Thousand Oaks Health Insurance

As a long time Thousand Oaks agency, we’ve seen plenty of changes to our small community, especially when it comes to health care and health insurance. There are now more small companies than ever before that call Thousand Oaks home.

Many of these small companies used to provide health insurance benefits for their employees. But over the past few years because of the economy we’ve seen more and more small companies forced to increase their rates, or drop health insurance altogether, because the cost was just too high.

This means that more and more small business employees are now looking for health insurance on an individual basis. Maybe you now find yourself in that situation. Or maybe you were laid off and are now running out of Cobra benefits. The good news is we are here to help.

Thousand Oaks and Health Insurance

We’ve been independent agents here in Thousand Oaks since 1985, and we’ve provided thousands of satisfied customers with health insurance coverage they need, at a price they can afford. Are you feeling like your out there on your own without the benefit of group health insurance coverage? You’re not alone.

The reality is in these tough economic times more and more individuals are being forced to find health insurance on their own. Rates for health insurance continue to rise, especially for small businesses. This means more people are slipping out of group health insurance coverage, and facing finding a plan on their own.

Let us help you. Give us a call right now and we’ll use our expertise to find health insurance for you. There’s no fee for our review, and there’s never an obligation to buy.

We’ve been finding and placing individuals and families with quality health insurance for over 20 years. We offer health insurance coverage from a wide variety of health insurance companies. We do this because no two people have exactly the same needs, and by providing choices we are usually able to help individuals and families find coverage they need, at prices they can afford.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to go about finding and buying health insurance on your own the good news is we’re here to help. We’ve provided free online health insurance quotes below.

And we’ve provided answers to common health insurance questions at the bottom of this page.

Health Insurance Advice

The important thing to remember is your not alone when you need to find health insurance. Just give us a call, or stop by our office here in Thousand Oaks.

We’ll be glad to explain how health insurance coverage works, and we’ll listen to your needs to review what might be best for you.

Free Online Health Insurance Quotes:

These links will take you to online health insurance forms you can use to receive free quotes. If you have any questions or need extra help in getting your quote just give us a call. We’re always glad to help you.

Blue Cross of California

Blue Shield of California

Nationwide Health Plans

Health Insurance basic, but important, questions:

What is a PPO?

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is an arrangement designed to supply healthcare services at a discounted cost by providing incentives for members to use designated healthcare providers (who contract with the PPO at a discount), but which also provides coverage for services rendered by healthcare providers who are not part of the PPO network.

What is an HMO?

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, a healthcare system that assumes or shares both the financial risks and the delivery risks associated with providing comprehensive medical services to a voluntarily enrolled population in a particular geographic area, usually in return for a fixed, prepaid fee.

What is a Primary Care Physician (PCP)?

A physician or other medical professional who serves as a group member’s first contact with a plan’s healthcare system. Also known as a primary care provider, personal care physician, or personal care provider.

What is a Health Insurance Claim?

An itemized statement of healthcare services and their costs provided by a hospital, physician’s office, or other provider facility. Claims are submitted to the insurer or managed care plan by either the plan member or the provider for payment of the costs incurred by the physician or other medical professional who serves as a group member’s first contact with a plan’s healthcare system. Also known as a primary care provider, personal care physician, or personal care provider.

What is Coinsurance?

A method of cost-sharing in a health insurance policy that requires a group member to pay a stated percentage of all remaining eligible medical expenses after the deductible amount has been paid.

What is a Primary Care Physician?

A Primary Care Physician is a Physician or other medical professional who serves as a group member’s first contact with a plan’s healthcare system. Also known as a primary care provider, personal care physician, or personal care provider.

What is a Copayment?

A specified dollar amount that a member must pay out-of-pocket for a specified service at the time the service is rendered.

What is a Fee Schedule?

The fee pre-determined between the Physician and the insurance company for a procedure or service, which the physician agrees to accept as payment in full. Also known as a fee allowance, fee maximum, or capped fee.

What is a Generic Substitution?

The dispensing of a drug that is the generic equivalent of a drug listed on a pharmacy benefit management plan’s formulary. In most cases, generic substitution can be performed without physician approval.

Health Tips:

Childproofing:

Childproof your home to protect your child from injury. By taking the time to make some changes you will help your child. Securely lock up or keep out of reach anything likely to be dangerous in the hands of a child:

• Toxins (e.g., fertilizers)
• Medicines
• Power tools
• Electrical appliances
• Cleaning solutions and powders
• Cover electric wall sockets
• Kitchen knives
• Secure and block dangerous stairwells, second floor screenless windows and glass doors
• Fence in yards and remove dangerous equipment from your yard
• Supervise children’s play outside the home, especially if your house is on a busy street
• Supervise your child’s play with younger brothers and sisters
• Children should wear bike helmets when bicycling
• Be careful with house plants. Some common varieties are poisonous (e.g., Poinsettia, Dieffenbachia, Philodendron)

Home First-Aid Kit:

Every home needs a first aid kit for unexpected injury. Some basic suggestions are made below to assist your preparation of this kit. You will want to prepare two kits – one for your automobile and one for the home. You can place these items in a small storage box such as a tackle box or a small sewing box.

Equipment:

• Sterile gauze pads (large and small)
• Telfa pads (or nonstick bandage)
• Gauze bandages (sterile 2×2 & 4×4)
• Paper tape or waterproof plastic tape
• Band-Aids (all 3 sizes)
• Elastic bandage (3 inches and 4-6 inches wide)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Thermometer

Medicines:

• Acetaminophen Syrup of Ipecac (one bottle per child/note expiration date)
• Hydrogen peroxide (or antiseptic wipes)
• Sunscreen agents
• Meat tenderizer (unseasoned)
• Benedryl (liquid form)