Health insurance can prove to be confusing to many consumers. Understanding the basics is key to maintaining individual health insurance that meets your needs and expectations as well as your budget. By educating yourself with the basics you can accomplish that. Here are 7 basics to get you started.
When going down the list of basics naturally the total amount the insurance carrier will pay is a huge factor. This is what they call the Lifetime Maximum. It simply means that they will never exceed that amount if you should reach it. On average they are $3-$5million. When thinking in terms of a major critical illness that can easily cost millions, this amount could be your deciding factor.
If you are looking to lower you monthly rate a good way to do that is going with a high deductible. You must meet all of your deductible before the carrier will share in the cost. So therefore, you take on a bigger obligation they will lower you premium.
The next factor is the co insurance. Co insurance is when you have met your deductible and you only pay a percentage for an additional amount. An example is you pay 25% while the insurer pays 75% up to $3000. Once this amount is met the insurer would then pay 100% of any allowed medical cost within that year.
I am sure you have heard people say I only pay $25 when I go for an office visit. What they are referring to is the plans office visit co pay. Co pays are simple really for the life time of your term if you should have an office visit you can expect to only pay that predetermined amount. The only exception is if the plan states that labs and x-ray in an office visit is not covered.
Some plans include a Preventative benefit. The will allow 1 preventative exam each year. Many consumers do not understand this benefit fully. The main thing is it often has a maximum payout. For example, insurer will pay up to $300 of the visit. Not all plans include this benefit and they do not all cover a broad range of screenings and such. So it is important to comb over the details before you go for this kind of visit.
Each plan has limits set forth by the carrier/insurer/insurance company as well. Some examples of limits are: You are only allowed a specific number of office visits. You are allowed a certain dollar amount on things such as prescription benefits, labs, mental health and emergency visits. These are important to pay attention to when choosing and comparing plans.
Some catastrophic plans do not cover prescriptions. It is crucial that you understand this. On the more benefit rich plans you can expect to pay a co pay for you prescription. But take notice if you have a maximum the carrier will pay, some prescriptions can be very costly.
When going down the list of basics naturally the total amount the insurance carrier will pay is a huge factor. This is what they call the Lifetime Maximum. It simply means that they will never exceed that amount if you should reach it. On average they are $3-$5million. When thinking in terms of a major critical illness that can easily cost millions, this amount could be your deciding factor.
If you are looking to lower you monthly rate a good way to do that is going with a high deductible. You must meet all of your deductible before the carrier will share in the cost. So therefore, you take on a bigger obligation they will lower you premium.
The next factor is the co insurance. Co insurance is when you have met your deductible and you only pay a percentage for an additional amount. An example is you pay 25% while the insurer pays 75% up to $3000. Once this amount is met the insurer would then pay 100% of any allowed medical cost within that year.
I am sure you have heard people say I only pay $25 when I go for an office visit. What they are referring to is the plans office visit co pay. Co pays are simple really for the life time of your term if you should have an office visit you can expect to only pay that predetermined amount. The only exception is if the plan states that labs and x-ray in an office visit is not covered.
Some plans include a Preventative benefit. The will allow 1 preventative exam each year. Many consumers do not understand this benefit fully. The main thing is it often has a maximum payout. For example, insurer will pay up to $300 of the visit. Not all plans include this benefit and they do not all cover a broad range of screenings and such. So it is important to comb over the details before you go for this kind of visit.
Each plan has limits set forth by the carrier/insurer/insurance company as well. Some examples of limits are: You are only allowed a specific number of office visits. You are allowed a certain dollar amount on things such as prescription benefits, labs, mental health and emergency visits. These are important to pay attention to when choosing and comparing plans.
Some catastrophic plans do not cover prescriptions. It is crucial that you understand this. On the more benefit rich plans you can expect to pay a co pay for you prescription. But take notice if you have a maximum the carrier will pay, some prescriptions can be very costly.
About the Author:
For super service Agent Jeff Cline is ready to assist you with your individual health insurance needs. Agent Jeff Cline will assist you with all health insurance needs, even travel medical insurance for your wonderful trips you have planned. Contact us 7 days a week. Our toll free number is 866.526.9669
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