A catastrophic insurance is a health insurance plan that will protect you if something unepected happens that would require medical assistance. These cases may be accidents or injuries. As a High-Deductible Health Plan, a catastrophic insurance require low monthly premiums. The downside of this may be higher out-of-pocket epenses only at the time of need. Most individuals who opt to keep a catastrophic insurance are those who are relatively healthy. They don’t need to visit the doctor regularly and may have a fairly good lifestyle to keep them fit. Catastrophic insurance plans come in two types: the comprehensive plan type where the benefits may be close to those of a traditional plan, and the supplemental plan type which in effect, supports the other health insurance an individual has. The comprehensive catastrophic insurance plan covers emergency services which may include access to emergency doctors and rooms, ambulance services. Even with all these services, the monthly premium for this plan is much lower than the traditional insurance. Items or benefits that may be included in a supplemental catastrophic insurance plan are psychiatric and nursing services as well as medical equipment needed by the patient/insurance policyholder. Because catastrophic insurance is allotted to urgent cases, doctor’s visits and prescription medicine costs are far more epensive. That is why healthier people who don’t need frequent medical attention may choose catastrophic insurance. What could be one of the major concerns in getting a catastrophic insurance are the finances. If you think you would rather pay a lower deductible but can still save for out-of-pocket epenses, this may be right for you. It is also interesting to note that when you are able to meet your deductible in a catastrophic insurance, the plan will then pay for the medical or health epenses at the time of need. -- June 11, 2009 @ 9:19 pm