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Affordable, Comprehensive Health Insurance: How to Get What You Need
Affordable, Comprehensive Health Insurance: How to Get What
You Need
Your health should be your most important life concern; after
all, your life depends on it. But it's difficult to maintain
good health without adequate insurance coverage.
According to the National Coalition on Health Care, health costs
for 2003 equaled $1.7 trillion, rising 7.7 percent from
the year before. And the cost of health care has continued to
rise each year thereafter. Moreover,experts now predict that in
2006, family health insurance premiums will rise to an average
of more than $14,500--making a very real dent in Americans'
pocketbooks.
With all this doom and gloom circulating, you may find yourself
wondering how you can ever keep pace. But with some research,
knowledge and negotiation, you and your family can have
the coverage you need when you need it most--and at a price you
can afford.
Know What to Ask
While there is no magic formula for finding affordable,
comprehensive health
insurance, knowledge is your best weapon for waging war
against the high cost of health care. And the best way to get
the knowledge you need to help you find affordable health
insurance is to ask questions--lots of them.
Start your search by making a list of specific, detail-oriented
questions you can ask insurers. Your goal should be to gather as
much information as possible so you can make an informed
decision regarding your health insurance.
Focus on coverage first; then examine costs.
The following list will help get you started:
1. What percentage of costs are covered?
2. What care is excluded?
3. Are the following covered?
-Preexisting conditions
-Prescriptions
-Mental health
-Maternity and well-baby care
-Alternative care, such as chiropractic and acupuncture
4. May I choose my primary care physician?
5. Do I need referrals to specialists?
6. What are my limits on health care?
7. Is there a list of in-network care providers?
8. How quickly can I see my physician?
9. How do you define emergency care? How does this
differ from urgent care?
10. Is there an annual limit on the services I receive?
If so, what is it?
11. How much are the monthly premiums?
12. What are the deductibles I must meet?
13. What are my coinsurance costs?
14. Are out-of-town emergencies covered?
15. How much do I pay out-of-pocket for out-of-network
physician visits?
Quality health insurance agents won't mind you asking questions;
in fact, they'll expect it!
When you talk to insurers, record the answers each gives you in
a notebook for future reference. That way, you can compare
information as you go along.
Know Where to Look
The next step in finding affordable, comprehensive health
insurance coverage is to find a qualified insurer.
First, talk to your friends and family to get their feedback and
recommendations. They may have valuable insight to offer that
can save you time and money.
Going online is a great way to do some research at this point.
Check out major health insurers' Web sites, including their
"About Us" pages and consumer testimonials. Finding out how
previous and present customers feel about their experiences with
insurers
can help you determine whether or not you want to do
business with them, too.
Check out insurer ratings by going to the Better Business Bureau
Web site. Here you can search company financial and customer
service ratings by name.
Independent rating companies like A.M. Best and Weiss Ratings
are also a great resource, and can be reached online as well.
Your state's department of insurance can provide you yet more
information on health insurance plans and companies/agents
licensed to conduct business in your state.
Finally, consider using an insurance marketing service like
insureme.com. This is a free service that specializes in
matching you to health insurance agents in your area who have
the affordable, comprehensive health coverage you're looking
for. You can apply for health insurance quotes online or by
phone in a matter of minutes, and the health questions you
answer will help you make a connection with the most qualified
insurers for your individual situation.
Upon making contact with insurance agents, it's simply a matter
of asking the right questions (as listed above) and choosing the
policy with the best coverage at the lowest price.
Take Control
Once you've chosen an insurer, garnered the information you
need, and compared health insurance policies, negotiate with
your insurance provider for an individual or family rate you can
afford. Discounts are often available for non-smokers and
non-drinkers, as well as those living healthy lifestyles and
working in low-risk jobs.
Before you sign anything, make sure you understand all
your health plan's exclusions, limitations and costs. In most
states you'll have from 10-30 days to examine your new health
insurance policy and make changes or cancel it with no
repercussions; but it's always best to get all the facts and
make the best decision possible the first time around to avoid
misunderstandings and unnecessary expense.
You should receive a copy of your binder, or temporary health
insurance policy, shortly after you purchase your policy. Keep
this in a safe place as evidence of coverage until your new,
permanent health policy arrives.
As soon as you receive it, review your new policy's declaration
page carefully to make sure everything you and your insurer
agreed upon is included. If items are missing, now is the
time to bring it up with your agent--not later, when a
health claim you've submitted is denied.
Get What You Need
If you're willing to take some time, do your homework, and shop
around, you can find affordable, comprehensive health insurance
that will help you maintain a full, healthy life...regardless
what the experts say.
So put your best foot forward--and go to it!
_________________________________________________________________
____
About InsureMe
InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents
nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing
in auto, home, life, long-term care and health insurance
quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of
agents with insurance
leads every year. For more information, visit
www.InsureMe.com.
About the author:
Penny Hagerman is a copywriter and insurance information expert
based in Denver, Colorado. She holds a BA in
Communications/Journalism, and contributes years of writing and
editing experience in print media and Internet communications
through her informative articles.
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