|
Magazine
>
Parenting Tips > Article
Parenting Tips
Surviving the Murky
Waters of Health Insurance
by James H. Corn
What kind of health insurance do you
have? Or do you fit into the category of Americans that are paying
too much or do not have any coverage at all? Currently there is a
health care crisis in this great country. According to data from
Working America, in 2006 over 47 million Americans were uninsured.
Today that number is, I am sure, much higher. I talk to people all
the time that are facing bankruptcy or worse if they get sick.
Many could be walking around with a condition that could be
remedied if only they could afford to get checked by a physician.
According to an ABC News/ Kaiser Family Foundation / USA Today
2006 survey, health costs are a factor in half of personal
bankruptcies.
As the expense of insurance
skyrockets, more and more people are becoming uninsured. There are
discussions going on today in Washington to try and do something
about the situation. However, as that process plays out, it will
be some time before the impact is felt by most. So what to do? I
think it goes without saying that the best possible scenario is to
be part of a group health coverage plan at your place of
employment. But that is not an option for many Americans, and
based on that fact, I offer the following information.
If you are in the process of looking
for health insurance, I would strongly recommend that you go
online for health insurance information only; I would not
recommend doing so for the purpose of purchasing a plan.
Information online can be educational but the data is constructed
in a way that may lead you to purchase a plan that might not
provide the benefit you were looking for. The same people indicate
they would never have gone online for legal advice if they had
needed an attorney. Selecting a health insurance policy in the
long run can be very costly if a wise choice is not made.
The most effective way, in my opinion,
is to talk to a health insurance professional. There are many
avenues that will lead you to this individual. Someone you know
can most likely lead you to this person that has a high level of
knowledge and integrity—a person who will keep your best interests
in focus, like a co-worker, a fellow church member, a neighbor,
the family doctor, someone active in community organizations or
activities, etc. Get a referral and confide in the individual whom
you are most comfortable with.
Another suggestion I would make is
that you not procrastinate. Many Americans simply cannot afford
health care, no matter what the cost. However, I have had many
people tell me they were just going to wait. If you can work the
cost of health care into your budget, it is not wise to wait.
There are several reasons for not waiting. You do not know when
you might get into an accident, get a serious illness, or have one
of your kids break a limb. Also, by not having coverage you are
not taking advantage of the preventative checks to deter or catch
issues before they happen. It is against the law to drive a car
without insurance. I am not suggesting it should be against the
law not to have health insurance. However, I feel one is being
irresponsible to oneself and his or her loved ones if he or she
can afford health insurance but does not have it. My parents
always taught me to make my own way, be responsible, and be a good
citizen. The truth of the matter is that if you do not have health
insurance, someone still has to pay for it.
James H. Corn (Jim) is an insurance
professional with Insurance Source. If you have questions about
your family’s health insurance, contact Jim at (727) 466-3377 or
(727) 643-4575 (cell). Insurance Source is affiliated with all
major insurance carriers.
Looking for a local business in
Tampa Bay Florida?
Visit
Go Local Tampa Bay and
explore over 100,000 local businesses
and shop on our Go
Local Mall.
back to top |
