Opción garantizada de cobertura médica-mini para aquellos que se les ha negado una póliza de seguro individual

Mini-meds – también referido como planes de cobertura médica de "beneficio definido"" – son seguros garantizados, que quiere decir que personas los pueden comprar sin importar cualquier condición médica pre-existente. No existen empresas aseguradoras que se involucren ni preguntas de salud que se le hagan.

¿Le parece demasiado bueno para creer? Es porque estos planes tienen limitaciones sobre su cobertura, que quiere decir que representan menos riesgo para las empresas aseguradoras. Estas pagan cantidades fijas y no están diseñadas para proveer cobertura catastrófica.

Beneficios de mini-meds para consumidores

With no deductibles or co-insurance to satisfy, provide you with first dollar coverage. Mini-meds typically offer negotiated discounts through a PPO, but can be used at any provider -- see whoever you like, or enjoy greater discounts in-network. Many offer dental, vision and prescription discounts.

Mini-meds are simple to understand ... they provide scheduled benefits for inpatient and outpatient services. For example, you can choose a plan that pays $1,000 a day for hospital coverage for the first 100 days.

Who are mini-meds appropriate for?

• Those with a pre-existing health condition and deemed "uninsurable"
• Or who can't afford a major medical plan, but need basic, non-catastrophic, coverage
• Or who have exhausted their 18-month COBRA benefits, and don't have other options
• Or those seeking inexpensive "creditable coverage" while between jobs

Anyone between the ages of 18-65 and their unmarried, dependent children up to the age of 19 or 25 if they are a full-time student, are eligible for coverage.

Coverage on pre-existing conditions

Just as with traditional insurance, there can be a waiting period for expenses due to a pre-existing condition. You can be covered for pre-existing conditions immediately if you come off a group or employer-sponsored plan and can supply a Certificate of Creditable Coverage stating you've had at least 12 months of continuous coverage with no more than a 63-day lapse

Most plans (such as the ones linked to from this site) are HIPAA qualified, meaning they can be considered "creditable coverage" by other carriers. If you have one these plans and later get a group insurance plan through an employer, the time on these plans may count toward the 12 month pre-existing waiting period for your new insurance.

If you can qualify for and afford traditional major medical insurance, that's what you should buy. -- If not, mini-meds provide a new option to consider.

Availability of mini-meds by state

One company offering mini-med insurance plans is AIM, available in the following states:

No matter what type of insurance you choose, be a responsible consumer and understand what you are purchasing and review the benefits and limitations are.