Tuesday, August 23, 2011

California Health Insurance

Health insurance continues to be a political hot button for many. Yet, regardless of your political views, health insurance coverage remains vitally important for protecting both your health and your wealth. Without insurance, one serious injury or illness could be potentially devastating. Having the right type of insurance for you begins with understanding your options.

For many Californians and their families, health insurance is something provided to them by their employers. Larger companies tend to offer employees more health insurance choices, but even many small business owners make it a priority to also provide good coverage for those who work for them. This type of coverage is rarely completely funded by an employer, and typically, both the business and the employee contribute to the cost.

For small business owners, contractors, and employees of businesses that don’t offer benefits, private individual health insurance is an option. These types of health insurance plans can vary dramatically in what they offer and how much they cost. Factors such as preexisting conditions, age, lifestyle factors and even location can determine how much you pay. The most common options include:

HMOs– A health maintenance organization is a type of managed healthcare system. This is typically the most affordable medical insurance option.

PPOs- A preferred provider organization which gives you a group of doctors and/or hospitals to choose from.

POS Plans – A managed healthcare system that combines both characteristics of an HMO and a PPO.

When shopping for California health insurance , it pays to shop around and compare options before making a decision. It’s also vital to consider the specific needs of you and your family. Healthier individuals with few health risks may want less coverage than those who must see doctors regularly for chronic conditions. On the other hand healthier individuals may want more coverage so they don’t have to deal with unexpected medical costs from accidents or unforeseen illness.

For those who have little or no income, government subsidized options such as Medicaid and Medi-Cal may be available. If you are in need of insurance coverage and don’t have the financial means to pay for it, it’s worth contacting your local government office to obtain more information. Individuals over 65 and those with certain disabilities can also qualify for Medicare, a federal system of health insurance.



Whether you need to choose your own private insurance plan, obtain government-sponsored coverage, or simply sign up for insurance through your employer, it’s important to remember the importance of having insurance. Illnesses and injuries are an unfortunate reality of life. By being prepared and having the right coverage, you can go a long way to staying healthy and protecting your financial assets.

California Health Insurance

Health insurance continues to be a political hot button for many. Yet, regardless of your political views, health insurance coverage remains vitally important for protecting both your health and your wealth. Without insurance, one serious injury or illness could be potentially devastating. Having the right type of insurance for you begins with understanding your options.

For many Californians and their families, health insurance is something provided to them by their employers. Larger companies tend to offer employees more health insurance choices, but even many small business owners make it a priority to also provide good coverage for those who work for them. This type of coverage is rarely completely funded by an employer, and typically, both the business and the employee contribute to the cost.

For small business owners, contractors, and employees of businesses that don’t offer benefits, private individual health insurance is an option. These types of health insurance plans can vary dramatically in what they offer and how much they cost. Factors such as preexisting conditions, age, lifestyle factors and even location can determine how much you pay. The most common options include:

HMOs– A health maintenance organization is a type of managed healthcare system. This is typically the most affordable medical insurance option.

PPOs- A preferred provider organization which gives you a group of doctors and/or hospitals to choose from.

POS Plans – A managed healthcare system that combines both characteristics of an HMO and a PPO.

When shopping for California health insurance, it pays to shop around and compare options before making a decision. It’s also vital to consider the specific needs of you and your family. Healthier individuals with few health risks may want less coverage than those who must see doctors regularly for chronic conditions. On the other hand healthier individuals may want more coverage so they don’t have to deal with unexpected medical costs from accidents or unforeseen illness.

For those who have little or no income, government subsidized options such as Medicaid and Medi-Cal may be available. If you are in need of insurance coverage and don’t have the financial means to pay for it, it’s worth contacting your local government office to obtain more information. Individuals over 65 and those with certain disabilities can also qualify for Medicare, a federal system of health insurance.

Whether you need to choose your own private insurance plan, obtain government-sponsored coverage, or simply sign up for insurance through your employer, it’s important to remember the importance of having insurance. Illnesses and injuries are an unfortunate reality of life. By being prepared and having the right coverage, you can go a long way to staying healthy and protecting your financial assets.