Insurance for Pregnant Women: Health Insurance for Pregnant Women

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 September 2011 05:28 Written by Natural Health Team Thursday, 29 September 2011 05:28

Health Information about Insurance for Pregnant Women: Health Insurance for Pregnant Women

Her next stoppage is the motherhood, because she is pregnant. The pregnant woman will be a mother tomorrow. She requires careful treatment.

Medical or health insurance is very important form of insurance for all the people irrespective of gender or age. Medical or health insurance is the proper form of insurance for the pregnant women. Nevertheless, when a woman is already pregnant, the health insurance companies do not want to provide her with new policies of insurance. Insurance companies want to learn if the particular woman is pregnant by this time and if she has not purchased an insurance policy already. The insurance companies expected that women must acquire health or medical insurance policy before they are pregnant.

It happens that many women do not buy any policy of health insurance before they are pregnant. Now, one may ask if it is possible for these women to secure any insurance policy. One should know that pregnant women can also go for buying a medical insurance policy. They are requested to go through the following lines in order to learn how to get a health insurance policy although they are already pregnant.

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Companies selling health insurance policies have created plenty of web sites on the internet where they have provided relevant materials on medical insurance policies for the pregnant women. Those materials contain information about insurance for the pregnant women in details. They contain provisions assured by the medical insurance companies, and one can find several quotes of insurance policies with terms and conditions. It is a fact that the insurance market is highly competitive. Women who are already pregnant should visit those web sites and try to find out any favorable option suitable to their necessity and financial strength.

Some health insurance companies provide special options for those pregnant women who are from weaker economic background. This is for the benefit of the poor women.

Women should be patient when they will visit the insurance web sites on the internet. They require writing down contact numbers of a few insurance agents. Then, it is their task to seek appointment and engage in discussion with those agents. The pregnant woman seeking insurance policies should ask various pertinent questions. The terms and conditions for various policies should be clear to them. They must know if discounts are available. The pregnant woman should also learn how they will have to move for claiming the finance on maturity.

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Life, and insurance, after breast cancer

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 11:27 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 28 September 2011 11:27

Health Information about Life, and insurance, after breast cancer

Breast cancer strikes fear in women’s hearts. It is the leading cause of cancer in women, with 207,090 women expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year alone, and is expected to claim the lives of more than 40,000 women in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society. Many of its victims are scarred by the trauma of going through treatments and possibly losing part of their womanhood.

But there is cause for hope. The likelihood of surviving the disease and subsequently getting life insurance has improved over the last several years.

As a result of earlier detection, improved treatment and decreased incidence, death rates from breast cancer have been steadily decreasing since 1999, according to Cancer Facts & Figures 2010—Atlanta: American Cancer Society report.

Survivors can obtain life insurance after they’ve been successfully treated for the disease. How long after depends on a number of factors including the stage or severity of the cancer, whether it spread to other organs and if it is a repeat cancer, says Anna Hart, principal and consulting underwriter with ARH Consulting in Eastland, Tex.

“Those with small, early stage, good risk breast cancer can get life insurance as soon as they have completed treatment and had a follow-up visit. For a later stage breast cancer, the postpone period may be 2-5 years. For more advanced breast cancer and recurrent breast cancer, the postpone period may be 5-10 years,” says Dr. Ann Hoven, chief medical director of The Hartford’s Individual Life Division. She says insurance companies don’t look at the type of treatment used to cure the cancer—mastectomy versus chemotherapy—but at its overall success.

Life insurance companies base their charges on several rating categories, with preferred plus being the best and cheapest and substandard the lowest and most expensive. Hart says most survivors would be offered standard rates. Some companies will offer preferred rates for Stage 1 cancer and after a minimum of 10 years without reoccurrence, she says. She says those with recurring cancer are generally uninsurable.

Those with cancer in both breasts have a higher risk and therefore, a higher rating, than those with cancer in just one breast, Hoven adds. Hart says family history is considered as a screen for preferred exclusion, but not for possible denial. Hart says both men and women breast cancer survivors receive the same rates. Survivors could be eligible for both term and whole life insurance.

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If you’ve been denied life insurance in the past, Hart and Hoven recommend you try again, provided your treatments are completed and you’ve undergone the wait period. Hoven urges women to get annual mammograms and screenings for other cancers, following a healthy diet and exercise routine and taking care of other health issues like high blood pressure to improve your chances of getting life insurance.

If you’re still undergoing treatment, Hoven says The Hartford can often offer a joint life policy if your spouse/partner is in good health.

The American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute and U.S. Food and Drug Administration agree there is no good scientific evidence to support this claim. The ACS says an epidemiologic study of this issue published in 2002 found no link between breast cancer risk and antiperspirant or deodorant use. Another study published in 2003 reported younger women who were diagnosed with breast cancer said they used antiperspirants and started shaving their underarms earlier and more often than women who were diagnosed when they were older. But this study did not include a control group of women without breast cancer and has been criticized by experts, the ACS reports.

The ACS says there are no scientifically valid studies that show wearing bras of any type causes breast cancer. The claim making its way through e-mails appears to be based on the writings of a husband and wife team of medical anthropologists who link breast cancer to wearing a bra. However, their study was not conducted according to standard principles of epidemiological research and did not take into consideration other variables, including known risk factors for breast cancer, the ACS notes.

This e-mail myth is actually a very plausible description of a case of this rare disease, says the ACS’s medical editor, Ted Gansler. “I do not doubt that some cases of Paget’s disease might be initially overlooked and attributed to a benign skin condition,” Gansler states. Paget’s disease starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and then to the areola, the dark circle around the nipple. Paget’s disease accounts for only 1 percent of all cases of breast cancer. The skin of the nipple and areola often appears crusted, scaly, and red, with areas of bleeding or oozing. The woman may notice burning or itching. See a doctor if any change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling in the breast or underarm area, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk, the ACS recommends.

There have been several studies over the past 15 years evaluating children’s and adults’ residential exposure to electro-magnetic fields in relation to breast cancer, brain cancer and leukemia, most of which have been inconclusive, the National Cancer Institute says. Still, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recommends increasing the space between devices that emit EMFs, including TVs, microwaves and electric blankets, and yourself and discouraging children from playing near power lines. EMFs are emitted from devices that produce, transmit or use electric power.

Not true, says the NCI. Genes related to breast cancer can be inherited from your father’s side, too.

This article originally published on www.lifequotes.com.

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Buying Health Insurance For Women – How To Pay Less and Save More

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 11:28 Written by Natural Health Team Tuesday, 27 September 2011 11:28

Health Information about Buying Health Insurance For Women – How To Pay Less and Save More

Women, as a group, get far better deals on auto and life insurance. But once it comes to health insurance, a woman will attract higher rates than a male counterpart. Why is this so and what can a woman do to pay far less and get cheaper health insurance for women?

Pregnancy. We are NOT referring to the special care a woman needs when she’s pregnant we are referring to its toll on the woman’s health long after delivery. And, if you consider that a good number of women have several pregnancies in their life time, you’ll see it makes sense that their bodies require more health care attention.

Now, we must understand that insurance companies, like every other business out there, are out to make a profit. Miss this important fact and you’ll wonder why a lot of things are the way they are but there are still ways to get cheaper health insurance for women.

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If for example, 1 out of every 1,000 insureds within a profile makes a claim of ,000 within a year, they will still be profitable if each person in that group pays 0. This simply means that the higher the number of claims and the amount claimed per profile, the higher their rates will be.

As a profile, the female gender have shown that they make more health insurance claims (and higher amounts) than men. This invariably means that insurance companies will by default give you higher rates than a man of the same profile.

So how do you still attract cheaper rates as a woman?

Top among the many things you have to do are the following…

1. Quit alcohol, smoking and the use of tobacco in any form.

2. Quit dangerous games and sports.

3. Quit jobs that expose you to hazards.

4. Get in shape. Apart from the fact that you’ll look better, your rates will also be more manageable.

5. Exercise regularly.

6. Be happy. Happy people fall ill less often. In fact there are health conditions that are caused by unresolved resentment, bitterness and worry.

7. Get and compare quotes from a wide range of insurers. Different insurers have different loss and claims histories. Furthermore, they also have different weightings for the different factors that are used to determine your rates and doing this will get you cheap health insurance for women.

Remember there are over 2,000 insurance carriers in the US alone. This means that you might have 2,000 different rates for your profile. Some will bill you more; some less.

Will you pay more or less? It depends on how many quotes you get and how thoroughly you compare them. click here for cheap health insurance for women now.

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Health Insurance Maternity Preferences

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:28 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:28

Health Information about Health Insurance Maternity Preferences

Pregnancy and childbirth can be one of the most expensive times of a woman’s life, and this is why health insurance maternity features are very important. Most people will never even realize the exorbitant bill that sometimes racks up because of a pregnant woman’s need for constant check ups, not to mention all the buying that you will need to do for maternity clothes, pre-natal vitamins, etc. The woman’s food intake will also increase, and all the food that she will need to consume in order to make sure that her child will grow properly will cost a lot of money. Women also find it hard to make a living once they get pregnant because pregnant women are required to take a maternity leave once they reach their third trimester of pregnancy. To avoid getting yourself in a hard situation such as this, make sure that you already have the proper health insurance maternity features in your current health insurance plan, such as coverage for hospital bills and other related things.

The problem with some insurance companies is that it is hard for some women to apply for insurance once they are already pregnant, because this is considered as a pre-existing condition and it is not eligible for insurance coverage. If just being offered a job, a woman must always properly look over the insurance plan that she is being offered and she must make sure to take note of the maternity coverage options that they give. For a woman’s health insurance maternity needs, the insurance plan must cover everything, from the prenatal check ups right down to the hospital bills after the woman has given birth. Other things that do not concern the hospital and other such professional bills will be up to the woman to cover.

It may become necessary for you to switch health plans if you realize that the maternity features in your insurance plan are not what you need. In order to get yourself the proper insurance plan that will have you covered throughout your pregnancy, it is definitely smart to consult with a broker first. Contact a broker that is knowledgeable and comes highly recommended; only brokers with a good reputation are worth your time, especially when it comes to your and your child’s needs. To make sure that all your health insurance needs are met, specify that you need a plan that will cover your pregnancy from start to finish.

Remember that when it comes to health insurance, good maternity coverage is hard to come by. There are some discount options that are also available to you, such as making use of birthing centers, etc. Make sure to weigh your options carefully so that you can fully use all the health insurance maternity features you have in your plan.

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Mental Health Issues and Buying Insurance Policies

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 10:20 Written by Natural Health Team Tuesday, 20 September 2011 10:20

Health Information about Mental Health Issues and Buying Insurance Policies

If you or anyone you know has ever been through a mental health issue like depression, anxiety, burn-out or a more severe psychosis, you know how damaging it can be. The impact is not limited only to the person experiencing the problems, but also extends to friends and family who are trying to help and get caught up in the unhealthy environment. 

This article will briefly touch on how some very common mental health issues could affect your ability to qualify for different types of insurance. There are different risks associated with a certain disease and the type of risk you are insuring against (i.e. life insurance vs. disability insurance coverage). Hopefully this article will shed light on some of the issues.

When applying for life insurance, the insurance company is typically looking for healthy candidates to insure. If you have recently been diagnosed with a major illness, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. you cannot qualify for life insurance anymore. So what about a mental illness? These can come on very suddenly in a person’s life and last for many years, if not the rest of their life. Can you still qualify for life insurance if you have a condition like depression, anxiety, nervous breakdown or other similar diseases? The answer is really dependant on your current situation.

 If your diagnosis is very recent, you will most probably be postponed for life insurance coverage for about one year. This is due to the insurance company wanting to see how well you have responded to treatments and medication after a sufficient period of time. A condition like depression can quickly worsen and lead to some very serious negative outcomes, including suicide. Anxiety that is poorly managed can lead to terrible panic attacks, phobias, and other very unhealthy behaviours. Uncontrolled mental illnesses that are not treated or managed can lead to very unhealthy lifestyle choices. Even if the person was fit and healthy before their mental illness, they could easily become addicted to food, alcohol, drugs and other things. An insurance company will not want to take on this type of risk, as the chances of things going badly in the person’s life are too great.

On the flip side, if you are able to properly manage your disease, the outcome very often is living a normal healthy life. An insurance company looks for certain positive behaviours and activities that would lead them to believe you are dealing well with your mental health issues. Did you seek treatment, counselling or the help of your doctor? Did you take medication when appropriate, and have you responded well to the medication? Are you continuing to get ongoing treatment that is helping, and is your doctor on top of your mental condition? Do you see the doctor regularly to check in with your life and ability to cope with your stress levels? If these questions are answered positively, then yes you can get insurance. With a few years of good control of a mental health issue where you are functioning normally (with or without medication) you can expect to get your insurance with standard rates. Most insurance companies will not offer preferred rates to you if you are on medication, but you can qualify for a standard policy, like an average healthy Canadian.

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Disability insurance is a whole different type of risk protection, and the underwriting will be very different. With life insurance, the concern is whether or not your life expectancy is shortened or are you going to live as long as an average Canadian. Disability insurance is focused on the likelihood you will be able to work, and perform your job. Here a mental illness can be a serious problem for qualifying for the insurance.

The fastest growing disability insurance claim in the workforce today is mental health issues. Stress related issues like burn-out, nervous breakdown, anxiety and depression can very quickly make a person unable to work. These sorts of mental illnesses cost the employer and insurance companies billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and claims. The insurance company will take a mental health issue very seriously.

Here is what the insurance company will be looking for when underwriting a mental illness:

Have you recently been hospitalized for your mental illness?Have you lost time from work in the last 5 years because of your mental illness?Are you on medication, and if so, how has it been working for you?Do you require ongoing counselling and support to function, or are you living a normal life without extra support?How stressful is the type of work you do, and was it your job that contributed to you developing the mental illness?

All these questions and more would be answer in the insurance company’s underwriting investigation of your application. A doctor’s report would be ordered from your family doctor and if you have ever seen a psychiatrist or psychologist, a report from them would also be required to assess your case.

The best possible outcome would be you are managing your illness very well, and there is no likelihood of serious trouble, hospitalization, or any other break-down. In this case you could get a standard policy. If your doctors feel that you are still struggling with you condition and more therapy and/or medication is needed, you could either be declined your insurance or be offered coverage with an exclusion for mental health claims (no disability benefits would be paid if you went off work for a mental health issue).

It is best to apply for disability insurance when you are stable, and any serious problems you have experienced are behind you and life has returned to normal.

Very much like the previous two scenarios, getting a critical illness policy when you suffer from a mental illness all depends on your current prognosis. Critical illness insurance is concerned with the risk of you getting cancer, heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, and a whole host of other serious illnesses and injuries.

A very strong relationship between cardio vascular diseases (heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, etc.) and stress exists. Stress in a person’s life can become unmanageable, leading to physical symptoms. While you are still unstable and dealing with a mental health condition, you would be declined for critical illness insurance. The risks are too great that you could begin to suffer from physical symptoms related to an uncontrolled mental illness. Also, as stated before, a mental illness could lead to addictive or destructive behaviour, also worsening the health of a previously fit individual.

If you are controlling your mental illness and living a normal life, then you should qualify for critical illness insurance. There might be a small rating of 25 – 50% more premium than the average person since the risks of stress related chronic illnesses would still exists for you. This would still be a good offer considering what you have been through and what you will be dealing with for possibly the rest of your life.

, mental illness and mental health issues are very common. Insurance companies see these cases all the time and have a great deal of experience underwriting insurance for people who are suffering from and managing a mental illness. Just like any other illness, you can’t get the insurance while you are in the middle of a crisis. You can’t get the insurance when you have recently been in hospital or had a major event related to your mental illness. You need to be at a healthy and stable place in your life when you apply. You need to be in control of your life and your illness with a secure, if not bright, future ahead. We all know anything can happen to us at any time, and that is why we buy insurance. Your mental illness should not increase your risks when you apply, but should in effect be neutralized through treatment and control.

If you thought you were uninsurable because of a mental illness, it never hurts to get some professional advice. You can speak with us at Life Guard Insurance in the strictest confidence to see whether or not you could qualify for insurance and risk protection.

May is mental health awareness month, so here is a video showing my support to those who are suffering from a mental illness and my desire to spread awareness. **I am sorry for the poor quality
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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