Nothing is more important than your health, but few things are more confusing than finding the right health insurance. From state laws to federal regulations and everything else guiding the health care industry, it is one complicated headache after another. The information contained in this article is designed to lessen the headaches and make it easier for you to understand the nature of health insurance and how to put it to work for you.
Consider a low-cost plan if your job is not stable. Government health insurance policies will offer you the same coverage should you lose your job, but you have to cover the entire cost of the premium yourself. In tough times, make sure you can afford to pay your policy should you need to leave your workplace.
When applying for health insurance, have a talk with your doctor. Have him pull your medical records so you can be sure that there are no inaccuracies, and that there is nothing that may be detrimental to your chances of getting insurance. Look back at least ten years, as some health insurance companies do.
When talking to the health insurance company, never give them more information then they need. Just give them answers to the specific questions they ask you. They may take any information you give and use it against you, leaving you with hefty premium increases or no coverage at all.
If a health insurance company representative asks you a question to which you do not know the answer, tell them so. There is no shame in telling them that you are unsure of what they are asking, and they should call your physician to get the proper answer. They may seem frustrated, but that’s okay. Don’t let it bother you.
Make sure that you read the fine print before singing a contract for medical insurance. Otherwise, you may end up agreeing to terms that you do not like. If there are words in the contract that you do not understand, ask a family member or friend to help you or look it up on the internet.
Avoid replacements to health insurance plans. Some alternatives to health insurance plans offer very specific coverage. While they might cover anything from cancer to Ebola, they are mostly useless to you. Save the money you would be throwing away on them. Just buy a proper health insurance plan, when you can afford it.
Figure out which insurance plan best fits your health needs. Choose from POS, PPO or HMO. Check out the different options for each before you decide which one is best. Importantly, double-check that your current doctor is available for use in any plan you are considering.
Examine your health insurance policy to determine the prescriptions that it covers. This changes every year, so you should ensure you look over the list yourself when you re-enroll, so that you won’t be shocked when you refill your prescription.
It is important to check with your medical care practitioners before purchasing a new insurance policy, to be certain your potential plan will be accepted for their services. Finding a list of the doctors and hospitals that accept this insurance is as easy as checking the site of the insurance provider you are considering.
When thinking about getting a health insurance plan, not many people think of using a broker to get them the best policy. These brokers can find insurance companies that are well suited to an individual, get the best rates offered, and will be there to explain all the aspects of a particular health plan.
When thinking about getting health insurance coverage, not many people think of test driving their prospective plan. This is called a free trial basis – you get your money back if you aren’t happy – as long as it is canceled within a set amount of time. Check to see if this is offered in your area!
If you lose your job, consider your options carefully before deciding on COBRA. COBRA can be very expensive, and less expensive private policies are often available. The extra cost of COBRA can be worth your while though, especially if you have a difficult to cover pre-existing condition.
Before having a baby you should know about how much you will have to pay even with health insurance. If you have a PPO you may end up paying about $1000 or even more for the birth. If you have an HMO your costs will probably be a lot lower. It is best to figure it out before you get pregnant.
Did you know that your income tax is affected by your health insurance premium and benefits. You can actually deduct some items, especially if they’re not covered by your insurance, like the deductible prescriptions. You should check your state’s income tax law, or contact an accountant, to find out what you can claim this year.
It may save you money to get your child their own health insurance. Children need things like vaccines, outpatient, and inpatient care covered. A baby won’t need dental coverage, for example. Contact your health insurer and ask them if they have any plans specific to the needs of children available.
If you have any firm reason to believe that the health insurance you applied is not going to accept you, you should cancel your application before you are denied. Health insurance companies ask you if you have ever been denied insurance, and this raises a red flag. Avoid being denied by researching the conditions for being accepted.
You should avoid policies that look like health insurance but are only after your money. For instance, you can find policies that will cover you only for cancer or a particular disease. In most cases, the definition of the disease is so limited that the odds of you getting the exact disease are very slim.
