Health Insurance

Recently Answered

• QWhy might individual health insurance be right for me as a cancer survivor?

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  A LIVESTRONG answered

  Individual health insurance plans provide coverage through single insurance plan policies and not as a part of a group plan. Because you purchase the plan as an individual, the premium cost tends to be more expensive than the premium for a group policy.
  
  If you are self-employed, not working or work for an employer that does not provide health insurance benefits, you may find that purchasing an individual health insurance policy is your only option.
• QWill it cost more to include older children on my health insurance policy?

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  A AARP Health Education answered

  If you currently include your children on your health insurance, the Affordable Care Act allows you to keep them on your family policy until they reach age 26. Your insurance company will not be able to charge you more to insure your older children than it charges for younger children. It also will not be able to provide them fewer benefits. 
• QAre health insurance companies required to offer coverage for my child?

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  A AARP Health Education answered

  Insurance companies and employer-based healthcare plans are not required to offer dependent coverage. If you are in a plan that does not provide family coverage, you will not be able to include your children. Also, if your young adult children have access to employer-based coverage on their own, you will not be able to add them to your plan.
• QWho should consider travel insurance?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  For some travelers, travel insurance is a good idea, for others not so much. In fact, many of these companies make more money per dollar put in, that you may think you are dealing with a loan shark. But some travelers still have a reason to take out this kind of insurance. Here are things to keep in mind:

  • Would you lose sleep over the fact that you might get sick or might miss a plane?

  • How devastated would you be if you lost your bags?

  If you feel like you would have more peace of mind, would enjoy your trip to the max, and are willing to pay up knowing you might not end up needing the insurance, then go for the gusto. The majority of travelers do not get travel insurance, but you have to figure out what will keep you at ease. It’s supposed to be a vacation after all, right?

  If you do decide to get travel insurance, contact your insurer first to see what, if anything, is already covered in your plan. After that, do some research and invest in a quality set of magnifying glasses so you can read the fine print to see exactly what is covered and at what price. You don’t want to cough up $500 to cover a $150 plane ticket, do you?
  

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• QHow can I find out if my health plan covers a medical specialist?

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  A Dr. John J. Connolly , Healthcare Insurance & Policy, answered on behalf of Castle Connolly Top Doctors

  Virtually all health plans cover referrals to specialists. However, be certain you follow the rules of the plan to ensure you are covered appropriately.
• QIs my doctor in the health plan network?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  With all the changes in health care and the new rules of managed care, the only way to find out if your doctor is in your health plan network is to check the list of providers.
  You can find this list online (if you’re a tech-savvy, junior Bill Gates) or you can call your insurance provider directly. Make sure you have your doc’s full name and address. There are more Dr. Franks than you might think.

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• QDo insurance plans cover chiropractic?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Chiropractic is technically considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). As a result, coverage for chiropractic care varies as much as seasonal fashion trends. For example, Medicare Part B (medical insurance) pays for basic chiropractic care, or manipulation of the spine and nervous system. However, it will not cover your initial physical exam, X-rays, physical therapy, orthopedic devices, vitamins and supplements, and evaluation services. So before you schedule a date with a chiropractor, call your insurance provider or invest in a set of quality magnifying glasses to examine the fine print of your plan to figure out what type of chiropractic care (if any) is covered.

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• QWhat health information is protected by HIPAA?

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  A Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT answered

  Privacy protections apply to your "individually identifiable health information," which means:

  • Information that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition; to the provision of health care to you; or to past, present or future payment for the provision of health care to you.
  • Information that identifies you or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify you.

  This information can include the following:

  • Information your doctors, nurses and other health care providers put in your medical record
  • Conversations your doctor has about your care or treatment with nurses and others
  • Information about you in your health insurer's computer system
  • Billing information about you at your clinic
  • Information used by companies or individuals that provide data, billing, or other services to doctors, hospitals, health insurers and other health care organizations. This includes computer and data services providers, accountants and other professional services firms.

  The HIPAA Security Rule protections apply to electronically protected health information.
  
  There are organizations that may have health information about you but do not have to follow the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. For example, life insurers, employers and workers' compensation carriers are not required to follow these Rules. However, privacy protections may be required through other laws they have to follow. The same is true for many schools and school districts, State agencies such as child protective service agencies, law enforcement agencies and municipal offices.
   

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• QWho has to follow HIPAA regarding my health information?

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  A Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT answered

  Most doctors, nurses, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and many other health care providers, as well as health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and most employer group health plans, must abide by the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Privacy Rule regulations.
  
  Certain government programs that pay for health care, such as Medicare and Medicaid, must also abide by the regulations.
  However, some tools that you may use in relation to your health care, such as apps that you download on your smartphone and many PHRs, do not have to follow HIPAA.

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• QWhen can my doctor share information about my health care?

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  A Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT answered

  To make sure that your health information privacy is protected without interfering with your health care, the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows your information to be used and shared in the following ways:

  • For your treatment and care coordination. For example, your doctors can see what tests you have had and their results, so tests do not have to be repeated.
  • With doctors and hospitals that provide you care, to provide payment for their services
  • To make sure doctors and other health care professionals give good care
  • For protection of the public's health, such as to report when the flu is in your area

  Your health care provider or health plan does not have to ask you whether they can use or share your health information for these purposes.
  
   

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