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Can I afford a personal health insurance plan like Consumers Life?
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Absolutely. Many people think personal healthcare plans are too expensive and beyond their means. But Consumers Life allows you to choose a plan that can suit your personal healthcare and your budget. |
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Can a permanent health plan be purchased if I already have other health insurance in place? |
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Yes. Consumers Life will follow the appropriate Coordination of Benefit rules to determine which health plan is primary and which is secondary. |
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Do you offer a supplemental accident product in conjunction with these plans? |
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No. Consumers Life does offer benefits for emergency services. Emergency services are not subject to the deductible. |
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I'm 65 or older - is Personal Health Plans from Consumers Life right for me? |
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Consumers Life is available to individuals six weeks to 64 years old. Vision and Dental coverage are available to persons of any age, including those 65 and older. For further details on dental and vision only coverage, please call your insurance agent or broker, or dial 800/338-5915. |
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Can I still get Consumers Life coverage if I have a pre-existing condition? |
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Personal Health Plans from Consumers Life health plans, whether permanent or short-term, has a pre-existing condition clause. If a pre-existing condition existed at any time during a certain period immediately preceding an applicant's effective date, then Consumers Life will not provide benefits for covered services relating to the pre-existing condition until the subscriber has been enrolled in a Consumers Life plan for twelve months. A pre-existing condition is a condition for which an ordinarily prudent person would seek medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment; or for which the applicant/dependent incurred medical expenses, received medical treatment, used a prescription drug or was advised by a physician or other medical professional to receive treatment.
However, if you have other healthcare coverage prior to their effective date, and did not experience a significant break in coverage, then your prior coverage will be credited toward the twelve-month exclusion period. A significant break in coverage is a period of 63 consecutive days during which the applicant did not have any other health coverage. |
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If you currently have Consumers Life, can you change the type of healthcare plan in which you are enrolled? |
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Yes, you may choose to change benefits but only at renewal. Benefit upgrades are subject to medical underwriting approval. However, if you want to switch from a short-term policy to a permanent policy, you may do so at any point during the length of the short-term policy. This may be accomplished by completing a Consumers Life application.
The Consumers Life permanent plan application is subject to underwriting eligibility requirements.
Short-term policies are available in certain states. Please contact your Consumers Life agent or broker for further details. |
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I am already a Consumers Life member, can I add benefits? |
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If you are currently a member and would like to add to or change your current benefits, please contact your Consumers Life broker or agent. |
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I only need coverage for a couple of months - can you help? |
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Yes. Consumers Life offers a short-term medical plan that is designed to provide temporary medical coverage for up to six months. The short-term plan is ideal for individuals who are:
- Between jobs.
- Waiting for employer group coverage to begin.
- A recent college graduate or part-time student.
- A temporary or seasonal employee.
- A laid-off, on strike, or terminated employee.
Short-term policies are available in certain states. Please contact your Consumers Life agent or broker for further details. |
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Does my doctor accept Consumers Life? |
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Consumers Life is only available to those who are a resident of that state at least six months out of the year
To search for a provider select your state: Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin. |
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Is Consumers Life available in other states? |
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The list of states where Consumers Life is available is constantly growing: check our home page to see if your state has been added yet. Be sure to view rates and download the application appropriate to the state where you're applying. You must be a resident of that state for at least 6 months of the year in order to be eligible. |
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Who is considered a dependent? |
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Consumers Life eligible dependents include the contract or policy holder's spouse and unmarried children up to the age limit, subject to the following:
- Natural children of the contract holder
- Children placed in the contract holder's home for the purpose of adoption
- Children for whom the contract holder or spouse is either the legal guardian or has been ordered by a court to provide health coverage
- Stepchildren, if the natural parent is also listed as a dependent of the policyholder
- Disabled dependents*, if they are:
- Unmarried and under the limiting age
- Primarily dependent on the contract holder for support
- Dependents as defined by IRS income tax code
- Covered by the contract holder's current/prior carrier
*Incapacity must have begun before reaching the age limit and must be medically certified by a physician. |
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Can I get a policy for my child only? |
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Adult residents and dependents may apply for Consumers Life as long as you are residents of that state at least six months of the year. |
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What if the parents are divorced, the mother has custody, but the father wants to buy medical insurance for the child? |
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The father should complete and sign the application on behalf of his child. If there is more than one child who needs coverage, then the father must complete and sign separate applications for each child. |
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What if a dependent is pregnant when the application is submitted? |
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Eligible dependents include not pregnant dependent children under the dependent age limit. Coverage for the pregnant dependent is not available until her six-week post-delivery exam has been completed. In the case of a Caesarian-section delivery the dependent will not be eligible until six months after the surgery. |
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What is a deductible? |
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A deductible is an amount, usually stated in dollars, for which you are responsible each benefit period before Consumers Life will start to provide benefits. |
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Does Consumers Life include other benefits, like dental, vision, or prescription drug? |
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Incorporated into each Consumers Life medical plan is a prescription drug benefit. Also, you may select one or more of the following ancillary riders in conjunction with a permanent health plan:
- Maternity Services Rider
- Prescription Drug Rider
- Consumers Life offers the following optional coverages:
- Mental Health Rider
Please contact your agent or broker for further information on riders available in your state. |
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How accurate is the Estimated Premium? |
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The rates quoted are estimates only, and are subject to change based on your medical history, the underwriting practices of the health plan, the optional benefits you selected, if any, and other relevant factors. Consumers Life reserves the right to change the terms of the policy under proper notifications. |
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Once I have a premium estimate, what is the next step? |
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Once you have found the Plan and Options that are right for you, download and print the Consumers Life Application Form. Complete the application and follow the procedures listed on the application form tab within this Web site. Or call your insurance agent or broker, or dial 800/338-5915. One of our friendly representatives will guide you through the application process. |
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To whom should premium payments be made payable? |
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All checks/ money orders should be made payable to Consumers Life. |
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How does a customer change his/ her billing method? |
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To change billing methods, the subscriber should complete page four of the application, include his/her group number or subscriber number, and fax or mail it to Consumers Life at:
Consumers Life
MZ: 01-6B-6200
2060 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
216/687-6352 (fax) |
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I need help! Who can I contact? |
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If you need assistance at any time during your plan selection process, call your insurance agent or broker, or dial 800/338-5915. |
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