Health insurance is a type of insurance wherein one party agrees to pay for health care or medical services in exchange for premium payments. It can sometimes cover disabilities, custodial care or even long-term nursing needs. Before the advancement of health insurance, health care costs have become a burden to all patients because they were expected to pay for their expenses right from their own pockets. This utilized the business model called fee-for-service. Fortunately, in 1694, the concept of health insurance was born and its main proponent was Hugh the Elder Chamberlen who traced his lineage to the Peter Chamberlen family who happen to be a family of doctors. As early as the 19th century, "accident insurance" was already available. It worked much like the modern disability insurance. This continued on up until the 20th century in some places like California. As health insurance developed, it can now cover the preventive, routine and emergency health care measures plus the majority of prescription drugs the patient needs.

Health insurance can save you a lot of time and money but not when you skip coverage. Believe it or not, a minor car accident can exhaust your savings. Think of a major illness. It can definitely bring you to bankruptcy. If you happen to chance upon an offering of a group insurance especially when it is employer-subsidized, have no second thoughts on grabbing it even if you are healthy and young; but more so if you are not. Most of the time, this is a best deal you can get compared to what you can acquire on your own. One of the most important things to do before getting insurance is to compare its coverage with others. Remember, there is no standard coverage so benefits and cost vary from plan to plan. Study it thoroughly and find the best deal you can get. Talking about premiums, it does not follow that the lowest premium is the cheapest plan. Still, coverage is important. When you pay for the coverage you will use, that is eventually the cheapest plan you have.

Health insurance can be beneficial if you know how it works. If not, you are only wasting your money, time and effort in paying for your premiums. You are like putting money on a pocket or a purse with holes. Better yet put it on your savings account for the mean time if you are indecisive about what plan to choose. With the help of your insurance agent, you can eventually choose the insurance that is best for you.
Tags: health, insurance, disabilities, accident