| Unlike in Canada and parts of Europe where the | | | | Similarly, there are differences between job-based |
| bulk of health care costs are put on a | | | | and individual-based insurance when it comes to |
| government tab, most able-bodied, mentally sound | | | | limitations and portability. If you have had a |
| Americans under the age of 65 must generally | | | | pre-existing condition when you apply for |
| rely on themselves to manage personal health | | | | job-based medical coverage, there is a limit of |
| care funding. For most Americans, that means | | | | about a year to a year and a half on what can be |
| incorporating some kind of health insurance into | | | | counted 'against' you. With individual coverage, |
| their overall personal financial strategy. | | | | limitations are prescribed by the state, and vary |
| Over time, however, the costs of health care | | | | greatly state-to-state, but generally, you may not |
| insurance add up, and the total spent can be | | | | be eligible for coverage of costs related to a |
| staggering. So should you have health insurance? | | | | pre-existing medical condition for the entire |
| Is it worth the gamble? There is no single answer | | | | duration of your policy. |
| to these questions, of course, but there are | | | | When it comes to portability, again, depending on |
| several items you should consider before making | | | | the state in which you reside, it is possible that |
| a decision one way or the other about your | | | | you may receive no credit for past coverage. |
| health care insurance future. | | | | That means even if you are lucky enough to |
| First of all, about 44 million Americans do not | | | | qualify for health insurance coverage, you could |
| have any health insurance coverage. Many of | | | | end up waiting for the entire pre-existing condition |
| these people are members of poor families who | | | | exclusion period. |
| do not qualify for Medicaid, employment-based | | | | Whether you choose job-based, |
| health insurance and who cannot afford, or who | | | | employer-sponsored health insurance or a private, |
| have been refused for, individual coverage. If you | | | | individual plan, health care insurance is going to |
| are looking to purchase individual health care | | | | cost you a lot of money, especially if you have a |
| insurance coverage, be aware that the costs tend | | | | family or if you have any ongoing medical issues. |
| to be higher than employer-sponsored plans and | | | | The exact amount depends on your particular |
| the plans less user-friendly. | | | | situation needs. You may never need medical |
| With so many types and ranges of personal or | | | | attention, and in that case, you might consider the |
| individual private health care insurance available, it | | | | money spent on health care insurance wasted. |
| can be confusing as to what kind of health | | | | However, most of us need medical attention at |
| insurance you should buy, and how much | | | | some time or another. Even healthy, positive |
| coverage you should have. You may not think | | | | lifestyle-oriented people have unexpected health |
| you need several hundred thousand dollars worth | | | | events, car accidents and broken bones. You can't |
| of coverage, but consider how much one hospital | | | | anticipate when these events will happen, or how |
| visit costs if you need a serious (yet common) | | | | severe they will be, but without significant financial |
| procedure like a heart bypass or even minor | | | | means or a decent health care insurance plan, you |
| surgery to remove a gall bladder or appendix. | | | | could end up financially devastated. Are you willing |
| Even slight complications can result in an | | | | to make that gamble? To assume the risk of not |
| enormous bill. | | | | being able to pay for medical services or products |
| If you receive a health benefits package as part | | | | that you or a member of your family needs? |
| of your employment, you will be accepted under | | | | Money spent on premiums is certainly a |
| the company's plan regardless of your health | | | | consideration when deciding whether to purchase |
| status. However, when you apply for individual | | | | health care insurance, but there are other |
| coverage, there are no such guarantees and you | | | | priceless things to consider before you make a |
| many not be able to secure the coverage you | | | | final decision. |
| need, even with reduced benefits. The same is | | | | DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational |
| true when it comes to renewing your health care | | | | and informational purposes only. The content is |
| insurance. If you are employed and are covered | | | | not intended to be a substitute for professional |
| under your company plan, you can renew your | | | | advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed |
| coverage as necessary, even if you are sick. With | | | | Insurance Agent or Broker with any questions |
| most individual plans, there is no guarantee your | | | | you may have regarding any Insurance Matter. |
| policy will not be cancelled. | | | | |