Health insurance is getting a lot of attention these days. With the rising cost of medical treatment, people have been purchasing healthcare plans for themselves and their families. It is a major investment to make because they can be of financial help in case of an emergency.
When getting a health insurance plan, a few things can affect one’s premiums — some are uncontrollable while others can be changed through lifestyle choices. The following are the top factors that companies consider when pricing out their policies:
1. AGE
Health insurance premiums vary per age. Whether getting a short-term or long-term policy, age plays the biggest role in how much medical support a policyholder will get. While medical exams have been getting stricter nowadays, age also determines if a person qualifies for health insurance coverage in the first place.
How much will your premium be? The younger you are, the lower the premium. This is because young people have lower chances of visiting the doctor and facing health issues. On the contrary, the older you are, the higher your premium will be. Elderly insured individuals may require more medical support due to developing chronic conditions.
2. BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
Body Mass Index or BMI calculates your body fat based on your height and weight. Paying good attention to your BMI is a starting point to assess your health condition. If BMI is higher than normal, it can help you determine if you are at risk for some serious illnesses, like type 2 diabetes, heart-related problems, and some types of cancer.
When a person is underweight or overweight, he might need to prepare a little extra when shopping for medical insurance plans. The quote can even be twice as high for people with obesity. That is why having a healthy BMI will help you enjoy standard insurance rates because you have higher chances of living longer.
3. PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
A pre-existing condition can either be a medical illness, usually chronic or long-term, or injury before the start date of your new health plan coverage. The question is, can health insurance companies reject your application when you have a pre-existing condition?
Depending on the insurer’s General Condition and government regulation, the insurer may or may not accept your plan application. They can accept you into the plan, but they have the choice whether to cover your pre-existing condition or put your pre-existing condition in the exclusion list, although some conditions can be covered after completing certain waiting period Therefore, if the insurer cannot cover it, the policyholder will need to shoulder all the costs related to his pre-existing condition.
4. FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY
Aside from your state of health, health insurance companies would also want to know your family’s medical history. When you are genetically susceptible to certain diseases such as cancer and heart problems, there is a chance that your insurance premium will go up. But in most cases, it does not happen.
Medical insurance companies generally ask this to have a better understanding of your overall health. This will also determine the eligibility and pricing of your policy. Having a clean record on family’s health background should not worry a person who is applying for medical insurance.
5. SMOKING OR TOBACCO USE
According to the Centers and Disease Control Prevention, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States — causing 480,000 deaths each year. Smoking increases health risks and impacts the cost of your medical coverage.
Generally, health insurance companies charge high premiums to smokers, tobacco users, and people who have used tobacco for the last 12 months. This is because they are considered high-risk insurance buyers as compared to non-smokers. In the worst-case scenario, a person who smokes 2-4 cigarette packets a day may be rejected for a medical insurance plan.
6. PROFESSION OR OCCUPATION
Your job has major implications for your medical insurance policy. A job that is considered high-risk has higher premiums because it jeopardizes the insured individual’s life. Sometimes, a person with risky activities can be disqualified for coverage at all. Some jobs with hazardous duties are miners, deep divers, firefighters, airline pilots, and those working in high-rise construction.
Why is a higher premium charged for certain occupations? A restaurant manager who does not travel for his job has low-risk factors as opposed to a cruise line worker who may experience dangerous sea-related calamities. Accident-related risks increase a person’s probability of facing critical injuries or earlier-than-normal death, therefore, you have to pay more.
7. LOCATION OF STAY
Healthcare costs differ in every country or state. So when purchasing for medical insurance, where you live could affect your policy. Certain geographical locations have high premium rates due to a lack of healthy food options, shared climate, and health issues.
In the marketplace, there are numerous affordable options where you can choose a local or international healthcare plan. With international plans, you do not have to worry about moving to a different country because you have the freedom to choose which area you would like to be covered.
International Healthcare That Is Tailored to Your Specific Needs
When shopping for a healthcare plan, anyone is looking for the best value. Knowing these factors can affect your policy, it is now much easier to assess how much cost you would need to shell out for your protection. That is why it is important to research about the medical insurance company or simply talk to an insurance broker to sort out which plan works out best for you and your budget.
If you are looking for affordable yet comprehensive international healthcare, EasyCare+ International Health Plans gives you world-class protection wherever you are. Each plan is tailored for your specific needs. For as low as $28/month, you can have access to a network of over 10,000 doctors, hospitals, and clinics in more than 150 countries.
Contact us to get in touch with our Brokers or Get a Quote now.
Since 2008, A+ International Healthcare has been providing best-in-class medical health plans around the world. To know more about our products and services, visit http://www.aplusii.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates.
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Bali is Indonesia’s all-time favorite beach destination. Aside from their own unique culture, tourists flock here because of its stunning volcanic mountains, famous rice paddies, long stretches of beaches, and coral reefs. Last 2019, there were 6.3 million tourists direct arrivals in Bali alone.
The best time to visit Bali is during the summer months of June, July, and August. These are the times when the weather is driest and most days are sunny. Many Westerners love this island because it is an ideal warm-weather getaway.
However, beautiful places like Bali are not always a paradise. There are some factors that should be on your radar and not overlooked.
- Earthquakes and tsunamis because of active volcanoes
- Pickpocketing and thievery, just like in any other tourist-centric countries
- Red-flagged beaches where there are dangerous riptides
- Extreme water sports activities that are risky for beginners
- Uncovered manholes or drains
Accidents can still happen even on vacations
Accidents of any kind can ruin someone’s perfectly planned vacation in a snap. It becomes much more difficult when you are in a foreign country because the place is unfamiliar and sometimes, the language could be the barrier.
To reduce the stress and inconvenience when an accident occurs during your out-of-the-country holiday, take these necessary steps:
- Call the local emergency number (e.g. 911) immediately if you can or notify someone about the accident.
- Seek medical care whether or not you are severely injured. Even if you feel okay, the physician may find injuries that could worsen the case if not properly treated.
- If you have a health insurance plan, contact them to help you prepare regarding your medical treatment especially if you are in a worse condition.
Our client’s serious accident while staying in Bali, Indonesia
What is supposed to be a perfect summer holiday in Bali turned out to be a nightmare for our client — it was last June 13, 2020, when his most unexpected experience happened.
He got a sudden accident which seriously harmed his brain, sternum, ribs, and liver. A major injury like this is considered life-threatening and should be treated as soon as possible. As part of the emergency procedure, he was admitted to Local Private Hospital and then confined in the High Dependence Unit. The hospital contacted our 24×7 emergency assistance hotline and our medical advisor made the necessary arrangements to process the admission and surgery.
Healthcare plans come in handy when you least expect it
Aside from stress and trauma, a critical medical situation like this can badly affect a person’s financial stability without a healthcare plan. Thankfully, our client has been an Easy Care+ policyholder since November 2018. All of the medical expenses incurred in this accident were 100% paid(1), therefore, there were no out-of-pocket and additional expenses made.
His Easy Care Plan includes an Accident Cover which took care of all the medical expenses(1) for his hospital admission and surgery procedure. It includes the doctor’s fees, hospital stays, use of operating and recovery rooms, medical treatment, internal prosthetic devices, lodging, and final expenses. For people who enjoy activity hobbies, jobs, or any team sport, getting an international healthcare plan should be an essential thing to consider.
Worldwide coverage for as low as $28/month
Staying sharp at all times and avoiding potential dangers are important to prevent bad things from happening. But sometimes, no matter how careful you are, unexpected mishaps can still take place and they are something we cannot control. When staying in and out of your home country, a comprehensive International Healthcare Plan is a must to secure yourself and your income.
A+ International Health Plans includes an Accident Cover which pays all the medical expenses due to an accident(1). For as low as $28/month, EasyCare+ gives you international protection, whether you plan to travel or if you want to get the best healthcare locally. Each of our health plans is tailored to your specific needs. You can have access to a network of over 10,000 doctors, hospitals, and clinics in more than 150 countries.
Contact us to get in touch with our Brokers or Get a Quote now.
(1) Maximum reimbursement amount up to the plan limit.
Since 2008, A+ International Healthcare has been providing best-in-class medical health plans around the world. To know more about our products and services, visit http://www.aplusii.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates.
In today’s fast-paced lifestyle and especially with the ongoing pandemic, a healthcare plan has become a necessity to safeguard your savings, protect your family, fight lifestyle diseases, and insure early to secure yourself when unforeseen health incidents take place.
With the rising cost of medical expenses and access to good medical facilities may be limited, locally or internationally, having an insurance policy can be extremely useful in any medical exigencies.
A healthcare plan is medical insurance coverage that generally pays for medical, surgical, prescription drugs, and sometimes dental expenses incurred by the insured. When the insured gets an illness or injury, he can reimburse the expenses or the healthcare provider will pay the care directly.
The importance of having a healthcare plan
Insuring yourself with a healthcare plan is the best way to protect you and your family from financial strain in the event of serious illness or accident. For example, a person who has no healthcare plan suddenly suffered a broken arm. The diagnosis and non-surgical treatment for this condition can cost up to $2,500 or more. And if it requires surgery, the cost can escalate to a minimum of $16,000.
If you have health insurance, you can:
- Avoid paying a large sum of medical expenses
- Get treated as soon as possible in case of accidents and emergencies
Visit your doctor to get the care you need to stay healthy and prevent serious illnesses - Have peace of mind knowing that you are protected if anything happens
Things to consider before getting one
Choosing the right plan for you can be confusing and complicated. With a lot of things to consider such as coverage and care, how do you make the right choice? Here are the major things you need to know:
- Know your coverage needs. The very first thing to keep in mind is how much each plan will pay to cover your medical expenses and what coverage you want, or you need. Is general ward or semi-private room hospital accommodation acceptable to you? Do you prefer to be treated locally or internationally especially in high cost with high expertise places like Hong Kong, USA or Canada? Think also of all the possible scenarios that can happen unexpectedly, like cancer, injury or an accident. While the coverage may seem high at first, you may be shocked at how quickly you will reach that limit if you were to face a critical health issue in the future.
- Consider Inpatient only or Inpatient + Outpatient cover. In your policy, there are two types of hospital care that it may cover: inpatient and outpatient care. Inpatient care is a medical service that requires admission into a hospital or medical facility such as treating a surgery, organ transplants, and staying in the ICU. Outpatient care does not require a prolonged stay at a facility, like scheduled health checkups or visits to clinics. Do you only need inpatient care or both? It’s important to know it in your plan.
- Consider out-of-pocket expenses. List down the things that you need to pay on your own because they are not covered by insurance. Your out-of-pocket expenses may include:
- Deductibles. Before your insurance starts to help pay for covered services, there is a certain amount of money you must spend beforehand and it’s called a deductible.
- Copayment. This is a fixed amount covered for a medical service. For example, you are required to pay $30 each time you visit your primary care doctor or specialist.
- Coinsurance. Check your insurance policy if it has a coinsurance amount. This out-of-pocket expense is typically 80/20. You might have to pay 20% while your insurance provider will cover the remaining 80%.
- Decide if it’s a local or international plan. The insurance plan that best suits you strongly depends on personal situation. Consider these things: your way of work, your current health, the quality of the local healthcare systems and hospitals, and your need to travel frequently or change the country of residence.
- Total your maximum costs against your budget. Now, add up all the costs you need to end up paying for each plan you’re interested in. This includes monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. If you know that you are in poor health or want to make sure that you will not suffer from expensive medical costs due to an accident, you may opt to go with a plan that has higher premiums or more coverage.
- Get an expert advice to fine tune the policy that is right for you. When after all the research, computations and considerations but you still cannot decide or still confused which plan to get, it is always wise to get advice from any qualified partners or insurance brokers to help you customize the plan according to your needs and resources.
Why Choose an International Healthcare Plan?
In general, having an international healthcare plan is like having the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy high-quality medical coverage in your home country and at the same time, get protected wherever you are around the world. No matter what happens, world-class care is within reach.
An international healthcare coverage may sound expensive but it does not have to be. With A+ International Health Plans, you can have access to a network of 10,000 doctors, hospitals, and clinics in more than 150 countries. Each of our health plans is tailored to your specific needs. For as low as $28/month, EasyCare+ gives you international protection, whether you plan to travel or if you want to get the best healthcare locally.
Contact us to get in touch with our Brokers or Get a Quote now.
Since 2008, A+ International Healthcare has been providing best-in-class medical health plans around the world. To know more about our products and services, visit http://www.aplusii.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates.
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