Electronic Health Reporter

Getting the right health insurance is tricky. You need to mind a few things to assure you sign the right contract between you and the insurer. Following, we will discuss a few tips that will help you find the ideal insurance package according to your needs, budget, and the market landscape.

Evaluate Your Condition

Health insurance is a commitment. You may have to pay more than you need, and it suggests you don’t have the right coverage. The following tips will help you.

Know Your Needs

Do you have any major plan, and want additional benefits? Try to lower out of pocket expenses or find another pan that suits you.

Long/Short Term

If you are starting your project and want a plan designed for self-employed workers, then consider a long-term plan. If you lose your job or landed in a temporary situation, then you will be better off with short-term insurance. Short-term insurance can last anywhere between one and six months.

Your Use

Do you visit the doctor often, or do you depend on the insurance to take your care? Do you have scheduled appointments with a doctor or not? You need to consider your medical needs and expenses recently. Mention your medical condition, history, and medicine. This will you get an idea of what to look for.

Extra Protection       

Are you considering lump-sum benefits for hospital stays, surgery or other health issues? If yes, then limited medical or severe illness coverage can help save money. If you are not convinced to trust an insurance company, you can always handle the unexpected expenses using your savings, right?

Your Budget

What’s your definition of an affordable insurance plan that is unique and caters to your needs. Hate to break the ice, but what looks cheap based on monthly premiums could end up costing more out of pocket expenses. Consider the whole picture. What can you afford to spend on your healthcare? You must consider your premiums, co-insurance, prescriptions, over the counter drugs, services not covered by insurance and other expense. If needed, also consider your vision and dental coverage.

Collect and Compare Quotes

Consider both supplemental coverage and short-term medical plans. Online insurance quotes don’t commit you to a plan, and lets you make an informed decision. So, collect a few quotes, and make a list. Compare both quotes and plans. Once you have made a list, narrow down your options. Consider the premium, coinsurance, drug coverage, co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Run the numbers according to the expected use of benefits and ensure the plan will work with your budget and needs.

Plan Network Providers

Take a closer look at your options. Do you need an in-network provider, or will you choose anyone? If you need in-network care, then check the plan’s provider list. It will ensure you have access to your doctor, specialist, institutes and hospital. Yes, you won’t have to visit someone you don’t like. However, some plans work with a national provider network and can offer a gigantic benefit.

The Prep-Work

When you apply for health insurance online – iSelect, bring your birth certificate, coverage start date application, and address. Some coverage doesn’t have any underwriting and can be approved instantly. Other plans will require you to go through a verification process and ask for the following details.

• Medical history including previous hospitalization and surgeries with dates
• Current medical issues including asthma, heart issues, allergies, lifestyle diseases, etc.
• Prescription drugs with start/end dates and dose
• Doctor visits in last years including reasons and dates
• Irregularities in test results
• Family medical history including the death of family members

You need to have this information ready to facilitate the application process.

Don’t Overestimate Your Income

If you overestimate your income, you will need to pay back in subsidies. Government subsidies are made available to make health insurance affordable for masses. When you apply for subsidies, estimate your income in the current year. Don’t underestimate to get more money. Reconcile subsidies and actual earnings when filing for federal taxes. If you have more subsidy help, you will pay it back with the tax return.

Don’t Miss the Enrollment Opportunity

There is an open enrollment period where you can sign up for health insurance.  It only comes once every year, and if you need coverage, it’s important you don’t miss it, or you will pay back heavily. Also, stop believing in the “no tax dilemma.” It’s possible you will be forgiven for imagining you won’t have any tax penalty for going uninsured. The tax penalty exists, and it will cost you.

Not Verifying Whether Your Doctor is in Network or Not

It is a deal breaker. Most insurance companies use doctor networks and structure insurance benefits to make it affordable. When you visit someone out of the network, you will make an appointment and assure they are in the network.  The insurance network changes time to time. Apart from the doctor, you also must assure you taken to the right hospital. If you land in an emergency and need immediate hospitalization, you can’t control where the ambulance will take you. But, what if you could?

Inform the local network so you won’t have an out of network facility where the health insurance coverage will be limited. Finally, keep yourself from paying the medical bills too son. Contact the insurer and get an updated version before paying up. It will save your skin.