Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Pinching Pennies with Catastrophic Insurance

By Jeff Cline

Medical insurance premiums/rates are steadily going up. Our income pales in comparison. It is a balancing act for us to manage. One option is a low cost catastrophic plan. More and more people are finding this to be an option worth checking out.

If you are worried that you can't afford your current health insurance an alternative more and more are turning to are Catastrophic plans. They are affordable and elevate the stress of being uninsured.

If you are one of the numerous consumers struggling to make ends meet then a catastrophic plan may be the perfect alternative, if even just temporary. It is something to consider very carefully, however. It is not the best solution for everyone. Here are some things to consider:

Catastrophic plans are high deductible plans. What this means are you will pay all expenses until that deductible is meeting. You can see how a person with medical conditions that require several visits and test would not benefit

Catastrophic plans are great alternatives for those people who do not use their current insurance often and is comfortable just knowing they will have coverage if an unforeseen illness or accident should occur.

The plan you have now probably allows you a doctor visit with a co pay benefit. You will be compromising that benefit with a catastrophic plan. Is that something you are ok with? You can expect to pay for things like a visit to the doctor, a lab test and even emergency room visits.

HSA's are nice affordable alternatives to a catastrophic plan. The are high deductible plans with a boost. You can make contributions to an account that will fund your expenses and the sometimes give you a preventative benefit.

Think about your options and what you really need and make a good wise decision. Going uninsured or not having enough coverage to meet your need may lead to more financial trouble then it is worth. - 16928

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