Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

Here is a pregnancy planning check list to help you get ready to have a baby! Generally, you do prepare for the major happenings in your life such as school, college or even retirement. In the same way, pregnancy planning is a must before you decide to have a baby. A baby can change your life to a great extent. There is a lot of planning - physical, emotional and financial, which needs to be done for a smooth future for your baby and you.

The Decision To Become A Parent

This is perhaps the most important decision of a lifetime. So take advice from your physician, talk to friends and family about it and read a lot of books and magazines that will give you good advice on planning for a healthy pregnancy.

A Preconception Visit to Your Physician

As a part of your pregnancy planning check list, a visit to your physician is a must. He will do a thorough medical checkup and check if there is any family history of illnesses. He will check you for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). He may advice you to stop taking any over-the-counter medication. If it's been over a year since you've been trying to get a baby, he may advice you to take a fertility test. There is no cause for worry and there is every chance that you might conceive. He will also give you vaccinations to immunize you against tetanus, hepatitis B and German measles.

Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals- If you or your partner have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, dry cleaning fluids, heavy metals, radiation or chemical fumes at work, this can be dangerous for the baby. You must take the physician's advice on whether you should continue to work in the same place or take up a new job.

Smoking Drugs and Alcohol- Say NO Today

Smoking, drugs and alcohol can harm your baby. Your baby may be born under-weight or be a preemie. He may also develop complications and birth defects. Research says there is a 64% increase in the chances of birth defects in children whose parents are smokers.

A Healthy Diet-Nourishment for You and the Baby

A healthy pregnancy diet with supplements of folic acid is essential for a mother-to-be. Folic Acid prevents birth defects of the spine and brain. Eat your meals regularly. Your meals should contain foods rich in iron, calcium and green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and legumes. Fortified cereals are also good for you.

An Exercise Regimen- Eating Healthy is very good but you should also exercise regularly. Not very strenuous but exercises like walking, swimming or yoga can be of great help in bringing down your stress levels. Also needed are meditation and deep breathing exercises. These will help you stay calm and peaceful. Do what you enjoy doing, like reading or listening to music.

Family and Friends- This is the time to talk to family and friends to get their support. Sometimes a relationship may become too difficult to handle, especially when you get pregnant. You may be subjected to some form of abuse. Do not feel afraid to ask for help in such a situation from your local helpline or from friends.

Financial matters- It is important to be prepared financially for your baby. There will be an onslaught of bills once the baby is born. Go in for health insurance too. And save for the future-both yours and little one's.

Now with this pregnancy planning checklist in hand, you can manage your pre pregnancy planning in a better way for a wonderful start.

Many women wonder when the best time is to have their tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, surgery performed. This is a very important consideration for all women because pregnancy has such a profound effect on all women's bodies.

What effect does pregnancy have on a woman's body?

Pregnancy causes weight gain in the abdominal area both from the baby itself, but also from fatty deposits which the body makes during pregnancy. All of this weight contained in the lower abdominal area causes the skin and muscles to expand and stretch. The results are often many issues, including; fatty areas which cannot be removed through diet and exercise alone, hanging skin, stretch marks, and issues having to do with the abdominal wall muscles themselves.

One of the biggest reasons women choose to have a tummy tuck performed is due to the stretching and bulging of the muscles of the abdominal wall itself. This muscle budging can cause the abdomen to protrude outward and appear to be fat even when no excess fat is present in the area. Unfortunately, there simply is no exercise which can rectify the problem; the only solution is to have a procedure performed to fix the bulging and stretching muscles.

Just as with the issue of bulging abdominal muscles, the only way to remove the sagging abdominal skin from pregnancy is through a tummy tuck. Simple liposuction can deal with fatty deposits, but nothing other than an abdominoplasty can remove the sagging skin. The good news however, is that a tummy tuck will remove the lower abdominal skin where most stretch marks occur. This means that post-operation they will be gone as a nice byproduct of the surgery.

When is the best time to have a tummy tuck if you are a mother?

If you are a mom who is interested in a flatter stomach, like you had before your children were born, the best time to have abdominoplasty performed is clearly when you are finished having all of your children. By waiting until you have had all of your children, you can ensure that the effects of your surgery will be long lasting.

Can I have one if I have had a C-section surgery in the past?

If your children were born through C-section you are indeed still a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Interestingly enough, you will likely find the abdominoplasty will be less painful than your C-section surgery was and your recovery will likely be faster as well.

Is it dangerous to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

It is not dangerous to you or your child if you get pregnant after having a tummy tuck. However, the pregnancy can reverse all of the changes made by your abdominoplasty and cause you to need another one following the birth of your child.

Because having a tummy tuck can be a fairly expensive surgery to have, and it is generally not covered by medical insurance, most women choose to wait until they are done having children to have their abdominoplasty performed. By waiting until after pregnancy, you can ensure that your stomach will stay flat and tight throughout your older years.

More and more individuals require either a TED Hose or Compression Stockings due to a variety of popular conditions, Diabetes, poor circulation, excess fluids (water retention) and D.V.T (Deep Vein Thrombosis) which is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg(s), both a TED Hose and a Compression Stocking will alleviate conditions related to the mentioned conditions. Medical professionals often identify both TED hose and compression stockings by the same title, TED hose, but there is a significant difference between them.

TED hose is frequently given to patients when they are in the hospital or medical facility. TED hose are designed for individuals that are non ambulatory, or lying down 95% of the time. The compression starts in the calf and decreases as it goes up the leg. The reason the compression starts in the calf, when we are lying down fluid tends to travel no further than our mid leg. The stockings will help push additional fluid from that position up through the lymphatic system, then out the body. TED hose are usually white in color and available as a thigh high or knee high style. Normal compression generally lasts two weeks; this is why when you're in a hospital or medical facility they consistently change your TED hose. In contrast to TED hose, compression stockings offer an array of styles and color choices; therefore they are both fashionable and comfortable. Compression stocking styles vary from knee high, thigh high, pantyhose, and maternity pantyhose.

Compression stockings are available in a sheer material, trouser sock, and athletic sock styles. Compression begins in the ankle and decreases as it goes up the leg. Individuals who have the ability to sit, stand, and walk have gravity working against them, gravity pulls away additional fluid from the upper and mid leg to the ankle and foot, thus eliminating swelling problems among others. When wearing a medical grade compression stocking, the compression begins at the forefoot and decrease as it goes up the leg pushing any extra fluid up and out of the area. Normal compression lasts six months giving the user more time before having to obtain replacement(s).

Certain circumstances allow a person to gain assistance with the purchase of compression stockings. Individuals whom are being treated for an open wound and/or ulcer have the opportunity to gain coverage from insurance as long as all necessary documentation has been made available to the provider. Typically, this consists of a prescription from your physician as well as a CMN (Certificate of Medical Necessity) completed by a wound care specialist. Most insurance differ in regards to coverage and reimbursement, be sure to check with both your doctor and your insurance to see if you are eligible to receive these products.

The death of a spouse creates a difficult transition in any person's life. The emotional effects
can be devastating while the financial impact of each can be equally debilitating. Most women
outlive their husbands by several years. Additionally, it is no secret that women face more
difficult retirements than men. A myriad of factors, including longer life spans, earnings
disparity, and interrupted work years for maternity have all contributed to this reality. In fact,
the Social Security Administration reports that nearly 20% of unmarried women age 65 or older
live below the poverty line, compared with 5% of married elderly women. Given that, it is
important for widows to identify all potential sources of income that they may have at their
disposal when they need it most.

Social Security

When an individual pays Social Security taxes, what they are doing, in effect, is earning
"credits" toward their future benefits. The longer you work and larger your income during your
working years, the higher your benefit. Many women take time off of work to have children and
raise families, while some return to the work force, others do not. In both circumstances, some
women may fall short of earning enough of the "credits" to qualify for higher retirement
benefits. Consequently, women's social security incomes are often much less than that of their
husbands.

Individuals (regardless of sex) that qualify for Social Security retirement benefits have a choice:
they can claim their benefits either as a spouse or a worker. This feature may offer women a
great advantage. For a spouse who has never worked a "paid job" or for one who has earned
insufficient credits to qualify for their own "worker" benefit, they are eligible to receive 50% of
the eligible worker spouse's full benefit. This is known as the "spousal benefit". Or, if you have
worked but your spouse's benefit is higher than yours, then you can claim the aforementioned
spousal benefit.

For widows that have lost their husbands, the wife can receive her own worker benefit or 100%
of the husband's benefit, whichever is greater. A surviving spouse who has reached full
retirement age (65 to 67 depending on birth year) is eligible for full benefits. Reduced benefits
(roughly 72% of the full benefit amount) are also available for a surviving spouse as early as
age 60. However, starting in 2005, the age at which the 100% widow's benefit is payable will
be gradually increased to age 66 by 2011 and age 67 in 2029. Widows with minor or disabled
children qualify for more benefits, but it that discussion is beyond the scope of this article.

A word of warning, if you remarry before age 60, you cannot receive widow's benefits as long
as that marriage is in effect. If you remarry after age 60, you will continue to receive your
(husband's) benefits.

Employer Retirement Accounts

Defined Contribution Plans

Retirement benefits, for many couples today, are often the most substantial assets in the
marital estate. This asset can play an integral role in the life of both a widow and divorcee.

The distribution options available for employer sponsored qualified plans may vary. While
some plans allow for the beneficiaries to receive distributions over time (like in the survivor
annuity options to be discussed in the next section), others may be forced to pay distributions
to the surviving spouse all at once. The spouse, however, can roll over the entire distribution
into her own plan, unless the distribution is not an eligible rollover distribution for some other
reason (ie. to the extent it is a required distribution).

Defined Benefit Plans

Defined benefit plans provide monthly income for the life of the participant. Traditionally,
pension plan benefits were paid to the retired worker upon separation from service as a single
life annuity. Upon the workers death, benefits would stop; leaving many surviving spouses
(mostly women) without that stream of income.

In 1984, ERISA updated its joint-and-survivor law and made the 50% joint-and-survivor benefit
the standard benefit for married individuals, whereby 50% of your monthly annuity would be
paid to your annuity beneficiary upon your death. In the past, the retiree could choose to
provide survivor benefits; however, under the revised law, written consent of the spouse is
needed to decline the 50% joint-and-survivor benefit.

Many plans offer 50% and 100% percent joint-and-survivor options. The 100% joint and
survivor option is a type of annuity takes into account the combined life expectancy of the
worker and the spouse, and often is paid out over a longer period of time, the worker's monthly
pension payment is usually less than it would have been if the worker and the spouse had
declined the survivor benefit. So, under the 100% percent option, the joint benefit is reduced
more than under the 50% percent option, but there is no reduction in benefits after the retiree
dies, that is, the surviving spouse receives 100% of the joint benefit.

Another factor to consider is the fact that many workers nowadays change careers and/or
employers several times throughout their working years. Oftentimes, employees may find
themselves vested in pension plans unbeknownst to them (or their spouse). Surviving spouses
are encouraged to inquire about any pension benefits due to them at both existing and
previous employers where their husbands have worked.

IRA's

The cash flow options under the IRA rules depend on the type of beneficiary identified in the
account. Surviving spouses have the greatest flexibility in terms of their distribution options.

Inheriting an IRA from a spouse gives you flexibility not available to other beneficiaries.
You can put the IRA in your name or you can roll over the funds into an IRA you have already
set up. The IRS will treat this as if the inherited IRA assets were yours all along.

Assuming that you are younger than 70 ½, as a spouse not only are you not required to take
any distributions from the inherited money, but it also means that you can make additional
contributions to the IRA (assuming you qualify). Converting the IRA into your name will also
allow you determine your own beneficiary.

For surviving spouses who are younger than 59 ½ and depend on the income from the IRA for
survival, leaving the IRA in your spouse's name is the best option. It allows you to take
distributions without incurring a 10% early withdrawal penalty. But, because the IRA remains in
your deceased spouse's name, the future beneficiaries cannot be changed.

As a spousal heir, one of the flexibilities of an inherited IRA is that you can split the account.
So, let's say you needed some current income from the account (which you will be forced to
take for the rest of your life), but don't want to exhaust the whole account, you can split the
inherited account into one that generates income (stays in deceased spouse's name) and the
other (converted to your own IRA account) to grow, deferring distributions until your RMD age.

Insurance Policies

Life insurance proceeds can be one of the single biggest financial benefits for a survivor
beneficiary. The obvious beneficiary of a life insurance policy is likely to be a surviving spouse
(and children, if applicable), whether directly or through a trust. Most life insurance policies are
purchased outright by the individuals. But, life insurance benefits are also often available
through employers. Widows should check with the decedent's employer, previous employers,
mortgage lenders, professional organizations and unions to ensure that they claim any benefits
owed to them.

In summary, when it comes to money matters, all options and resources must be carefully
considered. Any woman dealing with the harsh reality of a husband's death is well advised to
seek professional guidance. In addition to their financial planner, legal advice from an estate
planning attorney to help them assess their needs and the most appropriate distribution
strategies going forward. The right decisions and proper planning can make a world of
difference in your financial survival.

Sources: Institute for Women's Policy Research; U.S. Department of Labor; and the Social
Security Administration

Are you headed on a trip to Dubai? Whether it is for a short or an extended period of time, you might want to get medical insurance to keep you covered. If you believe that getting international medical insurance would be expensive, you need not worry. There are companies who can give you a customized medical plan, free consultation, and a quotation before you commit to anything. You can take advantage of insurance policies that include inpatient and outpatient coverage, maternity, dental, chronic conditions, emergency evacuation, emergency reunion, repatriation, and so much more. Prices can vary but they can also be pegged at a price that is affordable to you. These policies can be renewed at your convenience.

You can purchase an individual plan, just for yourself. These plans are customized specifically for your medical needs. They are very flexible and annually renewable. If you are traveling with your family, there are also policies that can cover every member. Policies can be customized individually according to your needs.

If you were sent by your company to Dubai and you are not the only one going on a trip, it would be best that the company provide the group plan that would have a general policy covering everyone in the trip. You can look at the level of coverage you can might need and whether or not it would cost less than getting individual insurance. There is coverage that would protect you on trips outside of Dubai as well.

International health insurance companies have a wide connection of associates and partners with the best medical organizations worldwide. By taking advantage of international medical insurance, you gain access to these facilities as well. And you are guaranteed world-class service wherever you may go. For more information, you can check out specialized sites on the web.

Artificial insemination is a medical procedure in which sperm either from a sperm donor or a woman's partner is placed inside of the cervix with the hope that pregnancy will occur. It is imperative that women looking to improve their chances of getting pregnant with this method carefully consider artificial insemination cost. For some women, pregnancy happens naturally without any outside help. For many others, however, infertility issues can get in the way of becoming pregnant and having the children that they always desired. These issues can occur because of age, endometriosis, a partner with a low sperm count or a number of other causes. Although it is just one option for women looking for a little help with getting pregnant it has become a pretty standard treatment option for women dealing with infertility issues.

Fertility Testing and Basic Costs

Usually, the first step in getting artificial insemination and determining the cost is finding a qualified specialist. A visit to a reproductive endocrine fertility specialist can cost several hundred dollars just for the initial visit. Before a patient receives artificial insemination, the specialist will usually complete a number of other basic tests to help diagnose abnormalities within the reproductive tract or other issues affecting pregnancy. One common artificial insemination cost at this stage is the use of a pelvic ultrasound, to check the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. The ultrasound can cost anywhere from $200 to $500.

Another possible evaluation treatment that can affect is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). An HSG is a radiological test usually performed in a hospitals radiology department to check for blockages in the fallopian tube as well as for polyps, fibroid tumors and pelvic scar tissue. The specific price for the procedure does vary but is often over $1,000.

Increasing The Chances of Getting Pregnant

To increase chances of success, the clinic doing the treatment may closely monitor the woman's menstrual cycle through blood hormone level tests, and ovarian kits - which all mean a higher artificial insemination cost. Fertility drugs are also commonly used along with artificial insemination to help regulate reproductive hormones and trigger the release of eggs during ovulation. Take for instance, the generic drug clomiphene citrate, the common fertility drug is often given for several months to regulate ovulation and increase the chances of artificial insemination being successful. The generic version of the drug, clomiphene citrate, can cost less than $20 per cycle, while a brand name version can cost as much as $100 per cycle.

Total Costs

The treatment itself can cost $700 per session in some cases and women usually need several treatments. With the cost of fertility drugs, ultrasounds and various other expenses and tests involved before insemination can occur; women or couples could pay as much as $10,000!

To make the process of trying to create life even more difficult, many health care insurance companies may not pay for fertility treatments like artificial insemination. If insurance does cover the procedure, it usually only covers certain aspects of the treatment. Additionally, insurance coverage may only be for those with a diagnosed medical condition such as endometriosis and for women in certain age ranges. For some women, an infertility cure program can eliminate high artificial insemination cost and allow women to get pregnant naturally.

With the prices of IVF skyrocketing in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and the UK, especially for people whose insurance doesn't cover for fertility treatments and gestational surrogacy, traveling abroad for medical care is becoming an affordable option for many people. How much cheaper, you ask? On average, getting fertility treatment in Thailand costs about 1/3 to 1/2 as it does back home.

All the fertility hospitals and clinics are located in the bustling capitol city of Bangkok. I've visited several Bangkok hospitals during some previous vacations. The level of knowledge and care I received was the same or better than I received in the United States. Additionally, the beauty of Bangkok and Thailand's beaches are another reason one should consider fertility treatment there.

IVF is the most common fertility treatment sought by foreign patients. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, also has attracted many people to Thailand, in part because the procedure is prohibited in many countries. However, clinics in Thailand can perform PGD because the country's Medical Council only has advised against the procedure. Many people seeking PGD come from Australia, which does not allow sex selection, and others come from China and India.

So Why Go To Thailand for IVF?

Thailand has a long history of what is known as modern medicine. Western medicine was introduced to the Kingdom of Siam in 1686. The first hospital was built in 1878 in Petchaburi province and in 1887 the first hospital was built by the Thai Government (Siriaj Hospital). Chulalongkorn University was established with the Faculty of Medicine in 1916, and the Ministry of Public Health was established in 1942 to regulate medical services and public health for the people of Thailand.

Thailand offers medical centers that have the latest and best medical technology, and their medical staff have been trained and practiced in the west. And on top of the great medical care these centers offer a level of hospitality that is unseen in the west. Thailand is well known as a modern medical center as skilled surgeons and reasonable rates combined with cheap luxury hotels and non-stop shopping make it a great destination for fertility treatment. Thailand offers the best environment with the most experienced surgeons in the world.

Couples choosing Thailand as their destination for IVF treatment are attracted to Thailand's because:

繚 World-class health facilities

繚 Affordable healthcare

繚 Proven success rate

繚 Opportunity to travel to beautiful white sandy beaches to recover

The reasons behind the low cost of fertility treatments in Thailand?

繚 The lower cost of labor

繚 Malpractice, insurance and administration equate to doctors focusing on providing high quality healthcare and not paying out astronomical fees as seen in the US.

Doctors in Thailand are normally educated, trained, and certified western countries, such as the US, UK, and Australia, and have chosen to return to Thailand to practice in world-class facilities.

These facilities in Thailand have acquired accreditation from well-known international organizations such as JCI, JCAHO and ISO to express the dedication to conforming to international standards of healthcare and excellence.

So with all of these advantages, why not consider Thailand your destination for affordable IVF treatment. Contact http://www.thailand-surrogacy.com to learn how you can save on IVF treatment in Thailand.

Your newborn needs to be taken care of on arrival. When you choose a good maternity hospital, you also need to have good insurance during pregnancy. Costs of normal delivery are comparatively lesser as compared to a cesarean section. It is not only the delivery expenses that you have to consider. There will also be various examinations, tests and various other expenses which need to be looked into besides the delivery charges. Once you have planned the pregnancy, the best thing to do is investigate details about and find out more about your coverage.

Covering financial hassles during pregnancy:

Pregnancy as well as delivery involves a lot of hassles financially and after the baby is born there are a lot of visits to be made to the pediatrician, getting the baby immunized etc. Due to any reason if you have to give up your job while you are pregnant, you may find it strenuous to maintain your budget. Not many women get themselves insured when they are pregnant and it may become difficult getting insured after they're pregnant. As per the rules of many providers any pre-existing pregnancy related condition is considered as a 'category', which has its own fine print. Many a times, emergency medical treatment is needed, because of which many healthcare providers hesitate to cover pregnant women.

Waiting periods could extend over a couple of months and higher premiums are required to be paid in health insurance coverage for pregnancy. A better idea would be to obtain a health insurance policy before you get pregnant since then the premium amount is not very high. An important issue to be considered however is the duration of the waiting period. Once a woman is pregnant, she has to go for periodic checkups, tests and diagnosis of the trimesters on a regular basis which cannot be avoided at any cost and this makes consideration of special health care insurance still more important.

Individual and group health insurance plans:

Many of the health insurance companies also charge something called the optional rider which is a kind of extra premium. Each time a premium is paid, the optional rider also has to be paid but you have the option of dropping the rider, for which you need to understand details of health insurance during pregnancy - finding out your coverage, and other essentials of the fine print.

Employers these days provide health insurance coverage to all those employees who have worked for a specified number of years in the company. This includes maternity coverage. Make necessary inquiries with officials at your company so that you can obtain coverage while you are pregnant. Once you obtain such health insurance you don't have to worry as all medical bills and all expenses related to pregnancy are covered by the health insurance plan. Many companies also provide group insurance which is comparatively less expensive than the individual health insurance plan. Just in case you change your job, the old insurance plan can be continued at the new company you will be joining, once provisions for timely payouts are made.

Blue Shield of California is a health insurance company that was established in 1938 by the California Medical Association. Based out of San Francisco California, the company services over 3.2 million members and is contracted with nearly 59,000 and 350 hospitals across the state.

With Blue Shield of California you have a couple different styles of coverage to choose from. More than likely you have heard the terms PPO and HMO thrown around. What do these terms mean?

PPO

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) gives you the availability to choose from a much larger network or doctors, specialists and hospitals. By visiting a contracted PPO provider with Blue Shield of California you will receive a negotiated fee rate for covered services. It is always important to make sure the doctor, specialist or hospital you choose is contracted with the company before you receive care. If you happen to pick an out-of-network provider then you may be subject to higher cost for service.

HMO

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a smaller organization of healthcare providers that have contracted with an insurance company to offer services at fixed rates. You will be required to choose one doctor (primary care physician) who will be responsible for providing all aspects of your healthcare. Blue Shield has 2 different HMO plan options available in California on the individual and family plans network. You can expect HMO doctors that are contracted with Blue Shield to offer fewer providers than with the PPO plans. Generally you must get a referral from your primary care physician in order to receive care from a specialist.

Let's take a look at some of the more popular plans that are currently being offered in 2009.

PPO Savings Plan 4000

This plan is great for a health young male who doesn't require many office visits per year. This plan doesn't include maternity, however we do recommend it to females who don't want maternity coverage or are past child bearing years. With most health plans you must satisfy a deductible and then pay a co-insurance percentage. With the PPO 4000 you are covered at 100% after meeting the calendar year deductible! You also have the availability of a physical exam, once a year for a co-payment of $35. If you are someone looking for affordable catastrophic coverage, this plan is highly recommended.

PPO Balance Plans 2500, 1700 and 1000

With the balance plans you have a good balance of deductible, office visit co-pays, prescription drugs, and a decent monthly premium. Each deductible option (2500, 1700 and 1000) comes with first dollar office visit co-pay of $30. There is also $10 co-pay for generic drugs and $35 co-pay for brand drugs ($500 brand name deductible and $2500 brand maximum benefit per year). If you happen to be the type of person that visits a doctor more frequently than once per year, and needs prescription drug coverage, take a look at the balance plans!

Access HMO

The Access HMO with Blue Shield of California is one of the better benefit plans on the market, however the monthly premium tends to be to unaffordable for most. After you satisfy a $2000 deductible you will have a $250 co-pay for impatient and outpatient hospital stays until you satisfy a total of $3000 in out-of-pocket expense (deductible included). Office visit co-pays are $20 before deductible; you will pay a $10 generic drug co-pay and a $35 brand name co-pay after a $200 brand name drug deductible. Remember, this HMO plan will have a smaller network of providers compared to the PPO options. Make sure to verify that all providers you use are a contracted physician or hospital with Blue Shield before receiving care.

Simply put, PPO means you can go see anyone within that company's network, without needing a referral. So if you are looking to see if your doctor is in a particular network, you should ask your agent before you buy health insurance.

Now before you buy a health Insurance plan, an incredibly important question you MUST ask BEFORE you buy is how does the deductible work? This is such a neglected question, but very important to understand.

With Health Insurance, a Deductible (the first stage) is the amount of money that you pay out of your pocket before you move into the 2nd stage. So in the first stage, pay attention to the details of how much you'll pay for small procedures if you only pay parts of your deductible in a year, but not the entire deductible.

Now if you have met your Deductible, you'll move into the"Co-Insurance" stage. In this 2nd Co-Insurance stage, you and your insurance company will 'co-insure" meaning, you and your insurance company will share the burden of the bill. You will generally pay the lesser percentage, and the insurance company will pay the larger portion.

Then the 3rd and final stage of insurance is "Maximum Out Of Pocket." This is the most you'll have to pay in a calendar year.

What happens before the deductible is met is where company's can vastly differ. For example, if you have a $5,000 expense from an Emergency Room, and you have a $5,000 deductible, and you haven't yet "met your deductible," how much would you expect to pay? Is the insurance company going to share with you a negotiated rate? If they do, get specific, how much of a discounted rate will they will give you? Dig deeper, get your straight forward answer. Is it a percentage? Is it a range?

For Example:

* Scenario 1 - $5,000 Emergency Room Kidney Stones Bill, Deductible $5000, your out of pocket $2,000

* Scenario 2 - $5,000 Emergency Room Kidney Stones Bill, Deductible $5000, your out of pocket $5,000

Always ask how many deductibles you must meet each year. This can vastly differ within different company's and different plans. Are you a single individual or family? Ask how many total deductibles there are per calendar year... per person and per family.

Deductibles usually range from $500 - $10,000 in private insurance plans. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and conversely the higher the premium, the lower the deductible.

The rationale behind this is that if the Insured person is willing to pay a little more each month in their premium, the insurance company can reduce their deductible, but if the client would prefer to have a low premium and take on a little higher risk with total money out of pocket, they exchange that risk for a lower premium.

If you have ppo insurance with Co-Pays, generally you'll pay a "Co-Pay" at the Dr's office, without having to worry about a deductible, however, you MUST ask questions when shopping for health coverage. Some "Co-Pays" are after the deductible has been met, for example, if your plan says an Emergency Room "copay" of $100, is this before or after the deductible?

So to sum up deductibles, it is the amount of money that comes out of your pocket before the insurance company will begin to split the bill with you (co-insurance). Again, ask questions. BEFORE you've met your deductible, are you getting a network discounted rate, and if you are, WHAT IS IT?

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD as it is known for short, is used for the identification of genetic defects in embryos that are created using in vitro fertilization or other forms of assisted reproductive technologies. The procedure may also be used for gender selection purposes as well. The specialist performing the procedure will examine the genetic makeup of the embryos created to check for genetic defects as well as the couple's desired gender.

The procedure works by first extracting several eggs from the mother; the father will provide the sperm necessary to create embryos. The sperm is used to fertilize the eggs in a laboratory and after about three days, several embryos will have developed. The specialist will then screen and examine the genetic makeup of the embryos. They will screen for genetic disorders or defects as well as the gender of the embryo.

The specialist will take healthy embryos with the desired gender and implant them in the mother's uterus. The embryos may then implant in the uterine wall and develop with birth taking place as it normally would had conception occurred naturally. Couples may choose to freeze additional healthy embryos for future use.

Individuals considering gender selection should understand that there are ethical concerns regarding the procedure, especially when it is used not to avoid a genetic disorder, but for social or emotional reasons. Interested individuals should consult a specialist regarding the procedure to discuss it in greater detail. Questions regarding ethical concerns may come up during a consultation as the couple considers whether the procedure is right for them.

Reports indicate that with this procedure, there is about a 98% chance the embryo will not carry a genetic defect, while there is about a 99% chance the embryo will be of the desired gender. Risks involved with PGD include false positive or false negative test results. Chromosomal inconsistencies from cell to cell may be present, meaning the cell used for biopsy may not be representative of the other cells in the embryo.

The price tag on PGD may be quite high and it is not covered by many insurance companies. The procedure may raise the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by about $3,500, although this may vary. Individuals should discuss costs with the specialist at the specific infertility clinic at which they choose to receive treatment or undergo testing. It is imperative that you use compare the service and care after the procedure is done.

Benefits:

Massaging a woman from 13 weeks onwards during her pregnancy is a fantastic way to keep a mum-to-be relaxed and comfortable as her growing body accommodates the new weight. The main benefits of regular safe and effective mama massages are:

• Relief of pain


• Improved circulation for mother and baby


• Improved immune system for mother and baby


• Better sleep


• A more relaxed attitude towards giving birth, and thus better birth outcomes


• Better bonding between mother and baby


• Improved chances of carry the baby to full-term


• A healthier and calmer baby of good weight


• Improved skin condition


• Relief of headaches and possibly nausea

A firm, steady, thick pillow for the leg plus a towel to cover

A thin cushion or towel for under the belly

An two towels or sheets for draping

A pillow to hold on to

Positioning:

A pregnant woman should NEVER lie on her stomach. This is partially for insurance reasons, but also because the weight of the uterus will pull the ligaments on the mothers' sacrum (lower back) and cause back ache (not what we're trying to do!)

Do not massage any woman who is less than 12 weeks pregnant due to the increase risk of miscarriage. This is through nothing you would have done, but for insurance reasons stay safe. A woman who has lost her baby following a massage is more likely to accuse and sue you and cause bad relations than someone who had a sore muscle from a strong massage.

It is possible to have a pregnant woman of 13-22 weeks lying on her back with a cushion under her right hip/ buttock, but any pregnant woman who is more than 22 weeks should not lie on her back for more than 3 minutes. She may be propped up to a seated position if you need to work on her front. Lying on her back, the weight of the uterus, after 22 weeks, is too much pressure for the vena cava (main vein running up the right side of the spine) and will cause breathlessness in the mother and nutrient and oxygen restrictions to the baby.

You will find it easier and generally safer to always massage a pregnant woman in the side lying position, asking her to turn over half way through so you can massage both sides effectively.

When lying on her side, the pregnant woman should have her knee and foot on a firm and steady cushion that is high enough for her hip to be at a right angle so her leg is not pulling on her hip and lower back. Make sure the foot is supported as this creates more comfort for the mother.

If her belly is feeling like it is pulling while lying on her side, the mother-to-be will need a small cushion or towel under her belly. Let her put the cushion there so she can make herself comfortable. Any woman who is more than 22 weeks pregnant will need the belly cushion even if they initially feel comfortable... 1 hour on a couch can change things.

Ask your pregnant lady to lie on the couch with her back as close to the edge as she can... this makes it more comfortable for you to massage her so you don't have to over reach. Make sure that the cushions under her legs are close enough to her so her back and hips are not twisting.

Once you have made sure her leg is comfortable and the blankets are neatly in place you can then give your mother-to-be a pillow to hold on to like a teddy bear so as she doesn't put any pressure on her growing, tender breasts.

You will need two towels to drape your pregnant client. Make sure one towel covers the legs and is tucked neatly into the lady's undies, pulling them down far enough so you can work on the hips. And drape another towel over her back so it falls across the front and back of the woman. Ask her if she's comfortable with a blanket over her as many pregnant ladies get over heated. Ask her if she'd like her feet covered or uncovered.

Make sure your pregnant client has a pillow under their head that is not too high or too low...their neck should be in line with their spine. If the pillow is too low for her she is likely to put a hand under her head, so you'll know if she needs extra support.

Whether a pregnant woman has a large belly or not, always use side lying when giving a mama massage.

Pressure:

You can use as much pressure as your client wants when working on the back of a pregnant lady. The lower back and sacrum is often very sore and stiff because of bad posture so working as strong as the client likes is good to help release tight muscles. The shoulders and neck are also sore spots for pregnant women and can be massaged as strong or light as your client requires.

The only place on a pregnant body that you must NOT massage is the inside of the legs. A pregnant woman has 40% more blood in her body which is thicker and prone to clotting. This is a great design feature for giving birth in case of hemorrhaging. Normally the clots will disintegrate naturally, but if you use pressure on the inner thigh and calves, or any shaking/percussion moves on the leg you may accidentally move a clot which could cause thrombosis (dangerous restriction on blood flow) and cause problems for mother and baby.

You can safely massage a pregnant woman's feet with as much pressure as she is comfortable with. Massaging the feet has a different intention and effect than reflexology, so is not dangerous to the mother or baby. Reflexology can safely be given to a pregnant woman from 13 weeks onwards, so long as you stay away from the reproductive area and the pituitary gland as both of these can stimulate a miscarriage or premature labour.

If your client has water retention (puffy) hands and or feet, make sure you use very light pressure on these areas.

Some women really like their belly's being touched when their pregnant, while others hate it. Ask the mother before the start of the massage if she would like her belly touched. If she would like it to be massaged, only use gentle pressure with the flat of your hand (no pushing or poking with fingers)

Precautions:

• No massage before 13 weeks (unless you've had specific training)


• No massaging the inner leg


• No shaking moves on the legs


• No massage for any pregnant lady who is bleeding


• Always ask if there has been any complications, nausea, bleeding and if all their scans and tests have come back good.

Conclusion

Pregnant women deserve to be massaged... so don't be shy! If in doubt about massaging your pregnant client, don't do it. Seek medical or other specialist health professional advice.

The most beautiful gift given by God to a woman is the ability to deliver life which comes as the most joyous occasion for a family. However, unfortunately this beautiful feeling is hindered and overshadowed by the dark clouds of financial insecurity. A large percentage of women are clueless as to how to cover their maternity costs efficiently so as not to burn a hole in their pockets. This situation incurs the pregnant women with high stress and tension during her pregnancy which results in the complications at the point of delivery of the child.

Now, the question is how you can save yourself from the stressful situation during the pregnancy period and avoid any sort of unexpected complications. Nowadays, the high- end hospitals along with the health insurance companies have come up with excellent health coverage policies and plans including, maternity health coverage which are incredibly beneficial in making pregnancy a more economic process. These health insurance plans act as a supplement health plan which covers the high overrated costs that comes up with the nine-month pregnancy period and some of them even cover the expenses of post- pregnancy period. There is one plan which has come up newly in the market which has been covering maternity for individuals inculcating Pre & Post hospitalization Medical Expenses: Medical expenses incurred due to Illness up to 30 days period immediately before an insured person's admission to a hospital and 60 days immediately after the Person's discharge from the hospital.

Pregnancies can costs up to a lac of rupees involving all the medical costs and X- rays and sometimes, even more if that is a high-risk pregnancy. However, with a health insurance package you can have coverage for hospital visits, doctor visits, reasonable and customary charges for hospital accommodation, health check-ups. Moreover this newly introduced plan also covers the new born baby from day zero at no immediate extra cost. It will also cover vaccination expenses of the new born baby until the new born baby completes one year. So, end the worries and enjoy a stress free pregnancy.

If you are shopping for health insurance maternity coverage, you can do an online search and find the companies in your area that offer madical insurance and have maternity coverage. Your premiums will be higher than normal if you add the maternity rider. You will need to be sure to add the maternity rider. Most individual plans do not cover maternity expenses as a basic coverage. You need to have the rider.

An individual health insurance plan may also have a waiting period before it will cover maternity benefits. If you are pregnant currently, you will not be covered for maternity benefits on a new plan. This is considered a pre-existing condition. Also as mentioned earlier there is usually a waiting period of one year before maternity is covered.

If you are currently pregnant, about the only way to get maternity plan is if you get on a group plan that does not restrict pregnancy coverage. If you are looking for short term insurance, you will not find maternity coverage offered on these plans. The best way to get maternity coverage on an individual plan is to plan ahead. That way, you will know your options and get better deals. Get the rider on your policy and get pregnant after the coverage takes effect.

You can get quotes for health insurance maternity coverage along with the quote for a basic plan. Just be sure to inquire about it and don't assume that it is included in the basic quote. It may not be.

As we mentioned in previous articles, infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It affects over 5 million couples alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist. We have spent most of the time in this series discussing the conventional and Chinese medicine in treating fertility. I believe, it is the best time to change the subject by discussing how to treat infertility with minerals-- calcium.

I. How calcium effects fertility
1. Neutralizing stomach acid
Calcium is vital to helping the digestive system in maintaining the right levels of stomach acid, thereby reducing the risk of diarrhea and increasing the system in absorbing vital vitamins and minerals, resulting in lessening the risk of infertility caused by nutrients deficiency.

2. Blood vessel expansion
It also helps to stimulate the blood muscle to expanse, thereby, decreasing the over working heart and lowering the high blood pressure and increasing the blood flow to the body. including the abdominal organs.

3. Insulin
Calcium also plays an important roles in insulin secretion from pancreas, because this secretion cannot occur without the existence of calcium. If calcium in the exterior fluid surrounding insulin secretion cells namely, B (beta) cells in the islet of langerhans, is removed or the calcium channels are blocked, insulin secretion is also blocked as well, leading to insulin imbalance, causing irregular menstrual period in women and lower sperm quality in men.

4. Transmitting information between nervous cells
Calcium also is vital for improving the functions of brain cell in transmitting information between themselves and our body glands. Deficiency of calcium may distort these function, thus increasing the nervous tension and hormone imbalance, leading to over production of certain hormones that decrease the chance of fertility

5. Healthy bone and muscle
Since pregnancy require a lot of energy as welling as strong bone and muscle to carry the baby to full term, thereby, a woman with a healthy bone and muscle is necessary to trigger the brain function in thinking of the readiness of reproductive organs for fertilization.

II. Risks and side effects
1. High levels of calcium in the blood ( hypercalcemia ) may impair kidney function
2. High levels of calcium may reduce the absorption of essential minerals, including iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus
3. It may interact with several types of medication
4. Deficiency of potassium may cause higher urinary calcium excretion from the kidney.

Directly purchased healthcare assurance policies that will pay for pregnancy related medical care including prenatal visits and the hospital medical care can cost much more than similar plans which do not provide coverage for maternity-connected medical expenses. You may invest big money for these additional benefits. You and your family might indeed invest this money elsewhere if you don't want to have a child in the near future.

It is a waste of money to have this coverage and not need it. It is expensive to need pregnancy coverage and not have maternity insurance coverage. An uncovered maternity can cost you well over ten thousand. Therefore, it is critical that you pick a good option. Making an error one way or the other might have a great financial impact.

Pregnancy insurance coverage: When is best to add or drop maternity insurance coverage?

In a perfect world, you would be able to include maternity insurance benefits immediately prior to when you conceive a child and drop it immediately after your final visit with your midwife. Unfortunately, the issue of pre existing conditions and unplanned pregnancy might make the timing of changing to another medical insurance plan harder.

Be sure that you are aware of the waiting periods in the policy of any plan you are considering. With some plans, you simply have to conceive after the effective date. This means that you may conceive right after your effective date. With other plans, you will need to wait a period of several months to conceive to have your pregnancy covered.

Pregnancy Plans and Pre-existing Conditions

A pre-existing medical condition can keep you from changing your policy. This means that if you have a condition at the time you decide to change to a policy which covers maternity, you may not be allowed to do so. It also means that if you are pregnant at that time, you may not be allowed to do so. If a family member is suffering with a sickness, you may not be able to change your policy.

Even something as innocuous as a broken bone can prevent you from changing your insurance plans until you have healed. Most private health insurers will want to wait until you have been released from care before they will offer you medical insurance.

This means that your plans to include or eliminate maternity benefits may be thwarted by fate.

Strategy for Pregnancy Insurance

Most families do better when they purchase when they buy separate insurance policies. Often plans that will cover maternity-related services have other insurance benefits that they will find unnecessary. Often the wife should get separate dental and health insurance plan than other family members. Two insurance contracts will often be cheaper than one policy.

Larger families will often save when they purchase one dental and health care policy. Family size and the ages of the parents affect whether you will do better with one policy or two. A good personal dental and health insurance broker should be able to help you decide which insurance choice is best for you and your family.

There many families who have maternity coverage on their insurance contracts after they have taken steps to make sure that they cannot conceive. Be sure to drop this costly coverage when you no longer need it. Money that you invest on pregnancy coverage after you have had your tubes tied is obviously wasted money.

Should you get Maternity Insurance Now?

Unfortunately, not knowing when or if you will conceive that is not planned and when or if you will develop a pre-existing condition which makes it difficult to purchase an underwritten healthcare insurance policy makes that a tricky question. Being better informed should make it easier to make a better decision. Without the ability to know what's going to happen, making the choice with absolute certainty is not possible.

Sometimes we tend to forget that we have power right in our hands. The power to communicate with people that are dear to us. We all know how communication help transform our lives either for good or for the worse. And with communication, we are able to build our reputation and sometimes, it can help destroy it. With that, there are certain rules that are applied when it comes to communication just like texting.

Texting can be a good way in building people's confidence. Send a text of encouragement or you can quote a famous line to help him with his current ordeal. You might not know it but your text can be crucial to his decision in life.

If texting takes too much time like explaining a concept to a person, feel free to call him up instead. Rather than burn your thumb pressing the keys to your phone, call him up and let your mouth do the talking.

Messages can be worth a million especially for those who are in a relationship. Sending messages of love can make the world go round for someone who is in love. So, do yourself a favor and send your loved one messages.

Oftentimes we get to hear someone complaining about how their boss texted them late at night because of an emergency, although it can be a hassle sometimes, it is acceptable. What's not acceptable is when you wake up at 1 in the morning and found out you receive a text message saying hello.

If you think that putting your anger into words and send it through text can make it all better, think again. Not only will your situation take a turn for the worse, it will offend the person even more. It is much better that you say it infront of the person you want to talk to rather than hide behind your phone to say things that you really want to say.

Avoid sending messages that have no meaning, jokes that are not funny, and messages that mean to irritate and annoy people. It is annoying. Spamming messages can really be annoying especially at times when you are stressed at work.

Allow yourself to fully take advantage of how great it is to have the ability to text messages to people you love. Take this time to send quotes of love and appreciation to your family and friends.

The best place to look for Medical Secretary or Medical Office Administration jobs would be the internet. Most employers that you would be working for, be it hospitals or small offices, are computerized and now post all available jobs online.

Some websites to browse for Medical Secretary job listings and to post your resume would be:

workopolis.com
monster.ca
jobbank.ca
jobboom.com

You should Google your job search and check as many websites and job listings as you feel necessary. Be sure to also check your local online classifieds such as kijiji.ca and craigslist.ca for job postings. It is not recommended to post you resume with your personal information on these sites but you could certainly post a listing giving some basic information about the job you are looking for and your skills without using identifying information.

You can often find Medical Office Administration career listings on hospital specific websites such as uhn.ca (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto, ON), hhsc.ca (made up of six hospitals including McMaster University Hospital and the Children's Hospital, a renowned Cancer Centre, and an Urgent Care Centre all located in Hamilton, ON), stjosham.on.ca (St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, ON), and niagarahealth.on.ca (comprised of seven acute care sites in the Niagara Region of Ontario including the Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls, ON and the Hotel Dieu Hospital in St. Catharines, ON). There are all sorts of listings on sites specific to your province or state so use the web search tool of your choice to hopefully increase the number of jobs available to you.

Do not overlook the classified ads in your local newspapers as well. There are still a few offices that are seriously old school and are not computerized so they do not advertise online. They will only submit a job listing to their local newspaper. These can provide very good leads that you would not find anywhere else and sometimes they are a little less "crowded" for interviews since they are not advertised online and not all applicants take the time or opportunity to further broaden their career options.

Many jobs may be listed as part-time or as a one-year contract or temporary full-time. These are often positions that are available because that office's receptionist is off for a maternity leave. Jobs like this are great for building up your experience that will land you those jobs in the hospitals that will potentially pay you more and have better benefits.

Remember to apply for jobs at local retirement homes and long-term care facilities. With your Medical Secretary training you would also be able to apply for jobs with your local government healthcare office, alternative health offices such as chiropractic or massage or physiotherapy clinics, and insurance companies to name a few examples for you. You have quite a few options available to you if you are looking for something other than a hospital or doctor's office specifically. Although some of these options do not utilize all the skills that you acquired during your Medical Office Administration training, they can certainly be fulfilling careers or just the thing you need to gain some experience to get that next level position in your new career.

If you are ever having difficulties finding employment you could always offer your services on a volunteer basis mostly to gain experience. This also looks appealing to an employer since it shows you are dedicated, ambitious and diligent.

Surrogacy requires one to be high on moral and ethical standards basically because of the large amounts of money involved in the whole process. It should also be noted that intended parents who are without children are asking a lot by requesting a total stranger to get pregnant and carry there child through the nine month period and surrender the child to them when the time is due after a successful birth. Further more, due to the infertility of the intended couple; the surrogate mother will take the place of the intended mother by carrying the infant through the nine month period.

There is the traditional aspect of surrogacy where by the sperms of the father will be artificially inseminated to the surrogate mother which will technically make the surrogate mother the biological parent by law. On that note; it is considered as a fact that will cause problems with some people moral ethics and standards. In cases whereby you will find that the couple in fertile a sperm donor has to be used to make the intended surrogate mother pregnant.

In the gestational method, the surrogates' mothers' egg will be artificially fertilized with the intended fathers' sperm in a lab and later placed in the surrogate mothers' womb to be nature until the pregnancy term is completed to the final month.

The third method is mainly used when the mother can not sustain the infant in her womb for the nine months pregnancy term. The above can also be due to medical reasons that may hinder the mother carry the baby to term. During this period the surrogate mother will be receiving some money for expenditure or reimbursements for her for any cost incurred from her own pocket during the nine month period caring the infant. This money can also be referred to as the base fee. Due to a high possibility of a miscarriage in the first three months which are very sensitive, the base fee is usually paid in installment so as to avoid excess or over paying the surrogate mother in case the baby does not make it through the in tended labor period.

The surrogate mother is handsomely paid for the period she carried the infant for the nine months till the babies' successful delivery. Do note that the amounts paid in installments gradually increase as the pregnancy advances in it later stages thus the base money will result to a larger amounts of money through the nine month period. This may leave many people wondering why it costs a lot in the United States of America but the attorneys and the legal systems in general may ask for a lot more than any judge will agree but if it did happen it would due to the agreement made in the draft contract between the surrogates and the intended parents. You will find in different countries the cost is much less but basically its all comes to the interest of money.

Aetna is a health care company that offers a good and wide range of products, such as medical, dental, and disability plans. Aetna is one of the major health insurance companies in the US whose services are used by businesses, organizations, workers, and students across 50 states. This long-standing company first came into the scene in 1850, during which a volcano in Sicily, Mt. Etna, was active. It was first established as Aetna Insurance Company, but became Aetna, Inc. in 1996, following the merger of Aetna Life and Casualty Company and US Healthcare. In the last ten years, this company has handled health care services of many organizations. It has then placed more emphasis on its health care operations.

The company is composed of Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care department deals with a wide range of health plans (medical, dental, and pharmacy benefits). More than 15 million people are holders of Aetna's medical plan. There are more than 13 million dental members. The pharmacy benefits management section has about 10 million members. The Group Insurance segment, which has 15 million members, includes disability and long-term health insurance products. The Large Case Pension segment includes a number of retirement products, although their business does not actively promote this segment.

Aetna has an extensive network of health care service providers, including doctors and health care insurance carriers. The clients of their products range from employers to single customers. Their business is also attempting to increase the number of its members by advancing its product offerings. They also have sales personnel that sell health care products. Independent brokers and consultants also sell Aetna insurance products.

The health care products are offered to employers, who, in turn, present them to the employees. However, the employees have the privilege to choose the products of their preference. So, the scheme is that the employers pay the sum of monthly premiums of employees to Aetna. The premiums are deducted automatically from the salaries of the employees. On the other hand, some Group Insurance products are sold straight to the employees. This scheme happens if the employer does not subsidize the premiums for these products. In fact, the covered employee can pay directly to the company itself.

Aetna does have its pros and cons, despite being one of the leading health insurance providers in the United States. It is just like any other insurance company, whose schemes and services have some flaws. Some people may not get optimum benefits from their chosen company. For instance, most do not provide maternity coverage, so pregnant women may have to look for another insurance provider. Nevertheless, Aetna covers expenses for complications that occur during pregnancy. Aetna also covers infants within the first month.

Another known limitation in the insurance policy offered by Aetna is its age cutoff. They do not provide coverage for people 65 years and up.

Competitive insurance cost and extensive coverage, however, make up for the identified disadvantages.

Customers, on the other hand, should consider certain factors before buying an insurance policy. These factors include affiliated hospitals and doctors, prescription benefits, cost and premiums, and lifetime maximum coverage.