ANCHOR LEAD
SOURCE: According to Dave Evans of the
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, there are approximately 45 million uninsured Americans.
MORE THAN 40 MILLION AMERICANS DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE... SOME CAN'T AFFORD IT... WHILE OTHERS WHO WISH TO BUY...SIMPLY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START! FROM SOARING PREMIUMS TO COMPLICATED TERMS, IT'S ENOUGH TO CONFUSE ANY CONSUMER. EXPERTS SAY BEFORE BUYING, YOU BETTER DO YOUR HOMEWORK...SCOTT HANSON SHOWS YOU HOW IN THIS HEAD'S REPORT.

SOT
KEY @: :02 Alicia Gilliard, Insurance Shopper
"I've been without health insurance for about two or three years."

TRACK ONE Length: :06
AS A MOTHER, AND A NURSE, ALICIA GILLIARD KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE. BUT UP UNTIL NOW, SHE COULDN'T AFFORD IT.

SOT
KEY @: :08 Alicia Gilliard, Insurance Shopper
"It's too expensive. I mean having your health insurance do you know that's like paying for a car note or a mortgage..."

TRACK TWO Length: :05
RECENTLY, ALICIA STARTED LOOKING FOR COVERAGE...SHE SAYS THE SEARCH IS STRESSFUL AND INTIMIDATING...

SOT
KEY @: :23 Dave Evans, Insurance Expert
"Insurance can be complex, and health insurance can be even more complex."

TRACK THREE Length: :22
SOURCE: According to Cynthia Hucks, Vice President of Patient Service Programs at the Patient Advocate Foundation, the web may be a good place to familiarize yourself with insurance terms. She also suggests visiting AHRQ for more health insurance information. See sources below for contact information.
SO, FIRST EDUCATE YOURSELF. A GOOD PLACE TO START IS A TRUSTED WEBSITE...WHERE YOU'LL FIND A LIST OF TERMS. EXPERTS SUGGEST A-H-R-Q DOT GOV.... OR PATIENT ADVOCATE-FOUNDATION DOT-ORG.
YOU NEED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN H-M-O AND A P-P-O ... A BENEFIT AND A CLAIM. THEN, MAKE A CHECKLIST OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU.... IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO TRULY COMPARE POLICIES AND PRICES.

SOT
KEY @: :49 Dave Evans, Insurance Expert
"Comparison-shopping helps. But it gets hard to know the subtleties of insurance. And a subtlety can make a big difference."

TRACK FOUR Length: :14
SUBTLETIES LIKE: ARE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS COVERED? WHAT ABOUT SPECIALISTS? IS THERE A DEDUCTIBLE OR CO-PAY?
CHECK OUT SEVERAL POLICIES... AND BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR ANY PLAN...CONTACT THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND CHECK OUT THE COMPANY.

SOT
KEY @: 1:11 Dave Evans, Insurance Expert
"Their claims paying reputation. If there are complaints against them. States track these; it's all in the public domain."

TRACK FIVE Length: :08
THAT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN ...JUST ASK ALICIA WHO'S BEEN HUNTING FOR MONTHS- BUT ONCE HER FAMILY'S COVERED- SHE SAYS THE LEGWORK WILL BE WORTH IT...

SOT
KEY @: 1:25 Alicia Gilliard, Insurance Shopper
"Just like they say it's important to have credit, it's important to have insurance also."

STAND-UP CLOSE
SOURCE:
Cynthia Hucks of the Patient Advocate Foundation
AFTER DOING YOUR RESEARCH... GET ALL OF YOUR OFFERS IN WRITING...SET THEM SIDE BY SIDE AND WEIGH THE BENEFITS...THEN CHOOSE THE ONE THAT WORKS BEST WITH YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION AND LIFESTYLE.

ANCHOR TAG
EXPERTS SAY WHEN BUYING HEALTH INSURANCE NEVER PAY CASH. USE A CHECK, MONEY ORDER OR BANK DRAFT MADE PAYABLE TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, NOT THE AGENT.

SOURCES

Marie Buchanan
Department of Financial Services (Miami Office)
(305) 536-0310

The Department of Financial Services, Miami office, provides Florida consumers with information and education they need to make informed financial decisions, including decisions regarding insurance.

Sheila Avracuh
The Government Accountability Office
(202) 512-7277

Dave Evans
Senior VP of IIABA
(703) 706-5427
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) is a national group of about 300,000 business owners offering insurance and financial services.

Mohit Ghose
Director, Public Affairs
America's Health Insurance Plans
(202) 297-6396

America's Health Insurance Plans is a national association representing nearly 1,300 members that provide health benefits to more than 200 million Americans.

Cynthia Hucks
Vice President of Patient Service Programs at the Patient Advocate Foundation
(800) 532-5274

The Patient Advocate Foundation is a non-profit organization which serves as a liaison between patients and insurers.

Ms. Hucks recommended, as a consumer resource, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lead agency designed to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. AHRQ can be reached at (301) 427-1364.