Information about online Health Insurance Quotes

There are several factors to consider when shopping for health insurance quotes online. Like not putting your information into lead generation affiliate web sites!  Read more below.

Rule #1 - Avoid Affiliate Sites: When shopping online for health insurance quotes there are several factors to consider. Most sites out there are affliate sites that do not actually provide any service to you directly. Instead they sell your personal information to several agents or brokers (some times as many as 30!) When they turn around and sell your information to someone else, you have lost control over your personal information often times including date of birth. You don’t want that!

For example, when people search in Google for “California Health Insurance Quotes” the first listings that come up are generally affiliates that make money by selling your information to insurance agents. And not just one agent, but sometimes as many as 30 agents. The last thing you want is 30 insurance agents calling you to try and give you a quote, and calling you back 3-4 times as well. That can get very very frustrating.

Rule #2 - Check the Site for a Phone Number: The best way to make sure that doesn’t happen to you is to use a site where the phone number is clearly displayed. Generally that means they would be willing to take your call and hear from you directly if you prefer. You should avoid sites that do not have a prominately displayed telephone number on them.

Rule #3- Deal with a Licensed Agent It is best to deal with a licensed professional insurance agent who has taken the time to develop an online web presence as well as having an office in the state you are dealing with.

Rule #4 - Check their License Status: The next suggestion is to check the department of insurance for your state and make sure the person you are talking to is a licensed insurance agent. For example in California, you can visit the California Department of Insurance. There are many people out there pushing health discount card plans as “Guaranteed issue” that are not licensed insurance agents. If they are unlicensed, you may want to consider reporting them to you states department of insurance as well.

Rule # 5 - Get It In Writing: Finally you should insist on seeing the plan in writing before you apply. It doesnt have to kill a tree, it can be a pdf, or published information on the website that explains the plan benefits, but it is a good idea to see that what the agent is telling you is also in black and white. Just because the agent says “You are covered” doesn’t mean you really are going to be when claim time comes.

Rule #6 - The Price is the Price: Many people do not realize the prices for health insurance are fixed by the insurance company. So if you choose to try to buy direct (and run into hassels with the applicaiton process) or decude to buy from a licensed insurance agent - the price you pay is the same for the same plan.

Rule #7 Get Educated: Lastly educate yourself about the difference between HMO, PPO, and HSA style plans. And become familiar with the terminology like co-pay, deductible, co-insurance, out of pocket maximum, and the like. Use the agent you are speaking to as a resource, but if she cannot explain it to you clearly; its time to find a different insurance agent.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to an old insurance agent who has had to help too many people out of bad plans that cost too much and didn’t cover what was necessary. The internet is a wonderful tool that allows people to find what they need quickly and easily, but…

To contact me, you can call me at 1-877-758-7587, or log onto my website http://www.healthinsuranceplus.com or a “California Health Insurance Quote” I look forward to hearing from you.

Aetna has recently published their 1st quarter 2009 rates for Small Group business in California.  This spreadsheet is a handy tool to calculate the RAF and renewal rates for your group. Aetna ofter runs RAF promotions to try and win new business. .  Many brokers, benefits administrators, and insured companies find this tool very helpful when renewing their small business group health insurance.  What this tool allows you to do is to see rates at whatever RAF you would like.  When you open the tool you enter the desired RAF and then go to the tabs at the bottom and click on the appropriate rating area (San Diego is RA1 & Orange County is RA2) and it will show you the rates at this RAF. 

Remember that the Aetna Small Group rates are based on the Employer Zip code.  Hope this tool helps you out. Remember Aetna allows groups to write our regular HMO network alongside of our Value HMO network which is a HUGE benefit for your clients and prospects.

You can use the HealthInsurancePlus.com website to generate a quote on indvidual health insurance from Aetna or you can get a quote on small business group health insurance as well.

Q - Please describe your blog.
A - Our blog has been established as a way for insurance shoppers to find out more about the available health plan options in California. Many people have had the same coverage through their employer for years and don’t realize that they may be paying too much for thier dependents and spouses health insurance.

Q -Why would they be paying too much for the dependents?
A - Well, most employers only cover the required 50% of the employee’s insurance premium, and they may not pay anything towards the portion of premium you are paying for your spouse, child or other dependents that are on the health coverage.

Q - What can they do to reduce the cost of thier health insurance?
A - The first thing they should do is Get a health insurance quote. Then they can compare that to what they are already paying on the group coverage. Generally the rates on individual health insurance are 30-40% less on a medically underwritten plan than they are with guranteed issue group health insurance.

Q - What does medically underwritten mean?
A - That is a great question. That basically means that there is a health questionaire on the individual insurance applicaiton. The insurance company can reject coverage if you have too many pre-existing conditions, or are on multiple expensive medications. But 95% or more of all applicants are approved on individual health insurance.

Q - Okay, so how can people get in touch with you?
A -The easiest way is to get a health insurance quote on our website at http://www.healthinsuranceplus.com/Quote or if they prefer, they can call our office toll free and we can discuss everything by phone. The number is 1-877-758-7587.

December 2008
Small Group New Business Submission “Cut-Off” Dates

CARRIEREFFECTIVEMUST BE AT
DATESWARNER PACIFIC
Aetna * 12/1Thursday12/4
12/15Friday12/19
Anthem Blue Cross12/1Friday12/5
12/15Friday12/12
Cal Choice 12/1Friday12/5
Cigna (AAQHC)Medical:12/1Thursday12/4
Dental HMO:12/1Wednesday11/19
Delta DentalHMO:12/1Friday11/14
PPO:12/1Monday11/24
Golden West 12/1Monday12/8
Health Net ** 12/1Friday12/5
12/15Friday12/12
Kaiser 12/1Friday12/5
KP Choice 12/1Friday12/5
PacifiCare 12/1Friday12/5
Principal 12/1Thursday11/20
12/15Thursday11/20
Safeguard 12/1Monday11/24
Sharp 12/1Wednesday12/3
U.S. Life (AIG) 12/1Tuesday11/11
VSP 12/1Tuesday11/25

* If the group has had immediate prior group coverage the effective date must coincide with prior
carrier’s termination date.
**A 15th of the month is only available if the groups current policy is on a 15th of the month cycle
Please remember:
It is important that all cases be submitted complete. Missing information causes enrollment delays. If there is anything we can do to help, let us know. Contact your Warner Pacific Dedicated Sales Team at 1-800-801-2300. We also arrange for new case pick ups (overnight service) from you or your client.
Please submit your cases to:
Warner Pacific Insurance Services
32110 Agoura Road
Westlake Village, CA 91361-4026