Guaranty Association Benefits Company

Lately, it may seem that you can not spend a day without hearing about Ebola on the news, on Facebook, or through twelve o'clock gossip. The country finally waded through the initial hysteria of the West African disease, and we learned that the Ebola virus is difficult to convey. That said, it is still a good time to review the basic health coverage to answer questions from some serious health care.

What We Know

If you had the disease, you should know that companies insurance can not deny coverage specifically for Ebola. Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare plans can not exclude coverage for specific diseases recognized, similar to treatment for seasonal influenza. So while the Ebola virus is extremely rare in the US, if you contract the disease, you should not buy additional health coverage to ensure your forties.

However, if you have a short-term health or who do not comply with the Act Affordable Care, the Ebola virus and other disease treatments may not be covered for you . You may want to consider enrolling in a major medical health insurance plan when Open Enrollment begins November 15, 2014.

Things to know when traveling abroad

in addition to the two nurses in Dallas, so far, only five other Americans have been infected with Ebola. All these individuals were ill abroad in Africa and later received treatment in the United States. This raises an important question of how far your health plan achieved when you take out a foreign disease

Some health plans will pay to go to the United States for treatment -. A cost that can total about 10,000 to nearly $. But most major medical health plans in the United States do not cover this service.

"If you venture outside the US, you should consider purchasing travel medical insurance, which is designed for global travelers," Michael Mahoney, senior vice president of marketing GoHealth consumers to recommend. "The plans vary, but can offer comprehensive benefits, including coverage for pre-existing conditions, medical evacuations and medical care for routine and emergency."

Although rare, it is important to know your options if you or a loved ever contracting a disease like Ebola. Check your coverage with your health insurance company today.

You may have noticed that in 2015 the cost of premiums of the health system vary. Specifically, premiums vary depending on geographic location, and they are also dependent on how many plans are available in the country-specific domain. For example, someone in the state or the neighboring county may have different plan options that you do.

For example, take the Illinois and Louisiana. This year there are 10 insurers on the market in Illinois and only five in Louisiana. The monthly premium for a reference silver plan in Louisiana is priced $ 81 higher than the reference plan money in Illinois. Regarding the choice, a search on GoHealthInsurance.com shows that a person living in Chicago has almost three times the number of market coverage options that a person living in New Orleans.

Kaiser Family Foundation examined the costs of average premiums across the country, pulling their data from reference money plans in a major city in each state. What is the cost of the average premium in your city? Are you surprised by the variable costs?

Open Enrollment ends on February 15. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to enroll to health insurance until the next open enrollment period or until you experience a qualifying life event

Here are 5 things simple elements to do to help you registered before the deadline February 15 :.

1. Ask yourself, "Can I afford to be insured?"

The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans have insurance disease or face a penalty. in 2015, the penalty for not carrying health coverage could be as much as 2 percent of your annual household income, and expenses are expected to increase each year.

2. Evaluate your current health needs.

Before buying a health plan, make sure you take into account your specific health needs. for example, have -you prescription drugs? are you pregnant? Will you need therapy or rehabilitation services? Would you continue to see your doctor regularly? All these and other factors can play a role in the best kind of health plan for you.

3. Talk with GoHealth licensed insurance advisor about your options.

Choosing a health plan can often feel overwhelming. health plans are full of important information, but it can be difficult to understand which plan that best meets your needs. Our licensed insurance advisors can recommend specific health plans according to your budget and health needs, which can save you time and money.

Working with an insurance license under GoHealth advisor is free, so there's no reason not to seek professional recommendation. Contact us today at 1-888-250-3409 or customerservice@gohealth.com to start.

4. Sign up for a health plan -. And pay the premium of your first month

The Affordable Care Act has standardized health plans in four levels to help people compare their options. The four levels of coverage are gold silver or and platinum . Each metal level should cover the minimum benefits of essential health, but the value of benefits vary among plans. In general, the higher the level of the health plan, plus the cost is covered by the insurance company. Start enrollment in a health plan by clicking here. And do not forget to pay the premium for your first month directly to your health insurance provider. Your coverage will not be active until you do.

5. Fill a tax grant.

Many people avoid getting a health insurance because they think it is too expensive. However, government tax subsidies are a more affordable coverage, so people can get the coverage they need. So far, 87 percent of those who enrolled in 2015 the coverage received government financial assistance in the form of a tax subsidy.

We encourage people to contact one of our licensed insurance advisors or use a calculator online tax subsidy. Miscalculating your income could cause you to receive the amount of the wrong tax subsidy, and you should correct when you file your taxes. GoHealth can let you know if you qualify for a tax subsidy at no extra cost.

Still not sure? Start checking those items off your list of things to do today!

Now that winter draws to a close, many of us start planning our summer getaways. Although you may be looking forward to rest and relaxation, you may not know that many health risks might be hiding in your room next to the hotel.

Here is a list of five things you should be wary of during your next hotel stay, and what you can do to keep you safe.

1. chemicals in cleaning products

Although cleaning products disinfect surfaces to prevent the accumulation of bacteria, they may also contain carcinogens. The exposure to these carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer, while the endocrine disruptors found in many disinfectants can cause fertility problems or even miscarriage.

Cleaning products should always be used in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling the fumes. hotel environmentally friendly initiatives, such as the use of chemical-free cleaning products, are increasingly popular, so do not be afraid to ask the hotel staff where cleaning products they use.

2. Bathroom mold bathroom

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that there is sufficient evidence to link the inner mold with upper respiratory symptoms, coughing, and wheezing. In addition, mold spotted in hotel bathrooms can cause mental disorders, respiratory problems, and even damage to internal organs.

Ventilation fans in the bathroom and frequent cleaning are essential to prevent moisture that allows mold to grow. Check if your hotel room on the fan to reduce exposure to mold in the showers, and make sure you are vaccinated to avoid infection by influenza and other respiratory virus while traveling.

3. pollutants tobacco

Staying in a smoke chamber may not be enough to prevent you from being exposed to harmful pollutants tobacco. In fact, customers who stayed in non-smoking rooms in hotels that allowed smoking had higher levels of nicotine on fingers and higher urine levels of cotinine (a biomarker of tobacco smoke ) than those who stayed in hotels with complete smoking bans.

to limit your exposure to tobacco smoke and other air pollutants, try to stay in smokeless hotels, where possible. Some hotels also offer hypo-allergenic rooms that have special air purifiers and go through a special cleaning process to reduce other allergens.

4. Avoid germinal zones

In hotels, the bedspread is rarely, if ever, cleaned. Instead of flopping on the bed, fold the bedspread and store away your belongings.

The phone, TV remote control, and a light switch are some of the most treated areas in hotel rooms, but they are almost never cleaned. Experts recommend using a Ziplock bag as a makeshift glove when handling chlorine antibacterial wipes or remotely using on such surfaces.

Finally, courtesy of glasses by the sink almost never get clean dishes, leaving them loaded with bacteria. Skip unless you are provided with sealed plastic glasses plastic, or consider traveling with your own folding cup.

5. Beware of bugs

Bug prevalence is on the rise, and hotels and motels are some of their places predilection. Although bedbugs are not actively transmit disease, they can carry germs from one person to another.

Add your hotel room a thorough bedbug inspection, and store your luggage in the bathroom where the bed bugs are less likely to hide. For added protection, keep your suitcase packed in plastic during your trip.

If you find evidence of bed bugs, get a refund on your reservation and find a new hotel. If a room has bed bugs, others are likely to be, too. If you think you have brought bed bugs home from vacation recently, call a pest control service to conduct an inspection.

Do you have a baby on the way? Can you hear wedding bells in the near future? What a great move for you and your family? Life is full of great and unpredictable events, but there is always comfort in knowing that if one of these situations arise, it offers the possibility of obtaining health insurance you need.

We have described all the various events of life skills which present a unique opportunity to register for health insurance outside of Open Enrollment.