Personal Finance #8-Insurance-Medical & Disability

This course will cover personal finance decisions related to medical and disability insurance. We will describe health insurance and compare it to other kinds of insurance, noting areas where health insurance can be more complex. Learners will understand what group health insurance is and its benefits.

We will discuss the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the legislation's impact on health insurance. The course will cover private health insurance, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point-of-service (POS) plans. We will also define high deductible health plans and discuss when they may be appropriate.

The course will break down the concepts of coinsurance, copays, deductibles, preexisting conditions, and health insurance costs. We will consider options for purchasing health care, discuss different insurance companies, and consider the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Learners will also understand dental and vision insurance and how they relate to an overall health insurance risk mitigation and health maintenance strategy.

The course will define long-term care (LTC) and consider its use in an overall health care strategy. We will discuss Medicare and Medicaid and how these government programs fit into the health insurance landscape as we age. Learners will also understand how disability insurance works and how to use it as part of an overall personal risk medication strategy.