By: JM, 11/19/09

Many of you have been there: you’re ready to finally learn about this product or that and take the next step in actually purchasing it. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, who has time to go and meet with someone to go over ALL the options? You figure, “I’m a smart person; I can read and make my own decision….right?” Well, when the websites you depend on to give you that decision-making information are mere mazes to try navigating through, you may often times just give up. Or, you turn to an “easier” source, which may be not be the best option for your needs. We feel your pain!

With the recent launch of our new website, HCC Medical Insurance Services (www.hccmis.com) clearly understands the endeavors of online consumers. We specialize in international travel medical insurance and US domestic short-term health insurance.

While most individuals may not find any topic containing the word “insurance” very exciting, it’s nice to know when you need information on these products, there is a place to go to get answers to the questions most asked by other consumers who have been in your shoes. We’ve also added a great tool to use to find agents in a specific area who can assist with applying for the policy you’ve chosen or to even suggest the most appropriate policy.

Whether you’re in the market for insurance or not, check out our new site to see what we think every company should boast: user-friendly features.

Posted by KT 11/18/2009

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  For many people, it will kick off the holiday season- but for some it means a big decision looming in the near future.  In February of this year, lawmakers signed a bill, which temporarily discounted COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) health premiums for laid-off workers to alleviate some of the burden while they searched for work. 

While this subsidy has been a blessing to thousands, the benefits were limited to nine months.  Unfortunately, many people who were laid-off earlier this year are still struggling to find jobs.  Those who took advantage of this government subsidy program when it first became available in March will soon need to either begin paying the true cost of COBRA, 102% of their total health premiums, or look into alternative options.  According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “an average family who is eligible for the subsidy, monthly premiums will jump to $1,078 a month from $377.”

What does this mean?  For many individuals, the entire COBRA premium, without the subsidy, will prove to be too high while on a reduced budget.  So what alternatives are available?  An article in USA Today discussed a couple of alternatives, one of which is purchasing short term medical insurance.  Traditionally, short term medical policies are used to fill temporary gaps in coverage for individuals in transition between jobs, recent graduates, or new employees waiting for group coverage to begin.  Many short term medical policies offer next day coverage and have limited underwriting requirements.  Depending on the carrier, coverage may be purchased for periods as short as 30 days and up to 6 months or, in some states, up to 12 months! The ease and flexibility typical of short term medical products can help give you peace-of-mind — perhaps allowing you to better focus on job hunting.    

If you are looking for a competitive short term medical policy, check out HCC Life Short Term Medical (STM).  HCC Life STM is underwritten and administered by HCC Life Insurance Company, a leading insurance company rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company.  The HCC Life STM policy boasts a wide range of deductible options, as well as a choice of overall policy maximums and coinsurance.  The plan also features a unique $50 co-pay option in place of the deductible for visits to an urgent care center.  Online fulfillment is also available so you can download and print ID cards and all relevant insurance documents immediately for coverage beginning as soon as the next-day.  For a free quote, click here.

Have some peace in knowing that there are options available if COBRA no longer makes sense for you and your budget.  Hopefully, with these options you’ll have something to be thankful for this year after all!

by JM

Effective July 1, 2009, MultiNational Underwriters will be operating under the name of HCC Medical Insurance Services (HCCMIS for short). This new name further assimilates the company with its parent company, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc, which is rated A+ by A.M. Best and has assets of over $8 billion.

HCCMIS promises to uphold the same commitment to international and short-term medical products and is excited to provide the same astonishing service as MNU always has. While you may still access information and services via www.mnui.com, you will soon be redirected to www.hccmis.com, the company’s new home site.

Posted 1/7/09 by Irene

I feel it is so important to note that even during tough times when every penny counts, health insurance is one thing we should not give up. Think about it. It may seem like an expense you could do without for a short period of time, say until you get a new job or your business improves, but that short time can easily turn into a very long extended period. And unfortunately, accidents and illnesses do not wait patiently on the sidelines until you have health insurance once again.
I remember one time when we had no coverage of any kind. With my husband being self-employed, and me not working outside of the home, we are guilty of foregoing the insurance coverage from time to time to “save money.” My daughter was taking karate lessons and as fate would have it, one day in class she broke her arm. Between the emergency room visit, X-rays and orthopedic surgeon, our lack of health insurance ended up being one costly mistake we will never make again.
So if you are in between jobs, just out of college, or simply stretching your dollars every which way you can, please do not let you and your family go without health insurance. You can get a free insurance quote for even short-term medical insurance. If you need a place to start, MultiNational Underwriters® (www.mnui.com) has a short-term medical plan, called Amigo, which is an affordable alternative to COBRA. This could be perfect for those that are newly hired and waiting for their insurance benefits, self-employed with no insurance and those looking for a new job.

Posted on 12/19/08 by K. Hatter

Our faltering economy is having far-reaching effects on many people. One such effect is on the health insurance coverage of people (and their families) who have lost their jobs. These people are either ending up uninsured, or are forced to pay for expensive COBRA coverage.

There is an affordable option, however. MultiNational Underwriters has a short-term medical plan called Amigo. This is an alternative to COBRA that is affordable and will help keep individuals and their families covered.

Please visit  www.mnui.com for a free insurance quote today.