Do not approach health insurance with fear. It is true the field is complex and your options are many, but the more you learn, the safer you will feel. Health insurance is similar to healthcare itself. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By making smart choices when you select health insurance, you can avoid difficulties in the future.
Prescription Coverage
Your prescription coverage should be checked annually. Prescription coverage is subject to change in most insurance policies. You should double-check all terms so you don’t get surprised after you’ve renewed your coverage. If a prescription medication that you need to take routinely is not covered by your insurance policy, it’s time for you to find a new health insurance company.
Choose catastrophic insurance coverage over comprehensive to lower your premiums. You will be covered for emergency care, but not for simple visits to your doctor.
When your health insurer telephones you during the insurance application process, do not volunteer any extra information. You should answer the questions asked as directly as you can, but no more. Any extraneous information that you provide can be used to increase your premiums or deny coverage.
Regardless of how comprehensive your health insurance policy is, making the decision to use generic drugs will always be more cost effective. There are a few instances that you won’t be able to get generics, but using them is no different than using the brand name, as studies have shown.
Health insurance is regulated by individual states, so it is important to understand the laws in the state where you live. Depending on your plan, a trip to the ER in another state may not be covered. Check with the insurance company before you sign up for the policy to avoid disappointment later.
Prescription coverage varies by plan, and may have limitations that affect you, so read your policy to see what’s covered. The list is updated annually, and if you take expensive prescriptions, you should ensure they’re still covered before you re-enroll.
If pregnancy is in your future, make sure your insurance plan covers all your expenses. You need to know this because there are health insurance plans that don’t cover all parts of pregnancy and labor.
Health Insurance
You do not want to find out about the limitations of your health insurance policy when you get sick. Instead, learn as much as possible about the terms and limitations of your current insurance plan, and familiarize yourself with all of your options. Going without health insurance is very risky, but you can remedy that at any point in time.
