Health insurance questions & answers

These are some frequently asked questions about health insurance. If you don't see the answer you need, send a question to editor@insurance.com

• What is the health insurance 'birthday rule'?
  
• Can I buy health insurance for my pets to cover vet bills?
  
• I cannot cover my prescription drug costs? What are my options?
  
• I need health insurance coverage between jobs. What kind of benefits can I expect from short-term medical insurance?
  
• What do I do if my Medicare HMO goes out of business?
  
• What is prescription insurance and how much does it cost?
  
• Do I need to buy special insurance if I live abroad for several months?
  
• I plan to retire soon. Will Medicare be enough to cover the cost of my medical care, especially prescription drugs?
  
• I'm self-employed -what are my options for disability insurance?
  
• What is the difference between HMO health insurance and PPO insurance?
  
• Are employees eligible for COBRA if their company goes out of business?
  
• Can I buy short-term disability insurance at my workplace?
  
• Does a Medigap policy cover dental care?
  
• Health insurance and pregnancy: What are the rules when starting a job?
  
• How do I get insurance coverage for nursing home care?
  
• I'm a self-employed contractor: What are my health insurance and disability insurance options?
  
• Is insurance available for chiropractic care?
  
• Must employers extend health insurance to unmarried partners?
  
• What are my options to see a specialist outside my HMO provider network?
  
• When applying for disability insurance, do I have to disclose a previous illness?
  
• As a single parent, what can I do to make sure my child's health insurance needs are covered?
  
• I'm adopting a child with health problems. Will I have trouble adding him to my health insurance policy?