Health Insurance Articles
Three Things Not Covered In A Basic Health Care Plan
2011-08-09
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010 by President Obama. However, many of the act's main initiatives won't go into effect until the end of 2014. So at the moment, private health insurance offerings continue to be the main plans available to the public, aside from Medicare and Medicaid.
As many people have noticed, the cost of health insurance has gone up dramatically in just the last few years. Many struggle to obtain health insurance because the premiums are simply too steep and the coverage not extensive enough. That is why many have chosen to go with a basic health plan for themselves and their families. The premiums on basic plans are much more affordable and offer basic health insurance coverage. However, there are three things that are not covered by a basic health plan that may cause you to reconsider this option.
Health insurance coverage in a basic plan is not all-encompassing, as can be deciphered by its name. While a basic plan will cover simple doctor visits and some prescription medicines, that is essentially where coverage ends. Typically, blood work that needs to be done, x-rays, or anything more specific will not be covered by a basic plan. This means that if a doctor sees you and determines that you may have high blood pressure but can't be sure, the doctor may send you to get blood work done, but the cost would be out-of-pocket. Some basic plans will cover it, but at a very low percentage, which means you'll pay more up front. Additionally, doctor visits will be more expensive.
Many surgical procedures may also not be covered by a basic plan or will be covered at low percentages. If you have broken or fractured a bone or have a medical condition that requires surgery, a basic plan will typically not cover the procedure. Since any surgical procedure can be quite costly, it can add up for any patient. More extensive plans will either pay for the procedure in full or at least contribute a high percentage, which ultimately means you pay less after all is said and done.
Basic plans only cover basic prescription medicines. These plans will not cover more high-end prescriptions, but this won't affect you until you are diagnosed with certain illnesses or are injured. However, it is not something to take lightly, since prescription medicines have gotten more and more expensive over the years. The more your health insurance plan covers, the less expensive it will be for you at the pharmacy. Medicines for diabetes, Parkinson's, or the like are quite costly and aren't covered on basic plans.
