For Valentine’s Day, eTNHealthinsurance Answers 3 Top Questions New Couples Have about Healthcare

Feb. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Those who pop the “Will you marry me?” question or say “I do” this Valentine’s Day are going to need answers about how to plan for the rising cost of family healthcare.  To get them started, eTNHealthinsurance answers the three most frequently-asked questions that new couples have about how to secure a long, healthy life together.

The Top Three Questions from New Couples about Tennessee Health Insurance

Question #1:  “Since we’re healthy, do we really need health insurance?”

Answer:  Unfortunately, apparent health can be deceiving and it’s no indication of potential accidental injury.  Not planning for the possibility of a medical crisis is a huge gamble with the price of healthcare today.  Bankruptcies resulting from medical debt increased by almost 50 percent from 2001 to 2007, according to The American Journal of Medicine.

Question #2:  “Is it cheaper to keep separate policies or to get a family plan?”

Answer:  eTNHealthinsurance encourages couples to compare options from several leading insurers because whether or not family rates beat individual rates depends on the plan.

The president of eTNHealthinsurance, Wiley Long, says, “an Assurant PPO with a $25,000 deductible currently runs $42.95 for a man born in 1980 and $58.79 for a woman born in the same year.  The family plan with an individual $25,000 deductible / $50,000 family deductible runs $86.46, which is $15.28 less per month than the total $101.74 premiums if the couple has separate plans.”

In contrast, Long notes, “a BlueCross BlueShield PPO with a $7,500 deductible runs $43.50 for a man and $63.62 for a woman born in 1980, which adds up to $107.12 in combined monthly premiums.  Premiums for the BCBS family plan with a $7,500 individual deductible / $22,000 family deductible are also exactly $107.12.”

Question #3:  “Can we get a family plan if one of us has health problems?”

Answer:  In the individual market, insurers can decline applications if either one of the couple has health problems, but that is scheduled to change in 2014.  That is not the case with group health insurance plans, which are sometimes available through employers.  In Tennessee, those who are self-employed and have no employees are not eligible to buy a group health plan.  Tennesseans who have been unable to get health insurance for six months may apply for coverage with the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan program.  More information about that is available at https://www.pcip.gov/StatePlans.html#StateInformation.

Since the risk of being uninsured or underinsured is among the bigger challenges facing couples today, eTNHealthinsurance urges them to weigh all of their options.  That begins by learning how Tennessee health insurance policies work.  A primer on the basics can be found at http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/how-to-guide.htm.  Comparing coverage from several different, financially-strong insurance companies is the next step.  Ratings from independent organizations like A.M. Best can be found by clicking the names of insurance companies at http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/tennessee-insurance-pla.... Couples may also arrange for personal telephone consultations to discuss their situation with a licensed agent at no charge at http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/appointment-set-form.htm.

# # #

About eTNHealthinsurance:

eTNHealthinsurance has become a leader in providing educational resources that enable Tennessee families, individuals and small businesses to keep their healthcare costs low. Online research of how to keep premiums low is available at http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/how-to-guide.htm and http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/health-savings-accounts-in-tennessee.php.

eTNHealthinsurance also provides extensive tools to lower healthcare costs that are not covered by insurance at http://www.eTNHealthinsurance.com/additional-benefits.htm.

Tennessee small business owners and residents seeking individual health insurance plans may use eTNHealthinsurance’s instant quotes and online applications. They may also schedule consultations with expert independent advisors to compare coverage options by calling 1-877-224-2052 from 8 AM until 10 PM Central.