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| Health Insurance |
The cost of treatment sick this time sometimes burdensome if must be borne alone. Some companies bear the cost of it, so that when the work is not felt. How to when already not working? Health insurance is one of its solution for some people. Some again assume insurance is not good.
If interested in financing health through services of an insurance company, there are 11 things that need our attention to be considered and thought out when trying to choose the company and the type of health insurance for our families.
Reputation of the insurance company
before dropping the option on certain health insurance companies, it's good to Search know beforehand the reputation of the company it. Search reference to an objective so as not to regret in the future. Do not let we experience to pay premiums easy, but to get the claim, difficult is not playing. Bad service this kind, already plural experienced by particular insurance company clients.
Facilities that is given
Always compare the facilities given one insurance company with other insurance companies. With the same premium rate, what that can be given by the insurance company? Is the value of the claim is given fair or not?
The need for health services
Do not be too stingy with choosing the smallest premium. You see, the premium value is very affects the facilities provided. If you are familiar with first class service, we might not expect from a premium 10 dollars per month. Correct, right?
Network of care services
Which includes a network of care services, among them is the referral hospital and office services. Choose one that has a network scattered wide enough or minimal that has a call center. Therefore, we do not know when and where we or our families fall sick. With an extensive service network, wherever we are sick, we will get care services an appropriate. If her sick far from the center of the insurance, we do not need must be brought in for care at a referral hospital of the insurance companies which we choose.
Service claims
Choose an insurance company that can accept a claim from anywhere and not just accept claims the referral hospital. This is important, because will ease us get care anywhere. If you're away from a referral hospital, we can go to a hospital that is not become the reference. When was forced to seek treatment abroad also can get a claims service. So, look for an insurance company that can close things it.
Location
Insurance plans and prices vary widely by state. New York, for example, has some of the most expensive individual plans in the country, largely due to its guaranteed-issue policy that requires companies to insure everyone, regardless of health.
The best way to kick off your shopping is by doing a little research on your state's insurance Web site, says Kimberly Lankford, author of "The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance and Still Get the Coverage You Need" (Kaplan Business, 2006). A good site will list companies available in your area, prices for both individual and family plans, and any lower-cost options your state offers if you meet certain income requirements.
Write out your priorities
Do you love your current doctors? Then you should choose an insurance company that covers their service. "It's so important that you make a list of the top five things important to you, and bring them up to the broker or insurance company," advised Michelle Katz, a healthcare consultant and author of "101 Health Insurance Tips" (LifeTips.com, Inc., 2007). This way you can really start to narrow things down by your needs, whether that means low premiums, customer service or the doctor you've been seeing since college.
Don't be afraid to use a broker
An insurance broker can be a huge help. He can do the legwork to find a well-suited insurance company, help shop for the best rates, and explain the ins and outs of your plan. To find a reputable broker, check credentials with either the National Association of Insurance Underwriters (nahu.org) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (naic.org). You also want to make sure he has a large "book," the industry term for the network of providers he works with. More options mean a better deal and a better fit.
Ask for a "free look"
Lots of things come with a trial period — your gym membership, magazine subscription and virtually anything hawked on an infomercial — but did you know that you can sometimes test-drive your insurance plan? They call this a free look, and it basically means that you can get your money back if you're unsatisfied within a set period of time, explained Katz. The key here, though, is staying on top of things and making sure you follow the guidelines. Restrictions vary by company and plan, but you could have anywhere from one to six weeks to ask for a refund — probably in writing.
Consider a Health Savings Account
An HSA is a great option for people who generally only have to whip out their insurance card once or twice a year. Maybe you go for a yearly checkup, and then to the doctor if you have the flu. It goes hand-in-hand with an insurance policy that has a high deductible ($1,100 for individuals; $2,200 for families), but low premiums. The money you save on premiums each month can be deposited into the HSA pre-tax, where it grows tax-deferred. You then use it to pay for any unexpected medical expenses. The bonus? Once you turn 65, you can withdraw any money you didn't use and spend it on anything you want, including funding your retirement.
Negotiate
You've chosen a plan, but you're still not home free. Bills can pop up everywhere, from services that aren't covered to doctor and hospital co-pays to costs for prescriptions. Many insurers have instituted a system of preferred pricing when it comes to prescriptions, meaning that if yours isn't generic and on a list, it could still cost a bundle.
"Now, even people with employer coverage are having to be smart shoppers for prescription drugs, especially if they have a regular medication that is pretty expensive," said Lankford. Keep your costs low by shopping around (prices can vary among pharmacies — your best bet is a discount store or price club) and asking for generics whenever available. You can also have your doctor write out a prescription for a longer period of time, so you'll get a 90-day supply instead of a 30, advised Katz.
The co-pay will be the same. And don't be afraid to negotiate with your doctor if you're paying out of pocket. In a recent Harris Interactive poll, three out of five people who did so received a discount. With the cost of a single visit often tallying over $200, it's definitely worth a try.
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