Health Insurance Book: Detailed Table of Contents

Detailed Table of Contents

1. How to Get a Good Deal

What is a Good Deal?
Why You Need Health Insurance
Annual Health Insurance Cost Increases
Your Health Insurance Annual Checkup
Steps to Get the Best Deal
Overview of Chapters

2. Understanding Health Insurance Jargon

Copay (or Copayment)
Deductible
Coinsurance
Total Out of Pocket
Lifetime Limit/Annual Limit
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Point of Service (POS)
Indemnity Health Insurance
Health Savings Account & High Deductible Health Plan
Underwriting
Community Rating
Exclusionary Riders
Pre-Existing Condition
Waiting Period
Eligible Expenses
Example Diagrams
Summary

3. Where to Get Health Insurance

From Your Employer – While Employed
From Your Employer – When You Leave Employment
Health Insurance from Your Spouse/Partner
Individual Health Insurance Policy
Doing Without Health Insurance
Discount Programs
Health Benefit Plan (Not Insurance!)
Government Health Insurance Programs
Use a Health Insurance Agent
Check the Status of an Agent
Summary

4. How to Compare Features of Health Plans

Getting Started
The Basic Features
Is Your Doctor in the Plan?
Wellness/Preventative Services
Laboratory Work
Pregnancy/Maternity
Prescriptions – Generic and/or Name Brand
Dental
Vision
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Alternative Medicine/Chiropractic/Acupuncture
Accident & Life Add-Ons
International Coverage
Home Healthcare
In Network and Out of Network Coverage
Limited/Unlimited Lifetime or Annual Benefits
Summary

5. Anticipated Yearly Expenses

Gather Your Most Recent Expenses
Make Your Expense Table
How to Make Use of the Table
Estimating Future Expenses
Summary

6. Individual or Group Health Insurance?

Individual Health Insurance Policy
Individual Purchase of Association Group Coverage
Individual Coverage as Part of an Employer Policy
Group Coverage at Your Own Company
Summary

7. Your List of Insurers

Get Your List of Health Insurers from Your State
Narrowing the List
Financial Status of Health Insurers
Quality of Health Plans
Many Names, Same Company
Why You Shouldn’t Ask Your Friends
Number Covered in State / Number Covered in Area
Features
Summary

8. Financial Comparison

Whose Pocket?
Gather Rate Quotes
Getting Internet Quotes
Create Your Spreadsheet
Estimates
Basic Information About a Policy
Deductible
Coinsurance
Premium
Out of Pocket Maximum
Options
Wellness
Prescriptions
Totals
Best/Worst Case Until Medicare
Composite Score
Summary

9. Make Your Choice

Take Into Consideration What You’ve Got Now
Choose Your Best Deal
Apply for Insurance
Cancel Existing Insurance
Summary

10. Don’t Get Ripped-Off

Rip-Offs When Buying Health Insurance
Rip-Offs When Using Your Health Insurance
My Experience with a Health Insurance Scam
Real Life Scenarios
What Should I Do When...
Summary