What should I consider when looking for a health plan?
Buying health insurance as an individual, family, or small business now can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. There are some certain things you want to look for, of course. Price is always a factor, and that can often be hard to gauge.
It really comes down to how much you want to pay. How much can you afford to pay each month? Like car insurance, the more money you pay monthly, the more financial coverage you’ll have should unforeseen expenses arise.
Far too often, consumers will only look at the monthly premium when determining the right health insurance for them. The monthly cost should definitely be a factor, but focusing on only price can cause grief and end up costing you more in the long run. So what else should you consider when shopping for health insurance?
With that being said, here is some basic, but essential information you’ll want to consider when you buy health insurance:
Premium
This is the total cost of the health insurance plan you as the consumer will pay either monthly or in full. How much you pay depends on the benefits which are included in the plan. Please note: this amount is separate from the deductible.
To keep the cost low, there are some factors which you can control in order to save money: your deductible, copay and coinsurance amounts.
The Infamous Deductible
The Deductible is a set dollar amount that a policyholder needs to pay before the insurance will pay for most services. This is the total amount which you as the consumer need to first pay toward any medical expenses you receive during your coverage period. Covered medical expenses after this amount will be paid by the health insurance company in accordance with the policy (e.g. you may still be subject to copays and coinsurance).
For example: if your deductible is $1000 and you have a $3,000 hospital bill, you would pay $1,000 and the health insurance company would pay most of the remaining $2,000 (you may be subject to coinsurance up to the policy’s max out of pocket amount). Generally speaking, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
Higher deductible plans are especially beneficial for those who seldom visit the doctor or purchase prescription medication. If you’re not going to use it, why pay more for it? Even with a high deductible plan, you’ll still be covered in case of an emergency. Although you will still need to pay the amount of the deductible, it’s still cheaper than the cost of most emergency procedures. High deductible plans are a great option for those who are in good health.
On the other hand, people who do have a lot of medical expenses (such as surgeries) would save more money by opting for a lower deductible plan.
Copay
This is the cost which the consumer pays on top of the premium each time they go to a doctor or health specialist. Co-pays also apply to Emergency Room visits, urgent care visits and prescription drug purchases.
Please note: the co-pay (or co-payments) are not applied towards your deductible, and will remain your financial responsibility even after meeting your deductible.
Your copay costs will depend on how much you pay monthly for your health insurance policy. In general, the higher the premium, the lower the copay. Conversely, lower premiums will typically have higher co-pays. So if you take prescription medication or require frequent doctor appointments, it would be wise to invest in a lower copay plan.
Coinsurance
This is the percentage of a medical bill that you’re responsible for paying after the insurance company pays their part. The amount that the health insurance company pays will vary based on your benefits and is only done once you have met your deductible.
Please note: coinsurance is paid on top of the copay.
The money you pay with each office visit is applied to your deductible. Once you have paid the total amount (aka meeting the deductible), you are still responsible for the coinsurance.
For example: if you have a medical bill of $1,000 and a deductible of $5,000 - the amount you actually owe will depend on three questions:
Have you met your deductible?
What is your coinsurance percentage?
What is your max out of pocket?
If you haven’t met your deductible, you’ll owe $1000 (which will be applied toward your deductible). If you have met your deductible, you’ll owe a percentage of the bill (your coinsurance). So if your coinsurance is 20%, you would pay $200 and the insurance company would pay the remaining $800.
Once you meet the max out of pocket (for example, $5,100) he health insurance company will cover the rest of your medical bills for the length of the policy. It is always wise to know exactly what services and conditions your health insurance plan covers, though, as it can vary greatly from policy to policy.
Which of these factors are most important to you in a health care policy?
Provider Network
We have all been there. You or your child gets sick, and you go to your preferred doctor only to find out that your insurance policy isn’t accepted there. At that point, you either have to pay out of pocket and hope your policy has a good out-of-network benefit, or go searching for a new, unfamiliar doctor. The provider network is always available and up to date online.
Check to see if your providers and hospitals are covered. Some short-term health insurance plans have no network, meaning that insurance will pay a sum based on the service provided at nearly all providers. In that case, it’s best to check with your insurance to see what they will cover, and confirm with your provider that their pricing is in line with what the insurance will pay.
Pharmaceutical Coverage
If you take medication, check to see if your medications are covered, if you will be required to buy the generic, and what the copay on your medications will be. If you have not researched this, there could be a problem. A medication covered on your old insurance plan that cost only a few dollars now could easily cost over $100.
Dental
Most dental procedures aren’t covered by health insurance. These procedures can be costly, but premiums for dental insurance can be very low. It’s a good idea to buy dental insurance when you buy your health insurance. Get a quote now.
What Insurance is Best for You?
Not all insurance is built equally, and what may work for you might not work for your neighbor. Assess your medical needs and health situation before shopping for insurance. Some people may require a platinum-tier Obamacare plan because they are constantly in and out of the doctor’s office or hospital, while some people may just want the reassurance that a Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plan offers--it includes limited benefits like a fixed -indemnity payment to you if you need medical services due to an accident or illness, and may be bundled with lifestyle benefits like prescription discounts and telemedicine. By spending a little time determining your needs, you may save yourself thousands of dollars.
Choose Wisely
There’s no right plan for everyone, which is why there are so many health insurance options on the market. If you have a history of being healthy, and you are comfortable going without some of the 10 essential benefits of Obamacare (maternity, mental health) then a short-term health plan may be a good health insurance option. If you prefer a more robust plan with all 10 benefits, then an Obamacare plan is a better choice. It is recommended that you compare health insurance plan benefits to find the one that best fits your needs. www.mcmginc.com