The Benefits of a Mid-Range Medical Aid Plan

There is no substitute for proper health care and investing in your future health, and thus when it comes to choosing the right medical aid plan you will need to think carefully about which one will suit your needs and your pocket.

When it comes to medical aid plans there are three basic ones that you will need to choose from. These are basic entry level plans, mid-range plans and premium plans. All of these have their own pros and cons that you will need to be aware of before you make a decision.

And as with most things in life you will end up getting what you pay for in the end. And when it comes to protecting your health and the health of your loved ones you really do not want to skimp and go for the cheap option without doing your homework.

A lot of people find themselves in deep financial trouble after a serious illness or dread disease because they did not properly plan for the future. This then adds further stress to an already stressful situation and can negatively impact on your health and recovery. Here is a look at the pros of investing in a mid-range medical aid plan to protect your health and wellbeing.

You Get What You Pay For

When it comes to medical aids you truly do get what you pay for, and thus if you end up going for the cheap option you will get basic health cover that will not be there when you need it most. But on the other hand a premium medical aid plan can offer you too much and in the end you might end up paying thousands for something that you do not need.

Thus the best option for most people is to invest in a mid-range medical aid plan. A mid-range plan offers quality medical care and assistance at a reasonable price. This means that most people will be able to afford this type of plan.

Thus if you are looking for comprehensive cover then your best bet is to invest in a mid-range medical aid plan for you and your loved ones. Thus you will be able to look after your health at a reasonable price.

Comprehensive Cover for Less

With a mid-range medical aid plan you will get comprehensive cover that will cover most illnesses and disease without having to cost you an arm and a leg. Thus if you are looking for more cover than just a basic plan for less than a premium plan your best bet is to go for the mid-range medical aid plan.

Just remember to take into consideration your medical history and pre-existing conditions that will need to be covered. All of these factors will affect your monthly premium in the end. Thus you need to make sure that you choose the right plan for your needs.

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Top Things You Should Know About HIPAA Exams

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) exams are a series of tests professionals working in the medical system need to pass in order to receive a certificate validating their knowledge and set of skills in matters such as HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Standards, National Standards, and so on. Following are the top seven things you should know about the HIPAA exams.

• Medical professionals have the option of choosing one of three HIPAA exams: the Certified HIPAA Administrator Exam (CHA), the Certified HIPAA Professional Exam (CHP), and the Certified Security Compliance Specialist (CSCS). The choice they make has to be in accordance with their job responsibilities and the level of contact they have with secure health information and patient records.

• Registration for any of these three exams can be made online, via fax, or by mail. When registering for a certification exam, applicants also have the option to sign up for a pre-exam training course. Candidates can sign up for individual courses or for a package containing all the courses. Candidates can register for both the CSCS and the CHP exams, if they wish to.

• Before taking the HIPAA exam, each candidate has to adhere to a few rules. Candidates have to represent that they are the person who has registered for the HIPAA exam, that they will complete the exam within the allotted time frame, and that they will not use any resources or assistance when answering the question. If the candidates fail to adhere to all of these rules, their certificate can be denied or revoked.

• All HIPAA exams are online multiple question examinations which must be completed in one sitting, in a specific time frame. For the CHA exam, candidates have to complete 40 questions in 60 minutes or less and achieve a score of at least 75%. For the CHP and CSCS examinations, candidates will have to answer 60 questions in a time frame of 60 minutes and obtain a score of 75% or higher.

• The exam begins when the candidate clicks on the "exam commencement" button. The exam ends when the hour elapses or when the candidate submits the answer to the last question, whichever comes first. Each question has to be answered in sequence, but the candidate has the option of reviewing his or her answers at any point during the examination.

• After the 60 minutes have passed, candidates receive an instant notification of their score. If the candidates achieve the minimum of 75%, it is considered they have passed the exam and they can receive the certificate.

• In case the candidate does not pass the HIPAA exam from the first try, he or she will have to register for a new examination, but retaking the training course is optional.

These are the 7 most important things any medical professional should know about HIPAA exams. For more information on registration fees and curriculum for the exams, feel free to browse online, you will surely find what you need.

The Difference Between Medical Aids and Health Insurance

Investing in the future of your health is imperative to having peace of mind for when you need it most. Thus you need to make sure that you invest wisely and that you plan ahead for when the unforeseen happens.

But planning for your future health is not as easy as it might seem, as there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Firstly you will need to choose between a medical aid plan and a health insurance plan. Both of these have their own merits and also their own cons that you will need to be aware of.

Here is a brief look at the difference between a medical aid plan and health insurance and what they can offer you to give you peace of mind for your future health and wellbeing.

Why You Need a Medical Aid

A medical aid will give you peace of mind for when you get sick that you will be able to pay for your treatment and that you will be well looked after. It will provide you money and treatment for when you need to go to the doctor or the dentist or even when you need serious medical attention.

Thus paying a monthly fee towards your medical aid will pay off in the end when you get sick and need to be hospitalised and treated. Thus paying in every month will pay off when you need it most. Otherwise you might find yourself in deep trouble when you can least afford it.

A lot of people think that paying for it every month is a waste of time and that they will be able to save a lot of money by not having a medical aid. But this cannot be further from truth because when you need it most you will be covered by your medical aid, and if you need serious treatment all those months of paying in will definitely pay off in the end.

What Health Insurance Can Offer You

Health insurance is different form a medical aid in that it only covers specific treatments and illnesses and you will be able to choose which ones you want cover for. This means that health insurance can end up being much cheaper than a medical aid, but it also means that you will not be guaranteed cover for all medical treatments and illnesses and that you might have to end up paying for them yourself.

Thus you very carefully need to consider what your medical need are before you decide on which one you will want to use. If you do not get sick very often you might want to invest in a health insurance plan that gives you cover for medical emergencies only. This way you will still be covered and you will end up saving a lot of money each month.

The Exceptions to Being Covered on Your Parents' Health Insurance

Whether you are just moving off to college, or finally graduating and beginning your new career, if you are like many young adults across the country you likely are still on your parents' health insurance plan. You should be aware that while this may protect you in certain instances, it is often not enough. Chances are that if you investigate the fine print of the plan, you will find that your coverage under their insurance is actually quite limited in what it will cover and where, partially because it will be tailored to their needs and location, not yours. Here are a few issues you may run into by staying on their plan.

Moving Out of State

Starting college or a new job often brings us out of state, which can be the perfect opportunity to see a little more of the world and experience a way of life that is a little new and unfamiliar. Unfortunately, for many health insurance plans, you will only be covered in the state that your parents live. This is still good protection if you get a sickness serious enough to warrant traveling back home for treatment. Letting a health issue get this far, however, is never a good idea. Foregoing things like regular check-ups and doctor visits for what begin as minor health issues are often the cause of developing more serious medical complications. Make sure that when you leave home, you are covered wherever you happen to be living, so you can get the treatment you need, when and where you need it.

Dental Problems

One of the worst types of check-up to ignore is the kind you get from your dentist. Regular cleaning and examinations are critical to your health, and minor problems can quickly develop into very painful issues if you are not keeping up with them. You should know that while you probably qualify to be on your parents' health insurance plan until you turn 26, in most cases this will not include dental.

Individual Plans

The benefits of seeking out an individual health care plan go beyond moving out of state and needing dental insurance, though those are each important factors. In acquiring your own plan, you will be able to get custom coverage that will serve your unique needs, and make decisions about your plan that can benefit you when you really need it the most. Many young adults are nervous and unsure about the issue of seeking out their own plan because it is stepping out into such unfamiliar territory. However, this is just another one of those steps into adulthood that you will discover is not nearly as scary as it seems, and that you will be grateful you took in the long run. If you have questions, an insurance broker will be able to guide to you to the plan best suited to your needs.

What Effect Will the Supreme Court's ACA Ruling Have on Me?

The United States Supreme Court ruled this summer that most of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act were constitutional. Unfortunately, with all the hype about the law, most people have no idea what the ACA actually means to them.

Denials for Pre-Existing Conditions

We've all heard the stories about people who simply could not get health insurance. Whether it was a heart condition diagnosed last year, childhood cancer, or some form of chronic illness, many insurance companies simply did not offer health insurance to some people. The bottom line for the insurer was that these people had already proven to be expensive medical risks. Their premiums were unlikely to cover the costs of future treatment.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny clients based on their previous health. They can, however, charge higher premiums based on your health history. The monthly premiums and deductibles may be high, but insurance companies must at least offer some form of coverage.

Keep Paying for Your Children

Many parents have decent insurance through their employers, but young adults, especially, those at college age or in their early 20s, may not have access to employer-sponsored healthcare. While they are getting started with their careers or paying off student loans, health insurance might not be a primary life goal. But with the Affordable Care Act, parents can continue to help their children out for a few more years.

Parents have the option to keep adult children on their insurance until the child reaches the age of 26. For young adults struggling to get by, this can mean the difference between regular doctor visits and no coverage at all.

Insurance Availability

Generally speaking, group health insurance is less expensive that individual policies, but for dozens of reasons, people might not be able to qualify for a group policy. Traditionally, most group policies were through an employer, but for the small business owner, work-at-home parent, and those with chronic diseases, an employer-sponsored plan might not be available.

The ACA allows each state to create health insurance group offerings for those who otherwise might not be able to find group insurance. The benefit of a group plan is that the risk is spread to all the group members, usually meaning smaller costs to each member. Under the Supreme Court ruling, the ACA allows states to create so-called insurance exchanges to allow people to find coverage at more affordable group rates.

Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, or maybe because of it, the ACA remains confusing. Hiring an insurance broker to help you identify the plan that best meets your needs is still a great option. A broker can help you look through the offerings and decide what is right for you.

How to Reduce Healthcare Costs

With the discussion of the Affordable Care Act, reductions in Medicare spending and changes in employer-offered healthcare, almost everyone is concerned about the costs of staying healthy. One issue is that for years, no one has treated healthcare like a commodity. We went to the doctor when we needed to and paid what they told us to. Now, to save money on healthcare, treat it like any other major purchase. Shop around and save.

Understand Your Insurance Plan

Many people end up paying more than they need to for healthcare because they simply don't understand what their insurance policy covers. Knowing which doctors you can see, when you need a referral and what medications or treatments are covered can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Work with you healthcare provider to find less expensive alternatives and opt for preventative care to avoid costly illnesses.

Shop Around

Even if you have insurance, shop around when looking for major medical procedures. The cost of an MRI, for instance, can vary greatly depending on where the test is performed, what machinery is used, and when you have it done. Non-hospital facilities will often offer considerably lower rates in an effort to attract patients.

And don't be afraid to ask for a discount. Some providers already reduce their fees for insurance companies, especially the ones that they are preferred providers for, but asking if there is a discount available for paying cash at the time of the service can often save you money. If it's something your insurance will eventually pay for, the provider's office may even be willing to help you file the claim and still give you a discount just because the cash flow happens more quickly when you pay the day of service.

Get Healthy

The absolute best way to reduce your healthcare costs is to get healthier. That means eating properly and getting some exercise. Your employer may offer nutrition counseling or support programs to help you get more fit. Some employers will help pay for a gym membership or have employer sponsored recreational activities meant to help increase your fitness level.

This is especially important if you have a family history or chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes. Making a pre-emptive strike to get healthy before you are diagnosed with a major illness can help reduce your insurance premiums and your overall healthcare expenses.

Additionally, annual check-ups can help detect illness before it becomes a major expense. Be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly.

Finally, make sure you get the health insurance coverage you need. Insurance brokers can help you devise a plan that fits the needs of you and your family and is tailored to both your financial and health needs.