Health Insurance Articles

Things To Be Aware Of When Shopping For A Health Insurance Policy

2009-11-07

Shopping for health insurance can be a very tedious process. That being the case, it is very important to be careful and pay close attention to the details of coverage to ensure that your new health insurance policy meets your needs and doesn't leave you in a vulnerable position.

There are many different types of plans available, and the health insurance coverage in each is unique. Determining your needs and medical history can help you to decide whether you need a catastrophic plan or a more full-bodied set of coverages. In a catastrophic plan, there is usually a very high deductible and no co-pays for doctor visits or wellness checkups. Catastrophic health insurance coverage only comes into play for a serious illness or injury and not for the more mundane issues that require medical care. An 80/20 policy is one in which the patient pays the first 20 percent of the costs and the insurance company picks up the remaining 80 percent. There are differing amounts of co-pays and deductibles, and usually the patient can go to a doctor of his or her choosing. An HMO-style plan usually has a bit higher visit co-pay, but the insurance company pays the entire bill after the deductible is met. It is common for this type of plan to require that a patient see a doctor that is on the HMO list or a doctor within a certain corporately owned practice.

All insurance policies are going to have restrictions that a consumer must ask about, read about and study. Depending solely on the advice of an insurance agent is not the way to ensure you are getting the best plan. You must be your own advocate and read your policy details. In various policies, there can be restrictions for mental health, maternity care, elective procedures, experimental treatments, risky procedures and a whole host of other exceptions. If you are shopping for insurance and you have a pre-existing condition, you must be very careful. Asking questions about exclusions and special procedures for pre-existing conditions can be a life-saving exercise and one that must be done. Correctly filling out the application form is also vital to your long-term protection.

Many websites can help you to decide on appropriate questions to ask your insurance agent. You must come to the discussion armed with information and educated about your rights and needs. If you currently have a doctor you trust, you may find it helpful to discuss the issue with his staff. They can give advice on the best type of plan to purchase and which plans and agents to avoid.

Your health insurance coverage can be a life and death matter - you must be prepared properly.