I am a licensed health agent in the state of Florida and work with numerous health insurance companies including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana and United Health Care - Golden Rule.  We offer individual, family and group health insurance coverage as well as short term temporary health insurance plans.  Please call or e-mail for a free health quote.

For a fast free insurance quote call 561-741-8849
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Things to consider:
1) People rarely think about health/medical insurance when they feel good and are healthy.  When you are sick it is often too late to get health insurance.  The time to buy health care coverage is now, when you feel good.
2) Did you know that once you have certain illnesses you may not qualify for health insurance?
3) Many times it is less expensive to buy a separate policy for your (healthy) spouse and/or children than through your employers group policy.

What will it cost?
In addition to the monthly premium expense, you may have other out-of-pocket costs. These costs can really add up, especially if you have children or other family members who visit the doctor frequently. Check to see if the health insurance plan you're considering requires you to pay any or all of the following:

• Co-payment: The amount you'll have to pay each time you visit a health insurance provider.
• Deductible: The amount you'll have to pay toward your medical expenses (usually annually) before the insurance company begins to pay claims.
• Coinsurance: The percentage of your medical costs you'll have to pay after you reach any deductibles that apply.

I am an insurance agent.  However I do not believe in over insurance.  Let’s face it, if you don’t own a car, you don’t need car insurance.  If you live on the 12^th floor of a high rise you don’t need flood insurance and if you are a single person with no dependents you may not need life insurance.  But everyone needs health insurance.  I have yet to meet the person that has never been to the doctor or a hospital at some point between birth and death.

Many younger people believe that they do not need health insurance because they are young and healthy.  But what happens if you break a bone, need stitches, or something worse such as cancer.  These medical bills can ruin you financially, and don’t think that bankruptcy laws will protect you.  It is my understanding that the new bankruptcy laws will require you to pay your medical bills.  Imagine being 25 years old, you end up in the hospital for 2 weeks, your medical bills are $250,000, you don’t have insurance and you end up paying these bills for the rest of your life.

What if you wait too long to get health insurance?  Once you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes it is difficult if not impossible to get quality individual health insurance.  The moral of the story, purchase a name brand health policy while you are healthy.  Once you are sick, it is too late.  Think of it this way, it is too late to buy car insurance after you wreck your car.  Well, it is often too late to buy health insurance after you are sick.

What if I am not able to purchase an individual health plan?  Group insurance may be the answer.  Group coverage is usually offered by medium to large employers with little or no cost to the employee.  However as health insurance costs continue to rise many employers are passing a larger portion of these costs along to the employees.

What if I work for or own a small business that does not offer health insurance?  Most health insurance companies will write small group policies with four or more employees.  If you have less than four employees it is still possible, but your options may be limited.

What if I can’t afford to put my spouse and children on my employer’s health plan?  My answer, what if they get sick?  Can you afford not to have health insurance on your family?  If the company plan is too expensive you may be able to find individual coverage for less money.  Another option for inexpensive health insurance for children is the State of Florida.  Please visit http://www.floridakidcare.org/  and http://www.healthykids.org/ for more information. 

Should I put my spouse and children on my employers health plan?   Maybe?.  If your spouse or child has a pre-existing medical condition this is usually the best and least expensive route to take.  However if your spouse or child is healthy it may be less expensive to move them to an individual plan.  For example, a friend of mine works at a mid size medical office which has group health coverage.  If she had a healthy 25 year old non smoking spouse she could save $2,400 per year by purchasing an individual health insurance policy for him.  Not only would she save $2,400 but in this case her spouse would get a better quality health plan.

Generally placing the spouse or child on their own policy works best when the individuals are healthy and under age 50.  The older you get the more your health insurance will cost.  It also works best when there are only one or two kids.  Usually group coverage is the same cost for one child as it is for ten children whereas individual plans are priced per person.  If you smoke, individual coverage will cost about you more money, approximately 20-40% more, another good reason to quit smoking.

You can contact Keith Murray at 561-741-8849 or e-mail him at Keith@KeithMurray.biz with any questions.