Buying insurance through us
Individual and Family Health Insurance
Small Business Health Insurance
Buying insurance through us
What kinds of
services do you provide? (top)
eHealthInsurance is a licensed health insurance agency and
the leading online source for individuals, families and small
businesses purchasing health insurance. We have insured over
800,000 customers nationwide. We offer a broad selection of
health insurance plans from many of the nation's leading health
insurance companies, and deliver a customer experience that
can't be beat. Thanks to our innovative website, simple online
tools, and the knowledgeable representatives and licensed
health insurance agents that staff our customer care center,
you'll discover that health insurance can be attainable and
affordable.
Our website empowers individuals, families and small businesses
by offering convenient access to affordable insurance plans
and information to make the right choice in purchasing health
insurance. After providing your zip code and some basic information
about yourself, your family or your business, you'll receive
free quotes, compare plans side by side, and apply for coverage
online. Whenever you have a question or need personal assistance,
you can contact one of our licensed health insurance agents
for the answers and unbiased advice you need to make the most
of your insurance dollars.
Once you've submitted your application for coverage, we'll
work with the health insurance company you've selected to
expedite the approval process. Even after you purchase a health
insurance plan, we'll continue to address your questions and
concerns, to serve as your advocate with the health insurance
company, and to help you with all your future health insurance
needs. At eHealthInsurance you've found your health insurance
solution.
What kinds of products do
you offer? (top)
We offer a broad selection of health insurance products and
options to choose from:
- Individual and Family Health Insurance.
Singles and families should take a look at our individual
and family health insurance plans. If you don't get your
health insurance coverage through an employer, an individual
and family health insurance plan is your standard, private
market option.
- Small Business Health Insurance. We
offer group health insurance plans for small businesses
and organizations (2-50 employees).
- Short-Term Health Insurance. If you're
in need of temporary coverage, you'll want to take a look
at our short-term health insurance plans. Obtaining short-term
coverage is quick and easy and though it's not a long-term
solution, short-term coverage can protect you while you're
between jobs or after you graduate from college.
- Student Health Insurance. Full-time
college students and their parents will want to explore
our student health plan options for valuable protection
and savings.
- Dental Insurance. We provide dental
insurance options priced to fit most budgets.
- Health Savings Accounts. At eHealthInsurance
you'll also find Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and HSA-eligible
health insurance plans. Our website is one of the premier
sources for HSA information and products online.
Will using your service cost
me anything? (top)
All the services offered by eHealthInsurance are provided
at no extra cost to you, the consumer. If you buy a health
insurance plan through eHealthInsurance, you'll pay the regular
monthly premium to the health insurance company you chose,
but you'll pay nothing to us. Our fees are paid by the insurance
companies in the form of commissions, which are built into
the premium amount.
How do you protect my private
information? (top)
Shopping with eHealthInsurance is safe. As your health insurance
agent, we're committed to protecting your privacy and the
information you provide to us. eHealthInsurance will
not sell, trade or give away your personal information to
anyone, except those specifically involved in the referral
or processing of your health insurance quote or application.
We use industry leading technologies to ensure the security
of all the information under our control.
We're proud to have received the privacy seal of approval
from TRUSTe, the largest privacy advocacy organization on
the Internet, and we encourage you to read our Privacy
Policy online. If you have any questions about our privacy
policy or how your personal information is protected at eHealthInsurance,
contact us by email at privacy@ehealthinsurance.com.
Do you offer health insurance
in my state? (top)
eHealthInsurance is licensed in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. If you live in the United States, chances are
that we can help you find the right health insurance plan.
Though we don't currently offer every health insurance product
in every state, we presently offer insurance plans to a vast
majority of the U.S. population and we're always working to
expand our offerings.
To see if we offer plans in our area, simply select the
product you are interested in from our home page, and then
provide us with your zip and some other basic information.
Why should I shop with you
rather than buying an insurance plan elsewhere? (top)
By combining the localized knowledge of a neighborhood agent
with the broad experience and comprehensive understanding
of a leading online health insurance source, we are able to
offer our customers:
- Broad Selection. Because we are a health
insurance agency and not a health insurance company, we
can offer plans from multiple insurance companies in your
area. We offer a broad selection of health insurance companies
and plans, which allows you find the plan that best fits
your needs. In fact, eHealthInsurance is the leading online
source of health insurance for individuals, families and
small businesses.
- Best Prices. Health insurance rates
are filed with and regulated by your state's Department
of Insurance. Whether you buy from eHealthInsurance, your
local agent, or directly from the health insurance company,
you'll pay the same monthly premium for the same plan.
- Fast Processing. eHealthInsurance offers
the fastest way to apply for health insurance because many
of the plans offered on our website can be submitted and
signed electronically, eliminating the need to manually
print and mail applications. This reduces average processing
time significantly.
- Excellent Customer Care. We believe
that you'll enjoy the best customer experience available
in the health insurance industry. The licensed health insurance
agents and knowledgeable representatives that staff our
customer care center will help you make the most of your
money with professional, unbiased advice.
Do you offer the best prices?
(top)
Health insurance premiums are filed with and regulated by
your state's Department of Insurance. Whether you buy from
eHealthInsurance, your local agent, or directly from the health
insurance company, you'll pay the same monthly premium for
the same plan. This means that you can enjoy the advantages
and convenience of shopping and purchasing your health insurance
plan through eHealthInsurance and rest assured that you're
getting the best available price.
How can I view quotes and
shop online through your website? (top)
Shopping with us is simple. After entering your zip code and
some basic information about yourself, your family or your
business, you'll be provided with a list of health insurance
plans available in your area. You may refine these results
or sort and organize them in various ways. You'll also have
the opportunity to select several of them at a time to make
more detailed plan comparisons. Once you've selected a plan,
you'll fill out an application, providing more information
about yourself, your family or your employees, and about your
health history. Once your application is complete, eHealthInsurance
will work with the health insurance company to help you receive
a quick coverage determination.
If I apply for an insurance
plan, am I obligated to buy? (top)
No. You are under no obligation to buy a health insurance
plan when using our site. After submitting your application
you may cancel it at any time during the underwriting process.
When you submit an application you will typically include
your credit card number, bank account information, or a check
for the initial premium payment. Most insurance companies
will not charge your card, debit your account, or deposit
your check until you are approved. If you are charged or your
check is cashed and you are denied for coverage or cancel
your application prior to approval, the insurance company
will issue a refund to you.
A few insurance companies may charge an application fee.
You will be notified in the application if the plan you chose
requires an application fee. Please note that these fees are
non-refundable.
Can I check the status of
my application? (top)
You may check the status of your application at any time through
the My Account link. In order to access your account from
our site, just click on the My Account link and sign in using
your email address and password.
How do I finish my application?
(top)
If you started an application for a health insurance plan
but didn't complete it, you may complete it through the My
Account link on our site. To access your account, click on
the My Account link and sign in using your email address and
password. Follow the instructions provided there to complete
your application.
Can I contact someone if
I need help? (top)
Yes. We believe in providing you with top-quality customer
service. Our customer care center is staffed with licensed
health insurance agents and knowledgeable representatives,
ready to assist you.
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES:
- Call Us
Our licensed insurance agents and knowledgeable representatives
are ready to help you. Just call 800-977-8860 Mon - Fri,
5AM-9PM PST. Sat - Sun, 7AM - 4PM PST.
- Email Us
Click here
to send us an email. One of our knowledgeable customer care
representatives will reply to you soon. Please note that
our licensed health insurance agents can discuss insurance
plan benefits and rates only by phone.
-
Chat Online with Us
Click here
for a real-time, online chat session with one of our knowledgeable
customer care representatives. Our chat option is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding holidays. Please
note that insurance plan benefits and rates can be discussed
only by phone with one of our licensed health insurance
agents.
SMALL BUSINESSES:
- Call Us
Our licensed insurance agents and knowledgeable representatives
are ready to help you. Just call 877-456-6670 Mon - Fri,
6AM-5PM PT.
- Email Us
Click here
to send us an email. One of our knowledgeable customer care
representatives will reply to you soon. Please note that
our licensed health insurance agents can discuss insurance
plan benefits and rates only by phone.
Individual and Family Health Insurance
What is individual and family
health insurance? (top)
Individual and family health insurance is a type of health
insurance coverage that is made available to individuals and
families, rather than to employer groups or organizations.
Given the option, most people would prefer to have their employer
provide group health insurance coverage. But, if this is not
an option for you, it is still important for you to seek coverage.
You may be pleasantly surprised with the variety and affordability
of the individual and family health insurance options available.
What kinds of individual
and family insurance plans are available? (top)
Individual and family health insurance plans are usually described
as either "indemnity" or "managed-care"
plans. Put broadly, the major differences concern choice of
healthcare providers, out-of-pocket costs and how bills are
paid. Typically, indemnity plans offer a broader selection
of healthcare providers than managed care plans. Indemnity
plans pay their share of the costs for covered services only
after they receive a bill (which means that you may have to
pay up front and then obtain reimbursement from your health
insurance company).
There are several different types of managed-care health
insurance plans. These include HMO, PPO, and POS plans. Managed-care
plans typically make use of healthcare provider networks.
Healthcare providers within a network agree to perform services
for managed-care plan patients at pre-negotiated rates and
will usually submit the claim to the insurance company for
you. In general, you'll have less paperwork and lower out-of-pocket
costs with a managed care health insurance plan and a broader
choice of healthcare providers with an indemnity plan.
How does a PPO plan work?
(top)
As a member of a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan,
you'll be encouraged to use the insurance company's network
of preferred doctors and hospitals. These healthcare providers
have been contracted to provide services to the health insurance
plan's members at a discounted rate. You typically won't be
required to pick a primary care physician but will be able
to see doctors and specialists within the network at your
own discretion.
You will probably have an annual deductible to pay before
the insurance company starts covering your medical bills.
You may also have a co-payment for certain services or be
required to cover a certain percentage of the total charges
for your medical bills.
With a PPO plan, services rendered by an out-of-network physician
are typically covered at a lower percentage than services
rendered by a network physician.
How does an HMO plan work?
(top)
Though there are many variations, HMO (Health Maintenance
Organizations) plans typically enable members to have lower
out-of-pocket healthcare expenses but also offer less flexibility
in the choice of physicians or hospital than other health
insurance plans. As a member of an HMO, you'll be required
to choose a primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP will take
care of most of your healthcare needs. Before you can see
a specialist, you'll need to obtain a referral from your PCP.
With an HMO you'll likely have coverage for a broader range
of preventive healthcare services than you would through another
type of plan. You may not be required to pay a deductible
before coverage starts and your co-payments will likely be
minimal. With an HMO plan, you typically won't have to submit
any of your own claims to the insurance company. However,
keep in mind that you'll likely have no coverage whatsoever
for services rendered by non-network providers or for services
rendered without a proper referral from your PCP.
How does a POS plan work?
(top)
A POS (Point of Service) plan combines some of the features
offered by HMO and PPO plans. As with an HMO, members of a
POS plan are required to choose a primary care physician (PCP)
from the plan's network of providers. Services rendered by
your PCP are typically not subject to a deductible. Also,
like HMOs, POS plans typically offer coverage for preventive
care visits.
Typically, however, you will only receive a higher level
of coverage for services rendered or referred by your PCP.
Services rendered by a non-network provider may be subject
to a deductible and will likely be covered at a lower level.
If services are rendered outside of the network, you'll likely
have to pay up-front and submit a claim to the insurance company
yourself.
How does an Indemnity plan
work? (top)
A traditional Indemnity plan offers a great deal of freedom
in choosing which doctors and hospitals to use, but will probably
involve higher out-of-pocket costs and more paperwork.
Under an Indemnity plan, you may see whatever doctors or
specialists you like, with no referrals required. Though you
may choose to get the majority of your basic care from a single
doctor, your insurance company will not require you to choose
a primary care physician.
However, this kind of freedom will cost you. You'll likely
be required to pay an annual deductible before the insurance
company begins to pay on your claims. Once your deductible
has been met, the insurance company will typically pay your
claims at a set percentage of the "usual, customary and
reasonable (UCR) rate" for the service. The UCR rate
is the amount that healthcare providers in your area typically
charge for any given service.
An Indemnity plan may also require that you pay up front
for services and then submit a claim to the insurance company
for reimbursement.
How does an HSA work? (top)
Legislation establishing Health Savings Accounts (or "HSAs")
took effect on January 1, 2004. HSAs and HSA-eligible health
insurance plans are becoming more and more popular. Here are
the basics:
- An HSA is a tax-favored savings account that may be used
in conjunction with an HSA-eligible high deductible health
insurance plan to pay for qualifying medical expenses.
- Choosing an HSA-eligible health insurance plan may help
you save money. Typically, the monthly premium on an HSA-eligible
high deductible plan is less expensive than the monthly
premium for a lower-deductible health insurance plan.
- Contributions to an HSA may be made pre-tax, up to certain
annual limits.
- Funds in the HSA may be invested at your discretion.
Unused funds remain in the account and accrue interest year-to-year,
tax-free.
What is a co-payment?
(top)
A "co-payment" or "co-pay" is a specific
charge that your health insurance plan may require that you
pay for a specific medical service or supply. For example,
your health insurance plan may require a $15 co-payment for
an office visit or brand-name prescription drug, after which
the insurance company often pays the remainder of the charges.
What is a deductible?
(top)
A "deductible" is a specific dollar amount that
your health insurance company may require that you pay out-of-pocket
each year before your health insurance plan begins to make
payments for claims. Not all health insurance plans require
a deductible. As a general rule (though there are many exceptions),
HMO plans typically do not require a deductible, while most
Indemnity and PPO plans do.
What is coinsurance?
(top)
Coinsurance is the term used by health insurance companies
to refer to the amount that you are required to pay for a
medical claim, apart from any co-payments or deductible. For
example, if your health insurance plan has a 20% coinsurance
requirement (and does not have any additional co-payment or
deductible requirements), then a $100 medical bill would cost
you $20, and the insurance company would pay the remaining
$80.
What's the best health insurance
plan for me? (top)
Choosing between different health insurance plans isn't always
easy. There is no one "best" plan for everyone.
The best match for you and your family may be different than
the best match for someone else. In order to help you answer
this question, here are a few things to consider:
1) Are you going to need long-term coverage or just
something for the short-term?
If you're between jobs for 1-6 months, you may want to look
into our short-term coverage options. Alternatively, if you
have no prospects of receiving group health insurance coverage
through an employer, you may value the stability and increased
benefits offered through an individual and family health insurance
plan which will provide longer term coverage.
2) Are you looking for basic coverage or more comprehensive
coverage?
Some insurance plans offer basic coverage (i.e., primarily
inpatient hospitalization and outpatient surgery coverage)
to cover you in case of a major accident or illness. These
insurance plans typically have a lower monthly premium than
plans with more comprehensive coverage, and may be appropriate
for people who intend to use their insurance primarily in
the event of a serious accident or illness.
Other insurance plans, in addition to offering coverage in
case of a major accident or illness, offer more comprehensive
coverage which MAY include benefits such as: preventative
care, physician services, prescription drug benefits and routine
office visits. These insurance plans typically have a higher
monthly premium than plans that only offer basic coverage,
and may be appropriate for people who intend to use their
insurance on a regular basis.
3) Would you rather pay for your services before
you use them or when you use them?
Typically, the higher the monthly premium that you pay, the
less you will pay per doctor's visit in co-payments and deductibles.
If you choose a health insurance plan with a low monthly premium,
you're likely to have a higher co-payment or deductible. If
you don't anticipate making frequent use of your health insurance
coverage, a higher-deductible plan with a lower monthly premium
may suit you best.
4) How important to you is easy access to specialists?
Health insurance plans that require you to coordinate your
care through a primary care physician typically require that
you obtain a referral before seeing a specialist. Thus, if
you prefer easier access to specialists, you may wish to consider
a different type of plan.
5) Do you have a specific doctor or hospital that
you would like to visit for healthcare?
Some insurance plans utilize provider networks. Pay special
attention to the network of doctors or facilities that each
health insurance plan utilizes. You'll want to make sure that
your favorite doctor or hospital is included on the list for
the health insurance plan you choose. Also note that networks
utilized by health insurance plans can change, so there is
no guarantee that your doctor will always be contracted with
your chosen health insurance plan.
6) What is the most you could pay out in case of
a serious illness or injury?
Health insurance plans typically place limits on how much
a member is required to pay out per year for his or her healthcare.
This limit is often referred to as an out-of-pocket maximum.
Once you've contributed this maximum amount toward your healthcare,
the health insurance company typically covers all other costs
for the remainder of the benefit year. If you're concerned
about what may happen to you in case of a serious illness
or injury, you may wish to pay special attention to the out-of-pocket
maximums for the health insurance plans you're considering.
When can my coverage start?
(top)
You can request that your Individual and Family health insurance
plan start anytime between 1 and 90 days in the future. However,
the insurance companies will typically need some time to process
your application so keep in mind that the actual date for
the start of your coverage may vary depending on the underwriting
process and the availability of your medical records. (Underwriters
will receive your application much faster if you "eSign"
your application.)
How can I insure just my
child? (top)
When getting quotes for your child(ren) only, enter the child's
gender and birth date in the "Applicant" or first
row. Additional children should be entered below in the "Child"
rows, but not the "Spouse" row.
However, many health insurance companies require one policy
per child. So if you have more than one child, try entering
just one child to see a larger selection of plans and prices.
You are free to apply for each child separately.
Small Business Health Insurance
What are the benefits of
providing group health insurance to my employees?
(top)
It's no secret that employees value health insurance benefits.
Surveys have shown that workers value health insurance coverage
second only to monetary compensation. By offering group health
insurance benefits to your employees, you may find it easier
to hire and retain the best workers for your company.
As a business owner, you may not have health insurance coverage
yourself. Perhaps you've considered shopping for an individual
health insurance plan for yourself and your family, but did
you know that by obtaining insurance through a company, you
may get better rates than through the individual market?
Additionally, there are various tax incentives available
to you and your employees when you participate in a group
health insurance plan. For example, businesses can generally
deduct 100% of the premiums they pay on qualifying group health
plans and, by offering group health insurance as part of a
total compensation package, you may be able to reduce payroll
taxes. Plus, your employees can pay their portion of the monthly
insurance premium with pre-tax dollars. Make sure that you
take these incentives into consideration when determining
the affordability of a health insurance plan for you and your
employees.
How are costs typically
split between the employer and the employee? (top)
Typically, an employer is required to cover 50% of the employee's
monthly premium. In these cases, the employee covers the remainder
of his or her own premium and then covers the full premium
for any of his or her dependants. Minimum employer contribution
levels may differ from state to state and from one insurance
company to the next. Also, some employers opt to cover a higher
percentage of the employee's monthly premium and sometimes
a portion of the premium costs for an employee's dependants.
During the application process, you'll be able to indicate
how much of your employees' (and their dependents') monthly
premiums you would like to cover.
Is buying group health insurance
tax deductible? (top)
Significant tax advantages may be available to employers who
offer group health insurance coverage to their employees.
Employers can generally deduct 100% of the health insurance
premiums they pay on qualifying group health plans. Providing
health insurance coverage to employees as part of a total
compensation package may also result in reduced payroll taxes
for employers. Additionally, when the employer offers group
health coverage, it's possible for an employee's share of
the premium to be paid with pre-tax dollars, resulting in
tax savings for the employee. Check with your accountant or
tax advisor for specific tax benefits for your business and
employees.
How do I know if my company
qualifies for group health insurance? (top)
Your company will probably be eligible for a small business
plan if it meets the following criteria:
1.) Your company consists of at least two full-time owners,
officers, partners and/or employees, as verified by officially-filed
state quarterly wage and tax statements (e.g., NYS-45 in New
York and DE-6 in California) or annual federal tax return
documents;
2.) Your company is a legitimate business entity (i.e.,
your company was formed for a purpose other than to obtain
insurance), as verified by one of the following documents:
- A business license or fictitious name filing (proprietorships
and partnerships);
- Articles of incorporation (corporations); or
- Articles of organization (limited liability company).
3.) Your company meets the minimum employer contribution
percentage set by the insurance company.
Please note that eligibility criteria may vary among insurance
companies and by state. If you have any questions about your
company's eligibility for a particular small business plan,
please call one of our licensed representatives Mon - Fri,
6AM-5PM PT at 877-456-6670.
What types of group health
insurance plans are available? (top)
Group health insurance plans are categorized as either indemnity
plans (also known as "traditional indemnity," "fee-for-service,"
or "FFS" plans) or managed care plans. Indemnity
and managed care plans differ in their basic approach. Put
broadly, the major differences concern choice of providers,
out-of-pocket costs for covered services, and how bills are
paid. You will typically have a broader choice of doctors
(including specialists, such as cardiologists and surgeons),
hospitals, and other health care providers with an indemnity
plan while you will typically have less out-of-pocket costs
and paperwork with a managed care plan.
Indemnity plans once dominated the American health insurance
market, but are no longer as popular as they used to be. They
are most common on the east coast. Managed care plans now
take up a much larger share of the general health insurance
market and are especially dominant in the western parts of
the country. There are three basic types of managed care plans:
PPOs, HMOs, and POS plans.
How do ZIP codes affect
group health insurance rates? (top)
Since the cost of medical care varies from area to area, health
insurance rates also vary from area to area. This variance
is due to the general cost level of the area, differences
in medical practices, the degree of specialization of services
and the amount of competition in the area. Most small group
plans vary rates by ZIP code. The employer's business address
is normally used to determine rates.
Can I refine my search results?
(top)
You may find that there are lots of health insurance plan
options in your area. Using the tools on our web site, you
may refine your results to show only health insurance plans
offered by a specific insurance company, specific plan types
(HMO, PPO, Indemnity, etc.), or health insurance plans with
specific co-payment or deductible limits.
Can I compare some of these
health insurance plans in more detail? (top)
Yes! eHealthInsurance puts excellent plan comparison tools
at your fingertips. You can select up to four plans at a time
for a side-by-side, detailed comparison. After you've checked
the plans you'd like to compare, click on the Compare button.
On the next page, you'll find more details on the plans you've
selected, displayed side-by-side for easy comparison.
I see multiple listings
for the same insurance company. Are these duplicates?
(top)
No, these aren't duplicates. Many insurance companies offer
several different insurance plans, with different benefits
and costs. Each listing in your results represents a different
plan to choose from.
Do these rates represent
my final group health insurance costs? (top)
No. Final rates are determined during the insurance company's
underwriting process. The insurance company will assess your
group using a number of criteria, including the size of your
company and the health of your employees, to arrive at a final
monthly rate, or premium.
I'm only seeing the Estimated
Total Cost. Where do I find the rates for each employee?
(top)
When you're looking through a list of insurance plan options,
you may click on the Estimated Total Cost for any plan to
see the cost break down for each employee.
Do these rates include dental
coverage? (top)
No. Once you select a health insurance plan, you'll have the
opportunity to compare other types of insurance plans, such
as dental insurance plans, that are available in your area.
Dental coverage is often available as a benefit rider with
a group health insurance plan. For more information on benefit
riders, see the topic "What are benefit riders?"
Can I save my work and return
to complete it later? (top)
Absolutely! You can save your work throughout the process
of viewing quotes or filling out an application. Just click
on any Save Work link. You'll be asked to
create an account if you haven't done so already, or to log
in if you have already created an account. Whenever you are
logged into your account, any work you do is automatically
saved. When you return to our website, any time day or night,
click on the My Account link at the top any
page. After entering your email address and password into
the space provided, you can pick up right where you left off.
What is a "multi-plan"?
(top)
With a multi-plan, a health insurance company works with a
group to offer employees their choice of several different
health insurance plans. A multi-plan allows employees to pick
the health insurance option best suited to their own needs.
Benefits and coverage levels may differ between the health
insurance plans offered to employees. The amount of money
an employee contributes toward the total monthly cost may
be greater or lesser depending on the health insurance plan
chosen.
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