Health Watch | Avoid Junk Health Insurance | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Monday, June 8, 2009

Health Watch Consumer Reports finds all too many people are falling victim to hazardous health plans. But it's not until people get sick that they discover the problem. That's what happened to Gina Eaton. Her policy has such a high deductible that she says she opted not to get medical treatment for a miscarriage.

"I just kind of went to bed for about three or four days and tried not to walk around or do anything. I just stood real still and hoped that it would heal itself," said Eaton.

Nancy Metcalf with Consumer Reports said, "The policies are like Swiss cheese and they way they're written, it's really hard to spot the gaps. Even the insurance expert we hired to help us with this project had a hard time deciphering some of them."

Consumer Reports' Nancy Metcalf says the buzzword on many junk policies is "affordable".

"Many big-name insurance companies are offering these. They look like a good deal because the premiums are low but they're low for a reason. They are so riddled with loopholes, limits, exclusions that they will not come close to covering your expenses if you ever fall seriously ill," said Metcalf.

/*Consumer Reports*/ says here's how to avoid junk-health insurance policies. First, never buy a policy that's labeled "limited coverage" or "not major medical health insurance".

Next don't leave out a category of care because you "never use it". You may not use it now but you could desperately need it in six months.

Finally don't take a salesperson's word for anything. Always read the fine print which will help you avoid low-cost coverage that comes with a high price tag.