You probably have questions regarding insurance and all the choices involved, regardless of whether you are buying insurance for the first time, combining policies or seeking better coverage or premiums. This article will provide you with a lot of helpful advice that will teach you how to prevent expensive mistakes.
If you just graduated from college and are looking for health insurance, consider the following two options. If you are employed and the company offers insurance, you can enroll in that. If you are 25 and under, you can still be part of your parents’ plan. Of course, you can also check for your own individual plan if neither of those works.
Open Enrollment
Reevaluate your insurance plan during your open enrollment period to make sure you are getting the best coverage that meets your needs. Life changes quickly and today’s coverage may not meet your needs due to adding someone to your family. Wait until open enrollment time to make these changes, as well as changes to your vision or dental coverage.
You can lower your premiums by choosing a catastrophic coverage option instead of a comprehensive one. The lesser coverage only covers hospital visits or emergency care, but it will save you money.
Health Insurance Premiums
Track your health insurance premiums to cut down your tax liability. Your health insurance premiums are tax deductible. Money can also be deducted from prescriptions and visits that aren’t covered by the insurance and your deductible. Check to see what guidelines the federal and state governments have for tax breaks.
Opting for generic, rather than name brand drugs, will save you money. It is very uncommon for a generic medication to be unavailable, and research indicates no distinction whatsoever between generics and their brand name counterparts, aside from the name they are given.
Read over your health insurance coverage to find out which prescriptions are covered by it. This list can change each year, so a prescription that is covered one year may not be the next. Be sure to check the list every time you re-enroll.
For those that are young and healthy, and do not visit the doctor very often, a HSA, or Health Savings Account may be the way to go. Money could be put into this account instead of paying premiums and copays. If medical expenses are incurred in the future, use these funds to pay for them.
If you are thinking about choosing catastrophic health insurance for your coverage, educate yourself. Make certain it will cover the kinds of catastrophic events that concern you. Choosing a policy which also has a Health Spending Account will allow maximum flexibility in case anything happens you weren’t expecting.
Pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease may make it harder to find good coverage, so do your homework. Some insurance companies will not offer you coverage because of your pre-existing condition, while others will charge very high amounts for coverage. Start your research by reading the article below, and you’ll be equipped to have the best health care experience that you can.
If you change insurance types, be certain to understand everything about your present coverage. You should know what your policy costs and what the deductibles and coverages are. Note all of this down and store it with your current insurance documents, so it’s convenient when you go shopping for new insurance.
If you like your current doctor, make sure your new insurance plan covers you seeing him or her. Ask him which insurer he is partnered with, if any.
What you have learned from this article should help you to make informed and wise decisions regarding your insurance needs. This way, you know your money is being spent well and you have the comfort of knowing you and your family are protected.
