Low Cost Health Insurance

Advantages and Disadvantages

At the moment healthcare costs in the U.S are spiraling out of control. Health insurance premiums are going up and most people now cannot even afford basic health care insurance. Low cost health insurance is an affordable alternative to normal health insurance coverage.
So what exactly is low cost health insurance? Well, low cost health insurance is basically insurance available at a more affordable or low rate. Here the premium that you pay is a small amount. With low cost health insurance, you do not have to really worry about the medical bills that you will incur. The main aim of low cost health insurance coverage is to look after the health of yourself and your family in an inexpensive manner.
However there are some big disadvantages to low cost health insurance. This is because as you are paying lower premiums this means that you are getting less benefits and coverage.
So what is a good health insurance policy? A good health insurance policy contains several types of coverage. Basic insurance includes hospital, surgical, and physicians' expense. In addition, major medical coverage is necessary in case of an accident or illness. These may be purchased separately, but you will get more complete coverage if they are combined in a single policy.

Basic Coverage

Hospital expense insurance pays for your room and board costs if you are hospitalized. Additionally this insurance typically covers other expenses, such as use of the operating room, x-rays, drugs, anesthesia, and laboratory charges.
Surgical Expense Insurance
Surgical expense insurance pays surgeons' fees and costs related to surgery. Related costs may include assistant surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, or operating room charges. Surgical expense benefits are generally paid according to a set schedule.
Physicians' Expense Insurance
Physicians' expense insurance pays for visits to a doctor's office or hospital visits. Usually, the health policy specifies a maximum number of visits per injury or illness.
Major Medical Insurance
Major medical insurance is designed to protect against major accidents or illness. It is usually a broad policy with high maximum benefits. Most major medical policies provide at least $250,000 of coverage. And although coverage can vary from one plan to plan, the following are included in most major medical policies:
Hospital services and supplies (medical and surgical)
Hospital room and board, including intensive and cardiac care
Physicians' services (diagnostic, medical, and surgical)
Nursing services
Other medical practitioners' services
Anesthesia and anesthesiologists' fees
Ambulance service
Laboratory and diagnostic tests, including x-rays
Radiology and other therapy
Blood and plasma
Oxygen
Dental treatment resulting from injury
Prescription drugs
Outpatient services
Convalescent nursing home care
Home health care
Purchase of prosthetic devices
Casts, splints, and crutches
However when people opt for low cost health care, they get very few of these benefits which can be detrimental to their health. And if they develop any fatal diseases such as cancer or AIDS their health insurance does not cover any expenses.
So while low cost health insurance is fine for some, it has plenty of disadvantages as well.