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Insurance in Bellingham

Data source: US Census year 2000

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Uninsured in Whatcom County

Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County.

One in ten

One out of ten people in Whatcom County (14.4%) lack health insurance. In the state of Washington, 13.8% are without.

Among the population under 18 years in Whatcom County, 11.6% are uninsured, while the figure for Washington is 11.2%.

in 2005, 85% of Americans had some medical expense, spending on average $1,166.

Crime and Safety in Bellingham

Cities are generally less safe to live in than small towns. Violent crime in Bellingham is 45% lower per capita, than in the U.S. as a whole. The per-capita rate of property crime in Bellingham is 112.6% higher than nationally.

There are 1071 people living in restricted group quarters such as correctional facilities, nursing homes, and mental hospitals in Bellingham (1% of the population).

Accidents

Commuting to work is a fact of life for most Americans. In 2000, 82% of Bellingham residents drove to work, and 4% used public transport. 7% walked to work, and 3% rode a bicycle. While keeping active is vital for good health, unprotected forms of transportation also puts you at greater risk in traffic.

In the United States, 10% or Emergency Room visits in 2005 was due to traffic accidents. The most common injury was due to falls, totalling 21% of ER visits.

Bellingham, Washington Health Insurance

With a health insurance plan, your medical costs will be reduced, and a plan that includes regular checkups lowers your likelihood of developing serious health problems. As an added bonus, doctors charge people with health insurance less, since insurance companies negotiate discounts.

Getting an individual health insurance plan doesn't have to be expensive and complicated. With average premiums for single coverage reaching $373 per month ($4,479 annually) in 2007, and familty premiums soaring to $1,009 per month ($12,106 annually), the incentive to find cheap alternatives is higher than ever. Yougotinsured.com is dedicated to help you find ways to save, while retaining the security of a high coverage level.Yougotinsured.com is dedicated to help you find ways to save, while retaining the security of a high coverage level.

One way to pay smaller premiums is to sign up for a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), an alternative gaining popularity among employers who offer health benefits.

While most Americans have health insurance coverage through their employer, there are trends in the opposite direction. As the economy transforms, and employers rely more on part-time and contract labor, fewer employees are eligible for health benefits. Among firms who offer health benefits, 79% of workers were eligible in 2007. Among both firms that offer and don't offer health benefits, a total of only 59% of workers were actually covered by their employer.

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Local Health Insurance Agents in Bellingham, Washington

  • Friedl, Glen A - State Farm Insurance Agent

    (360) 676-1033

    1400 King ST Ste A
    Bellingham, Washington 98226-6262

  • Group of Health Insurance Services-Cheryl Mizen

    (360) 384-6075


    Bellingham, Washington 98225

  • Harber, James R - State Farm Insurance Agent

    (360) 676-9343

    3219 Meridian St
    Bellingham, Washington 98225-1727

  • Joe Treat Ins Agency Inc - State Farm Insurance Agent

    (360) 733-0870

    2600 Elm St
    Bellingham, Washington 98225-2325

  • Mizen Cheryl Group of Health Insurance Services

    (360) 527-2334


    Bellingham, Washington 98225

  • Slesk, Timothy D - State Farm Insurance Agent

    (360) 756-5007

    2940 Newmarket ST Ste 103
    Bellingham, Washington 98226-3871

  • Squires, Jacob I - State Farm Insurance Agent

    (360) 733-9190

    2500 Cornwall Ave
    Bellingham, Washington 98225-3417

Glossary of Terms

Coinsurance
amount you have to pay for medical care in a fee-for-service plan after you have reached the deductible. The coinsurance rate is usually written as a percentage. For example, if the insurance company pays 80 percent of the claim, you pay 20 percent.
Coordination of Benefits
A system to eliminate duplication of benefits when you are covered under more than one group plan. Benefits under the two plans usually are limited to no more than 100 percent of the claim.
Copayment
Another way of sharing medical costs. You pay a flat fee every time you receive a medical service (for example, $5 for every visit to the doctor). The insurance company pays the rest.
Covered Expenses
Most insurance plans, whether they are fee-for-service, HMOs, or PPOs, do not pay for all services. Some may not pay for prescription drugs. Others may not pay for mental health care. Covered services are those medical procedures the insurer agrees to pay for. They are listed in the policy.
Customary fee
Most insurance plans will pay only what they call a reasonable and customary fee for a particular service. If your doctor charges $1,000 for a hernia repair while most doctors in your area charge only $600, you will be billed for the $400 difference.
Deductible
The amount of money you must pay each year to cover your medical care expenses before your insurance policy starts paying.
Exclusions
Specific conditions or circumstances for which the policy will not provide benefits.
Fee-for-Service
The insurer only pays for part of your doctor and hospital bills. This is the traditional kind of health care policy. Insurance companies pay fees for the services provided to the insured people covered by the policy. This type of health insurance offers the most choices of doctors and hospitals.
HDHP
High-Deductible Health Plan. With this type of plan, you pay a smaller premium, but have to pay a larger amount out of your own pocket when you use medical services.
HMO
(Health Maintenance Organization): Prepaid health plans. You pay a monthly premium and the HMO covers your doctors’ visits, hospital stays, emergency care, surgery, checkups, lab tests, x-rays, and therapy. You must use the doctors and hospitals designated by the HMO.
Institutionalized
People under formally authorized, supervised care or custody in institutions (for example, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and mental hospitals). Generally, restricted to the institution, under the care or supervision of trained staff, and classified as "patients" or "inmates."
Kaiser
Figure refers to employer-based health insurance. Individual plans may be more expensive. ("Employer Health Benefits 2007 Annual Survey" (#7672), The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation & HRET, September 2007)
Managed Care
Ways to manage costs, use, and quality of the health care system. All HMOs and PPOs, and many fee-for-service plans, have managed care.
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
The most money you will be required pay a year for deductibles and coinsurance. It is a stated dollar amount set by the insurance company, in addition to regular premiums.
Noncancelable Policy
A policy that guarantees you can receive insurance, as long as you pay the premium. It is also called a guaranteed renewable policy.
PPO
(Preferred Provider Organization): A combination of traditional fee-for-service and an HMO. When you use the doctors and hospitals that are part of the PPO, you can have a larger part of your medical bills covered. You can use other doctors, but at a higher cost.
Preexisting Condition
A health problem that existed before the date your insurance became effective.
Premium
The amount you or your employer pays in exchange for insurance coverage.
Primary Care Doctor
Usually your first contact for health care. This is often a family physician or internist, but some women use their gynecologist. A primary care doctor monitors your health and diagnoses and treats minor health problems, and refers you to specialists if another level of care is needed.
Property crime
Property crime includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The objective of the theft crimes is the unlawful taking of money or property, and does not include use or threat of force against the victims.
Provider
Any person (doctor, nurse, dentist) or institution (hospital or clinic) that provides medical care.
Race
Race is a self-identification data item in which respondents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. [US Census]
Single Coverage
Health insurance that covers medical expenses for one person.
Third-Party Payer
Any payer for health care services other than you. This can be an insurance company, an HMO, a PPO, or the Federal Government.
Violent crime
Violent crime includes four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes involve force or threat of force.

Bellingham Facts

Data source: US Census year 2000

Population

Population in Bellingham is 75,256.

88% of Bellingham residents are White, 6% are Asian, 2% are a mix of two or more races, 2% are Native American, 1% are African-American, and 1% are of some other race.

Economy

The median income in Bellingham is $26,610 for men, and $14,810 for women.

Compared to the typical person in the state of Washington, a resident of Bellingham makes 36.9% less. The trend for Washington is that the median income is increasing. (2006)

5,709 people (8% of the population) were living on an income below the poverty level as of 2006. The poverty in Bellingham was increasing compared to the year before.

The typical home is worth $297,100. 33% of Bellingham homeowners own their home outright, paying typically $431 per month in owner costs. Among those with a mortgage (67% of homeowners), the median monthly owner cost is $1,472. (2006)

Housing

There are a total of 33,397 homes in Bellingham. Of these, 0 were for sale, and 0 homes were available to rent in 2006. 15,343 (46%) were owner-occupied, and 18,054 (54%) were occupied by renters. (2006)

Age

The median age for men in Bellingham is 30, and in Washington the average man lives to be 76. The median age for women in Bellingham is 30, and women in Washington live to be 81, on average. (2006)

Education

The education level in Bellingham is high compared to the national average.

Among men over 25, 46% has a college degree, and 22% has some college. Out of the men that didn't study in college, 69% graduated from High School, and 31% dropped out.

Among women over 25, 47% has a college degree, and 20% has some college. Out of the women that didn't study in college, 73% graduated from High School, and 27% dropped out. (2006)

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