Monday, January 12, 2009

Group Vs. Individual Health Insurance

By Jeff Cline

The pros and cons of Group versus Individual health insurance are easy if you know a few basic things. Below you will find those answers, equipping you with the knowledge to decide which the best option for you is. There are a few things to consider when compiling your list of pros and cons.

On a group policy it is often difficult to afford coverage for dependents, because the employer does not pay a portion. Even your rates can be expensive if you employer does not share much of the cost for you or the plan they offer is very expensive. With the rising cost of health insurance these are trends we are seeing.

An individual insurance is based solely on you and your family instead of a group. What this means is that they look very closely at your health condition. If anyone in the family has a health condition it affects the outcome. Rates could increase, condition may not be covered or the insurance company could decline coverage for that individual.

There are times Group Insurance can end up cheaper and your only option. If you have a medical condition that is causing the individual carrier to significantly increase your rate or refuse coverage Group is the way to go. Group Insurance can not decline you coverage based on your medical condition.

If it is freedom you like, than an individual plan is probably a good choice. They have many plans, many benefits and many customizable additions. You just pick and choose, find what suits your needs and get what you pay for. No more, no less.

How would you like to be told what benefits you will have, which providers you can see and how much your going to pay. With group insurance this is what you get. You do not get the freedom to decide these factors. You can not even add a dependent unless it is the right time of the year.

Individual carriers offer bundling of benefits which make it really nice. For example, say you would like medical and dental coverage. You can bundle them as a package and pay one premium. They often offer vision, life and maternity as an add on as well.

You have much thinking to do now. You have to decide what is important. You now have to tools to make a good decision. Don't sell yourself short or be locked out of a good thing. Your needs should be tops when making this decision. - 16492

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