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	<title>Tom Milonas &#187; costs</title>
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	<description>Health Insurance - Medicare Supplement - Medicare Advantage</description>
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		<title>Questions to ask when choosing a health plan!</title>
		<link>http://tommilonas.com/2008/07/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-health-plan/</link>
		<comments>http://tommilonas.com/2008/07/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-health-plan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:30:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Milonas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-pay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deductible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[non-network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pre-existing condition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prescription]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[referrals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[specialist]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tommilonas.com/2008/07/31/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-health-plan/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>When its time to choose an individual health plan, or if an employer is offering one, it is crucial to choose the coverage that best suits the needs of you and your family. Here is a list of important questions you should ask:</p>
<p>* What is my monthly cost?</p>
<p>* What are my deductibles and out of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When its time to choose an individual health plan, or if an employer is offering one, it is crucial to choose the coverage that best suits the needs of you and your family. Here is a list of important questions you should ask:</p>
<p>* What is my monthly cost?</p>
<p>* What are my deductibles and out of pocket expenses that I will need to pay before the insurance starts paying?</p>
<p>*After I have met my deductibles, what is my percentage of co-insurance?</p>
<p>* What are the cost differences between network and non-network doctors?</p>
<p>*Are the services that i am most likely to use covered under this plan?</p>
<p>* Do I need referrals to see a specialist</p>
<p>* How are pre-existing conditions treated?</p>
<p>* If I want to start a family, does this plan cover pregnancy?</p>
<p>* Does this plan have office visit co-pays?</p>
<p>* Does this plan offer prescription coverage?</p>
<p>* What will not be covered?</p>
<p>These are just a few of the many important topics you need to discuss with your agent when deciding if a particular plan is right for you.</p>
<p>Choosing a professional agent may be as important as choosing the correct plan.  Were here to help!</p>
<p>Call today for a free personal consultation.</p>
<p>Tom</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Help with prescription drug costs</title>
		<link>http://tommilonas.com/2008/01/help-with-prescription-drug-costs/</link>
		<comments>http://tommilonas.com/2008/01/help-with-prescription-drug-costs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:31:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Milonas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Discussion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beneficiaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caregivers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drug plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family members]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medicare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prescription]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tommilonas.com/2008/01/12/help-with-prescription-drug-costs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p align="left">Help us find Medicare beneficiaries who might qualify for extra                help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. We are asking                family members, caregivers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">Help us find Medicare beneficiaries who might qualify for extra                help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. We are asking                family members, caregivers and third parties to help anyone who                might qualify apply for the extra help. If you know a Medicare                beneficiary who might qualify or if you think you might qualify                yourself, visit our <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10506.htm">electronic leaflet</a> for                more information.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>10 Things you should know about Health Insurance</title>
		<link>http://tommilonas.com/2008/01/10-things-you-should-know-about-health-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://tommilonas.com/2008/01/10-things-you-should-know-about-health-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:30:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Milonas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Discussion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car accident]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[choice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coverage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doctor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doctor visit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freedom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[group coverage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hmo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospital stay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance premiums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[licensed agent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[major illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical expenses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ppo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pre-existing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prescription drugs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self employed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax break]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax deductible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[threshold]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tommilonas.com/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>1. Insurance can be expensive, but not so much as not having any!</p>
<p>There are many ways to save money on insurance, but going without coverage isn&#8217;t one of them. Medical bills from even a minor car accident can delete your savings &#8211; a major illness can push you into bankruptcy.</p>
<p>2. Comparing options can be confusing!</p>
<p>There [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>1. Insurance can be expensive, but not so much as not having any!</strong></p>
<p>There are many ways to save money on insurance, but going without coverage isn&#8217;t one of them. Medical bills from even a minor car accident can delete your savings &#8211; a major illness can push you into bankruptcy.</p>
<p><strong>2. Comparing options can be confusing!</strong></p>
<p>There is no such thing as standard coverage. Benefits and costs vary widely from plan to plan. If you have choices, you&#8217;ll have to examine each one closely to find the best deal. This is where you need the expertise of a licensed agent.</p>
<p><strong>3. Price should not be the only reason for choosing a plan!</strong></p>
<p>What your insurance covers is just as important as, and sometimes more important than how much it costs. Your best value is the plan that addresses your particular needs.</p>
<p><strong>4. Know your plan!</strong></p>
<p>Your health insurance will cover you for a hospital stay, but how about doctor visits, prescription drugs and dental? Know and understand your coverage</p>
<p><strong>5. HMO or PPO?</strong></p>
<p>Plans with network generally cost less, but you are restricted to their doctors and hospitals. Freedom of choice can cost you more in premium.</p>
<p><strong>6. If coverage is available from work, it may be your best deal.</strong></p>
<p>Group coverage, when paid by an employer, is almost always a better deal than anything you can get on your own. In a group setting, you have far less chance of being declined due to pre-existing conditions. The risk is spread among all members of the group.</p>
<p><strong>7. Check out your providers before you join!</strong></p>
<p>A growing number of public and private sources compile information on the track records of individual doctors, hospitals, and health plans.</p>
<p><strong>8. If you lose your job you are still entitled to insurance!</strong></p>
<p>State and federal regulations protect you from losing your health coverage in the event you lose your job. Unfortunately, they do not protect you from high premium costs.</p>
<p><strong>9. What if you and your spouse both work and are entitled to group plans?</strong></p>
<p>If you and your spouse both get health insurance at work, you must decide whether it makes more sense to have two policies or for one of you to cover the other. If you have kids, you need to decide who&#8217;s going to cover them.</p>
<p><strong>10. Ask questions about taxation.</strong></p>
<p>Medical expenses, including insurance premiums, are not tax deductible until they exceed 7.5 percent of your income. However, if you&#8217;re self-employed or your employer offers a flexible spending account, you can get a tax break without meeting the threshold.<br />
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