When you're dealing with an illness or other health issue, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your insurance will cover your treatment. But you do need to take time to handle this issue so that you're not left holding the bill -- or without any coverage at all -- when all is said and done.

Two experts on insurance claim offer several suggestions for protecting your health coverage, as well as tips and tricks for making sure your claims are covered. With advice on how to fill out your forms, what to do about pre-approval, how to appeal a decision, and what your state says must be covered, there's a lot of good information there for those who have chronic health issues or worry about their insurance. In addition, the authors suggest that patients:

• sign up in in a group. Carriers are less likely to drop large numbers of customers.
• do everything in writing and document phone calls.
• pay attention to the fine print.
• save your medical records for a minimum of 3-4 years, even after a claim is paid.

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