Nationwide PPO Health Plans for Truckers
Not everyone knows how the trucking industry plays a vital role in our economy. CDL truck drivers are necessary for not only economic growth but the modern marketplace's ability to exist at all. Often these truckers are overworked and, in reality, not compensated enough for their role in the economy and our day-to-day lives. Without them, our lives do not function and are drastically impacted. Recently, we have seen surging prices for gas, food, and other goods. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this has catapulted U.S. inflation to a 40-year high in June, further pressuring all Americans, especially truckers.
As a result, truckers, in particular, have been one of the occupations hit the hardest. With record fuel prices and an occupation predicated on driving, this is not an ideal situation for truckers. In addition, many truckers are self-employed & contracted, further exacerbating the issue for them as they are responsible for all their costs.
Times like this are when you can start looking at areas to reduce cost—figuring out which areas we can cut to save some extra cash. One of the last areas truckers usually check is how much they are paying in health insurance costs. Once they have coverage, most people don't think to check to see if there are more affordable options. Or, at the very least, get a second opinion to ensure they have the best level of coverage at the most affordable rate and make sure the plan will cover you outside your resident state.
Truck drivers are among the most vulnerable workers in the U.S. labor force. They have one of the highest injury and illness rates for any occupation in America. Unfortunately, they are among the least likely to have health insurance coverage. According to HD Fleet, the average cost of a truck accident with one injured driver is $148,279. The cost can reach up to $7 million when it involves a fatality. Over-the-road and long-haul truck drivers are prone to accidents, leading to severe injuries. As a result, truck drivers end up in emergency rooms. Even using ERs for non-emergency services when it would have been much more cost-efficient for them with online telemedicine or urgent care treated by a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, long-haulers are more vulnerable to developing severe health conditions due to the nature of their job, making health insurance for truck drivers an essential need. These conditions are hypertension, insomnia, sleep apnea, spinal disorders, headaches and migraines, stress and depression, arthritis, sinus problems, and lung diseases.
The same research report highlights that prevalence of obesity in the average American worker is 31%. In addition, the prevalence of diabetes in truck drivers is 14% compared to 7% of the average American worker. The report shows that 17% of American workers don't have a health insurance plan. On the other hand, over-the-road and long-haul drivers are the most underprivileged regarding health insurance because 38% of drivers lack a proper coverage plan.
Due to the long-haul truck driver experiencing higher health risks, every truck driver needs health insurance. But unfortunately, most drivers don't have insurance to cover their health costs or their families' medical expenses.
This is why it's important for truck drivers, especially long-haul truckers, to secure Nationwide PPO coverage. Most options available on the marketplace exchange, otherwise known as ACA plans or Obamacare plans, are HMO or EPO networks, limiting your coverage area. These plans are terrific because they do accept everyone. Still, again you can be subjected to limited or smaller localized networks. Typically not allowing services to be covered outside of your resident state. That is not a good position to be on for an occupation requiring being out of the state more often than not. Also, being Self-Employed and not having a group health plan through a large employer.
PPO Networks provide nationwide access to doctors, facilities & hospitals. You have the freedom and flexibility to go to any medical provider. It's always best to stay within the provider network, of course. However, if you cannot, you'll still have coverage, which is excellent news for Self-Employed truckers. Health insurance is a considerable expense for truckers. That's why it's crucial to have a Licensed Health Coverage Advisor help navigate these complexities. The various networks and what insurance carriers have more extensive nationwide networks. Which options have unlimited telemedicine if you need a quick prescription filled, you have a 15 min phone or video consultation with a board-certified physician, and it's called into a pharmacy near your travels.
Most people are not aware of the vast amount of private nationwide PPO plans available. Most Self-Employed people prefer these plans as they are nationwide PPO plans and usually have low or no deductible options. Most of the time, extensive Networks like United, Cigna, and PHCS, to name a few.
Now not every single private plan is efficient coverage. So, again, more reason to have one of our Licensed Advisors do this work for you and with you. Frequently, this results in individuals finding comprehensive and quality health coverage that you can take anywhere with you nationwide and saving a couple of extra dollars. Saving people money and getting them in a better position with health coverage is precisely what we pride ourselves on. So reach out today and allow us to help you find the coverage that will not let you down when you need it most at a more affordable rate.
561-806-9913
Robert@RKAinsuranceadvisors.com
www.RKAinsuranceadvisors.com
