Ladies, it’s a fact that our health needs are different than those of men.  Due to our genetic make-up, there are many other health concerns that we must consider when choosing our health insurance plan.  The future is unpredictable, so it is important that we get coverage for all our current and potential future conditions.

Questions all women should ask about their health insurance coverage

1. Does my health insurance plan cover health screenings recommended annually for women?

It is recommended that women have annual mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and osteoporosis screenings beginning at a certain age.  There are others important annual tests, but these tests are specific to women. The law requires that health insurance companies offer coverage for one annual mammogram for women 40 and older to prevent breast cancer.  Most states mandate that insurance companies cover an annual cervical cancer screening, such as pap smears.  Also, health insurance companies are required to offer coverage for annual osteoporosis screenings since they are necessary for health maintenance.  Osteoporosis tests begin around age 60.

2. Does my health insurance company cover specialty doctor visits?

Most health insurance companies cover for your OB/GYN services.  But it is important to check your health insurance plan to see what costs and treatments are covered because some are excluded from insurance.  For example, sterilization is rarely covered by health insurance companies.

3. Will my pregnancy be covered by health insurance?

Today, the average cost of having a baby is over $6000. Health insurance companies will most often cover doctors office and hospital visit expenses (with a small co-payment).  But there’s a catch: you must have health insurance before you get pregnant! Women who are already pregnant are considered “high-risk” candidates and it will be much more difficult to get coverage.  Other things you may want to check with the insurance company is if they offer coverage for services during your pregnancy (associated with the pregnancy but not the typical office visits) and prescriptions for possible depression. Even if you don’t needs these, better safe than sorry!

4. What if I need infertility treatments? Is that covered?

Infertility insurance is limited, but you’re not out of luck.  There are 14 states with mandates for health insurance coverage of infertility treatments.  If infertility treatments are not specifically excluded form your insurance plan, you can get coverage.  If needed, get a copy of your plan from your health insurance provider.  Otherwise, infertility treatment coverage is also offered by private insurance companies.

5.  Does my health insurance cover all of my prescription drugs?

There are many prescription pills specifically for women, such as contraceptive pills.  Generally, contraceptives have not been covered by health insurance companies in their plan. But, each insurer is different.  It is important to ask your provider because they may offer contraceptive coverage.

6. Is there coverage for treatment against diseases common to women?

Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and many others.  It is important for women to take preventative measures in their healthcare as well as have insurance for their expenses.  Vaccines are common preventative measures, such as Gardasil, a vaccine to prevent HPV and cervical cancer.  Many insurance companies cover this preventative vaccine because it reduces the chance of future medical conditions. However, check with the health insurance provider you are considering before making the final decision.

It is important to get coverage before you become ill.  Difficulty arises with health insurance coverage if you are already ill because the insurers many consider it a pre-existing condition.  Or some companies may offer coverage for office visits and pharmacy charges, but have you on a waiting list for any other treatment coverage you may need.

According to a press release last week, Governor David Patterson (NY) submitted a bill to ensure that New Yorkers laid off by small business can qualify for federal benefits that pay up to 65% of COBRA health insurance premiums. COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue coverage provided by their group health plan for a limited period of time.

“The need to pass this bill is urgent because we must ensure as many people as possible retain their health coverage. One of the greatest challenges facing the State as a result of the current economic crisis is how we help unemployed New Yorkers retain access to their health insurance. Given the record levels of unemployment announced just last week, we need to move quickly to amend State law to make this subsidy available to as many New Yorkers as possible,” states Governor Paterson.

Unfortunately, COBRA is very expensive. Workers may be charged up to 102% of the full insurance premium. The American Recovery and reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law in February, makes a subsidy of 65% available to help cover the cost of COBRA health insurance premiums. Income limitations apply and no subsidies are available to individuals making annual incomes greater than $125,000 and couples making more than $250,000 annually.

Senate and House bills were introduced yesterday that would ban insurance companies from keeping those with preexisting conditions from getting insurance. The bills will not allow insurance carriers to exclude patients based on preexisting conditions. It would also not allow disease-specific premiums or surcharges. The legislation is known as The Pre-existing Condition Patient Protection Act.

The bills are sponsored by Senator Jay Rockefeller of W. Virginia and Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut. Congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama want to guarantee access to insurance for United States citizens including patients with preexisting conditions. Insurance companies exclude patients with chronic health conditions or other serious illness as well as even pregnancy in order to avoid paying for expensive medical care.

“This is a situation where the market is not going to solve the problem by itself,” Rockefeller said. “The insurance companies have always gotten away with what they can get away with.”

There are 25 million people who are underinsured and being denied health care by health insurance companies for having preexisting conditions. Over 133 million Americans have a bare minimum health plan along with a chronic condition.

The Pre-existing Condition Patient Protection Act can help insure those with preexisting conditions and chronic illnesses. This legislation is part of the plan to insure all Americans.

Health insurance isn’t something most college students think about because for most, they have been under their parents their whole life. But health insurance companies waste no time kicking you off your parents’ insurance the day you graduate college. Unless you are lucky enough to graduate college and have a job set up with benefits, chances are you will be scrambling around for health insurance.

When you graduate, there are definitely more important things on your mind than health insurance. For example, finding a job and/or finding a house. But have health insurance is vital and can help you in the long run. Of course, health insurance can be expensive and out of reach for many graduates who have a massive amount of student loans.

Here are a few options for coverage.

Short Term Health Insurance. Short term health plans cover you for about 12 months while you are looking for a job with benefits or another health insurance plan. They are available through private health insurance carriers and are designed to be flexible, allowing you to pay month to month and cancel at any time. This type of coverage normally does not cover preexisting conditions and most cannot be renewed.

High Deductible Health Insurance. Though an individual health plan may be out of financial reach for most college graduates, high deductible plans have lower premiums. Though they may not cover preventive services and prescription drugs, but if something were to happen to you it is smarter to have any plan than no health insurance at all. A little secret: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act is a federal law that requires health insurance providers to continue coverage for up to 36 months for those who have been dropped from plans. This doesn’t only include employees, but also includes spouses and adult children. Under COBRA, the health insurance carrier continues to offer the same price that was offered to the employer. However, the employee usually pays for part of the fee. Under COBRA, the employer does not contribute therefore you or your parents have to pay for the full price of the premium.

Some states, though, make it easier for students to obtain health insurance. In New Jersey, insurers are required to allow adult children to stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 30 if they have no dependents and are residents of the state.

No matter what you are forced to do to obtain health insurance, do it. Without student health insurance, you’re going to end up owing a lot more than just student loans.

HealthAmerica and HealthAmerica Advantra’s HMO, POS, and Medicare Advantage plans rank among America’s top 20 health plans. This ranking was made by U.S. News & World Report in conjunction with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). HealthAmerica was ranked 12^th among 287 commercial plans and HealthAmerica’s Medicare Advantage plan, Advantra, was ranked 18^th among 216 plans nationally.

So why were they ranked among America’s top 20 health plans? For 13 consecutive years, HealthAmerica’s HMO product and HealthAssurance’s POS product were both awarded “Excellent” accreditation from the NCQA. They’re HMO and POS are number 1 in 8 of 15 key measures. They have received the highest scores in:

• Well-child visits for members 3 to 6 years old
• Well-child visits for members over 6 years old
• Beta blocker after a heart attack
• Prenatal care in the 1^st trimester
• Cervical cancer screening
• Screening and testing of adults with diabetes
• Controlling hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cholesterol screening for patients with cardiovascular conditions

HealthAmerica provides its members with a greater combination of health benefits and services for their money suitable to their needs and wants. They offer more health benefits, like coverage for most preventive health services, including periodic checkups, coverage for hospital and surgical care, emergency care worldwide, and chiropractic services. They offer access to over 35,000 providers in Pennsylvania and Ohio and more than 350 hospitals.  As a member, you are also entitled to the WellBeing program. This program offers free wellness programs and discounts on a wide range of products and services such as:

• QualSight LASIK Discount Program
• Weight Watchers
• GlobalFit fitness network
• Healthy Living and Wellness
• Health Education Reimbursement
• Wellbeing fitness clubs, acupuncture, and massage discounts
• Personalized Health Improvement
• EyeMed Vision Care Vision One EyeCare Discount Program and LASIK Vision Correction

With your health plan you also get 24 hour assistance. You can call and talk to a Member Service Representative and get answers about any question you may have with convenient hours during the week and on the weekends. The website is always available for health information. My Online Services is a feature that allows you to manage your personal health care transactions anytime it’s convenient for you.

They have a wide variety of other products, employee health benefit plans, and value-added services. With the ability to customize benefit programs that meet your needs, you can choose from HealthAssurance Coordinated Care PPO (POS), HealthPass/HealthAssurance PPO, HealthAssurance FlexChoice, and HealthAmericaOne Individual plans.

HealthAmerica’s health insurance plans can help you get the coverage you need. They are known nationwide for their service and quality and in result they have achieved the recognition of top rank in health plans. HealthAmerica’s commercial plans were rated higher than the national average in all 15 key measures of medical services and member satisfaction. The plans were also ranked higher than the Pennsylvania state average in 12 of the 15 key measures.