Individual & Family Health Insurance

Smart Decisions Today for a Healthy Tomorrow.

As an individual, you’re most likely responsible not only for yourself, but also for the well being of your family. In order to keep yourself and those you care about most healthy and happy, you’ll want to ensure that you have the proper Health Insurance plan that can cover your every need and keep you protected financially.

Individual health insurance is health coverage that is purchased by an individual or a family and is not tied to a job or a group of policyholders.

Many people get health insurance through their employers. However, if your employer doesn’t offer coverage, or if you do not currently participate in your employer’s health plan, obtaining individual health insurance is a good method for ensuring that you and your family will be protected from some potentially high costs in the event of a medical emergency.

With the cost of healthcare on the rise, you can’t afford to take any chances. At Insurance Associates, we offer Individual and Family Health Insurance plans to those who do not receive health benefit packages from their current employer, or are either self-employed, unemployed, or a student.

Our various types of Individual and Family Health Insurance options include:

FFS (Fee-for-Service)
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
POS (Point-of-Service)
HSA (Health Savings Account)

Since each insurance option differs in cost and benefits, it’s important to discuss your unique needs with an insurance expert who can keep you, your spouse, and your children covered under the right plan at a price you can afford.

Talking with an Insurance Associates agent is a great first step in determining the right coverage for your needs and budget. We have a variety of coverage options and the expertise to guide your choices.

There are also some other ways to seek individual health insurance, including those listed below.

Obtain Insurance in the Individual Market

The Health Insurance Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges) are some of the most common places to buy health insurance and apply for Medicaid. Created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Marketplaces are designed to help you easily find health insurance that fits your budget. Different states may have different Marketplaces and available options—there is also a federal Marketplace, HealthCare.gov.

Qualified health plans in the Marketplaces are sold and run by private companies, and every plan covers a core set of 10 essential health benefits which include emergency, prescription drug and mental health services. Additionally, all plans offered in the Marketplace must provide free preventive care, with 100% of the costs paid for by insurance companies.

Get on Someone Else’s Plan

If your spouse or domestic partner has an employer-sponsored plan that is open to participants’ family members, consider joining and enrolling your children as well.

Additionally, the ACA extends coverage eligibility for young adults up to age 26 on plans offering dependent coverage, regardless of their marital or student status.

Seek Insurance Through COBRA and State-sponsored Programs

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. This coverage, however, is only available when coverage is lost due to certain specific events, such as having work hours reduced and subsequently losing employer-based coverage.

COBRA coverage is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, so individuals may wish to consider other options, such as Exchanges, if they ever lose their employer-sponsored coverage.

Gain Insurance Through Protections Under HIPAA

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), at least one private insurer must sell you a policy if you meet all of the following conditions:

- You previously had 18 months of coverage without a break for more than 63 days.

- The last day of your coverage was through your former or current employer.

- You do not have a COBRA or mini-COBRA option available.

Use Medicaid or Other State Programs, as Applicable

Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income individuals, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. People who do not qualify for full Medicaid benefits may still be eligible for breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings or assistance with certain treatments.

The rules for Medicaid enrollment differ slightly from state to state. You can visit www.medicaid.gov or use your state’s Marketplace to determine whether you are eligible for Medicaid coverage in your state. You can also consult your local health department to see if there are any public coverage options available in your area.

Conclusion

With all the different health plans available out there, it can be difficult to select the plan that best meets the needs of you and your family, and, ultimately, your budget. While it can be tempting to pick the plan with the lowest premium, you don’t want to be is surprised by high out-of-pocket costs or network restrictions when seeking medical care.

Speak with Insurance Associates for assistance in determining your best available health insurance options.

Find a Health Insurance Plan That’s Right For You

Without an adequate Health Insurance policy, if you or a family member gets injured in an accident or becomes ill, the last thing you’ll want to experience is paying for high medical costs from your own pocket.

If you’re an individual looking for coverage either for yourself or your family, you can find the perfect Individual and Family Health Insurance plan from Insurance Associates. Since Health Insurance options vary from state to state, our experienced, Health Insurance specialists are available to work with your needs on an individual basis in order to assist you in creating a plan that keeps you covered.

Don’t risk your finances on expensive medical bills and services. Get the affordable protection that keeps those you care about most healthy with an Individual and Family Health Insurance policy.