Health Insurance - Common Terms


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Basic Hospital Expense Coverage
Covers a period of usually not less than 31 days of continuous in-hospital care and certain hospital outpatient services.
Basic Medical-Surgical Expense Coverage
Covers costs associated with a necessary surgery, including a certain number of days of in-hospital care.
Hospital Confinement Indemnity Coverage
Covers a fixed amount for each day that you are in a hospital.
Major Medical Expense Coverage
Covers hospital, medical and surgical expenses.
Accident Only Coverage
Covers death, dismemberment, disability or hospital and medical care caused by an accident.
Specified Disease Coverage
Covers diagnosis and treatment of a specifically named disease or diseases – such as cancer.
Other Limited Coverage
You may purchase insurance covering only dental or vision or other specified care.
Additional Coverage
Options provide added protection should you become disabled, require long-term care or enroll in Medicare.
Disability Income
This coverage provides for weekly or monthly benefit payments while you are disabled after a covered injury or sickness.
Long-Term Care Insurance
This policy usually pays for skilled, intermediate and custodial care in a nursing home as well as care in other settings, such as the home, adult day care center or assisted living facility. The policy usually pays a fixed amount per day while a person is receiving care.
Medicare Supplemental Coverage
The federal Medicare program pays most medical expenses for people 65 or older, or for individuals under 65 receiving Social Security disability benefits. However, Medicare does not pay all expenses. As a result, you may want to buy a Medicare Supplement policy that helps pay for certain expenses, including deductibles not covered by Medicare.

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