If you are considering requesting a health insurance quote the details of the plan are important and there a variety of questions which you should always ask. Simply looking at the premium that you are being asked to pay is not enough and you have to look at a variety of different things including any limitations, restrictions on where treatment can be done, additional fees and payment requirements, exclusions and a number of other things.
Here are several important things which you should always consider when you are purchasing a health insurance plan:
1. What deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses will I need to pay? The premiums are simply the start and the vast majority of plans require you to cover the cost of your bills up to a specified figure before your insurance kicks in. Thereafter, you will usually also be required to make a contribution towards the cost of each individual bill.
2. Are health screenings and medical exams covered under the plan? Look carefully to find out whether or not the plan covers you for routine medical examinations including such things as breast exams, mammograms and pap smears for women.
3. How are specialist care treatments and referrals handled? Examine the procedures you need to follow if you have to be referred for specialist care and whether or not there are any special provisions for meeting the cost of special care treatment.
4. What cover is provided for hospital treatment or emergency care? {Take a look to see whether or not you will have to have pre-approval for hospital or emergency treatment. It may seem crazy but a lot of plans will not let you seek emergency care without the pre-approval of a specific physician.
5. Is cover provided for prescription medication? Some plans limit the drugs which can be prescribed frequently specifying that listed generic drugs rather than brand name drugs have to be prescribed. You should also look very carefully at the percentage of any cost that you will be required to meet for medication.
6. Is vision and dental care provided? Most plans do not cover vision and dental care at all although some limit care to only routine annual eye and dental checkups.
7. Is psychotherapy, psychiatry and other mental health care cover provided? Not all insurance plans will cover these areas and where cover is provided you have to look very carefully at just what cover is being offered.
8. Is hospital, nursing home and home care covered? It is very important to examine the extent to which cover is provided for care in hospital, in a nursing home or at home and whether or not there is a ceiling on your cover.
9. Is physical therapy and rehabilitation covered? Accident or illness frequently results in a need for physical therapy or rehabilitation and so it is important to see the extent to which these are covered.
10. Is alternative care covered? As an increasing number of people are turning to alternative treatments like the use of holistic treatments or acupuncture you need to check to see whether these are covered if this is an area which you wish to make use of.
The premium that you will need to pay for your health insurance plan is of course very important but you have to bear in mind that it is only one element of the overall package that you are purchasing.
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Sat, 24 May 2008 11:27:08 - 100%
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