Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Pregnant women should avoid car travel as much as possible. However, this is not always possible to stay without travel for nine months because there are emergencies and other reasons that would necessitate car travel.

If you do not take precautions, car travel while pregnant could be unhealthy and uncomfortable, but there are several tips that will make it both healthy and comfortable. You should take snacks with you. This will help ensure that you are well nourished and it will help prevent having to buy food on the way. Such food may not be nutritious or safe enough. Having a nutritious diet while traveling will help with problems such as morning sickness, problems related to blood sugar, and feeling faint.

You should take as many stretch breaks as you can - the recommended interval is one hour. You should therefore consider this when planning your journey. Taking stretch breaks will help you prevent soreness, blood clots, and stiffness.

You should always be prepared for the birth, especially if you are more than seven months pregnant. You should not wait until you are nine months pregnant because the baby can come earlier. Always carry your prenatal records and your insurance card.

You should drink plenty of fluids while travelling since travelling causes dehydration. You should note that being thirsty is not the only sign that your body needs to be hydrated and so you should drink water or other fluids regularly.

Make sure you dress appropriately because you will not always have control of the temperature in the car. You should wear many layers since you will be warm when you need to be and you can remove some to be cool if you need to be. Many women think that seatbelts put too much pressure on the stomach.

While there is some pressure on the stomach, studies have shown that failing to put a seatbelt on is more dangerous. On top of this, the law does not exempt you from wearing a seatbelt just because you are pregnant.

There are no laws or reasons that prevent you from driving while pregnant. You should consider the size of your bump since it might be uncomfortably close to the steering. However, it is always better to have someone with you, especially in the latter stages of pregnancy. When driving alone, make sure you have a mobile phone.

Many pregnant women are of the opinion that airbags are unsafe for the baby. The truth is that failing to have airbags is more dangerous. However, you should move the seat back from the dash or the steering wheel. If your car has an adjustable steering wheel, tilt it in such a way that it is away from your stomach. You should put a pillow in the small of the back if you are having backaches, you should push the seat backward to have space to move your feet, and you should consider having crystallized ginger that you can suck on if you are suffering from morning sickness.

If you are having a difficult pregnancy, seek advice from your doctor on how to travel in a car.

If you knew how to get pregnant fast, what would you do? Would you hop right on your honey and start planning the nursery afterwards? Would you start fantasizing about the ways that you'll break the news to your family and friends? Would you spend hours reading up on the pregnancy websites so that you know what to expect?

Many couples struggle with getting pregnant. In fact, the average couple can take six months to get pregnant, with some couples trying for a year or more! Everyone expects conceiving a child to be easy and come naturally. After all, you always hear stories about people who became pregnant when they didn't want to be. Why should you be able to get pregnant quickly?

The truth is that couples often make many mistakes when trying to conceive a baby. They may be eating the wrong foods, having sex at the wrong time and doing it in the wrong positions.

These tips can help you to get pregnant fast:

1. Have sex just before ovulation. If you wait until you know that ovulation has occurred, you may have missed the boat. Test strips are currently the most accurate way to tell when you're ovulating.


2. Eat right and get healthy. Stop smoking and drinking excessively. This puts you in the right mindset for getting pregnant, which can go a long way in ensuring that it actually happens.


3. Avoid gravity. Well, you can't actually avoid gravity, but you can avoid having sex in positions where gravity can draw sperm out of the body, such as woman-on-top or standing sex. Instead, stick with the basics and try missionary position.


4. Have an orgasm. The internal muscle spasms can help the sperm enter your cervix and reach the egg. For this to work, it's best to have your orgasm after your partners. This way, there will be more sperm in your vagina.


5. Do the baby dance regularly. Sperm can last a few days in your body, so if you have sex in the days leading up to ovulation, you're more likely to get pregnant. Of course, how do you know for sure which day you're going to ovulate? If you've ovulated, it's too late. Buy yourself some "insurance" by having sex frequently.

Many professional women fear the prospect of becoming pregnant due to financial pressures. It's not uncommon in the modern world to find women who are the highest income earners in their household which begs the question: how can you afford to have a baby and maintain your lifestyle? The answer to this question will depend on your individual circumstances, however no matter what those circumstances are, this is definitely an area that can be worked through if you're prepared to spend some time planning ahead for your pregnancy and beyond.

For those finance professionals out there, I encourage you to resist the urge to jump ahead and build yourself a discounted cash flow model about pregnancy! Before we jump to specific financials, there are some key questions you will want to ask yourself:

1. What pregnancy-related costs will you be up for? There will certainly be a number of appointments that you need to attend with various medical practitioners such for ultra-sounds as well as phased check-ups with your doctor. The costs of these medical visits will vary for each specialist and will also depend on whether you choose to give birth in a public or private hospital. You may also want to consider the possible cost of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) services.

2. What items will you need to purchase for your baby? The best place to start with this question is to ask other first-time mothers about their experiences. Some of the most common essentials include:

• Baby wraps


• Bath products


• Bottles


• Bibs


• Change table


• Clothes


• Cot


• Diapers


• Dummy


• Nappy rash cream


• Pram

Baby stores will also give you plenty of ideas however it might help to come up with your own shortlist and approximate budget before you spend your life savings on baby products! For more budget conscious women, it can certainly help to be open minded about using pre-loved items that friends and family may pass on to you.

3. How long do you plan to stay at home? While some of you may love the idea of staying at home for your baby's first year, other professional women will be itching to get back into the workforce. Whatever your preference, it's important to develop a plan for staying at home or returning to work. You may want to consider the following:

• How much paid and unpaid maternity leave does your company offer?


• Where will your income come from during your time off?


• Will financial support be available from a spouse or partner?


• Does your employer offer flexible working arrangements (part-time, job share)


• Do you have any other sources of income outside of your job? Some examples may include income from the sale of assets or stocks or even drawing down on your home mortgage. You may even want to explore options for generating an income from home.

Now that you've covered off on some of the finance basics in preparation for pregnancy, it's time to pull out your notepad and calculator or your Excel spreadsheet. You will want to start two versions of your household budget:

• Version 1: your current household budget including all sources of income and your current expenses.


• Version 2: an extended version of your household budget that excludes the income from your job and includes your new baby-related expenses.

It is advisable to set up your budget by month over a one year period. This way, you will be able to capture expenses that occur in one particular month of the year, such as various insurance premiums and you will also be able to work out the number of months that you can afford to stay at home.

If you'd like to take this further and you've got a bit of financial modeling experience under your belt, why not develop your own pregnancy cash flow model to compare the results of various stay-at-home or return-to-work scenarios? If you're not a numbers person, why not ask a colleague to help you out or make an appointment to see your accountant and ask them to run the scenarios for you.

Developing a robust budget can help you to plan for the financial aspect of your pregnancy and can also help you to manage your general household finances. Now that you know how to get your finances under control during your pregnancy, you can focus your attention on becoming pregnant and embracing motherhood as it is guaranteed to be one of the most rewarding stages of your life.

If you are studying abroad, be prepared for high medical costs. Anyone knows that being uninsured means that medical care can be quite expensive. Without financial assistance, the cost of going to a doctor or an emergency room is very high. People in other countries face the same kind of hardship of trying to pay medical bills when they do not have health insurance coverage. If you are studying abroad, you should understand that your American health insurance will not cover you, and being uninsured in another country has the same high-cost effects of being uninsured in the United States.

Some study abroad programs include the cost of health insurance in order to help students with healthcare coverage. However, if your program does not include insurance, consider purchasing health insurance for international students. While you are studying in another country, you might become ill or injured, and you do not want to face the costs of medical care alone. Already as a college student, you will be on a tight budget while you try to adjust to living in another country, whether it be for a period of a few weeks or for an entire semester. Health insurance for international students could also help with medical costs for your spouse if you are married and any children you might have. If you incur a large sum of medical bills while uninsured, and you have difficulty paying them, this could ultimately affect your credit.

International student travel insurance could reduce the cost of high medical bills. There are several different benefit options you could choose from. Your policy plan depends on the kind of coverage that you think is best for your study abroad experience. International student travel insurance could cover medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. It could also cover medical evacuation, which means that if you are sick or injured and need to be taken to a nearby facility, the cost to travel there would be covered. Repatriation could also be part of your benefit plan. In the event that you pass away while studying abroad, your family would not have to stress about the cost of sending your remains back to your home country -- the insurance could help cover this expense. You could also be covered for maternity in the event that you are pregnant or become pregnant while you are abroad. Care for mental health could also be covered if you choose. Plans are affordable and cater to your needs.

You should find out what kind of insurance, if any, is included in the costs of your study abroad program. Depending on the country where you will be studying, some schools even governments require that international students are insured and prohibit uninsured students from enrolling in classes. This requirement proves the importance of health coverage while you are in another country. While studying abroad, you do not want to have to spend more than you need to when you acquire an illness or injury.

Aetna has long been a leading provider of group health insurance, but more recently expanded into the individual and family markets in several states. Offering a large selection of plans to choose from including traditional coverage, first dollar PPO plans, high deductible health savings accounts, and hospital care only policies, Aetna is now a prominent player in these new markets.

Benefit Options

All of their health insurance plans offer preventive care benefits that are not subject to the deductible. The copay amount owed by the insured for preventive care will vary depending on the plan selected. Preventive care overage includes annual OBGYN exams, well child care, and physical exams every two years.

Most policies offer prescription drug coverage with a small pharmacy specific deductible. Deductibles can range from the $250 - $500 in most cases. Generic, preferred, non-preferred, and oral contraceptives are included. Additionally an affordable dental insurance rider can be added to all polices.

Maternity coverage is not yet an option with individual or family coverage. Complications due to pregnancy are covered, but expenses associated with delivery and office visits are not covered.

Out of Pocket Expenses

The lifetime maximum is five million dollars per insured. If this amount is reached, the insured would no longer have coverage. The out of pocket maximum will vary depending on the plan selected. Out of pocket maximum includes the deductible and/or co-insurance amounts combined. The insured will be responsible for the deductible and co-insurance with traditional plans, only the co-insurance with first dollar PPO plans, or a set deductible for a health savings account qualified plan.

Competitive Niche

Typically, Aetna coverage is competitively priced for singles in most age groups and for some family plans. Females applying alone will find the plans to be priced reasonably when compared to other insurers. The Aetna network is extensive and covers a large portion of the nation. If the insured moves, he or she will most likely be able to take their policy with them to the new service area.

In summary, consumers have several choices when it comes to purchasing individual or family health insurance. Aetna is one carrier that offers competitive plans with attractive first dollar benefits and an extensive nationwide network of doctors and hospitals.

Purchasing health insurance can be frustrating without proper guidance. After all, there are several carriers offering coverage and several plans offered by those same carriers. How do you sort through all of your options, but still end up with medical insurance that suits your needs? By using a knowledgeable agent, you should find the process to be simple and painless.

Use an Agent to Purchase Health Insurance

You may balk at this idea right off the bat, but read on. The first thing you should know is that health insurance prices are controlled by law. Simply put, no agent (or carrier for that matter) can undercut any of their competitors. Everyone sells the exact same plans at the exact same prices. You only need to choose an agent or agency you are comfortable with.

Taking this a step further, you save no money when you buy direct from the carrier - none at all. However, if you use an independent agent, you will gain their expertise and knowledge about several carriers like Aetna, Anthem, Assurant, United Healthcare, and Humana for example. And when you have questions, you only need to contact your agent, not spend 30 minutes on hold with the carrier.

Copay or not to Copay

The office copay option is one that you should discuss with your chosen insurance representative almost immediately. By choosing whether or not you want a doctor's office copay associated with your coverage, you can immediately narrow down your choices. If you would rather pay for doctors visits out of your own pocket, you should consider a health savings account qualified plan. This way, you can use all the tax advantages associated with the savings account that is coupled with your high deductible health insurance coverage.

If you like the idea of only paying a $25 or $35 copay for an office visit, then you should consider more traditional coverage that offers this first dollar benefit. Those who often frequent the doctor or have young children may benefit the most from these types of plans. And all reputable carriers offer plans with and without a copay option.

Maternity Coverage

Those who need maternity coverage as part of their individual or family health insurance will find suitable plans as well. It is important to note that not all carriers offer maternity coverage and most have a waiting period that must be satisfied before conception. The shortest wait is usually three months for a comprehensive maternity rider.

Put another way, you cannot purchase health insurance if you are already pregnant - you must plan ahead. When specialty riders like maternity are needed, then this is also a good time to speak with your trusted agent. You will find that pregnancy coverage can differ dramatically between companies. Your agent can help explain the vast differences between each carrier.

Underwriting Procedures

Purchasing health insurance is the easy part, but underwriting you or your family can take time. If you need health insurance in January, it is wise to begin the process in early December at the latest. Your agent can help you through this process while also speeding up the underwriting process. The agent's role as intermediary is to let you know what is still needed by the insurance carrier.

Oftentimes, insurance carriers will ask for your medical records and this can take some time. Your representative will let you know what forms you need and how to easily persuade your doctor's office to release any needed information. However, if you are in perfect health, then many carriers will provide coverage almost immediately.

In summary, if you need to purchase major medical insurance then you should first find an agent who is knowledgeable about the plans offered in your area. Tell them your needs, budget, and anything else that is relevant to your situation. Ask about copay options, maternity coverage, and underwriting to make sure that you understand the benefits and limitations associated with the chosen coverage. And finally, when you receive your policy, it's a good idea to read and then contact your agent with any questions.

You feel queasy. You're experiencing a headache. You just don't feel too good. Blame it on yesterday's seafood? Or are you catching a cold? Or could it be that you're pregnant? How can you tell the difference?

This article will hope fully lead on the right path. We will discuss early pregnancy symptoms and signs that you should keep an eye out for.

One of the most telling sign of being pregnant is a delay in your menstruation. If you miss your period and have been sexually active, then you should take a pregnancy test kit. Keep in mind that many women still get bleeding, but it will be lighter and for shorter days.

Besides missing your period, you could also experience some spotting or light bleeding. This normally takes place very early in the pregnancy stages, somewhere between 6 to 12 days after the conception. This happens when the tiny embryo clings itself onto the wall of your uterus.

Once you are pregnant, there will be changes to your body. One significant change is the swelling of breasts. Women tend to get swollen breasts as early as 1 - 2 weeks into the pregnancy. The breasts are sore and tender and can be a discomforting experience for women. Besides breasts tenderness, women could also experience the darkening of the areolas. The nipples tend to grow darker when you are pregnant.

One thing that sends shivers down the spine of soon-to-be mothers is the morning sickness or nausea. Nausea is experienced by many pregnant women anytime between weeks 2 - 8 after conception. And even though it's called morning sickness, you can get it at anytime of the day. You might not have to throw up, but the queasy feeling is still there. The good news, it will not last forever. Some women are very fortunate in the sense that they never have to go through morning sickness. However there are some unlucky women who go through morning sickness right through their pregnancy.

When you're pregnant, you could experience extreme tiredness or fatigue. This can keep you in bed, as you're often sleepy or just don't want to get out of bed. This is normal for an expecting woman.

And if that's not hard enough, another symptom of pregnancy is the frequent urination. You may feel like you just want to sit near the bathroom all day, or that your bladder just can't hold it in any longer. Pregnant women have to put up with this and make extra trips to the bathroom every day.

Expecting women also experience aches - backaches and headaches. Early in the pregnancy, you may experience lower backaches. Backaches are also common throughout the entire time you are pregnant. Your body has to cope with a growing belly and this can strain your back, thus you may experience a dull backache all this time. As your body changes, so do your hormones. As a result of this, you may find yourself experiencing headaches early in your pregnancy.

And of course, who can forget the food cravings of the pregnant woman. Of course it might not be a longing to eat odd combinations of food like sardines and chips, but many pregnant women feel a craving for some types of food. This craving could also last for the entire pregnancy.

The above are the most common symptoms that a woman may go through in the early stages (and some till the end) of pregnancy. Should you experience these symptoms, get a pregnancy test kit or meet with your doctor. Do remember that the symptoms might vary, as everyone is unique and that each woman is different.

Recent studies have revealed some interesting facts about changes in America's workforce - and the need for insurance agents to address these trends:

• Women make up almost 50 percent of the U.S. workforce - and 40 percent of them have no life insurance.


• Typically, women's coverage is only about 70 percent of what men carry.


• Most U.S. households are dual-income households - yet they are more likely to buy coverage for husbands than wives.


• 30 percent of wives earn more money than their husbands, but may not carry enough insurance to reflect this difference - if they have life insurance at all.

What's the takeaway from all this?

Women in America need to carry more life insurance to ensure the financial well-being of their loved ones. While the gap between women's coverage and men's coverage is narrowing, many women simply don't carry enough insurance to cover the financial value they provide.

What Agents Need to Keep in Mind

Insurance agents can provide an important service by presenting options that cover both breadwinners in a family - and by helping those customers understand the financial hardship they could face without the female wage earner's income.

Research shows that, despite the gender gap in coverage, women actually place more value on life insurance than men. They also have a different approach to shopping for life insurance:

• Women place more value on building a relationship with their insurance agents.


• They tend to be more deliberate in their approach, i.e., asking more questions and wanting more educational materials and resources to study before making a decision.


• Women are more likely to follow up on agent referrals from people they trust - as well as provide referrals to friends and family if they're happy with an agent's service.


• They're also more likely to request regular policy reviews.

Remember: All Women Need Proper Coverage

It's not just women in two-income families who need insurance. Take a look at your customers and consider how you can provide coverage to:

繚 Single mothers - For sole (or primary) breadwinners, life insurance is even more crucial than in households where another source of income exists if one parent dies.

繚 Full-time homemakers: Most people now recognize that full-time mothers and homemakers provide free services in the home - from cleaning to childcare and more - that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars annually. It's crucial that, in the event of tragedy, families have protection to cover these expenses.

繚 Single women: Loans. Mortgages. End-of-life expenses. Most people don't want these burdens to fall on their parents or other loved ones. Additionally, life insurance can provide future financial stability through accumulating cash value or, if marriage and family is in the future, helping to protect husbands and children.

Women have made tremendous strides in the workplace and other areas, but a serious life insurance gender gap still exists. As insurance professionals, it's a gap we can help close to ensure that all of our customers have the protection they need.

We here in Utah have some of the best options for health insurance companies in the country. Those options are what we are going to discuss here and how to navigate through everything. One thing to remember though is what may be a great provider and plan for your friend may not be a great option for you.

There are five main providers here; SelectHealth, Humana, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Altius and Assurant. Let's go into a little detail on each, shall we?

The largest provider in Utah is SelectHealth. Most people know them as Intermountain Healthcare,  IHC or by their plan names of SelectValue, SelectMed and SelectCare. They have over 3700 participating doctors and the most hospitals in the state. They are also the administrators of HIPUtah. They offer a number of different plans that can include maternity coverage, dental and vision.

Another carrier here is Humana. Humana offers a broad range of plan options and also have a very large doctor and hospital network. Since Humana is a national insurance provider, their network is available nationwide. What that allows for is if you are traveling out of state, you will be able to find doctors that are in network there. That will help you keep your medical costs down.

Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield is a regional provider that offers a network available in Utah, Idaho and Washington. They offer many different plan types, including HSA, PPO and traditional plans.

Other similar carriers are Assurant and Altius. They all offer a variety of plans to suit your needs, but they also offer what are called traditional plans as well. These were the types of plans that were available prior to PPO and HMO type plans. There is no network of doctors you have to go to. You are able to pick whatever provider you wish and be treated in any hospital. These plans are more expensive, but they allow the freedom you may need.

One thing to remember about companies here in Utah is the networks that they use. IHC hospitals and facilities use only SelectHealth as an in network carrier. What that means is that the largest health care provider in the state only uses one health insurance company (their own) as able to use their facilities at the lowest rates. Now many of the doctors that are IHC doctors are not necessarily only in network for SelectHealth and you need to double check to make sure what networks they are in. So if you find that your IHC doctor is in a number of networks, and you find great coverage with a lower premium with another company, you will have to travel to an in network facility to receive the lowest cost of care. The funny thing is that all non-IHC facilities will accept SelectHealth in network.

Each of these carriers has strong points that fit for certain needs, health conditions and pricing for each family. As we have said before, there is no one size fits all. To help you sift through all of the different providers and their numerous plans, I recommend speaking to someone who knows what would work for you, like a independent insurance agent that is based in Utah. Since they are up to date on any changes or new plans that providers offer, and all the issues that we have in IHC and non-IHC facilities,  they can help direct you and make the process quite painless.

Many people living in the United Kingdom who are accustomed to having mediocre services and have become acclimated to the long waits, poor facilities, less than qualified doctors, and stress that goes with it all, have probably started looking into some kind of private medical cover for them and their family. However, based on this paradigm, most people search for a new plan that just covers their basic needs and then go no farther. Let's take a good look at how you find comprehensive private medical insurance in the UK.

What many people living in the UK do not realize is that there is comprehensive private medical insurance available for them, and with it you are guaranteed to have everything but the NHS experience. Surprising, I know, but let us try to break away from that paradigm and really try to see the big picture. It is easy to push it off for another day, but we never know when someone in the family is going to fall sick with a serious illness, or when you break you will break your tooth and be waiting in line for days just to receive attention. It is hard to envision the stressful (and painful) situation you find yourself in when these health emergencies arise, but then again, maybe you have been there and this is exactly why you are switching over to a comprehensive plan.

So what is a comprehensive private medical insurance plan, and are there any offered in the UK? It seems a little good to be true? You will be happy to learn that it is a dream come true. Having full coverage means that you will get full impatient care, unlimited outpatient cover, MRI as well as CT scans, psychiatric coverage, travel insurance, dental, maternity benefits, infertility problems, home nursing costs, chiropody, recuperative care, and even incidental hospital expenses like late night phone calls and newspapers while you sit around and wait. Could it get any better than that?

What it comes down to is that most people do not even consider such a plan because it is so different than what they are used to, and most just assume that it would be for an outrageous price and that as much as the NHS sucks, at least it is coverage. Unfortunately people need to push a little farther and do the research to discover that having comprehensive cover is affordable, and that aside, could be worth more than any printed currency in your life depending on what circumstances befall you or a loved one. Lives are at stake here. Yes, you can fall back to the default that the nation offers every citizen, but urgency and personal needs are not taken into account. Most people wait until it is too late. I know too many people who have fallen into that category and that is why I am such an advocate for this new option.

If you are still unsure of the financial responsibility of such a plan, look around online for different quotes. Compare plans and budgets, but keep in mind that there needs to be a balance between the two. Yes, you could get a basic private health plan that just scratches the surface, but in most cases it can be better to get the whole package. Often discounts are offered to online shoppers as well, so keep that in mind as you continue your search for a good alternative to the NHS in the UK. So to answer the question in full, the best way to find comprehensive medical insurance in the UK is to go online and do a search for an online broker that can help you find the best plan for you.

I. EMPLOYMENT LAW LEGISLATION

1. What legislation governs employment law in China?

Employment law in China is governed by a relatively comprehensive set of laws, more recently supplemented in late 2007 to strengthen workers' rights.

Major laws include:

- Labour Law of the People's Republic of China (1994) ("Labour Law")

- Labour Contract Law of the People's Republic of China (2007) ("Labour Contract Law")

- Labour Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Law of the People's Republic of China (2007) ("Labour Arbitration Law") (effective May 1, 2008)

- Trade Union Law of the People's Republic of China (1994)

These laws and then supplemented by a myriad of national and local laws, regulations, measures and circulars.

2. Are there different laws which govern foreign-invested employers and domestic Chinese employers?

The Regulations on Labour Management in Foreign Investment Enterprises (1994) governs employment by Sino-foreign equity and cooperative joint ventures, along with Sino-foreign joint stock companies. The Regulations very much mirror that of the Labour Law. Additionally, as any inconsistency with the Labour Law will be resolved according to the higher-level law, little reference is made to these Regulations.

II. LABOUR AGREEMENTS

1. What are the different types of employment contacts?

Employment in China, like most other jurisdictions, is divided into full-time and part-time. According to the Labour Contract Law, part-time employment is defined as a labour relationship in which the employee works, on average, no more than 4 hours per day and no more than the aggregate of 24 hours per week.

Employment relationships which exceed the hours in this definition are termed full-time employment, which is further divided into 3 types:

1) fixed term: expiry date agreed upon at outset;

2) open-ended / non-fixed term: no expiry date stipulated; or

3) project-based / completion of defined task: contract to expire on completion of pre-defined project or task.

2. What are the requirements of a labour contract?

According to the Labour Law and the Labour Contract Law, other than part-time employment, all labour contracts must be in writing and contain the following terms:

- name, address and legal representative of the employer;

- name, address and identification number of the employee;

- term of labour contract;

- job description and work site;

- working hours, rest and vacation;

- labour remuneration;

- social insurance;

- labour conditions, working conditions and occupational hazard prevention; and

- other matters stipulated by laws and regulations.

If the labour contract contains a probationary period only (sometimes called "a probationary period contract"), then the probation term set out therein is deemed to be the term of the labour contract and the probationary period is invalidated.

3. What are the penalties associated with not signing a written employment agreement?

A labour relationship commences on the date on which the employee commences work for the employer, and by law, it is required that a written labour contract be concluded within one month of this time.

If a labour contract is not concluded within the one month of commencement, the employer will be liable to the employee for double labour remuneration, of up to 1 year. After 1 year with no written labour contract, fixed-term labour contracts are deemed to be open-ended.

4. What is the maximum probationary period allowable by law?

Maximum probation periods allowed by law are as follows:

- less than 3 months: no probation period;

- 3 months to 1 year: 1 month;

- 1 year to 3 years: 2 months; and

- 3 years or more or open-ended: 6 months.

5. If I am in the process of establishing a company in China, however, need to hire employees in the interim, what can I do?

Technically, as your China company cannot yet contract, it cannot hire employees until it meets all the formal registration requirements. However, as business requirements dictate that you will need staff immediately or soon after you get started in China, many foreign companies contract with a labour services provider such as CIIC or FESCO to hire the employees and then second them to their start-up operations. They then, either transfer their employment contracts when established or continue to maintain the labour services relationship.

III. WAGES, BENEFITS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

1. What are the components of wages or salaries?

According to the Provisional Regulations for the Payment of Wages (1994), wages or salary are composed of:

- wages based on time;

- wages based on piece-work;

- bonuses;

- subsidies;

- allowances;

- overtime payments; and

- wages paid under special circumstances.

According to the Minimum Wages Provisions (2004) and based on the minimum wage standards promulgated locally, employers may not pay their employees less than the current minimum wage standard.

2. What are the standard working hours and when am I required to pay overtime?

The standard working hours in China are 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a maximum working period of 40 hours, with 2 rest days (typically Saturday and Sunday). Any additional requirements by the employer must be compensated according to the standard set out below:

- Working days: 150% standard wages;

- Rest days: 200% standard wages; and

- Holidays: 300% standard wages.

3. What are the national public holidays?

National public holidays (as of 2008) are set out below:

- New Year's Day (January 1): 1 day;

- Spring Festival (lunar new year, typically January or February): 3 days;

- Women's Day (March 8): half day for women;

- Qingming Festival (April 5): 1 day;

- May Day (May 1): 1 day;

- Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of 5th lunar month): 1 day;

- Mid-autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar month): 1 day; and

- National Day (October 1 - 3): 3 days.

4. What are the social security payments required by law?

Employers are obligated to provide the following benefits and social security payments to employees:

- Basic old age insurance;

- Unemployment insurance;

- Medical insurance;

- Maternity insurance; and

- Work-related injury insurance;

The employee and employer jointly contribute to the first 3 types of insurances, while the employer alone contributes to the latter 2, with rates varying based on location of employment.

IV. NON-COMPETE AND CONFIDENTIALITY

1. Can all employees be subjected to non-compete obligations?

Not all employees can nor should be bound by non-competition obligations. The Labour Contract Law limits employees who may be bound by non-compete obligations to:

- senior management;

- senior technical personnel; and

- those employees who have access to business secrets of the employer.

It is required that the employee and employer conclude a written agreement, either separately or in the labour contract, with regards to term, scope, territory, compensation during the non-compete period and liquidated damages for employee breach.

The maximum term for the non-compete is 2 years.

2. What are the typical compensation requirements for non-competes?

Although it is required that compensation be paid on a monthly basis to the employee during the non-compete period, the law does not state a standard amount. In practice, it is common to pay at least 50% of the employee's wages.

3. Are liquidated damages permissible for breach of non-compete obligations?

Yes.

V. TERMINATION AND 'LAYOFFS'

1. Under what circumstances can an employee be terminated without notice?

An employer may terminate an employee without requirement for notice in the following situations:

- during the probation period, if the employee is determined to be unfit for the position;

- employee materially breaches employer's rules and regulations;

- employee engages in serious dereliction of duty, graft or corruption causing substantial damages to the employer's interests;

- employee has established an employment relationship with another employer and that relationship affects the completion of his tasks and he refuses to appropriately remedy the situation after employer notification;

- employee used fraud in concluding the labour contract; or

- employee is subject to criminal investigation.

2. Under what circumstances must an employee be given notice of termination?

An employer must give 30 days' prior written notice or payment in lieu thereof, if it terminates the labour contract under the following situations:

- the employee is unable to perform his original duties or re-assigned duties, after returning from medical leave or non-work-related injury;

- the employee is incompetent and remains incompetent after training or adjustment of position; or

- the occurrence of a major change of objective circumstances which were relied upon when signing the labour contract, and the employee and employer are unable to agreed on modified terms of the labour contract.

3. Under what circumstances may an employee terminate the labour contract without notice?

An employee may unilaterally terminate the employment contract without requirement for notice in the following instances:

- employer fails to provide labour protections and working conditions in accordance with the labour contract;

- employer fails to pay remuneration in full and on time;

- employer fails to pay social security payments in accordance with the law;

- employer's rules and regulations violate laws and regulations, harming the employee's rights and interests;

- employer uses fraud, coercion or the employee's unfavorable position to conclude the contract; or

- other situations set out in laws and regulations.

4. In what instances is compensation required and how much?

Severance compensation is due in a number of situations, which are summarized below:

- termination by employee under situations which result in his right to terminate the contract immediately (Item 3, discussed previously);

- termination by employer under situations which require 30 days' prior written notice (Item 2, discussed previously);

- the employee is terminated due to restructuring or difficulties in business operations;

- the labour contract is terminated after being proposed by employer and there is mutual agreement on termination;

- a fixed-term labour contract expires (except where employee refuses to renew the contract on terms equal to or better than previously concluded);

- termination of labour contract due to revocation of employer's business license; and

- termination of labour contract due to bankruptcy.

Employers must pay severance in the amount of one month's salary for each year of service, with half a month's salary for each partial year.

If the employee earns more than 3 times the average monthly wage of the locality, then the compensation will be capped at 3 times the average monthly wage, up to a maximum of 12 months.

5. Can employees be 'laid off'?

Under the following circumstances, labour contracts may be terminated due to business difficulties:

- restructuring due to the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law;

- serious difficulties in production or operations;

- a staff reduction is necessary due to changes in production, technical innovation or adjustment of management operation style; or

- other major changes in economic circumstances relied upon at the time of conclusion of the labour contract, rendering them non-performable.

For large-scale layoffs (20 or more employees, or in smaller organizations where employee layoffs are less than 20 employees but this accounts for 10% or more of the total employees), the employer must first explain the circumstances to the trade union or all employees (where there is no trade union) 30 days in advance, and may reduce the workforce only after consideration of the opinions of the trade union or employees and reporting the restructuring plan to the labour administration.

VI. LABOUR ARBITRATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

1. How are labour disputes resolved in China?

Like most jurisdictions, mediation is the preferred method of dispute resolution, however, this is a voluntary process. The Labour Arbitration Law provides that mediated settlement agreements for salaries, medical fees for job-related injuries, severance and penalties may be entered into court for enforcement.

Labour dispute claims, according to the Labour Law and the Labour Arbitration Law, must first be submitted to the local labour arbitration committee located in the jurisdiction of the employer. The labour arbitration committee must then render its award within 45 days after the dispute has been accepted.

Arbitration decisions are final for employers in the following instances: salaries, medical fees for job-related injuries, severance, and penalties, where the disputed amount does not exceed an amount equal to 12 months' local minimum wage.

Employees and employers (with the exception of those instances set out previously) may within 15 days of the arbitration award submit the dispute to the people's court for hearing.

2. What is the statute of limitations for bringing a labour dispute claim?

The limitation period is 1 year after the employee knew or should have known that their rights have been infringed, however, if the dispute occurs under an existing labour contract, the limitation period does not start until the labour contract has expired or has been terminated.

How to Find Affordable or Low Cost IVF

The ability to have children is pretty straightforward for most people, but for others, couples who wish for a child have been unsuccessful even after a year of unprotected sex. Each and every year, couples who have unsuccessfully tried to conceive will spend thousands of dollars on in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments. While IVF treatments often have a very high success rate, most people simply don't have $10,000 sitting around to afford the costs of these treatments, which are often not covered by health insurance. Due to lackluster healthcare insurance, more and more couples are looking for low cost IVF, and more and more doctors are willing to accommodate. Therefore, if standard American IVF treatment is out of your budget, you do have a few options available:

1) Apply to a refund program.

A refund program is a very viable for those in need of low cost IVF. These programs will allow you to pay a single discounted fee for a specific number of IVF cycles or embryo transfers. If you do not successfully have a baby in a certain time frame, the program will allow you to take home 90% of your payment. Refund programs are often available for those with limited or no infertility insurance coverage, though many are willing to work with your specific financial situation.

2)Consider opting for treatment abroad.

One cycle of IVF/ICSI can cost as low as $1725 in Europe as opposed to $12,000 in the United States. Even after figuring medicine and travel expenses, you still save as much as 50%. Indian clinics are also extremely reputable for low cost IVF treatment. One doctor commended Indian Med Guru, a widely known company in India, as "simply the best in the world" in terms of low cost IVF and quality healthcare. IMD also arranges financial aid for international patients who plan to have IVF abroad for very low cost. If traveling abroad is not an option, even simply buying IVF medication from European or Indian pharmacies can significantly slash your costs.

3)Some insurance plans will cover the IVF costs in whole or in par

Contact your employer's human resources or current health insurance to find out if fertility treatments are covered. The following states are required by law to cover or offer to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatment: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.

4)Provided your credit is in good standing, you may be able to get a loan or a new line of credit to help pay for IVF treatments.

You may even discuss the matter with your lender (after all, lenders are people too and can often relate) to work something out. If you are approved, use your credit for the sole purpose of paying for IVF. As always, make sure you can make payments on time.

Combining a few or all of the above will help perhaps already low cost IVF even more affordable for you. Thoroughly research insurance companies in your area, and become aware of your local and state laws regarding fertility and its coverage. Finding affordable, low cost IVF may seem like a great challenge, but many have found solutions in the past, and others will find them again.

When a woman in the child bearing years undergoes gastric bypass surgery to lose weight one of the first things she will hear from the nay-sayers is that after surgery she cannot have a healthy pregnancy because of presumed nutritional deficiencies. The contrary is true. Morbid obesity results in a high rate of complicated pregnancies and a high rate of miscarriage. Women who become pregnant after achieving weight loss with gastric bypass generally have lower risk pregnancies than morbidly obese women.

The United States Surgeon General lists several reproductive complications associated with pregnancy in women who are obese. Complications include an increased risk of death in both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of maternal high blood pressure by 10 times. In addition to many other complications, women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have gestational diabetes and problems with labor and delivery.

The Surgeon General concludes that Infants born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be high birth weight and, therefore, may face a higher rate of Cesarean section delivery and low blood sugar (which can be associated with brain damage and seizures). Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

In a study by Dr. Alan C. Wittgrove, past president of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and pioneer of the laparoscopic technique, post-gastric bypass pregnancy indicates fewer risks than commonly reported by women who are obese during pregnancy. His study was conducted with nurse-practitioner Leslie Jester who had a low-risk pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby after gastric bypass surgery.

The Wittgrove Center has an active patient list of over 2000 people. The patients are informed to contact the Center when they become pregnant. In the study 41 women in the patient population became pregnant. Using personal interview, questionnaire, and review of perinatal records, pregnancy-related risks and complications were studied.

The study found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section than associated with obesity. There were no patients with clinically significant anemia.

Dr. Wittgrove concluded, "Since the patients had an operation that restricts their food intake, some basic precautions should be taken when they become pregnant. With this in mind, our patients have done well with their pregnancies. The post-surgical group had fewer pregnancy-related complications than did an internally controlled group that were morbidly obese during their previous pregnancies."

The comfort and security of knowing you can see a doctor whenever the flu strikes or when you've broken your leg on the ski slopes is a privilege that many take for granted. Whether you have to select health insurance through your job or need to choose an independent company, there are plenty of factors that can affect your final decision. Weighing the pros and cons of various options is the best way to choose the health insurance that will accommodate your needs as an individual or family. Below are a few points to consider as you search for the best health insurance plan for you:

Know Your Choices

There are many different kinds of health insurance plans offered to the public. Knowing the various options you may qualify for will help satisfy your needs in the future. There are five type of health plans to consider: traditional indemnity, health maintenance organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Point of Service Plan (POS), and Health Savings Account (HSA). You should familiarize yourself with each option.

Know the Advantages and Disadvantages

Out of the five main types of health insurance plans, each one contains their own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, with a traditional indemnity plan, individuals seeking complete freedom in the medical providers they can select should choose this option. But freedom comes with a price; the insurance plans produce higher rates and costs. This means individuals will face few restrictions, but also have to cope with no financial incentives that lessen patient financial responsibility.

Coverage and Benefits

An important factor to consider when choosing a health insurance plan includes the type of benefits offered and whether or not they will accommodate your needs. Some of the coverage capabilities to ask about include maternity, prescription, childcare, immunizations, emergency visits, and annual checkups.

Costs

Seeking information on the premium or employee contribution associated with a particular health insurance plan is important to make an effective decision. The cost you are responsible for will depend on the type of plan you choose; the deductible, coinsurance and co-payment; lifetime maximums, and the limitation of plan benefit coverage.

Are You Considered "Hard to Insure?"

If you are labeled as a "hard to insure" case, you may not find the most cost-efficient or accommodating health coverage. A few things to keep in mind include: avoiding lifetime maximums of less than $500,000, straying from plans that only offer hospital and surgical benefits, seeking out an HMO plan that tend to be the least expensive, and researching health insurance coverage provided by professional organizations, school alumni programs or unions.

Health reform was signed in to law in 2010 and it meant to make health care affordable and more accessible to more Americans. Many provisions are meant not to start until year 2014. Current provisions have made health care plans more affordable and expanded coverage for preventative care. Here are five ways that you can save money on your health insurance today.

First is to look for health coverage the allow you to lock in your rates. Most health plans available allow you to lock in your rates for twelve months and some up to two years. When shopping for health coverage look for "rate guarantee". Once the insurance company raises your monthly rate you can you can shop again to find a better rate.

Second look at getting a health plan with higher deductible. Most health plans today offer a high deductible for major accident or illness and small copay for services that might be used more frequently. Most health plans with high deductible still cover you before you meet the deductible for doctor office visits, preventative care (physical exams, yearly check ups) and prescriptions. If you have a preexisting medical condition and would like to lower your monthly premium this might one of your best options. Since insurance companies usually let you increase your deductible without going through medical underwriting.

Third since health care reform there has been some changes made to coverage. In some cases you can get exactly the same health plan that you have not through your insurance company for less. If you have been insured with same insurance company since March 2010 then check if they have the same health plans that you have now. Then find out if you are going to save money by switching to a new health plan.

Forth, when shopping for private health insurance make sure to consider a health plan with the benefits that you need. A recent survey showed that average individual health insurance customer save $77 a month when they selected health insurance plan without maternity coverage. Excluding benefit like maternity, which is not necessary for a single male, you may see significant savings in your monthly premium. Going uninsured or limiting your benefits might be a better choice then not having anything at all.

Fifth way that you can save on your health insurance is considering coverage with generic prescription drug coverage. Find out if you can get a health insurance in your area that excludes brand name drug coverage. If you rarely use prescription drugs and do not want entirely go without that coverage you may be able to save on your medical insurance. Most health plans today offer you a choice between having a coverage for both brand name drugs and generic drugs or only generics. In-case your doctor does prescribe a brand name drug chances are you can get a equivalent generic for it.

Those were five simple steps you can take to save money on your health insurance. The fact is that health insurance is going to keep going up. Making a habit to shop for new health plan every year will allow you to stay up to date on what is available in the health insurance market.

Taking the time each year to do a medical insurance review is a great way to make sure you are only paying for the coverage you need. In a time when being frugal with your money is a smart move, there is no reason to pay for coverage you no longer need or apply to you. For example, some couples have supplemental maternity insurance. If you are finished having children, then discontinuing this insurance will save you money every month. On that same vein, a yearly review of your medical plan can also help you plan for the future.

If you are approaching middle age, you can increase coverage to handle the onset of common chronic diseases.When doing a medical insurance review, you want to take a look at how you have used your plan so far. This can provide clues about areas where you may need to make a change. For example, a person who is relatively healthy and only uses their insurance for routine checkups may look into saving money by getting a policy with a higher deductible. This way, you still have coverage in case there is an emergency but you are saving money on a health plan that you don't really use that much. You should also evaluate the quality of your care. If you don't like the way your HMO plan works, this is a good time to start looking into PPO plans.

After considering how you used your plan in the past, consider any changes that may be coming in the future. Those who are planning on starting a family may want to consider adding a supplemental maternity plan to their insurance if it doesn't already have one. It costs around $2000-$3000 to deliver a baby and that's only if there are not complications. If there is a problem in the delivery room or the baby is born with health challenges that cost can easily skyrocket to $15,000-$20,000. Other considerations for your medical insurance review would be marriage, divorce, and adult kids growing out of the plan.

If you determine that you need to change your coverage after doing a medical insurance review, the best place to start would be to get insurance rate quotes online. A medical insurance quote site can save you time by bringing you multiple quotes from several providers in one place. You will be able to see at a glance what each company will charge you for your new plan which will help you pick the best plan for your updated situation.

If you need assistance in healthcare, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and leave your contact information so we may respond to your request.

If you are pregnant and you still have not chosen an OBGYN to assist you throughout your pregnancy, there are a few important things to keep in mind. In this article, we will share with you some tips on how to choose best OBGYN doctor in your area. Women have different needs and wants with regards to their pregnancy. This decision should not be taken for granted. Choosing the best OBGYN doctors is a very important aspect of your pregnancy. Your OBGYN doctors will not only help ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy, they will also keep you at peace.

Hospital preference - If you have your choice of hospital, the next thing that you need to do is find out about their list of doctors. Most women choose the hospital closest to their home for convenience when they go on labor. Some choose based on hospital reputation for great performance in labor and delivery or maybe an excellent NICU. Regardless of your reason, if you want to give birth at a specific hospital, you will need to bear with the limited selection of doctors that they have there so make sure that you choose one which suits your needs best.

Your doctor - What exactly do you look for in a doctor? Do you want someone who can speak other languages? Do you want one who specializes in various fields? Do you want someone with modern views or would you rather go with one who upholds natural practices? Do you want one who has conducted medical researches? Keep these questions in mind and clearly answered before finally settling with one.

Know your limitations - Before beginning the selection of choosing the best OBGYN, you need to know your limitations. Factors like finding out if your insurance carrier covers your target doctors should be taken into consideration. To make this easier, you may request your insurance company to give you a list of all doctors covered by your policy.

Male or female - Some women prefer a woman doctor while others opt for a male doctor. This is a personal preference. Just keep in mind that there are a few other more important factors which should be put on top of gender preference. The competence of the OBGYN should be the priority, no matter what.

Medical research - OBGYNs who can present research works and those who use a state-of-the-art equipment prove that they are competent and credible. This gives patients the chance to benefit from the leading edge technology and even latest clinical trials which help ensure a much safer and healthier pregnancy. Feel free to call your clinic and ask if they are conducting research projects.

Do you want a sole practitioner or one with broad practice? Having a sole practitioner allows you to be consistent with exams and appointments; however, he or she may not be available when you deliver your baby. This will leave you with no other choice but to deliver birth with a different doctor. On the other hand, doctors who deal with large practices may be less personal. Sometimes, you see most of the doctors in the practice only once. If you doctor of choice is not available, it is most likely that you get a doctor whom you have already met.

Keep these tips in mind and choose only the best OBGYN doctors for your pregnancy.

If you have ever been in the hospital, or had a family member in the hospital, then you know how expensive it can be. If you don't have hospital confinement indemnity insurance, then you really should consider it. Not only are medical cost high, but there are always other cost involved in a hospital stay. Usually a loved one, or caregiver, will come to the hospital every day to make sure you get everything you need, and to keep you company. It doesn't take long before all those extra expenses start to add up, and cause a financial strain. Here are some of the cost that may be incurred.

1. Fuel cost of driving back and forth to hospital.
2. Cost of caregiver eating out.
3. Lost wages of person hospitalized, or caregiver.
4. Possible babysitting fees for caregivers children.
5. High deductible to pay from health insurance plan.
6. Co-insurance - the amount insurance does not cover.

There are probably more cost than these that will come up when you or a loved one are in the hospital. By having a hospital confinement indemnity policy you can use the benefits to pay for some of the cost. Knowing that you will have extra cash coming in to take care of some of these expenses is a real stress reliever.

A hospital confinement indemnity plan is a supplemental policy that pays the cash benefits directly to you. You can use the money to pay for medical cost, or just buy needed groceries. The way the money is spent is up to you and your needs. It doesn't get much easier than that!

When you start looking for a hospital confinement indemnity plan you will see that some may be different from others. This is a good time to have a qualified insurance agent explain the differences to you. By discussing your options with an agent you can be assured they will offer information that you didn't even know to ask about. You want to get a hospital confinement indemnity policy that not only meets your budget, but one that pays out the best benefits possible.

Supplemental policies, like the hospital confinement indemnity policy, have premiums much smaller than your regular health insurance. So, almost every family can afford to have one on the bread-winner in the family. This is important because if the main bread-winner is not able to work, their salary may be compromised.

It doesn't take long to get behind on your finances when someone in the family is not receiving their full paycheck. Having a hospital confinement indemnity plan can take the worry out of situations like this.

Normally a hospital confinement indemnity plan pays a certain cash benefit per day, for every day you are confined to the hospital. Many policies pay a lot more per day if you are confined to intensive, or critical care units.

No one anticipates being in the hospital, but it happens to people every single day. Talk to an insurance agent and get you a hospital confinement indemnity plan today.

Missouri's family and medical leave laws conform closely to the federal Family Medical Leave Act. That means all employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for either their own or a loved one's illness or injury as well as certain other family-related matters.

The FMLA allows all employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave when they or a loved one is sick or injured. If they choose, employees can use accumulated leave such as sick or vacation time before taking unpaid leave. FMLA leave can be used:

• Following the birth of a newborn child;


• Following the placement of an adopted or foster child;


• To care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition;


• To take medical leave from work when the employee has a serious health condition;


• When the employee's spouse, child or parent is on active duty military service and has been notified of an impending deployment;


• When the employee's spouse, child or parent is injured or becomes sick during military service and the employee must be absent from work to care for the relative. Up to 26 weeks of annual leave are allowed for this purpose.

Use of Sick Leave

Missouri state law gives employers the right to require employees to use accrued paid sick leave before taking unpaid leave for family or medical leave. Accrued paid sick leave may be used for:

• an employee's own incapacitating illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, medical exam and treatment or exposure to contagious disease that would jeopardize the health of others;


• an employee needs to care for their child, spouse, other relatives or members of household, due to illness.

Missouri laws dictate that annual and sick leave are to be calculated in multiples of one-quarter hour. Employees must submit a written statement indicating that the leave was taken for an allowable reason. Sick leave cannot be accrued while employees are on any unpaid leave of absence.

Leave for Adoptive Parents

Missouri state law grants leave to parents adopting a child. Adopting parents employed by the state may use accrued sick leave, annual leave, compensatory time or leave without pay to take time off to arrange for the adoption or placement of a child.

Medical Donations

Public employees are entitled to five days off for bone marrow transplants. These employees are also entitled to 30 workdays of paid leave to donate an organ. Written verification must be provided to the employer. Employers must continue to provide health insurance and other benefits throughout the period the employee takes leave for organ or marrow donations.

In today's economy, there is very little job security. Unfortunately, one of the secondary effects of losing your job is that you lose your health coverage as well. Thankfully there are programs in place that can extend your health coverage for up to 18 months following a termination, career change, or even retirement.

COBRA insurance was enacted into a law to protect you from losing your healthcare in scenarios such as getting fired or laid off. Officially known as the Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, it is designed to provide medical insurance coverage for employees and their families even after they've severed ties with their employer. People must also understand that COBRA is a law, not an insurance package.

Before COBRA medical insurance was enacted to cover medical needs of terminated employees, the group health plans of terminated workers and those who changed employers were immediately canceled. With the advent of COBRA insurance, employees who have been fired or laid off will receive 18 months of medical coverage of the same health insurance policies their employers gave them.

However, the benefits of COBRA medical insurance are available only as a group plan and not as individual health coverage. You need to be a part of a health plan group of 20 or more employees for you to be eligible to apply for COBRA medical insurance policies.

The Price of COBRA Health Insurance

The price of a COBRA policy is also significantly higher than the total price of the medical insurance policy bought by your employer. The total cost of a COBRA insurance package is the total amount of your group healthcare plan plus 2% administrative fees. COBRA is more expensive than other group plans, but also provides peace of mind knowing that your family or individual health coverage plan is extended to cover you or your family in case of emergencies or severe health issues.

What makes COBRA unique from other forms of medical and health insurance plans is that COBRA will continue to cover any pre-existing medical conditions that were approved and covered by your original health plan. If you happen to be afflicted with a medical condition, COBRA will cover these conditions. Other health insurance providers may not cover pre-existing conditions, potentially leaving major conditions to go untreated.

Why COBRA is a Wise Choice

There are many reasons why applying for COBRA is a wise decision. Apart from the fact that you are medically insured and covered for a period of 18 months after leaving your job, you can maintain all the benefits you once received from the same health plan insurer you had before you left your job. As mentioned before, COBRA covers any pre-existing or recent medical problems, which may not be the case with other health insurance companies.

If you lose your job and rely heavily on your health insurance plan for sharing the cost of expensive medications, applying for a COBRA policy is an excellent choice. COBRA covers the cost of prescription drugs, as well as other services such as maternity benefits and accident insurance.

Since many individuals cannot afford the COBRA option offered by their employers, there are COBRA alternatives that are designed for people who are in good health and with no pre-existing medical condition and do not need to take expensive medication. These alternatives come in the form of individual and family health plans.

While COBRA provides an opportunity for individuals to retain health care insurance, individual health coverage plans are much more reasonable as it pertains to cost.

The best thing you can do is to research your health insurance coverage options before you decide on the best health plan. It is important to make a wise decision since this health plan may be with you for a while!