rejected from a plan that doesn't typically cover someone with your health profile. Not only is it a waste of time, but it could also raise a red flag when you apply to other insurers. An informed broker could steer you away from such insurers.

    And since group coverage tends to be cheaper, don't forget to check with your professional trade association for coverage. The Writers Guild and the Actors' Equity Association are two examples of groups that offer their members health insurance. (In most states, however, people in their 20s and 30s may find cheaper coverage through an individual plan.) And for those starting a business: Most states allow as few as two employees to buy a small group policy.

    The CostAccording to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based nonprofit focused on health-care policy, the average employee paid $58 a month for health insurance in 2007. Employers picked up the rest — a $3,785 tab. How much can an individual expect to pay? America's Health Insurance Plans says the average individual annual premiums from 2006 to 2007 cost $2,613, or $218 a month. While individual plans may appear cheaper, individuals have to pay the entire premium on their own. And as we mentioned earlier, those in restricted states, and older individuals with health issues, can expect to pay a lot more. "It's not uncommon to hear of people paying $10,000 to $12,000 a year," says Families USA's Stoll.

    One way to keep premiums manageable is to increase your deductible (don't go beyond what you can afford to pay out each year) and skip the vision and dental coverage. Don't even try to match your former employer's lush plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah, for example, charges a young family of four living in Salt Lake City $695 a month in premiums and a $250 deductible. If they accept a deductible of $2,000, they can lower the premium to $455 a month. "Insurance should be purchased to cover sudden accidental and unintended losses," says Harding CEO of Utah Insurance Solutions. "With low-deductible plans and maintenance policies, you are trading dollar for dollar with the insurance company over the long run."

    While there are some benefits you can live without, others are important. A maternity rider is one of them, advises Bret Harding, an individual health-insurance broker from Utah Health Insurance Brokers. "I advise all of my female clients to get one," she says. Unlike employer-sponsored plans, which usually cover birthing expenses, private plans don't unless you pay for it upfront.

    Buyer Beware
    Before you make your final decision, read the fine print. Make sure you're buying comprehensive coverage that will cover you should you suddenly fall ill and rack up thousands in hospitals bills. Insurers have been known to attract customers with low teaser rates that can change after only a few months. It may cost a little more, but you should look for one that will guarantee your premiums won't rise for 12 months. And most important, go with a reputable firm. Check its claims-paying ability rating with an agency like Standard & Poor's or Moody's.
    Buying health insurance may not top your list of fun things to do, but that doesn't mean it's unimportant. After all, there are few things in life more valuable than good health.

    Visit Utah Insurance Solutions Today to Find Affordable Utah Health Insurance Plans: http://www.utahinsurancesolutions.com/.

    Wednesday, February 25, 2009

    6 Tips to Choosing Utah Health Insurance

    Health insurance can be like a big ball of wax — so big, in fact, that many of us put it on the back burner rather than deal with it. But it's one of the most important decisions we have to make as consumers. Not only does it determine the care that we receive should our health take a wrong turn, but it can be the wild card in your financial plan. Roughly half of all bankruptcies filed in the United States are caused by illness and medical bills.

    It’s still too early to tell if President Obama is going to be able to wrangle our healthcare system into taking on a new direction. Until then, choosing the right individual health insurance plan in Utah remains one of your most important decisions — not just for those people who are selecting from an employer's benefits menu, but for those 46.6 million uninsured Americans who are trying to put at least some coverage in place.
    Here is six tip’s to help you whittle down the choices and keep costs for premiums, co-pays and prescriptions from draining your bank account:

    1. Location: Insurance plans and prices vary widely by state. New York, for example, has some of the most expensive individual plans in the country, largely due to its guaranteed-issue policy that requires companies to insure everyone, regardless of health.
    The best way to kick off your shopping is by doing a little research on your state's insurance Web site. A good site will list companies available in your area, prices for both individual and family plans, and any lower-cost options your state offers if you meet certain income requirements.

    2. Write out your priorities: Do you love your current doctors? Then you should choose an insurance company that covers their service. "It's so important that you make a list of the top five things important to you, and bring them up to the broker or insurance company," advised Michelle Katz, a healthcare consultant and author of "101 Health Insurance Tips." This way you can really start to narrow things down by your needs, whether that means low premiums, customer service or the doctor you've been seeing since college.

    3. Don't be afraid to use a broker: An insurance broker can be a huge help. He can do the legwork to find a well-suited insurance company, help shop for the best rates, and explain the ins and outs of your plan. You may also want to make sure he has a large "book," the industry term for the network of providers he works with. More options mean a better deal and a better fit. Also another important tip to keep in mind when choosing a broker say Bret Harding of Utah Insurance Solutions “most consumers don’t know that states regulate the rates insurance companies charge, this means that every insurance agent must quote the same rate for a particular health insurance company. Therefore, the best way to save money on a plan is to find an insurance agent that really knows the individual health insurance market and can recommend a specific plan to fit your individual needs.”

    4. Consider Using a Discount Health Card Discount: Health cards can be a tremendous saving tool for consumers who actively use them, says Bret Harding with Utah Insurance Solutions. Discounted health cards don’t replace health insurance, but they can enable you to save on prescription drug costs so you can, perhaps, forgo the Rx plan that comes with many health insurance plans, and thus save you some money. Many prescription benefit cards are available for free or at a minimal cost. A great website to get an inexpensive card is: http://www.utahindividualhealthinsurance.com/.

    5. Consider a Health Savings Account: An HSA is a great option for people who generally only have to whip out their insurance card once or twice a year. Maybe you go for a yearly checkup, and then to the doctor if you have the flu. It goes hand-in-hand with an insurance policy that has a high deductible ($1,100 for individuals; $2,200 for families), but low premiums. The money you save on premiums each month can be deposited into the HSA pre-tax, where it grows tax-deferred. You then use it to pay for any unexpected medical expenses. The bonus? Once you turn 65, you can withdraw any money you didn't use and spend it on anything you want, including funding your retirement.

    6. Negotiate: You've chosen a plan, but you're still not home free. Bills can pop up everywhere, from services that aren't covered to doctor and hospital co-pays to costs for prescriptions. Many insurers have instituted a system of preferred pricing when it comes to prescriptions, meaning that if yours isn't generic and on a list, it could still cost a bundle. "Now, even people with employer coverage are having to be smart shoppers for prescription drugs, especially if they have a regular medication that is pretty expensive," said Lankford. Keep your costs low by shopping around (prices can vary among pharmacies — your best bet is a discount store or price club) and asking for generics whenever available. You can also have your doctor write out a prescription for a longer period of time, so you'll get a 90-day supply instead of a 30, advised Katz. The co-pay will be the same.

    And don't be afraid to negotiate with your doctor if you're paying out of pocket. In a recent Harris Interactive poll, three out of five people who did so received a discount. With the cost of a single visit often tallying over $200, it's definitely worth a try.

    For more information contact Bret Harding:
    Bret@UtahInsuranceSolutions.com
    Visit: http://www.UtahInsuranceSolutions.com
    Ph. 801-372-2647

    Monday, February 16, 2009

    How To Choose A Health Care Plan: Three Ways to Save Money

    How To Choose A Health Care Plan: Three Ways to Save Money
    By: Bret Harding
    Many brokers recommend switching to a high-deductible health plan coupled with a “deductible buy-down” that’s funded by the savings in premiums. Employees pay the same deductible as under the old plan, and the employer “buys down” the rest. The employer is betting that employees won’t spend all their deductible dollars. “They invariably use just 30 to 40 percent of the money budgeted,” broker Denny Ebersole says.
    Set up a wellness program that encourages healthful behavior. Scott Leavitt, who runs My Wellchoice+, a national wellness program for small businesses, says claims drop substantially as a result—so rates don’t go up as fast. The plans typically cost $3 per employee per month.
    If you can’t provide insurance, your employees may be able to buy individual policies through a voluntary insurance plan. This won’t be as affordable as group coverage, but both the prices and the service will be better than if employees approach an insurer on their own. I recommend visiting: http://www.voluntaryinsuranceplans.com/.
    Resources
    For a detailed guide to health insurance for small businesses, go to healthcoverageguide.org.
    For additional information got to: http://www.UtahInsuranceSolutions.com

    Wednesday, December 31, 2008

    Health Insurance–Should I use an independent agent or go ‘direct’?

    Health Insurance–Should I use an independent agent or go ‘direct’?
    Health insurance tends to be confusing to most people, so going to a big, national web site to decipher what all is available might be okay for some. If you really understand it, then go for it. I can understand wanting to do it on your own and not risk being pressured into buying more than you want.

    However, whether you are looking for an individual plan for you and/or your family or a group health plan, if this isn’t your forte, seriously consider using an independent agent. I’ve dealt with several people during my time in business that had gone to a major site to pick their own, then they were unhappy with it. There are several things that can be phrased in different ways, and if you don’t know all the nuances you might end up with something other than you thought. Many of these huge national sites also have agents available by phone you can call for help, but from what some of my clients have told me, trying to get the same person a second time especially if it’s a couple of months or more after you bought the policy can be tough.
    By going to an independent agent, whether they are down the street or just established with a private agency in your state, if you have selected a good agent, they will be there if down the line you have a problem. I tell my clients that I don’t disappear after a sale, that I remain available to them in case there is an issue. I also tell them that I return phone calls usually the same day. That may sound like pompous horn blowing over a dumb little thing, but it you’ve ever had an agent evaporate on you, you’ll agree that it’s not.

    I look at the nonsense of individual health insurance and group health insurance plans day in and day out, so sometimes I can point out small things you might have missed. My goal is to help people find what fits their needs, not mine, and frequently I talk people down in price, spending less than they would have on their own.
    Sometimes people think that by going to a carrier (insurance company) directly, then can save money. My services and those of any other independent agent, are free, whether you end up buying from us or not. We are paid by the carrier we place the business with. So our consultative services work for you–you don’t have to call a bunch of carriers to see what’s available, because I promise you–they all think they have the best thing going and it’s not always true. They won’t tell you about the ‘comparative pitfalls.’ So deal with an independent agent, and get objective information on your plans.
    We also know about the subtle differences between carriers when it comes to underwriting health issues. They don’t tell us everything, because honestly, with some agents that would be like giving away the answers to the quiz. But there are some carriers that are certainly easier to work with than others.
    So use our expertise and willingness to help you if something goes awry–Be well!
    Feel free to email me with questions: UtahIndividualHealthInsurance@gmail.com, or call me for a FREE health insurance quote: 801-372-2647.

    Utah Individual Health Insurance

    Bret Harding helps individuals in Utah find affordable health insurance, that provides a long term solution to increasing health care costs. Please visit our websites for more information:
    www.UtahIndividualHealthInsurance.com
    www.UtahHealthInsuranceCompany.com
    www.UtahInsuranceSolutions.com
    www.VoluntaryInsurancePlans.com
    www.UtahEmployeeBenefits.com
    www.UtahSmallBusinessInsurance.com
    www.UtahMedicalInsuranceQuote.com
    www.UtahSmallGroupInsurance.com
    www.UtahLifeInsuranceGuru.com
    www.UtahLongTermCareGuru.com

    Call now for a personalized quote that will appropriately meet your needs: 801-372-2647.