Healthcare, Health Insurance, Vitamins, Nutrition

June 4, 2009

Economic Changes and Health Insurance for Americans

As America continues to move from a manufacturing-based economy to a service economy, and employee working patterns continue to evolve, health insurance coverage has become less stable. Most Americans have health insurance through their employers. But, employment is no longer a guarantee of health insurance coverage. Further, an increasing reliance on part-time and contract workers who are not eligible for coverage means fewer workers have access to employer-sponsored health insurance.

Employers are citing the rise in insurance premiums behind this discerning trend. Smaller firms that account for a third face the brunt of the rising premiums and these firms account for nearly 38% of the workers. Health insurance premiums are rising at extraordinary rates. The average annual increase in inflation has been 2.5 percent while health insurance premiums for small firms have escalated an average of 12 percent annually.

Losing a job, or quitting voluntarily, can mean losing affordable coverage – not only for the worker but also for their entire family. Only seven (7) percent of the unemployed can afford to pay for COBRA health insurance – the continuation of group coverage offered by their former employers. Premiums for this coverage average almost $700 a month for family coverage and $250 for individual coverage, a very high price given the average $1,100 monthly unemployment check.

The impacts of going uninsured are clear and severe. Many uninsured individuals postpone needed medical care which results in increased mortality and billions of dollars lost in productivity and increased expenses to the health care system. Every American should have health care coverage, participation should be mandatory, and everyone should have basic benefits.

April 22, 2009

Learning The Many Forms Of Insurance

Managing loss: The main function of insurance is to give you peace of mind by limiting your chances of loss. The burden is carried by the insurer instead of the insured. A monthly installment called a premium is paid by the insured to the insurance company. In return. you will get a guarantee that the small loss suffered due to certain event occurrences will be limited and not lead to greater loss. Any object or event with a price tag or value to it can be insured.

Car insurance: Car insurance covers cars, trucks, buses etc. The main purpose of the insurance is to guard against possible losses incurable as result of road accident as well as liability arising out of an accident. The insurance can include cover for insured party, insured vehicle or third parties. Examples are theft, fire or accident damage insurance. Premiums are based on gender, marital status, age, car type and miles traveled. In terms of leased vehicles, insurance is an obligated.

Excess: Excess is a very common term in the insurance industry. An excess payment refers to a fixed amount payable every time your insured vehicle is repaired in terms of the insurance policy. Compulsory excess refers to minimum payment insurer wants from insured in event of claim. Voluntary excess is an offer by the insured to pay higher amount of excess to reduce insurance premium. Compulsory excess is the basic excess. Voluntary excess is added on the basic compulsory amount.

Home Insurance: Home insurance covers private homes. The insurance is a combination of personal and liability insurance protections covering accidents as well as losses that may occur in and around your home. A single homeowners insurance premium is paid to cover all risks. Your premium will be dependant or calculated on replacement value of the home. Additional items in or around the home can also be insured and included in the policy.

Cover limited: Some natural occurrences or consequences resulting from Acts of God are not covered by the policy. Keep in mind that separate or totally different insurance coverage will be necessary in these instances.

Life Assurance: Life Insurance covers risk events related to a persons life as well as health. The value of the insurance derives from the financial chaos resulting from the health or mortality event and not from the event itself. Premiums are payable either monthly or once-off lump sum. Benefits will be paid-out upon policy specified event happening usually large, once-off amount. Burial costs as well as specified bills due at time of event may be covered by the policy, if specified. Note that specific events and circumstances can nullify the policy, for example suicide.

Fixed Annuity: Annuities are a subset of life insurance. They can take the form of a fixed annuity like an indexed annuity, immediate annuity, or the like. They all specialize in saving or paying out.

Health Insurance: Health insurance is taken-out for the purpose of covering medical expenses such as doctors, medication or clinics. The insurance can be State provided or by commercial companies. Both individual or group coverage is available. It is extremely popular for companies to invest in group health insurance as benefit for employees. The policy can include disability as well as nursing. Premiums or taxes are paid monthly by members to get the benefits in return.

Limitations: Exclusions and limitations on Health insurance may apply. In these instances partial or full costs will have to be carried by the insured.

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