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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ's) - American Health Shield
- Important
Information
- Who
should I discuss my insurance needs with?
- Who
can answer my questions regarding this plan?
- What
does this plan cover?
- What
portion of covered expenses must I pay?
- Does
this plan use a Pre-Admission Notification service?
- What
healthcare providers and facilities can I receive treatment from?
- How
long can I keep this coverage?
- What
if I need further treatment after my Coverage Period expires?
- After
my Coverage Period expires, can I re-apply for coverage?
- When
does my coverage begin and end?
- Can
I change my Coverage Period?
- Can
I change my coverage effective date?
- Can
I change my deductible?
- Can
I add or delete family members from my coverage?
- If
I select the monthly pay option, how will I be billed?
- Can
I change my payment method?
- If
my age changes after coverage begins, will my premium change?
- If
I move after coverage begins, will my premium change?
- Can
I cancel my coverage and receive a refund?
- Is
this plan subject to the federal Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996?
- Is
this plan considered "creditable coverage" under HIPAA?
This
plan of Short Term Medical Insurance (insured by Fairmont Specialty)
does not provide benefits for pre-existing conditions, work related
illnesses and injuries, and preventive care. If you or a
dependent (spouse and/or child) have an existing health
condition, please consult with your licensed, independent health
insurance agent prior to changing or purchasing health/medical
insurance coverage.
Any
false statement, material misstatement or omission of information on
the application form will be considered a misrepresentation and may be
the basis of claim denial or later rescission of coverage issued on
the basis of the information given. Such claim denial or rescission
and termination of coverage will apply to the Named Insured and
his/her covered Dependents without liability to Fairmont Specialty.
Insurance
fraud is a crime. Any person who, with intent to defraud or
knowingly facilitates a fraud against an insurer, submits an application
or files a claim containing false, deceptive and/or incomplete
information is subject to civil and criminal prosecution.
WHO DO I CONTACT?
Answer. Contact
your independent insurance agent.
Answer. If you
have not applied for this plan and are not currently insured under
this plan, contact your independent insurance agent. If you have
applied for this plan or you are currently insured under this plan,
contact your independent insurance agent or the Customer Service
Department at 1-800-753-1000 (Monday through Friday / 8:30am to 5:00pm
EST). Note - Important contact information is listed on the insurance
information card(s) issued to approved applicants.
COVERED EXPENSES,
LIMITATIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Answer. Please
refer to the Plan Highlights section of this site for plan covered
expense highlights. It is important to note that plan benefits and
covered expenses vary by state and are described in detail in the
Policy or Certificate issued by Fairmont Specialty to approved
applicants.
Answer. First, you
are responsible for satisfying the Coverage Period deductible ($250;
$500; $1,000; or $2,500) you selected. The deductible amount will be
automatically deducted from benefit payment(s) until it has been fully
satisfied. Following deductible satisfaction, the plan then pays the
next $5000 in covered expenses at the benefit level (*80% or *50%) you
selected -- this is called coinsurance. Any additional covered
expenses, in excess of the deductible and coinsurance, are then paid
by the plan at *100% up to the benefit and/or plan maximums.
Deductible, coinsurance and plan maximums are per person per Coverage
Period.
*Unless otherwise stated
in the Policy or Certificate
Answer. Yes. This
plan requires a Pre-Admission Certification by a Professional
Review Organization prior to in-patient Hospitalization or
surgery. Trained medical professionals will review the proposed
plan of medical care for appropriateness and advise you of any
available options that you may wish to consider. This service
is designed to help you make more informed decisions about the care
you receive. A Covered
Person or their Attending Physician must call the Professional
Review Organization: 1. For elective or non-emergency
Hospitalization or surgery, at least 10-days prior to the date of
proposed Hospitalization; 2. Within 48-hours of an emergency
admission; or 3. Within 48-hours of delivery for complicated
childbirth. Non-compliance
with the Pre-Admission Certification procedure will result in a reduction
in benefits of 50%, unless the Covered
Person is incapacitated and unable to contact the Professional
Review Organization. In such cases, the Covered
Person must contact us as soon as possible.
Answer. This plan
is not an HMO or PPO managed care plan. Should you become sick or
injured, you have the freedom to choose your own healthcare providers
and facilities.
COVERAGE PERIOD
Answer. If you
select the monthly payment option, coverage is available in: a) 30-day
increments up to the 180-day maximum Coverage Period, or b)
monthly increments up to the 12-month maximum Coverage Period. If
you select the single payment option, enter the exact total number of
days you need coverage for (30 day minimum Coverage Period / 180 day
maximum Coverage Period). The Coverage Period you select is
the maximum length of time that your coverage will stay in force.
Answer. Please
refer to the Plan Highlights section of this site for extension of
benefits after termination information.
Answer. This plan
is not renewable nor intended to be permanent coverage. Coverage will
terminate upon expiration of your Coverage Period. However, you may be
eligible to apply for another Coverage Period following the expiration
of your previous Coverage Period. If a new Coverage Period is applied
for and issued by Fairmont Specialty, there is no continuous coverage
between any previous and current Coverage Period. Any condition or
symptom which occurred under a previous Coverage Period may be treated
as a pre-existing condition under a subsequent Coverage Period. Note -
In no event will Fairmont Specialty issue successive Coverage Periods
totaling more than 365 days (unless otherwise limited by state
law).
COVERAGE EFFECTIVE
& TERMINATION DATE
Answer. Please
refer to the Plan Highlights section of this site for coverage
effective and termination date information.
COVERAGE CHANGES
Answer. No. Once
your application has been submitted, the Coverage Period cannot be
changed.
Answer. No. Once
your application has been submitted, the effective date cannot be
changed.
Answer. No. Once
your application has been submitted, the deductible cannot be changed.
Answer. No. Once
your application has been submitted, you cannot add or delete family
members (spouse; children), unless otherwise required by law.
PREMIUM & PAYMENT
INFORMATION
Answer. If you
made your initial payment by:
Personal Check -
Payment coupons will be enclosed with your Policy or Certificate. Each
payment coupon is for a 30-day or 1-month period and identifies
the payment due date, amount due, and address where to send your
payment. Your payment(s) for the exact amount(s) due must be received
by Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, Inc. on or before the indicated due
date(s).
Automatic Bank Draft
or Credit Card -
Your monthly payment for each 30-day or 1-month period will be
automatically debited from the bank account or MasterCard / VISA you
identified in the "Electronic Payment Authorization" form.
Important - If your
initial payment is dishonored by the bank or credit card issuer,
coverage will be canceled and cannot be reinstated. If a payment
(after the initial payment) is dishonored by the bank or credit card
issuer, coverage may be terminated and cannot be reinstated.
Answer. Yes. Only
if you selected the monthly payment option and made your initial
payment by automatic bank draft or credit card. Important - To make
future monthly payments by personal check, you must send written
notification to Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, Inc. stating that you wish
to discontinue monthly electronic payment debits and make future
monthly payments by personal check. If you made your initial
payment by check or money order, future monthly payments cannot be
made by credit card.
Answer. No.
Answer. No.
Answer. Yes - only
if you return the Policy or Certificate to Co-ordinated Benefit Plans,
Inc., within 10 days of delivery, with your written request for
cancellation. Coverage will be canceled/void as of the effective date
and your initial payment will be fully refunded. If you made your
initial payment by credit card, we will issue a credit to that credit
card account. If you made your initial payment by automatic bank draft
or personal check, we will issue a refund check to the primary
applicant. After the "10 day free look period"
expires, no refund is available (unless otherwise mandated by law).
CONFORMITY WITH STATE
& FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
The Policy and
Certificates issued under it, will be deemed amended to conform to the
minimum requirements of the laws of the state in which coverage is
issued.
Answer. No. Under
HIPAA, short term limited duration plans are exempt from this
legislation. This plan is not: guaranteed issue; guaranteed renewable;
and the pre-existing condition limitation is not waived for federally
eligible individuals.
Answer. Yes*. Under
HIPAA, short term medical plans are generally considered creditable
coverage. *State
reform legislation may vary.
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