How To Get A Medical Assistant Certification

Medical assistants are the people who show you into a doctor's office, ask you for some basic information and enter it into the computer while you wait for the doctor. They also perform many other jobs, which depend on where they are employed. There is actually no requirement for these people to be certified, but 90 percent opt to get a medical assistant certification. This provides access to many more jobs, and assures people of their professionalism.

In order to get a medical assistant certificate, the person must graduate from a recognized program of study in the field. These are usually either certificate programs, though the certificate they give is a certificate of completion for the program, not a certification in the field, or two year degrees. They both provide coursework and a practical component where the student works in the field, usually without pay.

Medical assisting programs can be appealing short, some as short as 6-8 weeks. This generally appeals to students who desire to start work as close to immediately as possible. These programs are also available online, so many people who attend them simultaneously work at some other job.

After graduation from the program, or sometimes immediately before graduation, the student is eligible to take one of several certification exams in medical assisting. There are multiple agencies that grant certification, and some are more recognized than others. Deciding which certification will best suit them is for the student to decide, though the agency that offers their program of study should be willing to help.

Certification may not be open to students with felony records, even if they have completed a recognized program of study. Usually, the certification agency will consider the crime, how long it has been, and the student's recent conduct within the community in deciding whether to allow them to complete the exam.

The exam itself may vary, but the exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is a 200-question multiple choice exam with breaks optional every 40 minutes of the 160 minute exam. The exam is computerized, and there is a tutorial option at the beginning for those who need it. The tutorial portion is not part of the time limit, and does not affect your score.

Assistants work in hospital, clinic and private settings. They perform a wide range of duties depending on what is needed from them, and the job markets for certified medical assistants is quite good. Growth is predicted within the industry in the next 10 years, so those with new medical assistant certification should have little trouble finding jobs.

Assistants may work long hours during the weekend or night if they work at a hospital or similar setting, but there are plenty of opportunities in doctors offices where the work may be 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. The job is not the best paid, but a living wage is made by most of those with certificates. It can be a very attractive job to those who want a steady paycheck and often, benefits, and who don't have a lot of other prospects, as well as a calling for people who feel drawn to the career.

Is Medical Transcription Necessary?

Medical transcription involves professionals transcribing the medical records as dictated by doctors and other medical experts. The information that is translated include clinical notes, consultation notes, psychiatric evaluations, lab reports and many others. The dictation is carried over a tape or voice files which are then sent to the transcribers. Since the medical field has a lot of terminology, the transcribers are required to have knowledge on these besides having great language and listening skills.

The transcribers are also known as medical language specialists and are responsible for assisting the surgeons as well as the physicians with the transcription. They are usually relied upon by the medical professionals to help in the effective and accurate communication of the medical information. Since there are a number of developments in the medical field, the medical language specialists are required to be up to with the current technology as well as new terminology.

Medical transcription is necessary because it saves the doctors and the medical practitioners the effort and time taken to write the report on their own. This is especially important because most hospitals require the maintenance of an extensive record for each patient. Transcription will ensure that the hospitals are able to get the records that are well written for storage and reference.

The process is also necessary especially in the wake of the changing technology. Since many people use these medicals records such as the physicians, insurance companies and hospitals throughout the world, it has become necessary to make them easily available and accessible. The introduction of electronic health records have necessitated the use of these services so that the records can be used for reference in different situations such as scientific research and insurance settlement among others. It is therefore important that the medical practitioners look for a transcription company that will produce quality transcripts. The companies should also have qualified, well trained and experienced staff that will provide the best services.

Medical Coding and Billing Specialist

Medical coding and billing is a field in healthcare industry, where an individual need not spend years learning in school and yet master his skills in it. You will find them in various healthcare settings such as: doctors' dispensaries, private or public hospitals, dental practices, pharmacies, laboratories, etc. Playing a significant part in the healthcare industry you will also find Medical coding and billing specialists running their own business. Medical coders ensure exact analysis of patient diagnosis as well as about its procedures whereas medical billers ensure that insurance agencies, providers of workers' compensation, Medicare and Medicaid timely receive patient reimbursement forms. You will find many of them skilled in both areas as medical coding and billing.

Medical coding
Also referred as medical analysis is a process where for medical procedures and diagnosis specify its universal codes in alphanumeric or numeric form. Medical coders refer to patient's medical record available in department, lab technology reports as well as doctor's report for determination of procedures and diagnosis to be coded. Coders track down details of injuries or diseases and procedures adopted for the treatment given to patients. Medical codes are used on reimbursement claim forms to be submitted to insurance agencies, on diagnostic request forms and Medicare and Medicaid for payment of claims. It is also used for internal facilities for healthcare service provider for the purpose of research as well as marketing.

Medical billing
Medical billing is a process handled by medical billing specialist who represents claims to health insurance agencies to confirm reimbursement to a patient for the services provided by a healthcare service provider. They also follow up and deal with problematic issues of patients on unpaid claims with insurance agencies, Medicare and Medicaid. Medical billing process remains same regardless of whether the insurance agency is privately owned or is owned by the government.

Qualifications of medical billing and coding specialist
In the healthcare industry the profession of medical coding and billing specialists is heavily in demand. Medical billing specialists with a Bachelor's degree in health information management or equivalent are placed higher at management positions, though they may not possess substantial practical knowledge or experience. You will also find the medical coding and billing specialists who possess a relevant diploma course or a certificate.

HIPAA
It is essential for a medical billing specialist to have detail knowledge and understanding of HIPPA an abbreviation of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act for which they also receive training. The act protects patient health information privacy whether it is in spoken, written or in electronic form and can adversely affect many levels working in the healthcare industry.

Medical Billing And Coding - What Are The Job Prospects And Salary ...

I know the job prospects and salaries for medical billing and coding professionals and medical insurance specialists are going to be good for many years to come. This is due to the demand for healthcare and the continuing need for specialists and professionals in these fields to ultimately help guarantee that reimbursements will be made in a timely manner.

Training in this field will never be wasted if you love the work and have many opportunities in your local area. If you have billing services, hospitals, insurance companies, large doctor's clinics and health facilities you'll likely have plenty of job opportunities. Of course you don't want to take this for granted and not only scour the paper for ads that appear to be in this field but make several phone calls to human resources departments in these facilities to find out what kinds of openings they have for medical billers, medical coders and medical insurance specialists.

Medical insurance specialists differ from billers and coders in that they are usually trained in both medical billing and coding. The job descriptions for billers and coders are quite different. You may enjoy billing work working with claims and patients or coding work - that is medical coding procedures or both.

When you're calling around on the phone you can also try to get an idea what the starting salaries will be for someone with education but no experience and with experience. Salaries vary quite a bit from around the U.S. and it depends a lot on the competition for the jobs available. Salaries can vary as much as from $30,000 to $45,000 depending on training, experience and how much experience one has in this field.

I see classified ads occasionally that are for medical billers but the ad does to always use this designation. It will say medical insurance specialist or billing assistant or something related so keep this in mind.

You can get training in medical billing or coding or both online or on your local college campus. Online training can be cheaper sometimes but you need to read any contracts carefully and check out the schools thoroughly.

Your local college reps can tell you whether they have a program in medical billing and/or medical coding. A number of subjects will need to be covered such as medical terminology. With some of the online schools you want to make sure that you actually need all the classes they recommend as it may cost more money. Federal financial aid is available for medical coding or billing online classes as well as for classes at your local schools, trade schools, colleges and universities and some of these institutions also have online classes you can combine with attending locally or taking the classes strictly online. Make sure to do your in initial research online for comparison's sake.

Getting Your Money's Worth Using The Medical Loss Ratio

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains a provision called the "medical loss ratio". This provision is to make the insurance marketplace more transparent and allow consumers the ability to purchase plans that make the best use of their premium dollars. Over 20 percent of consumers are now in plans that spend about 30 cents per dollar on administrative costs. Some insurance companies spend more than 50 percent of premium dollars on administrative costs. This new provision will eliminate the overspending on administrative costs and improve the value of the money spent by consumers on their health care premiums.

It is estimated that the new rule will protect about 74.8 million insured Americans in 2011. It is also estimated that almost 9 million people could receive rebates in 2012. The estimation of the amount of rebates is $1.4 billion. In the individual market the average rebate per person could be $164.

Insurance companies will be held accountable for their spending by the medical loss ratio. This will increase the value of consumers' premium dollars and will be accomplished in three ways beginning in 2011. First, insurance companies will be required to report publicly how the premium dollars they received were spent. This provides consumers an accounting of how far their money went to improving health care quality.

Second, insurance companies who provide individual and small group policies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care and quality improvement. Insurance companies who provide large group policies will have to spend 85 percent on medical care and quality improvement.

The third way is to provide rebates to consumers when insurance companies don't comply with the medical loss ratio. The first rebates would occur in 2012 and would need to be paid by August 1 of each year. Consumers might receive a premium reduction, receive a rebate check, or have the amount returned to whatever account the premium was paid from. If the premium was paid by an employer then the employer would receive the rebate amount.

Health insurance companies will have to report certain information to every State where they do business. This information includes total premium amounts received, total reimbursement for clinical services, total spending on quality improvement and total spending on all other costs. These reports will then be publicly posted so every State resident will be able to see the value of health plans that are in their State.

The regulation specifies a set of comprehensive quality improving activities that an insurance company may implement and that can be counted toward the 80-85 percent spending standard. These activities must be evidence-based medical practices and the insurance company must be able to show measurable results. These activities must be based on the specific needs of patients and be designed to increase a desired health outcome. An example is having a case manager follow-up with diabetic patients to encourage them to follow their medical plan and decrease hospitalizations.

Health insurance companies are required to send their reports to the State by June 1 of each year. The first year it will be due is 2012 which will contain the 2011 data. Rebates will then be due by August 2012 based on the 2011 medical loss ratio.

The ACA has stipulations that are intended to prevent market destabilization and ensure continued access to health coverage. The reporting requirements and the way the medical loss ratio is calculated has been designed to take special circumstances into account.

The Secretary of the HHS can adjust the medical loss ratio standard for any State. If meeting the 80 percent standard will destabilize the individual health insurance market, the standard can be adjusted for that State for up to three years. The State must show that the 80 percent requirement will destabilize the market and that there will be fewer health plan choices for consumers.

The ACA gives the HHS Secretary direct enforcement authority over the medical loss ratio requirements. The States rights and capacity to assist in enforcement will still be recognized. Part of the enforcement includes requiring health insurance companies to retain documentation relating to the data they reported. They also have to allow access to their data and facilities for verification that they are complying with all of the regulations.

The overall intent of the medical loss ratio is to improve health care and lower health care costs. Allowing people to see where their dollars are spent will force health insurance companies to improve their spending and also to improve how they provide health care to their consumers.

Different Kinds Of Medical Jobs

Recent economic recession has adversely affected almost all industries across the world, especially in the US. In the process, many have lost jobs, and many are not sure when they will receive the pink slips. In this scenario, if there is a sector where there is no shortage of jobs, it is the health care sector.

Therefore, you could consider looking for jobs in this sector, if you want some stability in your life. Most people are under the impression that medical jobs are confined to being nurses, or physicians. Over the years the industry has grown considerably, and there are major changes in the way it is organized.

Today, medical jobs include jobs that require management, administration, and business development skills. Health care related jobs are available in health clinics, hospitals, medical centers, and other health care facilities. Most of these facilities try to keep more staff members on their role, as health care needs to be given promptly and being understaffed may have severe repercussions.

Traditionally, nurses, and doctors, did many administrative duties apart from their health care duties. Administrative staff members in health care facilities now do these administrative tasks. Because of this reorganization of duties, the nurses, and doctors in health care facilities are able to concentrate more on their jobs and give better results.

Medical facilities may require administrative staff at different levels, such as a consultant, who would advise them how to get loans for medical equipment, or an accounting administrator who would monitor the billing system of the hospital. Apart from these posts, a medical facility also need financial manager who prepares the accounts of the medical facility and files required tax returns while simultaneously doing jobs that a consultant does.

Administrative assistants and accounting assistants are also needed in these facilities. Good news is that you don't need to study in any medical school to do these jobs. Medical transcription is another type of job that is generated by health care sector. For doing this job, however, the person needs to undergo a short-term training so that there is no difficulty in capturing the medical terms that are spoken by physicians, patients, or nurses.

Basically, a medical transcriptionist (MT) types the words that are uttered by these three. There is a test at the end of the training course. It is mandatory that all medical facilities in the US should maintain records of all their patients, i.e., maintain patient's medical history. MTs are the ones who type such histories of patients.

Object is to retrieve such information in time, and also to ensure that the patient does not have to keep on repeating the same information several times. MT job is also attractive because people can do this work from their home, and at their convenience, subject to overall timeline.

This also means MTs don't have to spend time they cannot spare to look presentable in an office environment. An electronic system is used to do transcription work. Whatever patient and physician utter is recorded. The MT accesses this wave file through net, and replays it using a special software program.

A foot pedal is used to control the speed of the content and rewind or playback the wave file so that the MT does not miss any words. There are many jobs like this in medical field. The sector will always have some job openings whether the person is from medical field or not and whether the economy is robust or not.

The Unbeatable Benefits of Medical Transcription

Basically speaking, medical transcription involves the process that entail the conversion of reports that have been recorded by voice into their text format equivalents. Most of these reports are dictated on suitable recorders by various healthcare professionals such as physicians.

It is of utmost importance to make use of these kinds of services. In fact, this could be said to be the main reason why more and more individuals and organisations are coming to depend more and more on medical transcription services.

When patients pay a visit to the doctor, it is obvious that the doctor or physician will spend some amount of time with those particular patients while discussing their medical problems. Included in these discussions will be details of their past history. In the same way, a couple of health issues will be discussed.

The doctor will then undertake to physically examine the said patients. He may even go out of his way to request that a couple of diagnostic or lab studies be performed. However, this will depend on the particular need of any given patient.

To note is that medical transcription services have been in existence since the early 1950s. Nowadays, there are thousands upon thousands of companies which offer these services. The implication being made here is that you can never suffer from a shortage of companies which are will to put their transcriptionists at your service. This is the main reason why these services are becoming cheaper by the day.

To draw to a conclusion, however, it is necessary that you uncover the best out of these companies. This is because all of them will give you varying qualities of work. Therefore, you will be very well advised to look out so that you hire the company that will offer you the best medical transcription services. This is the only way you can be certain that the final product will be as correct as can be.

Medical Equipment - Development and History of ...

As a pursuer of medical health and medical knowledge I take my unique perspective acquired from my degree in Human Health/Kinesiology and my degree in ...

At the doctor's office, hospital, or clinic, patients rarely consider the medical equipment around them. Medical equipment is an integral part of diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy. Even the simplest physical exam can often require a variety of high-tech medical equipment.

In 15th century Europe, during and after the horrors of the bubonic plague, autopsies began to be performed at universities, and a primitive form of 'scientific method' began to take hold in the minds of the educated. Practical surgery and anatomy studies began. These curious medieval Europeans laid the foundation for modern science. They also laid the foundation for the well known process of identifying a problem, creating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis by most importantly observing and experimenting; interpreting the data and drawing a conclusion.

Medical equipment prior to and even during the scientific revolution was based on classical Greek and Roman theories about science, which were not based on science at all, but on philosophy and superstition. Human health was viewed as a balance of 4 internal 'humors' in the body. The 4 humors-- blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm, were analogous to the 4 elements of the universe to the classical thinker, fire, air, water, and earth. Ailments, both physical and mental, were caused by an imbalance of humors. The ideal mind and body balanced all 4 humors, gracefully. To heal, doctors prescribed foods or procedures which would balance the fluids in the body. Some of the prescriptions seem to make sense-- fevers were treated with cold, dry temperature to combat the hot, wet over stimulation in the body. But when that failed, often the next step was blood letting. Unnecessary purging and enemas were also common cures, which might have helped some people, but also might have caused more problems than they solved. George Washington's death has recently been attributed, not to the strep throat he probably had as he died, but to the bloodletting and mercury enema given to him to cure it.Not-quite-scientific medical cures are still available and used by many, even today.

Since the 15th century, Western science has focused on examining and observing the body, and has created tools to make this easier. X-ray imaging and today MRI devices are merely extensions of the first autopsies and anatomical studies, which strove to understand how the human body actually operates. Diagnostic instruments like ophthalmoscopes, blood pressure monitors, and stethoscopes are likewise extensions of the medieval examination. Exam tables, gloves, and other medical accessories are simply the newest versions of tools that have been used for centuries. Medical technology and medical knowledge feed off of each other. Take for instance hypertension. Although devices for measuring blood pressure have existed for over 100 years, only in the last 20 years have the connections of blood pressure to disease, genetics, and lifestyle been fully explored. As the importance of measuring blood pressure increased, new technologies were explored to keep accurate measurements and records. It wasn't until the prevalence of automatic blood pressure monitors that a correlation could be made between readings taken by a human and readings taken in a controlled, isolated environment. The medical equipment and the medical knowledge then form a constantly twisting Gordian Knot, one side tightening, as the other loosens, back and forth.

What does the future hold for this push and pull of technology and scientific inquiry? Recent developments in nanotechnology and genetics, along with more and more powerful supercomputers might create a situation where what it means to be human actually changes, due to technology. For example, scientists have actually created simple life forms out of previously non-living DNA material. While it doesn't seem that dramatic at first glance, it's an important development. Medical equipment acts as an extension for investigation of the how's and why's of the human body, and as science catches up and surpasses the investigations, completely new kinds of medical diagnosis, monitoring and therapy may result. Imagine the ability to grow new organs inside the body. Limb re-growth is possible in other organisms, why not in humans? And if it is possible, would the developments be truly 'human?' The future is unknowable; the only aspect about it we can understand is that it will look nothing like we could have previously imagined. In retrospect, we'll see the signs, like we always do, but this is hindsight, not foresight. Presently, technology marches forward and it continues, as a process, to change human life.

QuickMedical is the best online medical equipment and medical supplies store providing a wide variety of products to hospitals, doctors, labs, clinics, and individual consumers since 1993. The selection of Medical Equipment includes Diagnostic Equipment, Life Support Equipment, Medical Laboratory, Medical Monitors, and Therapeutic Equipment. At QuickMedical, we take pride in providing quality healthcare products and great service. Visit our website or give us a call!

3 Student Medical Conferences Not to Miss

Have you always dreamed about combining your medical studies with a holiday? Or meeting Nobel Prize winners? Then student medical conferences are exactly what you are looking for. Taking place each year around the globe they provide an excellent chance for students to present their research to scientific community as well as enrich knowledge by meeting notable researchers and scholars. They also give you an opportunity to find a job or internship, win cash prizes, start your own research or just travel and enjoy vising new places. Read this article to discover student medical events you shouldn't miss in the upcoming year.

1. Ain Shams International Students' Congress, Egypt

Taking place in Egypt, this student event is perfect for those who wish to combine their studies with travelling and fun. At the congress you get the chance to present your research to international audience, win cash prizes and get involved in a multicultural social experience. A congress fee of ?175 covers participation, accommodation in 5 stars Resort with meals included, transportation during congress, tour to the Pyramids and Sphinx, oriental dance show and the gala dinner. If you feel that the trip is too short, for the additional fee you also can attend post congress tour to Hurghada to enjoy sightseeing and relax at the beach.

2. International Student's Congress of Medical Sciences, Netherlands

Organized by University? Medical? Center? Groningen? (UMCG), this congress is one of the most well known medical events held worldwide. Previous speakers included scientists, whose research often led to a breakthrough in medicine, including several Nobel Prize winners. In addition to exciting lectures, a congress also offers you a chance to take part in diverse workshops as well as present your own research. Several best students are selected to stay in Groningen for two weeks to take part in UMCG research.

3. Leiden International Medical Student Conference, Netherlands

This student event offers attending students 3 days filled with workshops, prominent speakers lectures and extensive social program. What differentiates it from other conferences is Career and Internship Fair where students can explore biomedical related internships and jobs opportunities. Furthermore, they also can discover medical Master programs or find sponsorship for the future research.

This list is far from being complete as many other international student medical events are held around the globe, in countries such as Turkey, Portugal, India, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Iran and others. If you want to search for other student conferences or just find an interesting Students Challenge, go to StudentEvents.com to explore the new opportunities coming up.

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Medical Billing Basics

The medical billing process began with pre-registration of the patient. It was the time to gather personal information, insurance and medical information about the prospective patient. It is vital that this information is captured and entered onto the computer system accurately for future contact with the patient and for successful payment of claims. The use of a registration check list is very helpful. The revenue cycle and the success of the practice depend on the accuracy of this information.

By gathering the patient's insurance information, we are able to Establish Financial Responsibility for the visit. This is the second step in the medical billing process. Information such as: the name of the insurance company, the name of the insured (not always the patient), type of policy, the ID number and the phone number for the insurance company are vital pieces of information for successful payment of claims. It is important for front end staff to know which insurances companies the practice participates with and which ones you don't participate with. Many practices do participate with one specific plan within an insurance company but not others. For many practices, insurance claims and payments are the bulk of the revenue cycle. It is the life blood of your practice. Collecting every dollar that your practice is entitled to is critical to the financial health of your practice. Obtaining the insurance information before your patient arrives for their first appointment allows for verification of eligibility and benefits, obtaining the required referrals and authorization, co pay and deductible information. This information must be accurate. Inaccuracy will lead to rejections or denials and will cost your practice money.

Patient check in is the third step in the medical billing process. Most practices will have an Information sheet and/or Intake packet for the patient to fill out. Again, we are collecting personal, insurance and medical information needed to receive payment for services. It is a time in the process where you can verify the information that you already have and obtain any important information that you don't have. Most practices will have the patient sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). The AOB is a document that authorizes the practice to treat the patient, authorizes the insurance company to send payment for such treatment directly to the practice and most importantly, that the responsible party (patient, insured parent or guardian) will be responsible for payment to the practice. During patient check in, it is important to obtain a copy of the insurance ID card. Be sure to copy the front and the back of the card and keep a copy of the card in the patient's chart. Other common practices are to ask the patient at each visit if their insurance and co pay information is still the same and to collect the co payment at the time of visit.

The medical billing process is made up of many sub-processes. The front end processes, are the processes that occur before the Dr. has seen the patient. They may seem like minutiae, but my twenty years of experience in healthcare and medical billing and collections have proven to me that careful attention to these details are critical to the successful payment of first time submission claims. Successful claims payments on the first try should be the goal of every practice. Failure to navigate the intricate rules of the insurance process will lead to rejected, denied or short paid claims. Re-working and resubmitting claims for payment will cost your practice time and money in salary, phone expenses and postage. Extra attention to detail at the front end processes will produce positive results.

Upon patient checkout, most practices use a superbill or SOAP note. SOAP is an acronym for subjective, objective, assessment and plan. SOAP notes and superbills are encounter forms that list all the procedures that a practice performs. Information on these encounter forms are patient name, date, the name of the doctor providing the service and any payment or co-payment information related to the services provided. There is usually space provided for the doctor to make any special notations or recommendations for further testing. Some forms have a place for the patient signature as well as the doctor/providers signature. Every service performed or dispensed must be converted into a CPT or HCPC code. Depending on the specialty of the practice, Modifiers will also be on the form. SOAP notes and superbills should also have the most common diagnoses encountered by the practice. Simply put, the diagnosis is the doctor's opinion based on examination of what is wrong with the patient. Every diagnosis must be converted into an ICD code. Mistakes in assigning correct CPT codes can affect proper payment for services. Mistakes in coding can also result in rejections and denial of claims. Rejections, denials and improper payment result in reworking and resubmission of the claim. Claims follow up for rejections and denials costs a practice time and money. Many practices employ a CPC (Certified Professional Coder), a person that has training in assigning the correct code for a given service.

To sum up, a superbill or soap note must be filled out accurately for each patient so that the correct charges can be entered for services rendered. It is critical to your practices' bottom line that mistakes are minimal as mistakes lead to rejections, denials or improper payments. Rejections, denials and improper payments require additional man hours and other expenses to fix and resubmit the claim and that translates into more money spent trying to get paid and less money for the practice.

I received my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Bridgeport, CT. I have Twenty years of experience in the Healthcare field. I have extensive hands on knowledge of Coding and Billing, and have specialized in Collections and Revenue Cycle Management. I am a member in good standing of the American Academy of Professional Coders, attaining my CPC - Certified Professional Coder credentials. http://www.revenuecycles.com/

Health Insurance Coverage for Employer Group

For those of you who are not aware what is a group health insurance, it is basically a policy that is purchased by a business or company owner and it is being offered to its eligible workers and most of the time to the workers' family members as a benefit of working for that company. More than 60% of people in the US with medical coverage receive their healthcare plans through an employer sponsored group health insurance plan. This is issued differently for different types of employers, like large groups are different from small groups, and the way that premium rates are determined is also different. This is controlled by the government, and it can vary significantly from state to state. Based on statistics this benefit is reported by employees as the most important benefit that they receive from their employer and is usually the least expensive kind of insurance to obtain.

Individual group coverage can also be purchased if the employer does not offer any coverage or if the coverage they are offering is very limited. You can find a good one for sure, just shop around very carefully because the coverage and the costs can vary widely. Companies that offer comprehensive medical coverage group plans to their employees usually have a lower staff turn-over rate. In addition, these benefits are used to attract qualified employees. These two factors, employee retention and attraction, are the two primary reasons companies offer group health insurance. In most states, small employer health insurance companies are allowed to look back at individual group applicants medical histories for pre-existing conditions and may decide not to cover certain conditions for a specified period of time. This is known as an exclusionary, or a pre-existing condition waiting period.

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Health Insurance Tips Guide

Sound health is an indispensable feature of every individual's life. No targets and success can be achieved if we are physically unwell. In order to safeguard this central aspect of our life, health insurance is the need of the hour.

Health insurance as we all know is the best way to secure your health against all expected and unexpected problems. Due to this almost every individual seeks to acquire a health insurance policy.

At present there are many companies offering health insurance. While going for a health insurance policy you will confront a choice between private and government insurance. Prior to opting for either policy, you should know that with a private health insurance you would have an access to luxurious private hospitals, wide range of private doctors to choose from and mostly immediate treatment. While in a government health insurance scheme the lifetime health cover penalizes people who take out health insurance later in life with higher premiums. If you take the policy after your 31st birthday you will be required to pay a 2% surcharge annually up to 70%. So for instance if you acquire the policy at the age of 50 you will have to pay 30% more than a person who joined at the age of 30.

Government health insurance policy also comes up with a Medicare levy surcharge according to which unmarried people earning more than $50k and married couples with or without children earning more than $100k will pay an extra 1% Medicare surcharge in addition to 1.5% Medicare levy most people pay. But this extra annual expenditure of $500 to $1000 can be avoided by opting for hospital insurance.

Premium plays a key role in choosing the kind of policy you want. Money can be saved on premium in various ways such as purchasing a policy with 'excess' or the money that an individual is required to pay for stay in a hospital before benefits are payable. You can also buy a policy that asks for a co-payment. In case of co-payment if you don't go into hospital, the member decides to pay usually a fixed amount of money each time he avails the service. Choosing a policy that doesn't include several treatment facilities is also an option to lower your premium rates. Besides this you can also buy a policy that only covers you as a private patient in a public hospital. However it is better and in the long run beneficial to take a policy that offers a high 'excess' in comparison to those that exclude several treatment conditions. Some commonly barred treatments are- cosmetic surgery, cataract surgery, rehabilitation, hip, knee and other joint replacements, obstetrics and birth related care, assisted reproduction and psychiatric care. In case you want coverage for any of these treatments, prior to purchasing make sure your policy includes it.

Health Savings Account Contribution Limits Left Unchanged For 2011

Each year the US Internal Revenue Service issues a revision of the Health Savings Account Contribution Limits. This year under IRS Procedure 2010-22 these limits were left unchanged from 2010 due to the fact that cost of living increases remained in-check the previous year. This was most due to the severe economic downturn and credit crunch which caused dis-inflationary pressures to reverberate throughout the U.S. Economy.

Under the 2011 new federal guidelines the maximum contribution that can be made next year by a single individual remains at $3,050 and the limit for a family remains unchanged at $6,150. This means that a family can contribute a maximum of $512.50 per month to their HSA Account and it would be $254.16 for an individual.

Since an HSA account requires the participant to own a High Deductible Health Plan they also set the minimum required deductibles and maximum out of pocket expenses for these plans on an annual basis. The minimum deductible for a single person remains at $1,200 and $2,400 for the family deductible. The maximum out of pocket expenses that a single participant may incur remain at $5,950 and it also remains constant for a family at $11,900. This Maximum includes all deductibles as well as co-pays.

One change that is coming in 2011 is the elimination of Over-The-Counter drugs as an eligible expense item using your HSA. At a time when the government is actively moving to provide health care for everyone, it seems like an odd time to be taking away benefits from those who are being fiscally prudent and using Health Savings Accounts. As of January 2010, there were about 10 million Americans who had chosen a high deductible health plan -HDHP that must be used in conjunction with a Health Savings Account. This is up nearly 1/4 over the previous years numbers showing that citizens want more control over their health care costs.

As the U.S. economy recovers and the fed re-establishes a normal rate of inflation it is likely that we will return to the normal annual increases in Health Savings Account Contribution Limits as we have seen in the past. Hopefully the trend toward HSA Accounts will remain intact and we can stop the severe inflation that has been occurring in health insurance premiums.

Health Insurance: How to Apply

If you're wondering how to apply for health insurance, be aware that application is the second step of the process -- after you've researched different policies and compared prices and benefits. Whether you apply online or off will depend on your comfort level with the computer, and also whether you're applying via a group plan.

Before you sit down to fill out an application, you should gather information you will likely need when filling out an application. The names and addresses of doctors for yourself and your family members, the dates of the most recent visits, and information about your most recent insurance policy,

Through Your Employer

If you're enrolling in a health insurance plan through your employer, you probably won't need a medical examination, but you may have to wait for the company's next enrollment period before you can apply. However, if you're a new hire, you likely can apply immediately. The application process for enrolling in a group plan is quite simple, because most plans will enroll everybody, regardless of pre-existing conditions and current state of health.

Just fill out an enrollment form, which includes personal information like: name, address, social security number, designation of the primary insured and all dependents (including the names, ages, dates of birth and social security numbers for all dependents), employment information including date of hire, and the type of health insurance coverage you select. You'll probably have to provide information about your prior health insurance coverage, including the insurance company name and policy number.

The completed application goes back to the benefits coordinator, who will process your form, and you're finished.

On Your Own

If you're not applying for group coverage, the steps are similar, except you'll be handling all the paper work yourself. Some insurance companies will send an insurance agent to discuss the application process with you. In these cases, the agent will often work with you to gather the necessary documentation, coordinate an in-home medical examination, and collect your pre-payment check.

The whole process is so simple that some people decide to apply for health insurance online. To do so, just visit the health insurance company's web site where you'll find an online application form. You'll have to provide the same type of personal and employment information as above, and you'll just enter it onto an online application form. When you're finished, click the submit button and the system takes over.

Applying for health insurance online really is painless, reliable and fast. However, if you are not comfortable providing that amount of personal information over the internet, it's probably a good idea to apply for health insurance offline.

Either way, don't wait until you need it. Because then it might be too late.

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Health Insurance After Retirement

Most workers receive health benefits while employed. Lately, due to the economy, many employees are without health insurance after retirement benefits or have to pay for all or part of the cost. If an employee retires, so do the health benefits unless you were employed with a municipality or union that carries extended health benefits. So, many employees are extending their retirement to 65 to receive Medicare or stay on a spouses' medical coverage.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, also known as COBRA, requires employers with health plans and employ 20 or more employees must offer coverage to workers who leave the employer for up to 18 months and 29 months for disabled workers. These employees must pay into COBRA when they are separated to keep health insurance during this time period.

So, after 65, Medicare, health insurance after retirement, becomes available. Even if you don't want it, (you must be covered by another policy on your own or spouse) you must decline Medicare. If you don't and apply for it at a later date, you will be penalized by paying a higher premium. As Medicare, health insurance after retirement, is very important for us to have, it will not pay for everything. You may have to supplement with additional insurance. So, you still have to comparison shop. All insurance must comply with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to conform to uniform coverage provisions.

If you can't find a policy (group or individual) health insurance after retirement, see if any professional or alumni association you can join or are a member of offers coverage. Start a part time business. In some states, companies can apply for group insurance as one and receive group rates.

Many financial specialist and planners say the best option for health insurance after retirement may be to return to work part time for a company that offers benefits to its part time employees.