Health Insurance
Especially in a declining economy, health insurance remains one of the most important commodities you can possess. Because medical expenses continue to climb and affordable health insurance has become scarce, we are currently in the midst of a health care crisis and revolution.

While 45 million remain uninsured or underinsured, the U.S. government is proposing plans to radically restructure the health insurance and health care delivery systems. As individuals, we need to be more accountable for our own health and become proactive in minimizing our health care expenses, as the future of health care is no more certain than a shimmering mirage on the distant horizon.

Pre-existing Conditions Exclusions
Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and many other disorders can be conditions which last a lifetime and can become more expensive to treat after many years, representing a significant cost burden on insurance companies. Many insurers reject applications for coverage from new clients who have these problems. As a result, you may find it more difficult to find an insurer who will not decline your request for coverage.

People who are able to enroll in group medical insurance plans through a new employer have an easier road to travel since the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPA, in existence since 1997. Since this legislation was set in motion, insurers have a time limit within which they can legally apply the pre-existing condition limitation. Under these guidelines, insurers cannot limit coverage for pre-existing conditions for more than 12 months from enrollment, or 18 months from late enrollment.

Comparison of HMO and PPO
While HMOs are the most popular health insurance plans in the country, there are differences between PPOs and POSs that may be good reasons to compare them.

HMO – Health Maintenance Organization
An HMO is a group of doctors and health care facilities which participate in a contractual agreement to provide out-patient care, in-patient care, and surgical treatment to members who pay a monthly fee. Members choose a primary doctor for basic health services. If a member requires the services of a specialist, he must obtain a referral from his primary provider. Besides a monthly fee, the member pays a nominal co-payment at the time of each office visit.

The advantage for such a system is low cost for the member. The disadvantage may be that access to specialists requires consultation and referral from your primary provider. You may find that treatment options are limited and more regulated due to cost-containment issues.

PPO – Preferred Provider Organization
A PPO is an organization of health care providers which contracts with a particular employer, group of hospitals, or insurer to provide medical service to that particular entity. The benefit of such an arrangement is that members are only charged reduced rates for services as they are given, after which the employer or sponsoring insurance company reimburses the member, minus any applying co-pay.

The advantage is that PPO members are not required to receive treatment from only PPO providers, although it is economically advantageous. The insurer may only reimburse you 70 percent for seeing a provider outside the network, while visits to providers within the PPO network are usually reimbursed 90 percent. The downside of the PPO turns out to be cost; co-pays are higher and other out of pocket expenses, like meeting deductibles are greater than for HMOs.

Strategies for the Unemployed Seeking Health Insurance
In some situations, the unemployed can avail themselves of the insurance coverage available through COBRA, which allows people to purchase the same coverage as was in effect through their employer's group policy for a period of time. This will give a person a cushion in which medical coverage will be in effect while he finds a new job and group insurance.

In other situations, more affordable health insurance can be obtained if you are a member of a trade organization, such as through the National Organization for the Self-Employed. It goes without saying that you need to be abundantly informed of the pros and cons before committing to any health insurance plan.

Universal Health Insurance
There has been much talk about the health care reform which President Obama plans to initiate in the near future, and staying informed is your responsibility. When the time comes for you to decide to "jump on board" the new health care system or keep what you have, it will pay to be up-to-the-minute with the facts, pro and con.

Under the projected plan, everyone will have access to free health care, the cost of which will be managed by the U.S. government. Funds to pay for this system will come from decreasing the tax breaks currently applied to higher income brackets. Those who choose to remain with their current health insurance will be free to do so. The intended goal will be for the 45 million of us who now are unable to pay for health care will receive it without cost. Even a partial success will undoubtedly improve the health of millions and save thousands of lives.

Preventive Medicine
The single most effective method for reducing health care costs and improving the health of the people of the U.S. and the world is for all of us to learn how to take responsibility for our own health and employ every means we have to prevent illness and disease. Through the insistence on a healthy diet, exercise and the elimination or avoidance of harmful habits, we can improve our health and prolong our lives.