Thursday, October 28, 2010

Discount Card............WITH Maternity Savings

Best Discount Card:    GONE!
                                       No longer available ...effective Sept 14, 2011

For right now, you can try:   http://www.maternityprep.com/  

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Costs to have a baby (before your negotiated discounts are applied): 
$5,000 to $14,000  -  Hospital    (varies by zip code/area)
$3,000 to $  4,000  -  ObGyn      (PreNatal + Delivery)
$2,000 to $  3,000  -  Anesthesiologist   
$1,000 to $  3,000  -  Labs & Sonograms

$11,000 to $24,000 - Total Costs (before re-pricing in PPO networks)


Complications (which are covered benefits with many Health Insurance Plans) could cost an additional $3,000 to $25,000. 
If you need a good, solid Major Medical (Health Insurance) Plan, we'll help you find that, too!  
We have hundreds of Health Insurance plans to choose from. 
And, you need the millions-in-coverage that they offer (before you are pregnant)!!! 


The largest claim I've ever seen was almost $5 million! 
It was for a pre-mature baby who remained in intensive care for a long time!
So....don't overlook this valuable coverage!!! 


These million-dollar Health Insurance Plans range from $40/month to hundreds/month (depending upon your age, home zip code, health,  and the deductible/benefits that you choose). 


Ask us about the SAVER Policy. 
I own it myself. 
- Millions-in-coverage 
- Great (low) monthly rates
- 100% coverage for well-woman check-ups
- Complications-of-pregnancy coverage
- Moment-of-birth benefits for newborns
.....if you follow-the-rules
We'll tell you about all of the rules after you pick a policy. 
But, basically, you must notify your insurance company that you do want to add your baby to your policy within 30 days after the birth. 
We are here to guide you......all the way.....and into the future. 


And, HSA policies offer nice benefits, too! 
You can pay your maternity bills with tax-FREE money!  
More info about HSA's:    http://hsaplans.blogspot.com/


We can send you side-by-side quotes....and help you pick the right policy for your needs. 


***

Our old Maternity Insurance Plans (that are no longer available) DID have high out-of-pocket costs.
You just can't get around it. 
Babies aren't cheap. 
And, medical costs are expensive in the USA. 


Here are 2 examples of the most-recent true insurance plans that we had (on the private market in Texas): 
#1 - $6000 minimum out-of-pocket to have a baby
                $3000 - Monthly premiums for 10 months ($300/month)
                $1000 - Maternity Deductible
                $2000 - CoInsurance (20% after deductible was met) 
#2 - $5530 minimum out-of-pocket to have a baby
                $  530 - Monthly premiums for 10 months ($53/month)
                $5000 - Maternity Deductible   ...Then 100% coverage 



So.....save your money, buy the best coverage available (when you need it) & ask GrandMa & GrandPa for a little help if they want that little Bundle-of-Joy to brighten their lives. 


Other options (for maternity coverage) are listed below (in previous posts). 
Please explore these options, too (before you call). 
Who knows? 
  You might just qualify for free govt assistance.  (The link is posted below.) 
  Or maybe your Trade Association or University offers a Group Policy with maternity benefits automatically included. 
Then, call us for help when you need us! 



We are happy to be of service to you! 
Ruth                    

~ http://www.instexas.com/ ~

                                

Monday, August 30, 2010

Limited-Benefit Health Insurance Plans......that cover Maternity Expenses

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Here's the link to the BEST Limited-Benefit Health Insurance Plans we've found in Texas: 

GONE! - October, 2011

Limited-Benefit Health Plans can be used to supplement other policies. 
They are not million-dollar-coverage! 

For millions-in-covg,  you need a Comprehensive Major Medical Health Plan! 
We can help you: 
- Buy a new Health Plan....with millions-in-coverage
- Look at your existing Health Plan (to see what's covered)  

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Ideally, you'll want:

1 - Comprehensive Major Medical (Health Insurance) coverage 
       .......AND.......
2 - A Limited-Benefit Plan to supplement your million-dollar-policy 
...& provide you with routine maternity benefits (for pregnancy & delivery costs).

These LIMITED-Benefit Policies are not Maternity Insurance Plans! 
But, pregnancy & maternity claims are paid as-ANY-other-condition...
...with many of these policies! 


Remember:
- We are not salesmen
........not even remotely!
The true salesmen call people like us "order takers".

- We are here to help you find the coverage that's right for you
....That's all! 
We'll share our expertise with you....with no obligation to buy anything! 
We just don't need more numbers! 
We already have a huge book-of-business. 
We are here to help others! 

- We are Independent Health Insurance Agents
.....We have no quotas to meet with any insurance company! 
We'll help you pick the right company for you !
....And the right benefit package to meet your needs! 

We often tell you to just keep what you have! 
....if that's best for your needs! 


We do appreciate your business (when that's the best choice for you)! 


Thanks! 
Ruth Stewart 
Independent Texas Health Insurance Agent - License # 1012551

Best Health Insurance Rates in Texas     ...      InsTexas.com 

Instant Online Quotes
 Compare Health Insurance Plans side-by-side on our website! 

888-777-0474 - Toll Free 
713-932-9072 - Houston Line 

..............................Yes, we are real Texas agents (and residents)!  
...............................We are NOT a call-center in some other state! 
I personally answer every incoming call when I'm available! 
I have decades of experience in the Health Insurance business! 
I will share my expertise with you!......& help you buy what you want/need! 

Just continue (to my previous posts) for more info about your choices. 

I've "cleaned up" the blog...and eliminated LOTS of the OLD details/info...
...since we're really starting over with NEW plans......in September, 2010.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Maternity Insurance Plans in Texas

If you already own a Health Insurance (Major Medical Insurance) Plan that covers Maternity Benefits, you can keep it (in most cases). 



New Major Medical PPO Insurance Plans (on the private market in Texas) are not offering maternity benefits any longer. 
They do cover:
- Complications of Pregnancy 
....Illness or injuries related to a pregnancy 
- Complications of Delivery 
....This could be worth millions-of-dollars to you!
....So don't be without a Comprehensive Major Medical Health Plan!!!
- Emergency C-section Deliveries 

.....if they are TRUE Comprehensive Major Medical Plans 
.........that have been approved by the Tx Dept of Insurance. 




If you already own a Comprehensive Major Medical Health Plan, you can keep it! 
It probably offers millions-in-coverage for the unexpected things that might happen. 

That's the true purpose for insurance...
...to cover those unexpected events that might happen
......that could wipe-us-out (cost us tens-of-thousands or millions). 





If you are not sure what you own, we can help you figure that out. 
You can always buy a new policy (if needed)... 
...that will give you the millions-in-coverage that you need
We have many excellent policies available. 




Instant Online Quotes:  http://www.instexas.com/ 

That's:  InsTexas.com
Best Health Insurance Rates in Texas


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If you need a new policy with routine maternity (pregnancy & delivery) coverage, you'll want to ask about GROUP Health Insurance: 
- At work 
- From your Trade Association 
- From your University 
- From your Local Hospital System  (in some areas)


COBRA (extension-of-GROUP-benefits) IS usually available... 
... if you recently lost Group Health Insurance at work. 
Just call the 800 number on your Group Health ID card for COBRA info. 


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If Group Health Insurance is not an option for you, there are other solutions: 


1 - Limited Benefit Health Insurance Policies (Most popular) 



These policies are not maternity plans!
But, most of them cover maternity claims as-ANY-other-condition. 

They can supplement a Comprehensive Major Med (Health Insurance) policy. 



They have a 12-month waiting period before covering pre-existing conditions
ie:  If you're pregnant, that's a pre-existing medical condition. 

Some of them will give you pre-x credit (if you have current coverage). 
Requires submission of a Certificate of Creditable Coverage. 
If you submit this COCC, pre-existing medical conditions are covered. 



These are not Comprehensive Major Medical Health Plans!!!!!!! 
They are LIMITED Benefit Health Plans. 
They'll pay-out LIMITED benefits.... 
....direct-to-you OR direct-to-the-provider (Dr, Hospital, Lab) 



They will negotiate medical prices for you! 
...for all covered medical treatment. 
This alone could save you $10,000 (to have a baby). 
So....they are worth considering! 
I've seen $20,000 maternity/delivery claims re-priced down to $10,000. 





2 - Set up an HSA to pay for maternity expenses with tax-FREE dollars 

For more info about HSA Health Plans, please visit our HSA Blog: 
 http://hsaplans.blogspot.com/   





3 - Negotiate your own cash discounts. 

If you're willing to pre-pay (in advance), Doctors & Hospitals are willing to give you substantial discounts (just like they give the insurance companies). 

They know that they'll get their money from an insurance company....fast
If they know (up front) that you will pay them quickly, they are much more willing to discount their prices for you. 

This works very well with an HSA Health Plan (#2 above).  




4 - Govt assistance: 
 http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Help/HealthCare/Women/index.html  
 http://www.pcip.gov/



5 - HMO's - Like Scott & White in the Waco, Killeen, Temple, Round Rock or Gatesville areas  -  SWHP.org  



6 - Medical costs are cheap in many other countries.  If you have relatives in another country, ask about the options that are available there.



7 - ObamaCare (with maternity benefits) will be available by 2014.
We still can't read (understand) most of this massive new HealthCare Law. 
It was very poorly written! 



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Info about the LIMITED-Benefit Health Insurance Plans: 


Many of them will cover maternity benefits as-ANY-other-condition! 

But (with most of them), you can't be pregnant (when you buy coverage) unless you have prior "creditable" Health Insurance coverage.....(continuous coverage for the past 12 months). 
You can have a break-in-coverage not-to-exceed 63 days. 



We do not anticipate having Limited Benefit Plans that will cover an existing pregnancy if you have NO prior coverage! 

So..........buy a Health Insurance Plan!

You can buy millions-in-coverage for less-than $100/month....
...a Comprehensive Major Medical Policy
...that will cover complications-of-pregnancy, complications-of-delivery & more!
We'll help you find one.....at the right price (for you)! 



The LIMITED-Benefit Health Plans pay-out limited benefits!!!
  ....NOT necessarily payment-in-full! 


The insurance companies pay the LIMITED benefits:
- Direct to you
- Direct to your Dr......(if Dr agrees to direct payments)
- Direct to your hospital (if hospital accepts direct pmts)
- Direct to your lab........(if they accept direct payments)


Remember that this is not always payment-in-full for the services rendered! 
Sometimes it's more than the Dr charges you! 
Sometimes it's less
It's a fixed amount.....for each visit/treatment. 
See examples below. 


***

PPO Network Discounts: 
This can save you hundreds......even thousands! 

I've seen $20,000 maternity claims re-priced down to $10,000 (and less). 


The LIMITED-Benefit Health Plans do give you access to PPO networks. 
The doctors & hospitals & labs that are IN the PPO networks will give you discounted medical prices. 

You don't get guaranteed percentages (discounts). 
These discounts are negotiated for you... 
...for all covered benefits. 


We often see 50% off.......but (in your case) it could be 40% off.....or 60% off. 


Just remember to use the Doctors, Hospitals & Labs that are in your PPO network. 
This will get you the lowest medical prices. 


There will be links at the Limited-Benefit Health Plans to: 
- Find a Doctor          (in the PPO network)
- Find a Hospital       (in the PPO network)
- Find a Provider       (in the PPO network)
- Etc 


***



Examples of LIMITED-Benefits:   

$  100 - Each Dr Visit................with a limit of 5 per calendar year/per person 
$  100 - Wellness Check-ups 
$  200 - Diagnostic/Xrays/Labs.........3 per calendar year/per person 
$  500 - Emergency Room Benefit
$1000 - Hospital Admission..............2 per calendar year/per person 
$1000 - Surgery Benefit
$1000 - Daily Hospital Benefit..........up to 30 days per confinement 
$1000 - Anesthesia Benefit 
$2000 - Accident Benefit 


Using the above example, let's look at a common Routine Pregnancy & Delivery...
...pay-out:  

$500 - Mom's Dr visits.........2010 
$500 - Mom's Dr visits.........2011 
$300 - Baby.....3 visits..........2011 
$600 - Mom.....3 sonograms/labs.......2010 
$600 - Mom.....3 sonograms/labs.......2011  
$200 - Baby.....1 lab...........................2011 
1000 - Mom...........Hospital Admission in 2011 
1000 - Baby...........Hospital Admission in 2011 
2000 - Mom...........Daily Hospital Benefit........2 days in the hospital 
2000 - Baby...........Daily Hospital Benefit........2 days in the hospital 
1000 - Mom...........Surgery Benefit ......for stitches or other "repairs" 
1000 - Mom...........Anesthesia Benefit

$10,700 - Total Benefits pd by the insurance company (to you or your providers) 


If your PPO discounts get your bills re-priced down to $10,000........
......you've made $700. 

If your PPO discounts get your bills re-priced down to $12,000.........
.....you'll owe the medical providers a balance of $1300. 

***


We cannot predict your final price! 
Medical costs could skyrocket over the next year. 
They could remain stable. 
They probably won't drop. 
Major metropolitan areas have higher medical prices than rural areas. 
There are many variables involved. 



***

Look for additional Blog Posts as we find the BEST Limited-Benefit Policies... 
...that will cover maternity benefits as-ANY-other-condition. 




Thanks! 
Ruth ...     InsTexas.com
Best Health Insurance Rates in Texas 

Texas Health Insurance License # 1012551 


Instant Online Quotes for Health Insurance Plans: 
- http://www.instexas.com/ 
- Instant Online Quotes 






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We are here to HELP you....when you need us! 
We are HAPPY to be of assistance! 
But, we do not
- Call you (without a specific invitation to call) 
- Send out constant emails   (fill up your inbox with JUNK) 

We don't like "sales" calls! 
So, we won't do that to YOU. 

We don't like constant junk mail! 
So, we won't do that to YOU. 

We'll keep this Maternity Insurance Blog updated. 
So......you might want to "Follow the Blog" (however that's done)....on the right side of this screen. 


***


Our services are provided at no charge to you. 


We are paid by our insurance companies... 
...IF you buy a policy from us (using our web links).  

So....yes....you DO pay us (ultimately) for our service...
...IF you choose to do business with us. 



We also get MANY referrals from HAPPY clients!  
And, we THANK YOU for referring us to your friends!!!  



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