Tag Archives: disability insurance

Feb 14 2026

Looking for health insurance? Make sure that’s what you’re getting

Are you looking to get or switch your health insurance? Know that some dishonest marketers might lie about what your plan would cover, make it seem like they’re selling health insurance when you’re just getting a discount plan, or try to sell you something else entirely.

If you’re looking for health insurance, make sure that’s what you’re buying:

  • Don’t decide on the spot. Get details in writing before you sign up. If the marketer won’t give you information in writing about the plan’s benefits and limitations before you give a credit card number or other payment information, that’s a major red flag.
  • Review the plan documents carefully and make sure it’s what you want. Is it health insurance, a medical discount plan, or something else? Call your health care providers directly to find out if it would cover your care, and how much it would cost you for things like going to the emergency room or being admitted to the hospital. Call before you enroll or pay any fees.
  • Search online for any company or plan name listed in the documents with the words “complaint,” “scam,” or “fraud.” Read reviews and see what others have to say.

Spot a misleading ad? Tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more information, click here.
 
Teaching Suggestions:

  • Ask students if they know the difference between health insurance and a medical discount plan.
  • Ask students to make a list of steps to take if they want to get or switch their health insurance.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important to get details of your medical plan and review it carefully before you sign up?
  2. How do you check if your medical plan provider is a legitimate business?
Aug 6 2016

What If Social Security Denies Your Disability Benefits?

If Social Security denied your disability benefits, you can file an appeal online, even if you live outside of the United States.

The online appeals application is simple, convenient and secure, guiding you through every step of the process.  From outlining your rights to an appeal, to publications on the appeals process, a fair review of your Social Security is right at your fingertips.  The online application even allows you to upload supporting documentation, like treatments, doctors, and medical reports, as well as an option to save your submissions.

Submitting all the necessary documents will save time and can help return a faster decision.  Here are some things you’ll need when ready to submit an appeal:

  • Doctors, hospitals, medical treatments, and tests since you last gave medical information to Social Security,
  • Medicines you are currently taking, and
  • Changes in your medical conditions, daily activities, work and education

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if they know someone whose disability benefits were denied? If so, how was the problem resolved?
  • What can you do if Social Security benefits are not sufficient to support your family?

Discussion Questions

  1. Does Social Security provide work incentives that allow people to work and still receive their disability benefits?
  2. Does Social Security provide benefits for partial disability or short-term disability?
  3. How does Social Security define disability?
Sep 20 2014

You Tube Videos: Healthcare and Taxes

In September 2014, the Internal Revenue Service announced the availability of new You Tube Videos to help taxpayers get important information about the Affordable Care Act and tax return filing.  These videos on IRS You Tube channel discuss the premium tax credit and the individual shared responsibility provision.  These provisions of the Affordable Care Act will affect tax returns beginning with the 2014 filing year.

In the premium tax credit video, the IRS Commissioner explains how it can help make purchasing health care through the Health Insurance Marketplace more affordable for people with moderate incomes.

For additional information on the tax provisions of the Affordable Care Act go to
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/New-YouTube-Videos-Provide-Tips-on-Health-Care-Tax-Returns

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the original article to discuss

  • What are the criteria used to be exempt from the Individual Shared Responsibility provision?
  • How and where can you obtain an exemption?
  • Who is subject to the individual shared responsibility provision?
  • What you need to do if you want to be sure you have minimum essential coverage or an exemption for 2014?

Discussion Questions

  1. What will you have to do if you don’t have or don’t maintain your health insurance coverage?
  2. If you don’t have health insurance coverage or qualify for an exemption, how and when must you make an Individual Shared Responsibility payment?