There are many types of health care insurance and it can be a bit tricky to find the right one for you. You will need to take into account the costs, the advantages, the coverage and the networks. If you find these confusing, our tips can help you get started.
Review your current plan
If you already have health care insurance, it is recommended that you review it in order to discover the things that you like and those that can be improved. Visit your insurer’s member portal so you can review all your costs. You can download the claims from the previous year so you can see exactly how much you are spending.
If you are wondering whether you should change your plan you should think about everything it has to offer you. Decide whether you are happy with the doctors and the facilities that are included in the network.
Different health insurances plans
You should also understand the differences between various insurance plans. It is common to choose between HMO and PPO because they are very similar. HMO usually has lower premiums, but you won’t receive coverage outside your network. Meanwhile, when it comes to PPOs, care outside the network is also covered, but at a lower rate.
If we compare HMO to EPO we can see that EPO makes it mandatory to use the doctors and the hospitals that are in the network and emergencies are the only exception. However, when it comes to EPOs you do not have to choose a Primary Care Physician and you do not need a referral if you need to see a specialist.
Estimate the total cost
You should estimate the total costs of the medical services for the year ahead when you choose a health care service. It is difficult to estimate the exact amount, but you can think about how much you usually use.
It is also possible to compare health care plans online, using services such as iselect. These websites should also help you estimate your total costs and you can use that information when you make your final choice.
Analyze the networks
If you use the doctors, specialists and hospitals inside your plan network you will end up saving a lot of money. Therefore, before you choose a health care insurance you should make sure that its network is good enough for you. The size and scope of the networks is different for each plan.
If you want to use an out-of-network provider, you should choose a plan that allows you to do it. Normally the prices will be higher, but you can still receive coverage for it.