PJP Health Agency’s Affordable Alternatives to Major Medical Plans

PJP Health Agency serves customers in 45 states nationwide, providing them with cost-effective ways of accessing medical plans. Unfortunately, not every consumer can afford a major medical plan. PJP HealthAgency agents have experience in seeking out quality policies that meet specific health care budgets.

In securing a cost-effective health insurance plan, healthy patients who do not need to visit the doctor often may consider catastrophic coverage. While this type of coverage does not extend to check-ups and routine tests, it provides for major medical expenses and hospital visits in case of an accident or serious illness. The majority of people who hold catastrophic health insurance are self-employed and lack sufficient medical insurance benefits. They are seeking an affordable hedge against the possibility of major medical bills in case of an unexpected health crisis. It is important to note that this form of coverage, while extending to surgical treatment and X-rays, does not include maternity or mental health care. The relatively low premiums are reflected in high deductibles. This means that in cases requiring hospitalization, the extra medical costs may exceed the savings associated with the plan.

Another option for people under a tight budget are limited medical or “mini-med” plans. These plans place a strict maximum dollar amount on care. For example, the limit for a night’s stay at the hospital might be $1,000, while a single doctor’s visit might be capped at $60. In addition, there are a designated number of occurrences, past which the coverage no longer applies.

PJP Health Agency agents recommend major medical plans if at all possible, but realize that strict underwriting standards for comprehensive coverage (and the significantly higher premiums involved) frequently make limited or catastrophic care a viable short-term solution. 

Reducing Errors in the Healthcare Industry

Unless you work in the medical field, you’ve most likely never heard of McKesson. You may have seen a box of tissues bearing its logo at your doctor’s office or signed your credit card receipt with one of tits pens, but have you ever wondered what it is or what it does? Today, McKesson is involved in healthcare distribution and healthcare information systems and is one of the largest healthcare providers in the U.S. It was ranked at number 15 on the Fortune 500 in 2011 with revenue in excess of $108 billion.

Founded in 1833 as a company that imported botanical drugs and sold them wholesale, McKesson has grown into a medical powerhouse, distributing more than 30 percent of the pharmaceuticals used in the U.S. each day and supplying healthcare information technology systems to more than 70 percent of the country’s larger hospitals. It has pioneered technologies that make patient tracking and treatment safer for the patient and easier for healthcare providers, thus improving the quality of healthcare throughout the U.S.

Although the company did face a scandal in 1938, which lead to the Securities and Exchange Commission to enact more stringent laws regarding public companies using independent auditing companies to verify their financial information, it came back stronger and has gone on to become one of the oldest continually operating companies in the country.

In a medical community that is continually overworked and understaffed, life threatening mistakes occur when medical personnel are rushed and key pieces of information are overlooked or there is failure to properly identify a patient. McKesson is continually working to reduce the possibility of errors with better information tracking systems and barcode scanning programs that ensure that the patient receives the correct treatment all the time. These types of systems are critical to the continued success of the healthcare industry in the U.S.