Health Insurance Options
Purchasing Health Insurance in Longview Washington or anywhere else in the state in a nutshell is a expensive proposition. In the event you do not have Health Insurance available to you through your employment, or are eligible for Medicare or other Health Insurance program, your needs may dictate shopping for Health Insurance through a independent Insurance Agent.
There are two basic types of private Health Insurance available in Washington
The two basic types of Health Insurance that is available to us in the Longview-Kelso Washington area are:
- The first type of Health Insurance we all know as a household word (HMO) Health Maintenance Organizations. This type of Insurance requires that you use their health care providers that are on a list given to you when you obtain their Health Insurance Policy. Your primary care doctor usualy is required to provide a referral before you obtain the services of a specialist, or visit the hospital. There are lists of primary care doctors that you may see and they are under contract to provide care to their subscribers.
- The second type of Health Insurance available is referred to as Preferred Provider Health Care Insurance. This type of Insurance offers you the option of obtaining the Health Care you need from one of their contracted Health Care Providers. If you choose a Preferred Provider Insurance Plan, you pay less if you use their care providers. You will pay more if you elect to go outside their network of Health Care Providers. Plans vary from Insurance Company to the next. They may use different co payment systems. Co payment means when you have a doctors visit the amount you have to pay upfront prior to treatment.
In almost all Health Insurance Plans you have to pay in full if you recieve service not covered by your plan, allways check with your provider prior to treatment.
Waiting periods for pre-existing conditions
Most Health Insurance Policies have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions that you may have prior to purchasing the Insurance Plan. Nine months is the norm. If you may be switching Insurance Plans, there is a credit you may receive when signing up for your new policy. Check with your local Kelso-Longview Health Insurance Agent as to the particulars when switching plans.
Low Cost Health Insurance Plans
These Health Care Insurance Plans are for people who are not in the position to purchase Health Insurance in the normal individual market. Below are some of these plans available to residents of Longview and Kelso Washington and the entire State as some of these programs are state funded.
- Alien Emergency Medical (AEM) Insurance Plan, This program is for individuals of Washington State who are non-citizens. This Health Insurance Plan will help pay for health treatment and bills associated with your health care. There are asset and income guidelines that they use to qualify you. Here is the information for contacting them. Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) 1-800-865-7801 or you may contact DSHS on their website http://www.dshs.wa.gov
- The Washington State Basic Health Plan, commonly called (BH). Washington state has a Health Coverage Program that is administered by Private Insurance Companies. It is a very comprehensive Health Coverage Plan that is available to residents that do not qualify for Medicare, or attending school full time. Kelso and Longview Washington residents may contact the following website for more information: http://www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov
Another terrific website to reference is Washington State Insurance Commisioners site.
I hope this post has been informative. It is not intended to be all inclusive. Any Insurance Agents whom may have more information not covered by this post feel free to add to it via a comment. Comments are always welcomed by the professionals in the Kelso and Longview Washington Business Sector.
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