Subscribe to Health Beauty Cares

Monday, January 12, 2009

Pros and Cons of Individual Health Insurance

By Jeff Cline

The pros and cons of Group versus Individual health insurance are easy if you know a few basic things. Below you will find those answers, equipping you with the knowledge to decide which the best option for you is. There are a few things to consider when compiling your list of pros and cons.

The main reason consumers think about going to individual health insurance through a private health insurance company versus their employer group policy is because of the increasing cost of group premiums. Many times your employer pays a portion or your entire premium, but pays nothing for your dependents.

Individual health insurance premiums are typically more affordable then group premiums. This rule is not true for everyone however. Carriers set rates according to factors such as age, location and medical conditions. So if you or your dependent is 55 and has a few medical conditions you may get the best rates through the group policy.

If you are eligible for Group insurance and you have a medical condition then most of the time Group is the favorable option. See where individual insurance can base rates and coverage on you as an individual group can not. They must cover you even if you have a significant health condition.

If it is freedom you like, than an individual plan is probably a good choice. They have many plans, many benefits and many customizable additions. You just pick and choose, find what suits your needs and get what you pay for. No more, no less.

When an employer offers group insurance, they pick the carrier, the plan and the benefits. In addition they only allow changes or additions to your policy once a year. You have no freedom to choose. They can change the carrier or plan anytime they wish and you may be forced to find a new provider.

Employer group policies usually just cover medical. Vision and dental may be offered from your employer, but usually as a separate cost, separate plan and different carrier. With individual health insurance many of the carriers offer bundling. Which means you can have medical, dental and vision in one plan and one rate.

You have much thinking to do now. You have to decide what is important. You now have to tools to make a good decision. Don't sell yourself short or be locked out of a good thing. Your needs should be tops when making this decision.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment