Preferred provider organization (PPO) health plans offer more flexibility and freedom of choice than other options like HMOs. But the convenience comes at a cost. Weigh the pros and cons to see if a PPO is right for your healthcare needs. What is a PPO Health Insurance Plan? A PPO is a type of medical … Read more
When you receive medical care, someone has to foot the bill. The entity that pays your medical costs is known as the insurance payer. Payers play a critical role in healthcare by providing coverage and reimbursing providers. But what exactly is an insurance payer? And what different types of payers are there? This article will … Read more
The health insurance marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers consumers a range of plan options from various insurance carriers. One common question is whether preferred provider organization (PPO) plans are available on the marketplace. The short answer is yes – PPOs are one of the plan types offered through the insurance marketplace. … Read more
Healthcare financing in the United States involves a mix of private and public funding through employers, government programs, and out-of-pocket payments by individuals. But there is ongoing debate around who should bear the costs of healthcare. This article examines the current US healthcare funding model, its pros and cons, and arguments around who should foot … Read more
Progressive’s loyalty program offers various benefits and discounts to customers who have been with them for years. One of the higher status levels in this program is called Diamond Level Progressive. This article will explain everything you need to know about Diamond Level Progressive, including: Overview of Progressive’s Loyalty Program Requirements to Reach Diamond Level … Read more
Having health insurance is supposed to make healthcare more affordable. But it’s not uncommon for hospitals to charge insured patients more for the same procedures than uninsured patients pay in cash. Why does this backwards-seeming practice happen? The Role of Chargemasters Part of the reason lies in hospital chargemasters. These are comprehensive lists of prices … Read more
Seeing terms like “30 after deductible” on your health plan documents can be confusing. What do these numbers actually mean and how do they impact what you pay for healthcare? The “30 after deductible” refers to your coinsurance – the percentage you pay for care after meeting your deductible. Let’s break down what this means … Read more
Medicare offers vital health coverage for Americans aged 65 and over. But higher-income seniors pay more for certain parts of Medicare based on their earnings. So what are the income limits before you’ll owe surcharges? Medicare uses a tiered system of income brackets to determine who pays standard premiums versus extra costs. The 2023 income … Read more
Allstate is known for its captive agency force of exclusive agents who only sell Allstate insurance products. However, Allstate also maintains an independent agency program that appoints independent agents to represent the company. So the short answer is yes, Allstate does appoint independent agents, but with some caveats. A Brief History of Allstate’s Independent Agency … Read more
An insurance contract involves a legally binding agreement between an insurance company and a policyholder. For the agreement to be valid and enforceable, it must contain certain essential elements as required by insurance law and regulations. This article provides an overview of the key elements that comprise an insurance contract. Basic Contract Elements Like all … Read more