Private Medical Insurance - A Quick Guide

Faster medical diagnosis and treatment along with greater choice over where and when you receive that treatment can make private health insurance seem like an attractive prospect. However, there are a number of things that you may like to consider before deciding whether private medical insurance is the right option for you, and the level of cover you may require.

What is private medical insurance?

Private medical insurance provides you with an insurance policy that will pay out if you fall victim to certain accidents or disease, giving you access to private medical healthcare. Some illnesses, including pre-existing and chronic health conditions are likely to be excluded from your policy, along with some types of service such accident and emergency and GP care which will continue under the remit of the NHS.

When you take out private health insurance you'll pay a premium, either as a lump sum or in installments in return for cover. The amount that you need to pay will depend on your medical history as well as your age and the amount of cover you are looking for.

What should I consider before taking out a policy?

1) Make sure that you know exactly what is or isn't covered by a plan before you sign up, this will ensure you avoid any unexpected surprises when you fall ill. Most private health insurance plans will have large areas of exclusion, so make sure you know and are happy with exactly what your provider is offering.

2) Always shop around before making a commitment. There are many different types of medical insurance products available on the market, so shopping around can help you get the best deal for your money, as well as allowing you to compare different benefits.

3) Make sure you are able to fulfill all your other financial commitments first. Although private medical insurance may be a welcome luxury and can provide you with that extra comfort when you need it most, it is worth remembering that is not a necessity in the UK.

4) Consider how much cover you are looking for, and whether there are any particular type of illness that you would like cover for.

What next?

You may want to speak to an impartial advisor who can provide private medical insurance quotes to help guide you through the different products that may be available to you and help you find a policy to suit your needs.

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How To Make The Covered Entities HIPAA Compliant

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been one of the most important pieces of federal legislation in the health care industry. HIPAA has changed the way information of patients is handled, processed and stored and also helps an employee keep their medical coverage even when they switch jobs.

These provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act have far reaching implications both for individuals who have medical coverage and health care providers. HIPAA also dictates standards for privacy and security of protected information of patients.

Health care providers and other organizations that are classified as "covered entities" would be required to comply with all the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

8 Steps To Make Covered Entities HIPAA Compliant

1. It is very important that the confidential information of patients is safeguarded and protected and only authorized people are able to access and view it. If you want to ensure this you would need to move your computers and other storage devices that have this protected information to a secure area where their access will be restricted.

2. Even in a secure area the computer screens would need to be placed in such a way that no one is able to see the information that is displayed on the screen and misuse it.

3. All the programs and files that contain the confidential information would need to be password protected and it would be advisable to change the passwords at regular intervals.

4. A log should be maintained that will list all the files that contain information about patients. The log should also contain information as to how had accessed the information. Date and purpose of accessing the information should also be mentioned.

5. Only users who will have access should be provided with user names and passwords so that they can gain access to it. The employees should remember to close the programs and other relevant information when they are not at their desk. This will help prevent any sort of misuse.

6. Additional security can be provided to the computers and programs if you fear any unauthorized access. All the files and records need to be checked so that any violation is detected immediately.

7. All employees who will be handling the protected information should be provided with suitable training programs so that they are aware of the various rules and procedures that govern Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

8. There are various additional changes that place in the rules and regulations and it is the responsibility of the health care provider to keep their employees updated on the recent changes that have taken place in HIPAA.

Health care providers and other organizations specified by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as covered entities would be able to keep their organizations HIPAA compliant by following all the rules and regulations. They would also be able to avoid stringent penalties for violations. There is also the danger of losing their business license if they are found to be violating the rules repeatedly.

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What Are The Various Components Of HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that was passed in 1996 was initially created to ensure that employees who shift jobs do not have to lose their insurance and that they can continue to have medical insurance for themselves and their family. The other important provision of the act is pertaining to protection of confidential information of patients.

There are various people who would be able to access patient information and this can be misused for marketing purposes or other fraudulent purposes. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has five different components that make it easier to implement the law.

5 Components of HIPAA

1. The first component of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is Title I. It helps deal with health care access, portability of medical cover of employees and protection of insurance cover for individuals who have pre-existing illness.

2. The second component known as Title II deals with fraud, abuse and helps in simplifying the administration of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. All health care providers make use of this component the most as it contains the important provisions of privacy and security rules of HIPAA.

3. Title III which deals with the third component of HIPAA deals with how employers handle medical savings accounts and other insurance related issues.

4. The fourth component known as Title IV deals with the group health plan requirements that enable individuals to carry their previous medical cover to their current job.

5. The fifth component known as Title V deals with revenue offsets. Tax deductions are also included in this component.

The health care organizations must have various administrative safeguards in place so that the protected information is not used for any other purpose. It will also ensure that individuals who are authorized to access the personal information of patients will be able to do so after they have fulfilled some conditions. These conditions could be pertaining to using passwords or any specific software to access the protected information.

As all information is stored electronically it is important that there are enough safeguards in place to help prevent theft and abuse of information. All computers and other electronic equipment used for storage of patient information should be in a secure place that is not accessible for everyone. The workstations where all this information is available can also be locked to help prevent unauthorized entry. Any other safety measures that will ensure that the information is protected can also be taken.

Apart from this all health care providers would need to have various internal policies and processes in place so that all requirements of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are fulfilled and chances of penalty for violation are greatly reduced. There can be internal audits for this purpose and the compliance officers who are appointed can ensure that all recent changes in HIPAA are also brought to the notice of employees. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has been a great piece of legislature that has managed to change the way health care services are provided to individuals.

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Health Insurance for Senior Citizens - Why Do You Need It?

When you are more than fifty years of age, it is natural that your requirements for medical assistance increases. Periodical visits to Medical centers become important now for safeguarding you from health problems and also for making it possible for you to recoup should you fall ill. Until now, you had been keeping mostly healthy and your own medical requirements have either been paid by your company or organization or effortlessly been managed with your earnings and savings.

Now that you are contemplating to retire and enjoy life, this is the time to consider choosing a health insurance policy for senior citizens to take care of your (and your spouse's) health-related expenditures. Here are some more points to consider:

Hospital Expenses tend to be skyrocketing these days particularly since most of us have the tendency to choose treatment in branded Private Hospitals. This can create a dent on your retirement savings in the event you do not have medical insurance for senior citizens. For anyone who is preparing to retire and survive on pension or interest earnings from savings, a medical emergency can lead to a monetary crisis. To steer clear of this, it is advisable to consider a comprehensive policy of health insurance. The medical coverage, which you had in the course of your career, generally ceases when you retire. Suitable Medical insurance can replace this insurance cover. It may not be a good idea to count on your children to avail their employee/group insurance for you as this insurance cover would also cease when they happen to change occupation. Pre existing ailments are excluded from health related insurance for senior citizens for a period of two to four years in most instances. If you join early, you can avail the policy even for treatment of existing illness (after the stipulated period), before the illness develop into a serious one. If you are confused as a result of the countless choices available in the field of insurance available to senior citizens, do not hesitate to seek guidance of an independent insurance adviser. In normal instances, for availing insurance, medical checkups are essential for anyone above 45. In case you are reluctant to undergo such tests, you will even be able to find policies, which are provided without these tests. Nevertheless, it is best to declare your pre-existing illnesses truthfully, to steer clear of rejection of your future claims. Please be aware that recently Government of India has issued some stipulations (July 1, 2009) which makes it mandatory for all health insurance companies to refund 50% of the expenses made by you on medical tests related to the policy, in case they accept your policy. Government of India has also issued guidelines that every health insurance company has to offer insurance coverage for individuals up to 65 years of age. There is also a provision for shifting insurers if you are not satisfied with the current provider.

Please keep it in mind that there is a great deal of differences in terms and conditions in the policies of health insurance for senior citizens provided by various companies. You will even find companies which even offer "No age restriction for enrollment" and "assured renewal for life". Take your time to choose a suitable health insurance policy which meets your personal needs.

Wish you a happy, healthy and enjoyable time after 50.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee Faces Criticism For Diversity Statement

The Family Action Council of Tennessee took aim at the state's largest health insurance carrier recently. According to that conservative group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee is "showing a cultural acceptance of homosexual conduct." In an interview, former state Senator David Fowler, who now heads the Family Action Council, said that he wanted people to be aware that BCBS of Tennessee had taken a stand on homosexuality. He was referring to Tennessee BCBS having sent a letter to its policyholders stating that it is fervently embraced the "spirit of diversity" that includes gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender owned business establishments.

Fowler added that the Tennessee BCBS letter is directly associated with House Bill 600. Although controversial, that bill that was signed into a law during the last legislative session. It provided stricter policies prohibiting discrimination against people who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT) because state law had not previously prohibited discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Since BCBS of Tennessee is falling in line with state law, does it really have anything to fear?

As the spokesman of the Tennessee Equality Project, Chris Sanders thinks the diversity statement that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee sent out to its consumers was a good thing. BCBS of Tennessee's own spokeswoman told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that this diversity outreach is not new for nonprofit Tennessee health insurance companies that have wide-ranging federal and state government contracts.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee Is Among The State's Largest Insurers

With more than 2 million policyholders, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee has been assigned a Standard and Poor's rating of "A+" for "strong" with respect to the company's financial stability. As you may know, Standard and Poor's is an independent organization that investigates and rates insurance companies based on whether they have the capital to cover policyholders' medical claims.

The insurer offers both HMO and PPO plans that include many of the area's most respected doctors and hospitals. Access to a PPO network of health care providers can mean substantial discounts in out-of-pocket costs until the plan's deductible has been met and the insurer begins to pay for medical claims. In-network providers charge policyholders the lower rates per their contract with BCBS of Tennessee.

Even the cost of going to doctors and hospitals that are outside of the plan's network is partially covered under BCBS of Tennessee. But, out-of-pocket expenses for going to non-network providers are applied to a separate and higher out-of-pocket policy maximum. That's a fancy way of saying the limit on what you could end up spending for health care in one year under a BCBS of Tennessee policy.

BCBS of Tennessee Provider Networks Are In Metropolitan Areas

Because the provider network was basically built around major metropolitan areas, policyholders in rural areas may have to travel to find in-network health care services. Travel can difficult when ill or injured, so it's wise to check the plan's provider network before applying for a policy.

If the location of providers works for you, PPO plans are popular because they don't require you to select a "primary care physician" who is totally responsible for referrals to specialists. Without that referral, there is no coverage for seeing a specialist or getting a second opinion. That's how HMO plans work, but HMOs do have certain advantages.

For example, HMO plans also have low prices for medical services and the plans have low deductibles. They also typically offer access to dental care providers and simplify the claim's process. Rather than complete forms, members may use cards, similar to credit and debit cards, to handle medical services at a doctor's office or the hospital.

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Healthcare Plans for 2012: Some Benefits and Drawbacks

'Tis the season...for open enrollment in healthcare, from company benefits to Medicare. Unfortunately, most of us won't be getting many sweets in our stockings this year. What we can expect to get is higher deductibles, higher out-of-pocket costs that will surely continue rising, fewer options in doctors or networks, more aggravation and longer waits.

The impetus behind increased costs to employees is simple: increased costs across the board for everyone. Employers can not absorb the increased costs in health care. They are being pushed into a corner with expenses. The only viable solution is to pass on the costs and encourage their employees to manage their own health care in better ways.

Some firms may offer financial incentives to stop smoking, start exercising, lose weight, what ever it takes to drop the increased risks of unhealthy living. If you are lucky enough to work for one of these companies, by all means, take advantage of everything you can to improve your wellbeing. After all, your boss will not be caring for you if you become unable to work from illness, you will have to manage yourself. You will be paying the costs for the consequences of living a sloppy lifestyle. To avoid calamity and unmanageable bills, take action now to prevent more problems. This is the message your employer will be sending.

Some people were caught flat-footed when employers changed to high deductibles mid-year. It is very difficult for a family to swallow a deduction of several thousand dollars. This reminds me of when my children were young and we had to HMO in our town. Every medical visit, prescription, and procedure an required upfront payment and then we had to wait for the reimbursement of 80% or less. Strict budgeting is necessary for families with young children who might see a doctor more frequently than someone who is older. This is a system requiring tough choices for families. And for employers.

People have to pay more attention to choosing their health care plans and reading the information on how the plan works. You might want vision insurance, but if your premiums are lower without it, leave it on the table. Unless you have serious eye problems, you can get an eye exam and glasses at discount retail places such as Eye Masters for less money than the premiums on vision insurance in most cases. This is not true for all people, but it behooves you to check it out. Do not waste precious premiums dollars on something you can buy for less elsewhere. The same is true of prescriptions: ask for generics, join a prescription plan at your pharmacy, or use a discount pharmacy. Be a smart consumer with health care!

The news will continue to get worse. You can expect prices to rise next year. You will have to find out how you can use Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts to complement a higher deductible. Expect fewer options in the future. If you are wondering why the squeeze, consider the following. If employers are pummeled by health care costs, they might decide to eliminate health care benefits for all employees. This could be especially true of small businesses that lack sufficient income to offset rising costs. The new health care rules require everyone to obtain health care insurance. If employees can not obtain health benefits at work, they will have to look elsewhere. Cynics might say this is a great way to force people into a healthcare system under government control. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Have a terrific day! Patricia Woods

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