InsureMe Offers Tips for Online Health Insurance Shopping

by Megan Mahan

DENVER-June 21, 2006-With the nation's uninsured at an estimated 45 million adults, InsureMe, the leading online insurance shopping service, is offering tips for using the Web to find health insurance that's both affordable and provides sufficient coverage.

Before applying for health insurance quotes, InsureMe recommends looking into the types of health plans that are available, as well as identifying the coverages that the consumer needs from a policy, such as coverage for pre-existing or chronic conditions.

"Knowing what you need from the outset will help you find the right policy-and quicken the insurance shopping process," says InsureMe president and former insurance agent, Tim McTavish.

Shoppers can find the health insurance information they need by visiting the InsureMe Insurance Resource Center, which contains health insurance information as it pertains to each state.

Comparing multiple policies and plan prices is also central to finding the right insurance; online insurance shopping services like InsureMe.com now allow consumers to apply online and receive free health insurance quotes from local insurance agents. And while price is foremost on the minds of many shoppers, the company also encourages people to pay careful attention to plan coverages before selecting a policy.

"Shoppers should always make sure that a policy protects them from major medical expenses like surgery and emergency care," adds McTavish. "Medical debt still accounts for about half of all personal bankruptcies in this country."

While coverage of major medical expenses should be top priority when it comes to shopping for health insurance, shoppers should also identify their personal medical needs and evaluate policy coverages accordingly.

Among coverages to look for, consumers should see if a policy covers:

•  Inpatient hospital services
• Office and physician visits
•  Preventative care and check-ups
• Maternity and infant care
• Medical tests and x-rays
• Prescription drugs
• Mental health services
• Substance abuse treatment
• Speech and physical therapy
• Pre-existing conditions of plan members

Once a consumer has decided on a policy, it's important to ask the agent about a "free look period." Free look periods allow consumers to return the policy and receive a full refund if the policy doesn't meet expectations. Depending on the state, free look periods extend from 10 to 30 days after the policy has been signed.

In addition to the Insurance Resource Center, insurance shoppers can find more information about health insurance and insurance-related topics at the InsureMe Insurance Blog, which is updated daily with insurance news and shopping tips.