Sam Burgess

  You buy health insurance to be able to use it in your favor. However, a big part of this is having an insurance agent on your side. The agent is your main point of contact to your insurance company. It is like getting into marriage with your insurer, but in this case, there is no divorce. The agent’s role is to provide guidance with their expert knowledge about health insurance policy. So, how do you make the most of your policy if you are dealing with a bad agent? Health insurance is a lifetime necessity. You will want an insurance agent who will provide their assistance and guidance to the best of their ability and with your needs in mind. The following are questions you should ask the health insurance agent to determine if he is the right one for you: What services do you offer in terms of post-sales? A good agent is willing to present to your post-sales services in detail. When making claims, you particularly need your agent the most, at this time. The agent should b...

Your company might have already provided you with health insurance, but what are you going to do if the coverage isn’t enough for certain illnesses or health conditions? The answer is voluntary employee benefits. This type of policy can assist you with your hospital and doctor bills, and even help with some non-medical related expenses if you’re facing disability, an accident, critical illness, or cancer. Insurance agents can offer auxiliary insurance coverage with limited benefits. What are Voluntary Employee Benefits? Voluntary benefits provide companies a way to offer services and coverage that extends beyond the traditional benefits. Since it’s voluntary, employees usually pay the total cost, while availing of group rate discounts courtesy of the company. However, some companies do choose to cover a part of the cost of voluntary benefits. It should be emphasized though that giving employees voluntary benefits is solely at the company’s discretion. Fill in Insurance Gaps w...

Upon reaching the age of 65, you’ll be eligible for a government-run program called Medicare. This program offers health insurance with much cheaper premiums compared to a private individual health plan. However, Original Medicare may not provide all the benefits that you need, such as an out-of-pocket maximum. Luckily, insurance companies provide a better alternative program, called Medicare Advantage. Here are three smart moves you can make to take full advantage of Medicare Advantage. Switching to Medicare Advantage If you’ve already enrolled in Original Medicare, you can still switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. However, you need to take note that you can only do so during the enrolment period from October 15 up to December 7. After you joined Medicare Advantage, your old Medicare program will expire on its own. Some people try to utilize their right to switch programs further by signing up to the cheaper Original Medicare when their health is in a good condition. Later when t...

When you enroll in Medicare Part B plan, it is the best time to sign up for Part D as well. It is important to qualify for Part D at the earliest opportunity. Signing up late would result in an additional amount on your premium. The insurer will compute for the number of month that you are late. Therefore, sign up for this coverage even though you are not taking prescription drugs at this time.   You may avoid the penalty charges if you have equivalent drug coverage from another source, for example, retiree plan. It is also referred to as creditable coverage. Ask your plan administrator if your plan can be considered as an equivalent coverage.   How Much Is Medicare Part D   The rates vary but you will pay $32 per month, on the average. Basically, you pay less out-of-pocket if you opt for a plan that has a higher premium.   In 2015, there was a  $320 maximum allowed deductible for Part D. The charges are also dependent on the prescription drugs. They m...