Alternative Health Insurance

After reading the article submitted on Medi-share, we began to investigate the options Americans have for their insurance or bill sharing providers and found interesting research mentioned here. In a time when few Americans can afford their bills, purchasing health insurance can be a stressful decision and a long term commitment. Alternative health care, also known as Complementary or Alternative medicine (CAM) is alternative health care that your health care alternative insurance provider may disapprove for funding. Who are the top alternative health care insurance or Christian insurance providers?

Only 67% of Americans are satisfied with their health care plans. Consumer Reports

National Research Center studied 37, 481 customers to see what they loved and hated about their insurance providers. In the United States, there are two types of insurance providers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs), some of which provide alternative health insurance that customers are looking for. However, in an HMO, you can only visit a network doctor, which means one that is approved by the health insurance provider. Also, in an HMO you have to choose a PCP, which is a primary care provider to be your doctor. If your doctor does not believe in alternative health care therapies, you may be left to cover the cost on your own!

PPOs choose preferred providers across America that people can choose to exercise their plans of alternative health care, general health care or health care alternative. You do not need a primary care physician but you will have to pay an annual deductible and also a copayment for your visit.

Top Insurance Providers

According to Consumer Reports in the United States, those in HMOs paid less than PPOs by over $500 per year.  The top rated HMOs in the United States are Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Excellus and Independent, which had the highest ratings for care of doctors and choice of doctors. Choice is especially important when you want to go to an alternative health care provider. To get the best coverage you need, for alternative health insurance companies, take a look at the options below.

If you really want to check out alternative health insurance providers and see if they will work the way you need them to, check out reportcard.ncqa.org, which will show you the best services and their ratings.

Christian Medi-share bill sharing

Christian Medi-share is another health care alternative that most people do not think to consider. Medi-share is not insurance; it is a caring community that shares in each others medical cost who have the same religious beliefs about the Bible. Alternative health insurance providers and Christian health providers are not all the same. Medi-share is the Biblical alternative to health insurance since 1993 and your premiums are based on age. Members make the rules at Medi-share, and bill sharing is the alternative to traditional health insurance. Premiums are called Shares and are the portion you pay per month. The Annual Household Portion (AHP) is like the deductible. Medi-share members do not share for abortion or any un-biblical practices. Medi-share is exempt from Obama’s mandated national healthcare plan as well and all of the taxes and penalties that go along with it.

No matter what your choice is, be sure you research the alternative health insurance available to ensure your needs will be met!

Resources for Article

Riley, David. CHALLENGES IN HEALTHCARE REFORM. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, Jul/Aug2009, Vol. 15 Issue 4, p8-9, 2p;

Saydah, Sharon H.; Eberhardt, Mark S.. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults with Chronic Diseases: United States 2002.: Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Oct2006, Vol. 12 Issue 8, p805-812, 8p, 4

http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/understandingmanagedcare/a/HMOs_vs_PPOs.htm

Best health plans. Consumer Reports, Sep2009, Vol. 74 Issue 9, p25-29, 5p, 1