Free Information Guides Help Consumers Find Info on Low-Priced Health Insurance

Recently several free publication became available that can help consumers find their way through the often difficult and confusing maze of obtaining and maintaining good quality low-priced health insurance. The booklets were developed in collaboration by the National Endowment for Financial Education and Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, and are available on the web by logging onto www.healthinsuranceinfo.net. Says Karen Pollitz, Director of the project. "Navigating insurance transitions and problems can be confusing, even treacherous, especially for people with serious health care needs Gaps occur when coverage is not available or adequate or affordable, or when it's just too hard to find and use. The medical and financial consequences can be devastating."

The first of the three publication is entitled Understanding Private Heath Insurance. And it covers topics such as: What is good health insurance - what to look for and what to avoid. What are transitions in Insurance, insurance gaps and how to deal with them - and this publication includes a worksheet that can help you evaluate your insurance needs and find a low-priced health insurance policy that is right for you.

A second publication deals with everything you need to know about Medicare and Medicaid, if you have been unable to obtain affordable or low-priced health insurance due to a chronic or debilitating condition this booklet can help you to see if you qualify for government assistance.The report entitled Medicare and Medicaid a Healthcare Safety net for People with Serious Disabilities and Chronic Conditions, discuses not only who qualifies for these programs and how to apply, it gives an overview of Medicare parts A, B, & C, and offers good advice on other places where people with disabilities can seek affordable healthcare and medical treatment.

A recent study concluded that more then 50% of those filing for Bankruptcy do so due to medical debt. The third publication in the series is Options for Avoiding and Managing Medical Debt. In this publication consumers can read about where to find no-cost and low-cost medical care. Sources of low-priced insurance or health plans are also discussed. A summary of the changes in the bankruptcy system that impacts medical debt and filing for personal bankruptcy is a must read for people who may need to consider this option.

Other sources for free information about low-priced medical insurance include:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/ - a consumer guide to health information sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services

http://pueblo.gsa.gov/ The Federal Citizen Information Center formerly The Consumer Information Service - the governments guide to free publications

www.selfemployedcountry.org - Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed. The CA for the self-employed is a national association for the self-employed, representing the interests of small businesses and self employed and an advocate for low- cost medical insurance for the self-employed in all industries.