Selecting a Policy
Before signing your health insurance contract, it is important that you read your policy carefully. You may want to schedule an appointment with your agent or insurance representative at your place of employment so that you can ask any questions you may have regarding your policy. The amount of your monthly premium is an important consideration. In order to keep your premium down, you might consider a higher deductible; however it is important that you choose a deductible you can afford to pay in the event of an illness or accident.
There are a number of questions you may want to ask your agent or representative such as:
* Are the doctors and hospitals you prefer in your policy's network?
* What is your co-insurance and what are your co-pays?
* How are emergency room visits handled? Are they paid in full? Do you have to pay a portion?
* What is considered an emergency? If your insurance company denies your ER claim stating it was not a true emergency, what are your options? NOTE: It is important that you do not use the emergency room for non-emergency treatment.
* Are major medical expenses and hospitalizations covered in your policy?
* Are there any exclusions in your policy such as plastic surgery or substance abuse treatment?
* What is the family out-of-pocket limit or the maximum you will have to pay each year?
* Are there limitations on pre-existing conditions? NOTE: By law, there can be no limits on pre-existing conditions for people 19 years of age and younger.
* Is preventive care covered at 100%? If so, what procedures, such as annual physicals or mammograms, are covered each year? NOTE: It is wise to take advantage of all covered preventive care as you are paying for these services with your premiums, and preventive care helps detect illnesses before they become life-threatening.
* Does your plan include prescription medications, vision or dental care? If so, what is the additional cost for this coverage?
Before selecting an insurance company, you may want to check the reputations of the companies you are considering by checking this insurance rating website.
Before signing your health insurance contract, it is important that you read your policy carefully. You may want to schedule an appointment with your agent or insurance representative at your place of employment so that you can ask any questions you may have regarding your policy. The amount of your monthly premium is an important consideration. In order to keep your premium down, you might consider a higher deductible; however it is important that you choose a deductible you can afford to pay in the event of an illness or accident.
There are a number of questions you may want to ask your agent or representative such as:
* Are the doctors and hospitals you prefer in your policy's network?
* What is your co-insurance and what are your co-pays?
* How are emergency room visits handled? Are they paid in full? Do you have to pay a portion?
* What is considered an emergency? If your insurance company denies your ER claim stating it was not a true emergency, what are your options? NOTE: It is important that you do not use the emergency room for non-emergency treatment.
* Are major medical expenses and hospitalizations covered in your policy?
* Are there any exclusions in your policy such as plastic surgery or substance abuse treatment?
* What is the family out-of-pocket limit or the maximum you will have to pay each year?
* Are there limitations on pre-existing conditions? NOTE: By law, there can be no limits on pre-existing conditions for people 19 years of age and younger.
* Is preventive care covered at 100%? If so, what procedures, such as annual physicals or mammograms, are covered each year? NOTE: It is wise to take advantage of all covered preventive care as you are paying for these services with your premiums, and preventive care helps detect illnesses before they become life-threatening.
* Does your plan include prescription medications, vision or dental care? If so, what is the additional cost for this coverage?
Before selecting an insurance company, you may want to check the reputations of the companies you are considering by checking this insurance rating website.
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