|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Individual & Family |
| Group Health |
| Seniors |
| Life Temporary Health |
| Long Term Care |
| Annuities |
| Disability |
|
Critical Care
|
Articles and News Governor makes his announcement as churches across the
state Sound the Alarmy for Illinois' uninsured CHICAGO Governor Rod. R. Blagojevich today announced Illinois With a ppo the insurance carrier or their sub contractor goes out to the health care world and negotiates contracts with providers. Hospitals, Clinics, Laboratories, Doctors, etc. These negotiated rates are sometimes 40% to 70% less then the ýretailý price of services. This allows for saving to be passed on to the insured for services provide through the network. Policies will offer a Lifetime benefit. $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $5,000,000 or even unlimited. But some companies will place annual limits on the benefit as low as $50,000. Policies with any annual benefits or caps of less the $1,000,000 are generally to be avoided.
One of the most common benefits is the ýOffice Visit Co-Pay.ý This is the $10, $20 $40 You pay for the doctorýs service when you visit his office. Depending on the company and program it may also include blood test, x-rays, or other test done at the office and billed through the office. I emphasize the word MAY because most policies and doctor office will separate bill the other services so they go against your deductible and co-insurance. Over-the-Counter Heartburn Drug as Effective as Prescription Drugs A widely available nonprescription drug -- Prilosec OTC -- is as effective a treatment for heartburn and acid reflux disease as prescription drugs costing almost 10 times more, according to an analysis from Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, a public education project of Consumers Union. "Many people with heartburn and acid reflux could save $1,000 to $2,000 a year by taking an over-the-counter drug that's just as effective as high-priced prescription drugs," said Gail Shearer, director of the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs project. "These are dramatic savings, and illustrate why consumers should talk to their doctors about identifying effective, lower-cost medicines," Shearer added. The over-the-counter drug Prilosec costs $19 to $26 a month on average nationwide, and can be even cheaper at large discount stores. In contrast, the drug Nexium -- heavily advertised to both consumers and doctors -- costs $181 to $193 a month on average, depending on dose. Similarly, Prevacid costs $131 to $186 a month. Both these medicines may cost somewhat less at large discount stores. Even people with insurance coverage could save money by choosing Prilosec OTC if their insurers cover the drug or offer coupons for it, the report says. Generally, insurers do not pay for nonprescription drugs, but many have chosen to help enrollees pay for Prilosec OTC. Prilosec OTC, Nexium, and Prevacid are three of the five drugs in a class called Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs. PPIs are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the Source: ConsumerReports.org KNOW YOUR INSURANCE PLAN. A Possession of an insurance card does not mean that all services will be covered or paid for by your insurance carrier. It is your responsibility to know the amount of your DEDUCTIBLE, CO-PAYMENT, CO-INSURANCE AND NON-COVERED, so that you can be prepared financially. A Deductible is a set dollar amount that you must pay before your insurance company assumes any responsibility. Your Deductible amount is due in full when you receive a statement from us. A Co-pay is an amount you must pay at each visit as specified by your insurance carrier. Your Co-pay amount is payable at all visits. A Co-insurance is a percentage of the charge that is determined to be your responsibility. The actual dollar amount is based on the amount allowed by your insurance carrier after any contractual adjustments. Your Co-insurance amount is due in full when you receive a statement from us. Not all services may be covered by your insurance. Your insurance company will send our office, and you, an Explanation of Benefits once they have processed your claim and the remaining balance will become your responsibility. Your Payment for Non-covered Services is due when you receive a statement from us.
|