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How the Prescription Drug Card Works
Get savings and simplicity with STM prescription drug card
Your Short Term Medical (STM) plan provides coverage for prescription drugs. Just present your prescription card, which is now conveniently part of your ID card, at a participating pharmacy, and you may receive additional savings. And, you won't have to send in any drug claim forms - it's done automatically for you when you use a participating pharmacy. Get the most from your STM prescription drug card Present your prescription drug card, which is now conveniently part of your ID card, at a participating pharmacy, you may receive additional savings. Look at the real-life savings examples below for some commonly used prescriptions and see what you could save when you use your Short Term Medical (STM) prescription drug card.
Retail pricing based on Walgreens Pharmacies in Milwaukee and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, June 6, 2007. Pricing examples are for illustration purposes only. Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary by region. Payment must be made at the time of service to receive discount. Prescription drug savings do not guarantee benefits under your Short Term Medical plan.
Find a participating pharmacy now! Call the number on the back of your STM prescription card.
No HMOs or PPOs
Since Short Term Medical is not an HMO or PPO plan, you can choose your doctors and hospitals. No referrals are needed; no out-of-network penalties are incurred.
Receive Medical Care at Reduced Costs*
Your Short Term Medical plan gives you the freedom to choose your own doctors and hospitals. Additionally, you have the ability to reduce your medical expenses by using PHCS Healthy Directions Network providers.
Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), the largest PPO network in the country, gives you access to medical care at reduced costs through nearly 450,000 providers and over 4,000 facilities. By taking advantage of the discounted services offered through doctors and hospitals within the PHCS Network, you may receive discounts for covered services that can lower your total medical bills and make your health care dollars go further. Start saving money today! Check whether your provider is part of the extensive PHCS Network: * Not applicable in Rhode Island.
Payment Options
With Short Term Medical, you choose the payment option that's best for your temporary need.
Single Payment - Ideal if you know the exact length of time coverage is needed. The minimum number of days you can purchase is 30 and the maximum is 360* days. Monthly Payment - Ideal if you are unsure how long you need coverage. This "pay as you go" option lets you continue coverage for as long as needed (up to 360 days*) or stop payments and discontinue the plan whenever you want. You make an initial premium payment for 30 days and subsequent monthly payments for 30 days. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in some states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area. If you pay your initial payment by:
Payment Methods
You can pay for your Short Term Medical policy by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or auto bank debit (checking or savings).
When to Choose Short Term Medical
Short Term Medical covers a person for a limited period. If you think you'll need more permanent health coverage, you may want to look at another health insurance option, such as an Individual Medical policy.
Short Term Medical does not cover pre-existing conditions. Because Short Term Medical is designed to cover the unexpected, it does not include coverage for preventive care, physicals, dental or eye care. The definition of a pre-existing condition varies by state, but in general, Short Term Medical excludes conditions that have been diagnosed or treated within the previous 5 years. If you have an existing medical condition, you may want to see if extending your current insurance to fill a gap in coverage is an option. Employer-sponsored insurance can be extended under a government-regulated option called COBRA.
Purchasing an Additional Short Term Medical Plan*
Time Insurance Company's Short Term Medical plan is not renewable.
However, if your temporary need continues beyond your policy period, you may apply for a new plan under the following circumstances:
To obtain an additional plan, you must complete a new enrollment form. If the enrollment form is approved, a new plan will be issued. * Varies by state.
Premium Refunds
Assurant Health is confident that the Short Term Medical plan will satisfy your temporary health insurance needs. If you are not completely satisfied with the plan, you can return it within 10 days of delivery for a premium refund. Where the one-time application fee applies the fee is non-refundable. Simply put your request in writing and fax it to 414-299-6217 or mail it to: Assurant Health, P.O. Box 3175, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3175.
What is Covered?
Short Term Medical insurance is designed to protect you and your family from the high cost of unexpected illnesses and injuries.
Assurant Health's temporary medical insurance plans let you choose your own doctors and hospitals and pay for all covered medical expenses once your deductible, coinsurance and, where applicable, co-payment amounts have been met.
Short Term Medical insurance covers major hospital, medical and surgical expenses incurred as a result of medically necessary care for a covered illness or injury* up to a policy maximum of $2 million. Covered Medical Services
Although the above provides a summary of covered medical services, this is not an insurance contract and only the actual contract defines coverage. Benefits may vary by state and by the terms of the insurance contract. The policy itself sets forth in detail the rights and obligations of both you and the insurance company. Once you receive your Short Term Medical policy, please read it carefully.
Plan Limitations
Short Term Medical insurance is designed to protect you in the event of an unexpected illness or injury. Because of this, coverage for preventive care, physicals immunizations, dental or eye care are not covered.
Plan Exclusions
While policies vary by state, the following general summary outlines expenses that are not covered by this temporary health insurance plan.
Customer Profiles
Short Term Medical Insurance - Who Needs It?
Does your health insurance need match any of the profiles below? As one of the nation's leading providers of affordable, temporary health insurance, Time Insurance Company protects millions of customers from the financial hardship of unexpected illnesses and injuries. Find out how Short Term Medical can help you!
Can't afford COBRA?
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you have lost your job and can't afford COBRA insurance, but still want protection from the financial hardship of unexpected illnesses and injuries, learn how flexible, affordable short term medical plans can provide the right safety net for you and your family. Short-Term Insurance Need: Chuck lost his job and knows money will be tight until he finds a new one. He can take COBRA insurance through his former employer, but it is very expensive so he is looking for a more affordable alternative. The Solution: A Short Term Medical policy may be the best way for Chuck to secure his family's medical coverage and to save money vs. COBRA. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. Coverage can be purchased for as few as 30 days or as long as 365* days, depending on Chuck's state of residency. He can choose his own doctors and hospitals, and can also choose to pay his premiums in monthly installments or in one single sum. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. Note: Short Term Medical insurance is intended to cover you in the case of an unexpected illness or injury and does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. The advantage of continuing your current plan through COBRA is that any on-going treatment or medical condition may be covered without interruption. Choosing Short Term Medical coverage over COBRA may also affect your right to obtain permanent individual coverage without evidence of insurability. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in all states. This website will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.
Freelance, Part-Time or Contract Workers
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you work part-time as a freelancer, consultant, contractor or seasonal employee, and are not eligible for health insurance under an employer group plan, then you'll want to learn how flexible, low-cost temporary medical plans can work for you. Short-Term Insurance Need: Jackie is happy with her freelance job, which gives her time to find a permanent position. But as a contract worker, she isn't eligible for medical insurance under her current employer's group health plan. She's in good health, but she wants basic protection in case of an unexpected illness or injury. The Short Term Medical Solution: If Jackie is confident that she will find a permanent full-time job in a few months, she should consider Short Term Medical insurance. This plan provides temporary protection from the high costs of an unexpected illness or injury, which could prove financially devastating. Once Jackie finds her permanent job, she may want to consider keeping her Short Term Medical plan until her employer-sponsored insurance coverage starts. Jackie can choose her own doctors and hospitals, and can decide what deductible level she wants. The higher the deductible selected, the lower her monthly premium will be. And the monthly payment option enables Jackie to discontinue her plan when her temporary need ends. Short Term Medical insurance can be purchased for as few as 30 days or for as long as 365* days, depending upon one's state of residency. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. *The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available all states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.
No Longer Covered by Parent's Plan
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you're a young adult no longer covered by your parents' insurance policy, but want the peace of mind that comes with Short Term Medical coverage, learn how flexible, low-cost medical plans can work for you. Short-Term Insurance Need: John and Amy just graduated from high school. John is headed to college, but Amy is taking some time off before starting her university career. John will be covered under his parents' health plan, but Amy will lose her medical coverage as a dependant on her parent's plan because she's not headed to college right away. The Solution: If Amy is starting school in a year, a Short Term Medical plan may be the smart choice for her now. It bridges the gap between permanent health plans. And, it should be noted, that even a temporary break in health coverage could create a permanent threat to her parents' financial stability or to her economic future. Short Term Medical insurance can be purchased for as few as 30 days or as long as 365* days, depending on the state you live in. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. You choose your own doctors and deductibles. The higher the deductible you select, the lower your monthly premium will be. And the monthly payment option enables you to discontinue the plan once your temporary insurance need ends. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available all states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.
Between Jobs
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you are currently unemployed, lose your job or go on strike, it's important to know that an affordable Short Term Medical insurance policy can protect you and your family from the cost associated with unexpected illnesses and injuries. Short-Term Insurance Need: Tim's department was reorganized and he was laid off. He is confident he will find another job, but it may take several months. He is healthy, but he does not want to be without coverage - even for a day. The COBRA insurance plan offered by his former employer will take too big a bite out of his budget. He wants a low-cost, temporary health plan that he can discontinue once his need ends. The Solution: While Tim searches for a new position, a Short Term Medical plan can provide a temporary safety net. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. When he lands his new job, he can keep his Short Term Medical policy until his employer-sponsored health insurance starts. Coverage can be purchased for as few as 30 days or as long as 365* days, depending on the state you live in. You choose your own doctors and deductibles. The higher the deductible you select, the lower your monthly premium will be. And the monthly payment option enables you to discontinue the plan once your temporary insurance need ends. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. Note: Short Term Medical insurance is intended to cover you in the case of an unexpected illness or injury and does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. An advantage of continuing your current plan through COBRA may be that any on-going treatment or medical condition may be covered without interruption. Choosing Short Term Medical coverage over COBRA may also affect your right to obtain permanent individual coverage without evidence of insurability. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available all states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.
Recent College Graduates
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you're just getting started on a career, learn how flexible, affordable, temporary medical plans can work for you. Short-Term Insurance Need: Heather and Phil just graduated from college. Phil has been hired at a great company; Heather is deep into her search for the perfect job. Neither of them has health insurance. Phil's employer-sponsored coverage doesn't start until he has been working for three months, and Heather is no longer covered by her parent's policy. The Solution: Both situations are ideal for Short Term Medical plans. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. Coverage can be purchased for as few as 30 days or as long as 365* days, depending on the state you live in. Since Heather is unsure how long she'll need coverage, she should consider the monthly payment option, so she can cancel coverage once her short-term need ends. Phil can save money with a three-month, single payment option, because he knows when his new health benefits begin. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available all states. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area.
New Job
How Can Temporary Health Insurance Help You?
If you're a newly-hired employee experiencing a waiting period for health benefits, then you'll want to learn how flexible, affordable temporary medical plans can work for you. Short-Term Insurance Need: Dan just landed a new job at an engineering company, but his employer's group health coverage doesn't begin until he's been on the job for 90 days. For Dan, who has a young family, going without health coverage, for even one day, is too risky. The Solution: Dan's situation makes him an ideal candidate for a Short Term Medical plan. He can get coverage for the exact number of days he needs, and can choose to pay for his plan in monthly installments or in one single payment. Enrollment is simple and premiums are affordable. Although Dan is eligible for federal COBRA insurance through his former company, Dan may find that Short Term Medical insurance is better for his budget. COBRA insurance is designed to prevent interruptions in health insurance, but can be quite costly. The advantage of continuing coverage through COBRA is that any ongoing treatment or medical condition may be covered without interruption. It only takes minutes to get a quote and apply online. Note: Short Term Medical insurance is intended to cover you in the case of an unexpected illness or injury and does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Choosing Short Term Medical coverage over COBRA may affect your right to obtain permanent individual coverage without evidence of insurability.
Temporary Health Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about Assurant Health Short Term Medical plan. Your questions are important!
General Information
Q. What is Short Term Medical insurance?
A. Short Term Medical is temporary health insurance designed to protect you from an unexpected illness or injury when you are between permanent health plans. Q. What is the definition of a pre-existing condition? A. A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury for which the covered person received medical treatment or advice from a physician within the 5 year* period immediately preceding the covered person's effective date; or that produced signs or symptoms within the 5 year* period immediately preceding the covered person's effective date. * May vary by state. Q. How long a time period may I purchase Short Term Medical coverage? A. The minimum amount of coverage you can purchase is 30 days. The maximum amount of coverage is 185 days*. * The 12-month Short Term Medical plan is not available in all state. This Web site will only provide you with the ability to purchase plans available in your area. Q. When does my coverage begin? A. If you are submitting your application by: Internet using a credit card or auto bank debit - The earliest your coverage can begin is the day following transmission, if all other eligibility criteria have been met. For example, if you submit your application online on March 16th, the earliest your coverage can begin is at 12:01 a.m. on March 17th. All transmissions take place and are recorded based on the time and date in the Central Time Zone. For example, if you submit your application on-line at or after 10:00 p.m. on March 15th from a location in the Pacific Time Zone, the time of the transmission will be at or after 12:00 a.m. Central Time. The transmission date of your application will be March 16th, and your effective date will be March 17. Mail and writing a check - The earliest that your coverage can begin is the day following the U.S. Postal Service postmark, if all other eligibility criteria have been met. (If the envelope containing your application is not postmarked by the U.S. Post Office or if the postmark is not legible, the plan date will be the later of a) your requested date or b) two days prior to the date the application was received by Time Insurance Company.) Coverage will take effect provided the following conditions are met:
A. No. Deductible changes cannot be made after your plan is issued. Q. Can I add or remove family members? A. No. To add or remove family members, a new policy would need to be issued. Q. What is the Lifetime Maximum Benefit? A. Lifetime Maximum Benefit is the total benefit that can be paid out over the lifetime of the policy (effective dates of the policy). You may choose to increase your Lifetime Maximum Benefit by upgrading your policy at the time of enrollment/purchase. * May vary by state.
Pre-authorization service
Q. Does this plan require pre-authorization? A. Yes. Short Term Medical requires authorization prior to receiving certain services. The identification card you receive with your policy provides a toll-free number for easy access to this service. The authorization process must be followed in its entirety to receive maximum benefits. The policy explains the authorization process in detail. Authorization is required in advance of:
Payment information
Q. Are there any additional fees due in addition to the premiums?
A. Yes. In most cases, there is a one-time, non-refundable $20 application fee with each policy. Q. What is the difference between monthly and single payment plans? A. If you know exactly how long you will need temporary health insurance, for example, it will be 90 days before your employer's group insurance starts, then you can save money by paying for your policy in one lump sum. If you are uncertain how long you will need coverage, you have the option of paying as you go - month by month. Q. If I choose the monthly payment option, how will I be billed? A. If you make your initial payment by:
Benefits
Q. Can I choose my doctors and hospitals or are there PPO and HMO options available?
A. This plan is not an HMO or PPO. You have the freedom to select the doctors and hospitals you use. For Additional Savings* - You can reduce your medical bills by using the doctors and hospitals participating in PHCS Healthy Directions. Simply call PHCS at 1-800-357-6847 or visit PHCS web site to verify that your doctor or hospital is part of the PHCS Network. When using the web, click on "Find a Provider", then "Start New Search". Under Step #2, choose Healthy Directions/Access Advantage from the drop down menu. At the time of service , present your medical identification card with the PHCS logo on it and your provider will bill you at the reduced network rate for services. * Not applicable in Rhode Island. Q. Are prescription drugs covered? A. Yes. A prescription drug is one that is prescribed by a physician and payment is subject to deductible and coinsurance amounts for an illness or injury that occurs while a policy is in force. There is no drug card. Q. Does the Short Term Medical plan cover routine dental and optical expenses? A. No. This plan is designed to protect you in the event of an illness or injury and is not meant to cover non-injury related dental and optical care. Q. Will a routine checkup be covered? A. No. This plan is designed to protect you in the event of an illness or injury and is not meant to cover routine exams and preventive care. Short Term Medical is for temporary coverage only and therefore does not include most of the benefits a permanent heath plans offer.
Obtaining an additional Short Term Medical plan
Time Insurance Company's Short Term Medical plan is not renewable.
However, if your temporary need continues beyond your policy period, you may apply for a new plan under the following circumstances:
To obtain an additional plan, you must complete a new enrollment form. If the enrollment form is approved, a new plan will be issued. * Varies by state.
Federal reform legislation
The following Q&A's regard federal legislation.
Q. Are Short Term Medical plans affected by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996? A. No. Under HIPAA, short term limited duration policies are generally exempt from this legislation. This means that when issuing a Short Term Medical policy, insurance carriers do not have to: guarantee renewability, guarantee issue or waive the pre-existing condition limitation for federally eligible individuals.* Q. Is a Short Term Medical plan considered "creditable coverage" under HIPAA? A. Under HIPAA, Short Term Medical coverage is generally considered creditable coverage to help satisfy any pre-existing condition period.* Previous creditable coverage includes:
Temporary Health Insurance: Who You Choose Matters
Choosing the right insurance company is just as important as choosing the right health plan for you and your family. That's why you need to look at a company's longevity, its stability and its focus to make the right choice.
Longevity The length of time a company has been in business tells you if it has had sufficient time to fully understand the complexities of health insurance. It takes more than a few years, decades even, to learn the business and to properly serve and support customers. Time Insurance Company, a part of Assurant Health, enjoys a long and stable tradition - with more than 110 year's experience. Financial Strength Assurant Health is a business unit of Assurant, Inc., a financial services company that, through its operating companies and affiliates, has built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments. Focus Business focus is important too. If health insurance is the only business a company does, it has to do it right to be successful and stay in business. With health insurance as their sole focus, Assurant Health is a leader in the Short Term Medical market. Assurant Health has been in business since 1892 and is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by Time Insurance Company, John Alden Life Insurance Company and Union Security Insurance Company. Together, these three underwriting companies provide health insurance coverage for more than one million people nationwide. Each underwriting company is financially responsible for its own insurance products. Primary products include individual medical, small group, short-term and student health insurance products, as well as non-insurance products and consumer-choice products such as Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements. With almost 3,000 employees, Assurant Health is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., and has operations offices in Minnesota, Idaho and Florida, as well as sales offices across the country. Assurant Health is one of five key business segments of Assurant, Inc. Together with Assurant Employee Benefits, Assurant Preneed, Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property, these business segments have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty market segments in the U.S. and selected international markets. Assurant Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. |
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