Medicaid is a health insurance program administered by the state and federal government, to provide health coverage for those who meet income restrictions or have qualifying medical needs. Medicaid can also be used alongside other health insurance coverages such as private health insurance, Medicare, etc.
Your health insurance company’s formulary is a list of all the different drugs that their plans cover. Within the formulary, there are drug tiers. These tiers determine the level of coverage your prescription drug plan offers for a specific type of medication.
You may assume that since you have a preexisting condition, you’ll pay a higher premium than someone who is in perfect health. However, an insurer cannot reject you, refuse to pay for health benefits pertaining to your illness or injury, or charge you a higher premium because of your condition.
Whether you have recently been injured or you are experiencing chronic pain or limited mobility, going to a physical therapist can greatly improve your quality of life. For many people, concerns about how much regular sessions cost is a big roadblock to getting much needed care. Fortunately, if you have an ACA-compliant health insurance plan, rehabilitative services like physical therapy are listed among the essential health benefits.
Whether you’ve had the same health insurance company for years or switched to a new health insurance company, the variance in cost is directly related to whether a healthcare provider is within your health insurance company’s network (if you have a PPO), if you have a deductible to satisfy first, or if you have a co-pay.
The special enrollment period is always within 60 days of a life event. A “Life Event” is an event such as the birth of a baby, losing group coverage through an employer, losing coverage due to a move to Nevada, marriage, any many other scenarios.
A Qualified Health Plan, or QHP, is a health insurance plan that provides coverage for the 10 essential benefits outlined in the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Qualified Health Plans MUST cover these 10 items without any lifetime or annual limits on these “Essential Health Benefits.”
If you have recently signed up for dental insurance, you may notice that your plan has a waiting period. Understanding what services are covered right away and what services you must pay for entirely out of pocket can help you make informed decisions about getting necessary work done.
Beginning in 2020, some employers will have the option of reimbursing employees’ health insurance premiums by using an ICHRA as an alternative to providing a group health insurance plan.
If you rely on employer-based health insurance and you lose your job, you may wonder what happens if you need medical care before you are able to get new coverage. Fortunately, there is COBRA, a law passed in 1986 gives many workers and their families the right to retain their health insurance even if they quit or lose their jobs.