Florida Health Insurance Coverage for Alternative Therapies, Claims & Choosing a Insurance Company

What About Coverage For "Alternative" Therapies?

Due to increasing consumer interest, some health insurance companies and health maintenance organizations now offer coverage for "alternative" medicine and therapies, such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, massage, etc. In some cases, alternative treatments cost less than conventional approaches. However, widespread coverage for alternative medicines will probably not occur until medical experts can conduct long-term studies and additional research. The existing coverage generally involves limited reimbursement and other restrictions.

Filing Claims

Florida law standardizes the claim forms used for health insurance. Many doctors and hospitals keep claim forms on hand and will file them for you. The following guidelines can help speed up the claims process.

• Inform your insurance company about a claim in writing within 20 days of the accident or illness. You must ffile your claim within 90 days.
• Contact your agent if you need help filing your claim. You should fill out all claim forms accurately and completely; attach copies of bills when requested, and keep your originals. Have your doctor and hospital representative complete (and sign, if necessary) their sections of the form right away.
• Keep copies of everything you send the company or the company sends to you, including a record of the date you filed the claim.

Please note: Your company should pay a claim promptly after it receives a completed claim form. The company should also provide an explanation for a partial payment or a rejected claim.

For more information, contact your insurance company or HMO representative, or your employer's human resources office. You should also seek competent medical advice from your doctor and other health care professionals.

How to Select an Insurance Company

When selecting an insurance company, it is wise to know that company's rating. Several organizations publish insurance company ratings, available in your local library and on the Internet. These organizations include: A.M. Best Company, Standard & Poor's, Weiss Ratings Inc., Moody's Investors Service and Duff & Phelps. Companies are rated on a number of elements, such as inancial data (including assets and liabilities), management operations and the company's history.

Before buying insurance, verify whether a company is licensed to sell insurance in Florida by calling the DFS Consumer Helpline toll-free at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). Be sure to have the full, legal name of the insurance company when you call. You can also go to www.MyFloridaCFO.com and click on the "Verify Before You Buy" button at the bottom of the page to search for licensing information.