Promotional Information

A comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide designed to help consumers understand the American health insurance system so that they can obtain the benefits to which they are entitled.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Basic Tools
The Health Insurance Maze
Understanding the Language of Health Insurance
Developing a Systematic Approach to Dealing with Health Insurance Claims
Health Insurance Plans
Traditional Individual and Group Plans, Doctors' Bills
Traditional Individual and Group Plans, Hospital Bills
Self-funded Plans
Managed Care Plans
CHAMPUS and Medical Savings Accounts
Medicare and Medicare-Related Programs
Medicare
Medigap and Secondary Health Insurance Policies
Medicare HMOs
Specialized Situations
Extending Coverage through COBRA, the Portability Act, and Conversion Options
Programs for Children and Adults with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs
Coverage for Long-term Health Care
Conclusion: The Future of Health Insurance in America
Appendix A: Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance
Appendix B: Sources of Information and Advice on Specific Health Insurance Issues
Glossary
Index

About the Author

RICHARD EPSTEIN writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column, Insurance TroubleShooter, as well as a health insurance column for Exceptional Parent Magazine. With a BA degree from Brooklyn College, a masters from the New School for Social Research, and additional post-graduate work at the New School and at Columbia University, Epstein began researching the health insurance maze 15 years ago, when his spinal arthritis became so severe that he required an electric wheelchair for mobility. He found that many of the rules that insurance companies followed seemed illogical and, at times, almost incomprehensible.

Reviews

"The agony of dealing with health insurance is one of health care's worst side-effects. Richard Epstein is a persistent advocate who shows all of us how to fight for our rights and the rights of our families when it comes to health insurance. This new book can help protect all of us who are health care consumers."-Stanley D. Klein Co-Founder, Editor in Chief, Exceptional Parent magazine

?At this point, the health insurance system seems an almost impenetrable maze....At times, the tangle is so thick that consumers are unable to obtain the health insurance benefits to which they are entitled. Maximizing Your Health Insurance Benefits is designed to help consumers overcome those difficulties. It is written in a practical, easy-to-understand style--in both language and design....Start making room for this in your bookcase now. But put it within easy reach. This book will be a family friend for a long time to come.?-Exceptional Parent

?The book is written in a language that can be understood by the average consumer. It is a good tool for the average person trying to make sense out of the nonsense called the American health care insurance system.?-Employee Assistance Quarterly

"The book is written in a language that can be understood by the average consumer. It is a good tool for the average person trying to make sense out of the nonsense called the American health care insurance system."-Employee Assistance Quarterly

"At this point, the health insurance system seems an almost impenetrable maze....At times, the tangle is so thick that consumers are unable to obtain the health insurance benefits to which they are entitled. Maximizing Your Health Insurance Benefits is designed to help consumers overcome those difficulties. It is written in a practical, easy-to-understand style--in both language and design....Start making room for this in your bookcase now. But put it within easy reach. This book will be a family friend for a long time to come."-Exceptional Parent