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Monday, January 12, 2009

Group Vs. Individual Health Insurance

By Jeff Cline

There are Pros and Cons to buying individual health insurance versus accepting your employer group plan. In order for you to make an informative decision we will touch on some of the main pros and cons in this article. By reviewing these pros and cons you should be able to make a decision with confidence that you have thought through thoroughly.

On a group policy it is often difficult to afford coverage for dependents, because the employer does not pay a portion. Even your rates can be expensive if you employer does not share much of the cost for you or the plan they offer is very expensive. With the rising cost of health insurance these are trends we are seeing.

Individual health insurance premiums are typically more affordable then group premiums. This rule is not true for everyone however. Carriers set rates according to factors such as age, location and medical conditions. So if you or your dependent is 55 and has a few medical conditions you may get the best rates through the group policy.

There are times Group Insurance can end up cheaper and your only option. If you have a medical condition that is causing the individual carrier to significantly increase your rate or refuse coverage Group is the way to go. Group Insurance can not decline you coverage based on your medical condition.

If it is freedom you like, than an individual plan is probably a good choice. They have many plans, many benefits and many customizable additions. You just pick and choose, find what suits your needs and get what you pay for. No more, no less.

How would you like to be told what benefits you will have, which providers you can see and how much your going to pay. With group insurance this is what you get. You do not get the freedom to decide these factors. You can not even add a dependent unless it is the right time of the year.

Individual carriers offer bundling of benefits which make it really nice. For example, say you would like medical and dental coverage. You can bundle them as a package and pay one premium. They often offer vision, life and maternity as an add on as well.

As you can see there are many factors you should ponder before deciding which option is best for you and your family. You should take some time to think about your budget, medical conditions and what is important to you.

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