health insurance library

 

Health insurance plans vary widely, and the amount of coverage is different from plan to plan. Understand the main types of insurance plans and their differences.

Featured Article:  How HIPAA Works

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, was enacted by Congress to help ensure both health coverage and privacy for patients. See more »

10 Health Care Systems Around the World

10 Health Care Systems Around the World

In the arguments about U.S. health care reform, you'll often hear a country held up as the worst or best example of what health care can be. What is health care like around the globe?

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10 Myths About U.S. Health Care Reform Proposals

10 Myths About U.S. Health Care Reform Proposals

If you've been watching the news, you've seen angry protesters, town hall free-for-alls and red-faced pundits -- all irate over the issue of health care reform. A lot of the hullabaloo is about "facts" that are just plain myths.

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How Benefit Waiting Periods Work

How Benefit Waiting Periods Work

You just got a new job. You go in on your first day, get your ID badge and fill out all of your paperwork. You start work immediately, but your insurance doesn't start working for you for another 30 days. Why do you have to wait?

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How Catastrophic Insurance Works

How Catastrophic Insurance Works

The whole point of having insurance is to protect yourself in case of an emergency, but you don't want to pay for coverage you don't need. If this sounds familiar, a catastrophic insurance policy might be right for you.

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How COBRA Works

How COBRA Works

Most Americans are covered by their employer's group health insurance. But what happens if you lose your job? COBRA health insurance allows people to continue their coverage -- on their own dime.

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How Coinsurance Works

How Coinsurance Works

Coinsurance is used in several different types of insurance, from property to health. The basic concept is that you and your insurance company share the risks.

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How Deductibles and Co-pays Work

How Deductibles and Co-pays Work

As health care costs continue to rise, subscribers are finding that their benefits are being trimmed while their co-pays and deductibles are increasing. So it’s more important than ever to learn how to get the most out of your health care coverage.

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How Elective Procedures Work

How Elective Procedures Work

Elective procedures can be as simple as Botox injections or as complicated as angioplasty or infertility treatments. But regardless, they're going to cost you, not your insurance company.

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How Exclusions Work

How Exclusions Work

A health insurance exclusion refers to anything an insurance plan doesn't cover, from drugs to surgeries. Exclusions can vary, so it's essential that you get to know the details of your plan.

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How Flexible Spending Accounts Work

How Flexible Spending Accounts Work

Flexible spending accounts are accounts in which you can deposit a portion of your pre-tax paycheck. If you use it wisely, an FSA can help offset your out-of-pocket medical expenses and pay for your monthly health insurance premiums.

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How Health Insurance Claims Work

How Health Insurance Claims Work

You've probably wondered what happens to all those forms you fill out at the doctor's office. Where do they go next -- and what happens if your insurance claim is denied?

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How Health Insurance Works

How Health Insurance Works

Deductibles, premiums, co-pays, COBRA … Health insurance can be complicated. In this article, we explain these key terms and many others, so you can sort through your coverage options and understand your benefits.

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How HIPAA Works

How HIPAA Works

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, was enacted by Congress to help ensure both health coverage and privacy for patients.

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How Inpatient and Outpatient Benefits Work

How Inpatient and Outpatient Benefits Work

Thanks to advances in technology, more and more medical treatments are being made on an outpatient basis. But what qualifies as an outpatient service? How do they differ from inpatient benefits, and what does that mean for your insurance coverage?

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How Medical Savings Accounts and Health Savings Accounts Work

How Medical Savings Accounts and Health Savings Accounts Work

If you have a medical or health savings account, you pay for your own health care expenses. But you do have a safety net -- a high-deductible health insurance policy that protects you from catastrophic medical expenses.

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How Medicare Works

How Medicare Works

Medicare is a major effort on the part of the United States government to provide affordable health insurance for seniors over the age of 65, as well as people with certain disabilities. Learn all about Medicare.

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How Non-Network Services Work

How Non-Network Services Work

Navigating a health care plan can be complicated, especially when you're dealing with managed-care plans and provider networks. Learn about how managed health care companies treat non-network services.

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How Out-of-Pocket Expenses Work

How Out-of-Pocket Expenses Work

Simply put, an out-of-pocket expense is a nonreimbursable expense paid by a patient. Learn about out-of-pocket maximums, what expenses count toward them, and how they vary with different plans.

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How Outpatient Procedures Work

How Outpatient Procedures Work

In the olden days, if you had surgery or had an accident, you could have spend several days -- or even weeks -- in the hospital. Today, you could be out in a matter of hours.

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How PPOs Work

How PPOs Work

Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are the fastest-growing kind of health care plan. With more than 158 million Americans enrolled in a PPO this year, this plan has become the choice of more than half of all Americans with health insurance coverage.

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