Individuals and Families

Why Buy My Own?

Employer coverage ends if you become ill and lose your job. Once you obtain your own individual or family policy, you can renew until age 65 (Medicare) and your premium cannot generally be increased due to illness or claims history. Premiums will rise with age and general medical inflation. Policies for healthy families are 1/3 to 1/2 the price of employer coverage. Compare Quotes Online!

Why High Deductible?

Choosing a traditional co-pay plan or a low deductible often costs you more in premiums than you save on doctor's visits. High-deductible plans save you money every year while still providing safety against medical bankruptcy.

What If I'm Seriously Ill?

All 50 states now offer some form of guaranteed-issue health insurance. If you or a member of your family has a serious preexisting health condition, you can apply for membership in the State Risk Pool, saving you thousands or tens of thousands each year.

Testimonials

Read how Zane Benefits has helped other individuals and families.

In the News

What To Do If You Are Self-Employed

Forbes

"The solution for healthy self-employed individuals is simple, according to author Paul Zane Pilzer. These folks should buy a high-deductible individual or family policy that is qualified to be paired with a health savings account, he says."

Insuring Yourself

NewsWeek

"In his latest book, The New Health Insurance Solution, published in September by John Wiley & Sons, Pilzer argues that most Americans—at least, those without preexisting conditions—can save money by choosing individual policies over those offered by their employers."

When To Choose An HSA

Wall Street Journal

"The real question for those considering an HSA is: 'Do I want a high-deductible health insurance plan?' says Paul Zane Pilzer."

CBN: The 700 Club with Pat Robertson

CBN

"Most people don't understand Cobra. For example, when you're fired or quit, you're entitled under federal law to the equivalent of three-and-a-half months of free Cobra. But your employer doesn't tell you about this."

Getting Cheaper Health Coverage

NY Daily News

"Paul Zane Pilzer offers living proof that even economists can have trouble finding good health insurance. He's since authored the book...And now, he's among those championing a Congressional bill, the Health Care Choice Act, which would allow individual health insurance to be sold across state lines."

The New Health Insurance Solution

Soundview

"The New Health Insurance Solution explains in layman's terms how readers can save money, and teaches them the most important aspects of the economics of health insurance."

What If You Lose Your Health Insurance?

Consumer Reports

"Surprise! You can find affordable health insurance on your own. Compared with employer-sponsored coverage, 'individual policies that you purchase yourself are half the price or less for the same coverage—if you're healthy,' says Paul Zane Pilzer."

Paul Zane Pilzer Debunks Health Insurance Myths

HealthSavings News

"One of the most common myths is that individual plans are twice the price of employer-sponsored plans. In fact, individual plans for healthy families are typically half the price of employer-sponsored plans. Most employers don't want you to know this because if your spouse is healthy the employer would not collect the premium."

Paul Zane Pilzer Debunks Common Health Insurance Myths

Consumer Reports
Health Savings News, Mar. 30, 2006
Original Article (PDF)

HealthSavings News editor, Matthew Osborn, spoke with Paul Zane Pilzer, economist and best selling author, on common myths surrounding health insurance costs.

HealthSavings News: What are some common myths that individuals face when considering health insurance options?

Pilzer: One of the most common myths is that individual plans are twice the price of employer-sponsored plans. In fact, individual plans for healthy families are typically half the price of employer-sponsored plans. Most employers don't want you to know this because if your spouse is healthy the employer would not collect the premium.

HealthSavings News: Can individuals negotiate with their insurance company on individual plans?

Pilzer: You just have to know how to do it. When people typically shop by price they line up the options and make a selection based on cost. The problem with insurance is that the stated cost only goes to about 60% of the people who apply. The remaining 30% who are accepted are uprated. Consumers should question the uprating, especially if it was based on a condition from the past, such as an accident that occurred in youth. To counter an uprating, you will need to get a letter from the doctor stating why the past condition won't impact your current state of health.

HealthSavings News: You mention the COBRA loophole in your book, The New Health Insurance Solution. What is it?

Pilzer: COBRA is a guaranteed product, and you have 90 days to accept it if you leave your employer. You should take the time to shop for other alternatives. If you elect to take COBRA, you have up to 105 days to pay the premium, and when you do your coverage is retroactive to Day 1. So even if you have to go to the doctor, it may be cheaper to pay for the visit out-of-pocket rather than elect COBRA, since you can elect COBRA retroactively if you become seriously ill.

Paul Zane Pilzer is a world-renowned economist, a multimillionaire software entrepreneur, an adjunct professor, and the author of seven best-selling books and dozens of scholarly publications on economics.

Reproduced with permission of Paul Zane Pilzer. Original Article