Additional Coverage

There are many different types of additional coverage you can purchase. In addition to your health insurance you can purchase Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Chiropractic Insurance, Alternative Therapy Insurance, and Catastrophic Coverage.

Most dental insurance is part of an employees benefits with their health insurance plan. Even if you have to pay for it separately, dental insurance works much the same as health insurance. There is usually a group of dentist in the "network" for the plan that provides services at rates agreed upon between them and the insurance carrier. You will also have a co-pay, co-insurance and a deductible for services.

Vision insurance is also usually provided with health insurance by employers. Most commonly vision insurance covers eye exams and a percentage of the costs for lenses and frames if glasses are needed. Contacts can sometimes be covered if they are medically necessary as opposed to for cosmetic reasons. Following cataract surgery is an example of when contacts may be medically necessary.

Chiropractic insurance covers chiropractic care by licensed practitioners who have graduated from an accredited college with academic and clinical training. Chiropractic care is usually limited to a number of visits per year by the insurance company. Chiropractic insurance may be included with your employers' health plan. A discount plan may also cover chiropractic visits.

Alternative Therapy is a health related practice or therapy that is not recognized as part of traditional medicine. Such therapies include acupuncture, manipulative body therapies, herbal therapies, energy healing, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, and spiritual healing just to name a few. These therapies are not usually covered by any other form of insurance. Some insurance providers, though they do not cover these services, will provide a discount plan for these services.

Catastrophic coverage does not usually cover regular doctor visits, but covers major hospital and medical expenses. This coverage has a high deductible but a low premium. Generally healthy people who do not require major medical attention purchase this type of coverage in the event that they may need it. Those who are older, but healthy, purchase this coverage in the case of a stroke, heart attack or cancer diagnosis. People with existing medical conditions such as AIDS, cancer, heart disease and diabetes are not eligible for this coverage.