AnyExpert

Health Savings Accounts started to become available (and legal) in 2004, allowing people with high-deductible insurance policies to set aside tax-free money to fund medical expenses up to the maximum deductible amount. If you don’t have to use the funds, it rolls over every year. Once you reach age 65, you no longer are required to use it for medical expenses, although you certainly can; you can withdraw funds under the same conditions as a regular IRA. Although you will be penalized if you use the funds for non-medical expenses prior to age 65, you can use the money for vision care, alternative medicine or treatment and dental care. For 2008, an individual may fund up to $2,900 tax free. The maximum deductible would be $1100\ and the maximum out-of-pocket cost would be $5,600. For a family, the maximum tax-free contribution is $5,800 with the maximum deductible of $2,200 and the maximum out-of-pocket cost would be $11,200. Health Savings Accounts are certainly a viable way ...

Disability insurance policies are designed to pay part of your wages should you be injured in an accident or are unable to work because of illness. Here are two types of policies available: long-term disability and short-term disability. Short term disability pays a portion of your wages should you be out of work due to injury for up to one year. Some employers pay for this benefit for their employees, some offer it for employees to purchase. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the time to enroll is during the initial enrollment period when a medical exam is not required. Replacement of wages is only partial; insurance underwriters, as well as your employer, want you back at work as soon as possible. Usually there is a waiting period of 14 days in which you will not receive payment. Long term disability policies are purchased to replace what your potential earnings would be from the time you become disabled until age 65 when Medicare would be available. For instanc...

Many people don’t actually read the policy for the policy plan book; they may not be aware that the policy may pay 100% of certain procedures, like annual physicals, mammograms, flu shots or certain labs tests. The policy plan book will outline for you what procedures are not subject to the deductible or co-pay (your out-of-pocket expense). Some insurance companies have shifted their emphasis from health insurance to health improvement and maintenance and will pay for the cost of gym membership, nutritional counseling or plans to stop smoking. If you were trying to lose weight and knew that you could get these services at no cost, wouldn’t you take advantage of them? If you wanted to quit smoking, wouldn’t it be beneficial to know that you could get the patch for free? It is very wise to know what services are available to you through your insurance company, and you will only know if you take the time to read through your policy. Health insurance is an expensive item; tak...