Maximizing Your Health Insurance Benefits

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.

• 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