Ancillary Insurance

Ancillary Insurance Products Offered

Dental - Dental insurance is an insurance product designed to help you pay for dental care. Many dental plans are structured similarly to health insurance plans: there are dental HMOs and PPOs, for example. Dental plans are relatively inexpensive. Even the most robust plans on the marketplace tap out at around $30 per month for an individual.

Vision/Hearing - Vision/hearing insurance is, you know, for your eyes and ears . It’s designed to help people pay the costs of regular eye/ear exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. Major surgeries that are medically necessary, such as cataract surgery, are usually covered by health insurance plans. Elective vision-corrective surgery may be covered by a vision insurance plan. Vision/hearing insurance plans usually cost around the same as dental insurance plans. Note that vision/hearing insurance is typically included in health insurance plans for children under the age of 18.

Critical Illness - Critical Illness insurance is a type of insurance product that helps you pay for expensive illnesses that impact you and your ability to earn money for multiple years. Cancer, heart attack, and stroke are three diseases that a critical illness insurance policy may cover. Each critical illness policy has its own list of illnesses that it will cover. If you are diagnosed with one of these illnesses while you’re a policyholder, your insurer will typically pay you a lump sum cash payment. Critical illness riders are often available on life insurance policies, as well. They are attached to your life insurance policy for less money than a separate critical illness plan.

Hospital Indemnity - Hospital Indemnity insurance is coverage you can add to your existing health insurance plan. This form of supplemental insurance pays you a predetermined benefit amount per day for each hospital confinement. They usually pay you this daily benefit amount for up to a year. The coverage your hospital indemnity insurance provides will depend on your plan choice. In general, most plans only cover confinement to hospitals (with or without surgery), Intensive Care Units (ICU), or Critical Care Units (CCU). However, there are plans that cover even more. Some hospital indemnity coverage also includes:

• Outpatient surgery
• Continuous care
• Outpatient X-rays and laboratory procedures
• Outpatient diagnostic imaging procedures
• Ambulances
• Emergency rooms
• Physician office visits

Short-term Care - Short-term care insurance covers the costs associated with temporary medical aftercare following a surgery, injury, illness, or other medical condition that is expected to improve. Services typically last several weeks or a few months, or sometimes longer depending on the severity of the condition being treated. Short-term care is goal-oriented and for patients in need of rehabilitation services. Short-term care aims to return them home as soon as medically possible. Physical therapy is designed to relieve pain, restore function and enhance health, while providing individualized treatment programs that can be continued at home. Occupational therapy strives to equip patients with the necessary skills and tools for proper self-care, such as dressing, personal hygiene, and cooking. In addition to wound care, the dispensing of medication, and rehab services, skilled nursing facilities also offer custodial care. Skilled nursing professionals help patients with dressing, bathing, using the restroom, eating, and mobility until the patient recovers their independence.

Long-term Care - Long-term care insurance covers the costs of care, such as skilled nursing services, for much longer periods of time or permanently. The coverage pays for long-term care for seniors, or others with chronic or progressive medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, permanent disabilities, dementia, or a debilitating stroke, especially when the level of care exceeds what loved ones can provide on their own. Skilled nursing facilities are staffed 24/7 by medical professionals trained to deal with any health issues that might arise, giving loved ones and patients peace of mind. Long-term care offers comprehensive treatment. It involves medical, therapeutic, and personal care services for those with physical or mental conditions that limit their ability to function independently. In addition to addressing medical needs, skilled nursing facility staff can assist with custodial care such as personal hygiene, eating, and getting in and out of beds and chairs. While rehabilitation services such as physical or occupational therapy are the cornerstones of short-term care, they are also offered to patients receiving long-term care in order to relieve pain and discomfort, and improve mobility and functionality as much as possible. Long-term care includes a variety of amenities, as well. Because long-term patients may spend years in skilled nursing facilities, many places offer a variety of amenities to make the facility a "home away from home." Such amenities include fun social activities, salon services, local transportation services, financial management, and supportive services to address the psychological and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones.

Home Care - Home care insurance pays for in-home care by a home care professional or a qualified staff member of a licensed home health care agency. The majority of people are most comfortable in their own environment where they feel safe and close to the things they love, and home care is the long-term care option that promotes the individual's independence and ability to continue with the normal, daily routine as long as possible. The goal of home care is to provide in-home care for those who need it, and to allow an individual to remain living at home as long as possible, regardless of age or disability. Home care services cover a wide range of needs, from homemaking and companionship to meal preparation and medication reminders. They may also include personal care services, or those that help with the activities of daily living, including home care services like bathing, dressing, and grooming. To promote a safe and functional lifestyle, a caregiver can help you brush your teeth, secure the buttons on your shirt, or stand-by while you bathe to make sure you do not fall. Often, skilled services that utilize the expertise of a nurse may also be grouped within the home care category. Services include checking vital signs, coordinating with doctors and other healthcare professionals working with the individual, and performing comprehensive evaluations of health and community needs to keep individuals safe at home. As a rule, skilled nursing services are provided by home health agencies; often your home care agency will be associated with home health agencies in your area that can provide a higher level of care through nursing in the home when those services become necessary. However, home care can be a highly effective interim solution for individuals who are not sick enough to need nursing services but just need a little help to stay safe and independent in their homes.

Telemedicine - Telemedicine, also called virtual care, refers to medical or mental health advice or treatment provided by phone, mobile app or online video. Busy work schedules, late-night health surprises, and long trips to the nearest medical office can delay access to care. So can the stigma around some mental health conditions. More recently, people postponed routine visits because of COVID-19. If you haven’t used telemedicine before, you may be wondering how it works. Below are some details about why to use the service as well as what kind of care to expect:

• Talk to high-quality family doctors and therapists. Physicians are all board-certified and state-licensed.
• You don’t need any special technology or skills. If you can use a regular phone, you can use telemedicine. Some services also offer video consults through a mobile app or desktop computer.
• Virtual doctors can prescribe most medication. Prescriptions can be picked up at your choice of pharmacy across the country. Some pharmacies even offer free delivery.
• Telehealth doctors can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions: They can diagnose and treat cold and flu symptoms, allergies, bronchitis, sinus infections, rashes, pinkeye (in kids and adults), arthritis flare-ups, anxiety and depression, among others.
• Some illnesses and injuries require an in-office visit. For serious problems, you should go directly to your local urgent care center or emergency room. That’s true of broken bones, head injuries, severe burns, chest pain and vomiting blood as well as emergency mental health needs.