Why should I buy from JC Lewis Insurance Services?The main reason for buying health insurance from JC Lewis Insurance Services is we have been assisting California residents with their Health Insurance needs for more than twenty-five years. With no charge for our assistance and carrier-direct rates from the largest carriers licensed to do business in California, you pay the lowest possible cost for the plan selected. Our web site is designed to present an array of plans for your age, location and family demographics giving you many health insurance options from major insurance carriers. And if you would like personal assistance, a few minutes with one of our licensed staff will help define your needs, answer your questions and sort through your best options from the many plans available.
Would I save money by purchasing direct from an insurance company?
You WOULD NOT save a dime purchacing direct from an insurance carrier, and your choices would be limited to that company's products. All health insurance carriers licensed in California must file their premium schedules with the California Department of Insurance. You are charged the same rate for each plan offered, regardless from whom the purchase is made. And when working through us, you are not restricted to the products of a single insurance company. You get carrier-direct rates and no additional charge for our services.
How much Health Insurance do I need?
The amount of healthcare coverage you need varies with each individual but the best answer is you need enough to protect your assets (home, wages, savings, etc.) against loss from medical expenses. But not so much that you are paying for benefits you don't need! Each of us has a slightly different view of what they need and it all must be balanced against what you can afford. Our staff would be pleased to help you choose the plan that best meets your needs.
What is the best healthcare plan for me?
The best plan for one person might not be the best plan for you. Each person or family has there specific healthcare needs that must be considered when evaluating health plans. Our best advice is you take a few minutes and talk with an expert about your particular situation. At no cost to you, we will help define your needs and sort through your options from the many plans available. The best plan for you will be the one that will meet your current needs. You should consider such things as:
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The health of those to be insured, any medical issues, current coverage and what you like and don't like about your current health plan.
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What doctors, specialists, hospitals and other health care providers are part of the network for the plans(s) being considered.
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Your potential out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a major illness or injury (your financial risk).
- Coverage for prescription drugs and doctors visits - do you want a modest co-payment or, because you are healthy and have few medical expenses, would prefer a lower cost catastrophic type coverage.
- Perhaps the most important consideration is...don't buy any insurance based solely on cost.
What is an HMO?
A Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) originally offered a generous benefit package without co-payments, deductibles and with few limitations. Costs and care were and still are controlled by their network of approved hospitals and providers. Over time, due to rising costs, HMOs, like all other types of health insurance, have been forced to modify benefits and even pull out of some areas in California. An HMO may still be a viable choice for you, depending on your location and the availability of approved providers and hospitals in your area. You select a primary care physician from the list of approved providers who becomes your gatekeeper and initial contact for all medical conditions. If a specialist is needed, your primary care physician will refer you to the proper specialist, usually within the HMO network. It is important to understand that if you obtain care without first contacting your primary care physician, or obtain care from a physician outside the HMO approved network, you may be responsible for all costs incurred (excepting emergency care as defined in your policy). In California, it is not uncommon today for HMOs to have deductibles, co-payments and/or limitations on the daily hospital allowance until the maximum out-of-pocket limit is reached. Benefit limitations are often difficult to understand and we strongly recommend speaking with one of our licensed staff to assist in your evaluation and selection.
What is a PPO?
A Preferred Provider Organization(PPO), like an HMO, has a network of doctors and hospitals with whom the insurance company has contracted to limit costs to an agreed to amount. Unlike an HMO, PPO participants may choose care from within the PPO network or from providers outside the network and need not obtain a referral to see a specialist. PPO plans typically require you to pay an annual deductible and a co-payment for each service until the maximum out-of-pocket amount is reached after which eligible benefits will be paid at 100%. You will pay less for services from a member of the PPO network than from a non-network provider. For example, you may receive 80 percent of the expenses incurred with a PPO provider and only 60 or 50 percent from non-PPO providers. Benefits and their limitations are often difficult to understand and we strongly recommend speaking with one of our licensed staff to assist in your evaluation and selection.
What is a HSA?
A Health Savings Account (HSA) works something like an IRA, except that funds used to pay eligible medical expenses are with pre-tax dollars (tax-free) with unused funds saved for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. For example, you get a relatively inexpensive high deductible health insurance plan and then a tax-deductible savings account to cover qualified medical expenses including prescription drugs, dental and vision expenses, copayments and deductibles. ou can deposit as much as $2,850 for individuals or $5,650 for families annually. Annual amounts limits can change per federal guidelines. Any unused money in your HSA at the end of the year may continue to grow in your account or may be rolled over to other approved investments where they will continue to grow tax-deferred until used or withdrawn. For additional details on HSAs, we suggest The United States Treasury Department site
www.treas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/pdf/hsa-basics.pdf
.