Whether you’ve started your own business and things are going well or you happen to work for a smaller company that does not offer health insurance, you’re out on your own. Now it’s time to attend to one very important detail – finding the right health insurance.
Unlike being a part of a large company, you don’t have a human resources director you can ask to sign you up for an insurance program. You have to find your own program and sort out all of the details by yourself.
That sounds like a major undertaking, doesn’t it? Well, it is, but it can be made a bit easier if you know what to look for in a health insurance policy.
The bottom line is going to come down to cost, but you need to understand there is a balancing act to be reached when deciding on a plan. You don’t want a plan that is so cheap that it will not cover important medical issues that will end up costing a fortune out-of-pocket down the road. You also don’t want to pay too much for coverage options you will never use. Instead, you have to find a comfortable medium.
• Deductibles – The deductibles on your plan are the part you will have to pay before the insurance company kicks in to pay your bills. Many deductibles are $500, $1000, $2500, etc. The important thing to note is that the lower the deductible, the higher your insurance premium will be. You should take as high of a deductible as you would be able to pay were there to be a number of major medical expenses.
• Doctor and Facility Choice – If you are partial to a particular doctor and don’t really want to change who you go to, this is something you need to keep in mind when you are looking for health insurance. Not all insurers work with all doctors and medical groups. Many HMOs insist you go to their pre-approved doctors and facilities or they will not offer full coverage.
• Know the Coverage – While you may think health care is health care, the truth is health care plans can be as different as night and day in what they cover and, more importantly, what they don’t cover. Make sure to read all health care offerings carefully and see that they offer any specialists, doctors, or other medical items that are important to you.
There are plenty of health insurance companies out there offering varying levels of coverage options. If you need health insurance, take your time, do your research and make an informed decision to get the plan that is right for you. Let us help you by providing you with all the important information you need to make this decision as well as finding the best quotes for you.
