No. You are under no obligation to buy a health insurance plan when using our site. After submitting your application you may cancel it at any time during the underwriting process. When you submit an application you will typically include your credit card number, bank account information, or a check for the initial premium payment. Most insurance companies will not charge your card, debit your account, or deposit your check until you are approved. If you are charged or your check is cashed and you are denied for coverage or cancel your application prior to approval, the insurance company will issue a refund to you. (more…)

The Adventure of the Seas is the third of five Voyager-class cruise ships that have been built for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. It was constructed by Kvaerner Masa-Yards at the Turku New Shipyard in Finland. The other vessels were the Voyager of the Seas, which was delivered in October 1999 and the Explorer of the Seas, which was delivered in September 2000. (more…)

Coinsurance is the term used by health insurance companies to refer to the amount that you are required to pay for a medical claim, apart from any co-payments or deductible. For example, if your health insurance plan has a 20% coinsurance requirement (and does not have any additional co-payment or deductible requirements), then a $100 medical bill would cost you $20, and the insurance company would pay the remaining $80.

A “deductible” is a specific dollar amount that your health insurance company may require that you pay out-of-pocket each year before your health insurance plan begins to make payments for claims. Not all health insurance plans require a deductible. As a general rule (though there are many exceptions), HMO plans typically do not require a deductible, while most Indemnity and PPO plans do.

A “co-payment” or “co-pay” is a specific charge that your health insurance plan may require that you pay for a specific medical service or supply. For example, your health insurance plan may require a $15 co-payment for an office visit or brand-name prescription drug, after which the insurance company often pays the remainder of the charges.

Legislation establishing Health Savings Accounts (or “HSAs”) took effect on January 1, 2004. HSAs and HSA-eligible health insurance plans are becoming more and more popular. Here are the basics:

• An HSA is a tax-favored savings account that may be used in conjunction with an HSA-eligible high deductible health insurance plan to pay for qualifying medical expenses.
•  Choosing an HSA-eligible health insurance plan may help you save money. Typically, the monthly premium on an HSA-eligible high deductible plan is less expensive than the monthly premium for a lower-deductible health insurance plan.
•  Contributions to an HSA may be made pre-tax, up to certain annual limits.
•  Funds in the HSA may be invested at your discretion. Unused funds remain in the account and accrue interest year-to-year, tax-free.

Not all high-deductible plans are eligible for use in conjunction with an HSA. For more details on HSAs.

A traditional Indemnity plan offers a great deal of freedom in choosing which doctors and hospitals to use, but will probably involve higher out-of-pocket costs and more paperwork.

Under an Indemnity plan, you may see whatever doctors or specialists you like, with no referrals required. Though you may choose to get the majority of your basic care from a single doctor, your insurance company will not require you to choose a primary care physician.

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A POS (Point of Service) plan combines some of the features offered by HMO and PPO plans. As with an HMO, members of a POS plan are required to choose a primary care physician (PCP) from the plan’s network of providers. Services rendered by your PCP are typically not subject to a deductible. Also, like HMOs, POS plans typically offer coverage for preventive care visits. (more…)

Though there are many variations, HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) plans typically enable members to have lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenses but also offer less flexibility in the choice of physicians or hospital than other health insurance plans. As a member of an HMO, you’ll be required to choose a primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP will take care of most of your healthcare needs. Before you can see a specialist, you’ll need to obtain a referral from your PCP. (more…)

As a member of a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan, you’ll be encouraged to use the insurance company’s network of preferred doctors and hospitals. These healthcare providers have been contracted to provide services to the health insurance plan’s members at a discounted rate. You typically won’t be required to pick a primary care physician but will be able to see doctors and specialists within the network at your own discretion. (more…)