The percentage of people with employment-based health insurance dropped from 70 percent in 1987 to 61 percent in 2004. This is the lowest level of employment-based insurance coverage in more than a decade.
Types
of Coverage
There are five basic types of coverage
that most insurance companies cover or will cover for
additional charges. These types include health, dental,
vision, chiropractic, and alternative therapy. Various
plans offer alternative options to add on to your policy
as well, such as maternity, so make sure you are prepared
when you sit with an agent for what your exact needs
are.
Traditional health
insurance policies will normally cover doctor
visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services,
ambulance service, infertility, pregnancy and pediatric
care, rehabilitation, second opinions, and surgery.
In addition, many plans offer alternative treatments
such as payment toward a stay in a nursing facility,
hospice care, alternative treatment plans, home health
care, and even natural or holistic health care. For
women and children, most traditional plans include routine
pap smears, mammograms, child well visits, and most
necessary immunizations.
Choose a Health Insurance product from the list below to learn more:
Dental insurance
is usually an added coverage to your normal health insurance
plan. Every plan is different, yet here are a few basic
services to guide you. A dental plan might serve one
initial oral exam per dentist, recall exams twice a
year, x-ray survey every three years, cavity-detecting
bite-wings once a year, teeth cleanings twice a year,
fluoride treatment twice a year, and sealants for those
under the age of eighteen. Other treatments that might
be covered under a dental plan include restorative care,
root canals, treatment of uncomplicated periodontal
disease, repair or treatment of dentures, and oral surgery.
Vision insurance
is also typically an added coverage to your normal policy.
Networks often include popular sites as Pearle Vision,
Sears Optical, Target Optical, and J.C. Penney Optical
for convenience. Vision plans will pay a percentage
of a routine eye examination. Expect to pay additional
charges if you get fitted for contact lenses. Participating
providers in the network will usually give a discount
on all eyewear, except disposable lenses.
Chiropractic Coverage
Chiropractic services are often questioned whether or
not they are medically necessary, as the main focus
is on the spinal column and nervous system and its relation
to the body’s well-being as a whole. However,
most insurance policies allow some chiropractic
care when certain criteria are met. First check
to make sure the chiropractor is one within your provider
network. If not, you will be solely responsible for
all costs incurred. The patient must have a clear diagnosis
of a neuromusculoskeletal disorder and treatment should
be clearly documented. Most insurance companies want
to see some improvement within two to three weeks. If
there is no documented improvement, coverage for chiropractic
services may cease.
Alternative Therapy
Alternative
medicines are becoming more readily acceptable.
Most services tied to insurance companies for alternative
therapy are for a discounted rate. Many holistic programs
offered by insurance companies will consist of a network
of alternative providers with services such as massage
therapy, acupuncture, fitness clubs, aromatherapy, homeopathy,
laser vision correction, and even those whom distribute
vitamins and herbal supplements. Families who have a
tendency to follow the more alternative paths to a healthy
lifestyle can truly save money on routine items, such
as vitamins or herbal supplements, with discounts offered
through alternative plans.
Family-Health-Insurance reviews insurance services to provide information on products and options, but is not an insurer or a licensed agency. Coverage and policies described on this site may not be available in all states.
