When you start to compare health insurance options you may find yourself feeling like a fish out of water. The language, wording and legal talk can seem extremely intimidating. How are you supposed to know what most of it means when you’re not in the medical profession? The secret truth that most companies don’t want to tell you is that they don’t want you to be able to understand the contents of the policies you’re comparing. The less you understand, the more likely it will be that they can get you to purchase a policy that doesn’t fit your needs.
But you don’t need to feel as though you are getting in over your head. Almost all insurance companies have at least one policy that will fit your needs; you just need to learn how to compare health insurance policies so that you’re informed well enough to make sure that you get what you need from your policy.
Types of Insurance
There are two main types of health insurance: health cash plans or Private Medical Insurance, also known as PMI. PMI plans give you access to a number of medical procedures and healthcare facilities. It’s perfect for someone who has both curable conditions or conditions that are considered short-term. With this type of a policy, you’ll be required to answer a questionnaire that inquires about your medical situation. If you have a previously diagnosed condition you’ll be required to disclose it at this time.
With health cash plans, however, there is usually no questionnaire involved. These types of plans are designed to cover everyday health costs, like going to the dentist or the optometrist or getting your annual physical. With a cash plan, you’re reimbursed for most of the costs that you accrue or only up to a limit that you’ve set with your insurance agent. Some people choose to buy both plans, so that they don’t have to worry about any sort of deductible and so that all of their medical situation is completely covered.
Check Out Your Options
It’s smart that you want to compare health insurance options, as this is the best way to make sure that you get the right coverage for your needs at the best price. There are a number of different types of policies you’ll be able to select from. Some will require that you pay a percentage of any treatment costs that you may accrue. You might have to pay up to 25% of the cost of a doctor visit or of a surgery and the insurance will pay for the rest of it. Remember: if you choose to pay a higher percentage, your premium will go down. You may have to agree to travel to hospitals that are further away from your home than you want to, or you may have to pay more of a monthly payment if you don’t live a certain type of lifestyle (smoking, for example, can definitely raise your insurance premium).
There are a number of options that you will have to choose from, but you don’t get intimidated. With a bit of comparison shopping, you’re certain to land on a policy that’s right for you.