Insurance Over Texas

430 Hwy 6 S. #102
Houston, TX 77079

About Insurance Over Texas

Does Mental Health Services Fall Under Regular Health Insurance?

Millions of people in the U.S., and Texas specifically, suffer from mental health issues. Experts say that the U.S. is facing a mental health crisis, with 1 in 25 individuals having serious mental illness. No matter where you may be on the spectrum of mental illness, it’s heartening to know that mental health services fall under regular health insurance in Texas. This is known as "parity," and the protection for policyholders comes from both federal and state-level governance.

Mental Health Services Fall Under Regular Health Insurance

Mental health services are generally covered under health insurance plans in Texas. On a federal level, there is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurance companies operating in the U.S. to offer comparable coverage for mental health and addiction services as regular physical health services. On a state level, Texas also mandates that health insurance companies operating in Texas offer mental health benefits, such as counseling, prescription medication, and other, more specific services. Note that your specific coverage may vary, so you should consult with your representative at Insurance over Texas, serving Houston, TX, for details.

It’s important to learn what your policy covers and what it doesn’t cover to avoid unexpected bills that aren’t covered. You may want to consider comparing various policies so that you can be sure you can access the services you need in order to preserve your mental health. At Insurance Over Texas, serving Houston, TX, we offer a range of health insurance policies for individuals and businesses. We’d bgladlyreview all the mental health coverage you can expect with any particular policy.

We look forward to serving your whole health insurance needs! Contact us today to book an appointment!

What Should You Consider When Selecting a Medicare Supplement Policy?

Navigating Medicare can be tricky, especially when choosing a Medicare supplement policy. At Insurance Over Texas, serving Houston, TX, we’re here to help you make an informed decision. Here are some key factors to consider.

Assess Your Health Care Needs

Start by evaluating your current and future healthcare needs. How often do you visit the doctor? Do you require frequent medical tests or procedures? Understanding your healthcare requirements will help you choose a policy that offers adequate coverage.

Compare Plan Options

Medicare supplement policies come in standardized plans labeled A through N. Each plan provides different levels of coverage. For instance, Plan F offers extensive coverage, while Plans G and N might better suit your needs and budget. Comparing these options is crucial to finding the right fit.

Consider Your Budget

Cost is a significant factor. Premiums can vary widely between plans and insurance companies. Evaluate what you can afford in monthly premiums and consider potential out-of-pocket costs. Balancing coverage benefits with your budget is key to selecting the right policy.

Verify Provider Acceptance

Although Medicare supplement plans generally don’t have network restrictions, confirming that your preferred doctors and hospitals accept the supplement plan is wise. This ensures you continue receiving care from trusted healthcare providers.

Check Their Reputation

Pick an insurance company known for its customer service and financial stability. A reliable insurer ensures a smoother process and peace of mind. At Insurance Over Texas, we pride ourselves on offering top-notch service and dependable Medicare supplement policies.

Selecting the right Medicare supplement policy is essential for meeting your healthcare needs. Contact Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX, today to discuss your options and find the perfect plan for you.

Learn How To File a Health Insurance Claim Form

Navigating the Health Insurance Claim Process

Receiving medical services often necessitates submitting an insurance claim form to be compensated for out-of-pocket expenses. The following is a fundamental guide on how to approach this process. For further support in Houston, TX, reach out to our proficient agents at Insurance Over Texas.

Understanding Your Insurance Policy

The first step is to thoroughly review your insurance paperwork, which stipulates the coverage provided and outlines the cost you are accountable for. The documents also feature important contact information, which can be handy during the claim filing process should any queries or issues arise.

Submitting the Claim

Completing an insurance claim form is mandatory each time you file a claim. Your medical provider will frequently have readily available forms for this process, and some even offer a filing service that includes completing and submitting the paperwork for you. It is advisable to confirm what is available from your medical provider during your appointment.

Record Keeping

Documenting how much you spend on medical services accurately aids in calculating the refund due to you. Storing these records securely, such as a residential safe or lock box, ensures they’re readily available when needed. Adequate knowledge of your health insurance policy simplifies these calculations.

Contacting Insurance Over Texas

After acquainting yourself with your insurance policy and the claim filing process, connect with our agents serving Houston, TX. They can aid in card updating and handle all inquiries you may have about your health insurance coverage.

Six Amazing Benefits of Health Insurance

The advantages of health insurance include help paying expenses from accidents and illnesses. It can give you peace of mind and help you safeguard your financial well-being. At Insurance Over Texas, our agents answer your most pressing questions about which policy might work best for you. Start by exploring six significant benefits of purchasing health insurance. 

Great Reasons to Buy Health Insurance

Many policies cover most or all expenses related to a stay in the ICU, a visit to the emergency room, and healthcare worker fees. The right coverage can give you peace of mind so that you can focus on your recovery. Although every policy is different, many cover pre- and post-hospitalization checks and tests. That’s another excellent reason to have insurance. 

Coverage for preventive care and no-claim bonuses are two more reasons to invest in health insurance. Find out if your current policy covers annual checkups and other preventive care. Many insurers want to keep policyholders as healthy as possible, so they offer incentives that promote wellness. Ask your agent about no-claim bonuses that allow certain policyholders to increase their coverage with no additional costs. 

Other benefits include access to coverage at any age and tax advantages. There are policies available for individuals of all ages. If you need assistance finding health insurance that meets your needs, contact our team in Houston, TX. In most cases, you can take advantage of tax rebates for coverage, too. 

Trusted Insurance Agency in Houston, TX

Do you want assistance reviewing your current coverage for gaps? Perhaps you’re currently not insured but want to be. Let us help you find the right policy to meet your family’s needs. Contact Insurance Over Texas to learn more about the advantages of health insurance. 

Are You Penalized for Not Having Health Insurance?

Having health insurance is essential to ensure people have access to health care and can address essential services and ongoing care. However, many people are penalized for not selecting health insurance coverage from their employer, private provider, or through the insurance marketplace. Anyone interested in securing health insurance can contact Insurance Over Texas, serving the residents in and around the Houston, TX, area.

Health Insurance Protection 

Anyone needing top-quality health insurance coverage can find a reliable policy through our agency. Our licensed and highly trained health insurance professionals can carefully assess each individual situation and match them with policies that meet those needs.

The right health insurance coverage allows individuals to access basic medical care, preventative care, and emergency services. Everyone should have health insurance coverage throughout the year.

It’s important to note that each person filing a federal tax return must state whether or not they carried insurance coverage for the year. In some situations, individuals may be penalized for not having health insurance coverage. To learn more about health insurance penalties and filing taxes, you can consult our insurance agents, who can provide clarification and information.

Reach Out Today 

If you’re interested in health insurance coverage, our agents are here to help each individual get the insurance they need. Call or stop by Insurance Over Texas, serving Houston, TX. One of our helpful agents will be happy to set up a consultation. Our goal is to offer residents insurance options that help them stay healthy and meet medical care needs. Don’t wait to get health care coverage. Start today and have peace of mind knowing you’re protected.

Health insurance FAQs

Picking your health insurance every year is one of the most important decisions you make. It affects the type of health care you will get for the following year. It can be a very long year if you make a terrible choice. You have to choose something you can afford to provide the coverage you need. At Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX, we have been providing quality service for more than 30 years. We work for our customers and are not beholding to any one insurance carrier. 

What is managed care? 

Managed care is the most common type of health insurance currently offered. There are three major types; HMO, PPO, and POS. When making your health insurance choice, it is essential to understand the difference between them. Some are more restrictive than others, and the costs are also different. You may need a primary care physician to manage your care. 

What is a network?

The network is the medical provider your insurance carrier has contracted to provide services. The prices are agreed upon in the contract. This includes doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical professionals who may provide you with services. With some managed care organizations, you must receive your service within the network, or services are not covered. 

Should I opt for a high-deductible policy?

With a high-deductible health insurance policy, you will need to pay the deductible before medical services are paid for. This means many out-of-pocket expenses, but the monthly premium will be lower. You can start an HSA (health savings account) to save money before taxes to help pay for the services that your insurance doesn’t pay for. 

Contact Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX when you are ready to discuss your health insurance.

How Health Insurance Can Save You Money

When most people in Houston, TX are shopping for health insurance, they mainly think about the cost of the premium. They may also consider the full cost of the plan, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. However, it is just as important to consider the value that health insurance provides. If you have questions, feel free to contact Insurance Over Texas to learn more.

Discount Rates

Health insurance providers directly negotiate costs with hospitals and health care providers. Then, the rates are included in the health care plan. Some plans will only negotiate rates for in-network medical care providers, while others will offer negotiated rates for out-of-network providers. All health insurance plans provide coverage for emergency services regardless of whether the care received was from an in-network provider.

The amount charged by health care providers is typically higher than the negotiated rates. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits that will include a breakdown of the costs, including:

  • The amount the provider usually charges
  • The negotiated cost
  • How much was paid by your insurance policy
  • The amount that you owe that was not covered

Cost Sharing

Health insurance plans feature an out-of-pocket maximum and an annual deductible. The deductible is the amount that must be paid before the insurance company takes over the responsibility for the costs. Once the out-of-pocket maximum is reached, the insurance company will pay the remainder of the medical expenses.

Preventative Care Coverage

Health insurance plans offer complete coverage for preventative care. When doctors can identify a health problem in the early stages, they can begin treatment to prevent the progression of the problem. This will save you a lot of money by avoiding expensive treatment bills for preventable issues.

To find out more ways health insurance can save you money in Houston, TX, contact the experts at Insurance Over Texas today. Give us a call today.

Health insurance terms you need to understand

If there is anything that is likely to make you feel inadequate it is having to deal with choosing medical insurance. Such an important decision with serious consequences for a wrong choice. Your entire healthcare for the next year depends on your choosing the right coverage. Unless you are into insurance or in the medical profession, chances are some of the terms you will come across will not be familiar. If they are familiar you may not understand their meaning in this context. At Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX, we are here to help you to tackle this important choice with the knowledge you need. 

PPO

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is a type of managed healthcare plan that allows you to visit providers both in and out of your network. You also don’t need to see a Primary Care Physician for a referral to a specialist. 

HMO

An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is a type of managed healthcare plan where you must have a Primary Care Physician who manages your care. You get your healthcare through providers within the network. If you get care outside the network you pay the entire bill out of pocket. The plans are usually less expensive but you have fewer choices. 

Deductible

The deductible on your policy is the amount you must pay annually before your health insurance starts to cover. Some exceptions may be preventative care. With a high deductible, you will pay less for your policy. 

HSA

A Health Savings Account allows you to save money pre-tax so you are able to pay medical expenses that aren’t covered by your high deductible health insurance policy. Every year there are fixed limits on the amount you can place in your account. Talk to your financial advisor about the amount you can save. 

Contact Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX for all your insurance needs. 

Questions you need to ask before choosing a health insurance policy

Choosing a health insurance policy is one of the most important decisions you make. Your health literally depends on it. For some people the question foremost on their mind is "how much will this cost" and while the cost is important, so many other things are more important. It is not worth getting a low price policy that in the end will not offer you any coverage. Talking to a trusted independent agency like Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX makes good sense when something so important is at stake. 

What type of plan is this

Is the plan you are considering a PPO (Prefered Provider Organization) or an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). With a PPO you get the best deal by getting your health care through their network of caregivers. You don’t need to have a primary care doctor who coordinates your healthcare, you can visit anyone in the network. With an HMO you have a primary care doctor and you need to be referred to a specialist from your primary care physician. 

Are my doctors on the plan?

Most people have a doctor or doctors who they regularly visit and they trust them to provide medical care. You need to check the list of doctors who are in the plan to make sure you won’t lose your favorite. 

Are my prescriptions covered?

Every plan has a formulary that lists the covered drugs and places them into tiers. The tiers determine the cost. First, you need to make sure your drugs are on the list and then what tier are they in. 

At  Insurance Over Texas in Houston, TX, our customer’s insurance needs are our primary concern. We are here to answer any questions you have about your health insurance. Give us a call or stop into our office for the personal care you deserve. 

What Events Allow for Changing Your Health Insurance Coverage?

If you don’t have health insurance through your place of employment, you will have to purchase it on your own. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds, especially with every state offering its own health insurance options. If you prefer, you can also talk to the agents at Insurance Over Texas. Insurance Over Texas serves residents who live in or near the Houston, TX area. While open enrollment only remains in effect from November 1st to December 15 each year, there are specific events that will allow you to alter your policy.

Open Enrollment Deadlines for Health Insurance

No matter where you get your health insurance, it must be purchased during the Open Enrollment period for your state. For the 2019-2020 year, Open Enrollment started on November 1, 2019, and ended on December 15, 2020. Insurance that has been purchased during that time went into effect on January 1, 2020. While the deadline for Open Enrollment has already passed, you can still purchase health insurance if you have a "special circumstance".

What Type of Event Will Allow You to Change Your Coverage?

Life-changing events that allow you to sign up or change your insurance coverage include divorce, marriage, the birth of a child, or the death of a spouse. Another possible circumstance would be the termination of your employment. If any of these events occur, you can apply to have your policy adjusted to account for your new situation.

In Houston, TX, the agents at Insurance Over Texas can help you find the right health insurance policy for you. They can also assist you if you need to alter or change your policy after a life-changing event. Call and speak to an agent as soon as you can!

 

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