How to Understand Health Insurance Quotes
Summary
- Getting health insurance quotes can be frustrating, but if you understand exactly what types of healthcare coverage you require, it doesn’t have to be.
- There are a number of key questions you should ask when attempting to receive a health insurance quote, since their answers may affect the projected cost of your healthcare.
- At Health Insurance Providers, we can help you research and compare health insurance quotes for free in just a few simple steps.
Enter your zip code above and fill out our simple and easy questionnaire to get free, personalized online health insurance quotes today!
Making Sense of the Jargon
Getting quotes for health insurance can feel stressful and overwhelming, that’s why it’s so important to take things one step at a time. Understanding what exactly an agent is referring to when explaining your options is a great place to start.
Over the course of your discussion with an insurance agent, you may hear several terms that you do not fully understand. Let’s wa;lk through some of them together right here at Health Insurance Providers.
Premium
An insurance premium is the monthly cost of your insurance plan. Your premium must be paid every month to continue your coverage, regardless of whether you used your medical insurance during that month or not.
Deductible
A deductible is the amount of money you are responsible for paying out-of-pocket before your health insurance plan takes over. Deductibles are entirely the patient’s responsibility. As you research your insurance options, it should be an important topic of discussion between you and your agent.
Coinsurance
Coinsurance is a portion of your insurance premium that you pay while your policy pays the remainder. Coinsurance percentages range, but typically, you will be responsible for paying 20 percent of your premium as coinsurance while your plan covers the rest. Keep in mind that not all health insurance plans include coinsurance payments.
Copayment
A Copayment, or copay, is a fixed dollar amount that you will be required to pay out-of-pocket for receiving certain medical treatments and services. Copay amounts rarely fluctuate, but when they do, your policyholder will contact you to explain the cause in detail. Remember that Copayments made to the doctor or at the pharmacy rarely count against your deductible.
When researching your health insurance quotes, be sure to ask each provider about their out-of-pocket requirements. Most insurance companies have an annual out-of-pocket cap that, once met, requires your insurance company to cover 100 percent of the costs for the remainder of the year.
Choosing the Best Health Insurance for You
There is a major difference between basic and comprehensive health insurance coverage. If you are generally healthy, a basic plan can be enough. However, keep in mind that more comprehensive options are available, potentially granting you coverage to a plethora of additional healthcare services ranging from vision insurance to maternity assistance.
Additionally, if keeping your current network of doctors and specialists is important to you, you should opt for an insurance plan that includes these providers as part of their network.
Other important questions to consider when attempting to receive health insurance quotes include:
- Does the insurance quote cover you if you travel for leisure and pleasure?
- Does the insurance quote include personalized coverage such as preventative and maternity?
- Does the policy cover not only you, but also your family?
- Is your medication covered?
The Advantages of Proper Research
When researching health insurance quotes, it is true that your personal needs are a priority. However, there is still much more to consider.
For example, you will need to know if you have access to a nurse/doctor hotline that offers overall advice or services, as well as the copays, deductibles, coinsurance, etc. amounts you will be required to pay under the policy agreement.
Information regarding urgent care and emergency room visits is also important to note. Some insurance companies do not cover these visits entirely, and you may wish to ensure your doctor’s claim will get paid by your insurer in a timely manner.
Emergency room visits are by far the most expensive form of healthcare. However, you will want to know how much your policyholder is willing to pay on a claim made by an emergency room as well as the other fees, such as radiology.
Ensuring Health Coverage Status
Keeping your body healthy is dependent on you, but it is also dependent on access to preventive medicine. If you are sure to ask the right questions and you understand the portions of a health plan that are essential to your needs, gaining an insurance quote becomes quite simple.
Click here to compare FREE health insurance quotes and find a plan that works for your lifestyle AND your budget!
References
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/deductible/
- http://lifehacker.com/whats-the-difference-between-all-these-health-insuranc-1500452519
- https://www.healthcare.gov/
