Having affordable health insurance is crucial for anyone. In life and health are some tips for you to choose the most appropriate for you and your family. And of course, your budget.
That the health system in this country needs major changes, it’s no secret. More Latinos lack health insurance than other ethnic groups and choose a health insurance is one of the most important decisions you will make in life. Many people who do not have insurance, has been in financial trouble because it has to pay high medical bills. Here are some tips to help you choose a health insurance that suits your needs and your pocket.
- Think of the place: the prices of plans that offer health insurance vary considerably from state to state. On the internet you will find sites with lists of several companies that offer services in your area and make you a free estimate of how much you would pay for a family plan, individual and other cost-saving options. But compare plans. Look not only on the monthly payment, but the benefits they offer and other expenses that you would pay if you were a doctor, if you need medicines, if you need hospitalization, etc. And what plan is best for you, an HMO where you are assigned to a family doctor and a group of physicians who participate in this program and you have to make a small payment each visit but you can only go to the clinic or hospital, or PPO , which lets you choose your doctors and hospitals in a more extensive list and you can see specialists without a referral your GP, but which are responsible for 20% of the cost of visits to a maximum per year.
- Calls expert advice: the so-called “brokers” or agents may be helpful, as they can advise you about different insurance companies, their policies, and the pros and cons. And What services are covered? Does co-payment? Does it cover prescription? A skilled person can save a lot of stress and many misunderstandings. To find out if a trained counselor, you can check their credentials: (National Association of Insurers) or (National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
- Set your priorities: Make a list of what is important to you. For example, if you have a doctor that you like, find out what insurance companies cover their services. What are you looking for health insurance? Good prices, good customer service or doctors already know. When you do, it will be easier to obtain affordable health insurance that suits your criteria.
- Consider alternatives: There are calls for Health Savings Accounts (Health Savings Accounts) which may benefit if only occasional visits to the doctor for a checkup. It has high deductibles (the amount of covered expenses you must pay before they are paid by the health plan) but a low premium (the amount you pay monthly health insurance to cover you if necessary). The money you save on premiums can be deposited in an account (before you remove taxes) which can grow slowly. The good thing is you can use it to pay any unexpected medical expense. And, when you turn 65, you can withdraw the money you did not use and use it for whatever you want.
Before buying health insurance make sure you have the answers to the following questions:
- What are the co-payments and deductibles?
- How much is the most you will have to pay out of your pocket in a year? Can you afford the costs that could have in case you or someone in your family is sick?
- Are there limits on coverage, such as limits on the cost of prescription drugs, or a limit on the number of annual visits or maternity coverage to make the coverage is less useful than it seems?
- when you’re comparing the price of the policy year, the maximum additional expenses and deductibles? Compare policies by calculating what you could spend if you need to use different plans. These calculations will help you determine which plan best fits your budget and your needs.
I hope that after reading these tips, get health insurance accessible and ideal for you and your family. Remember it is one of the most important decisions you make in life.