Whether you are acquiring it through your employer or on your own, shopping for health insurance coverage is a task that many adults will be faced with at some point. Health coverage is not a one-size-fits all amenity, and it comes in many forms such as Point of Service (POS), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and more.
Buying health insurance is a big commitment, so do the research and look over all your options before making any hasty decisions. Technical information about different health insurance policies can be overwhelming, which is why seeking the help of a licensed insurance agent or a health insurance broker might be your best bet. In the following sections we will discuss ways you can prepare to meet with a health insurance agent as well as what questions to ask.
How to prepare to meet with a health insurance agent
Health insurance exists to protect us financially when we get sick or injured, which is why itâs so important for you to look at plans that fit the unique needs of you and your family. Whether you are an employer shopping for insurance plans for your employees, or just an individual browsing your options, choosing a caring agent who takes their job seriously is key to finding the right plan. To start, you will want to work with an insurance agent who is experienced, knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Finding the right agent to work with isnât the only important piece of the puzzle, youâll also want to do your part as well. Coming prepared to the appointment will help things run more smoothly and will ensure that you to ask the right questions.
Before meeting with the insurance agent, make sure that you:
- Know how much you are willing to pay: Before your appointment with an insurance agency, you should consider how much risk you want to assume for yourself versus how much risk you want the insurance company to assume for you. In other words, would you rather make higher monthly insurance payments and have a lower deductible or would you rather pay a lower monthly insurance payment and have a higher deductible? If youâre okay with paying a hefty deductible during a medical crisis, then you might consider choosing a plan with a lower monthly payment. On the other hand, someone who needs more consistent medical care might opt for a plan with a lower deductible.
- Research the insurance agency that you will be doing business with: Ask friends and loved ones for feedback on the agencies theyâve worked with and find out how their experience was. If you are an employer, do some research to see what agencies other companies do business with. The important thing is that you choose an agency that you trust.
- Know what to bring with you: In order for the agent to help you the best they can, they will need to know as much information as possible about yours and your familyâs medical history. The agent will want to know about any of yours or your familyâs medical conditions and personal habits such as drinking, smoking, diet, etc. Call in advance and find out exactly what you need to bring. Be truthful and thorough so that your agent can find the best health insurance policy for you.
- Make a list of the questions that you will want to ask: Itâs easy to get overwhelmed during these appointments. Writing down your questions will not only help you to be more organized, but it will also lower your chances of forgetting to bring up important topics.
Questions to ask your health insurance agents
Before meeting with a licensed insurance agent, you should write down a list of questions that you want to have answered during your appointment. Here are some questions you should be asking your agent about your insurance before buying:
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- How much will it cost? This is probably the most dreaded part of the conversation, but it has to be discussed! The overall cost of your health insurance policy will depend on your premium, deductible and out-of-pocket-max. When browsing through plans, youâll want to take notes on how much these three items will cost up front, because each plan varies in rates.
- Premium: Health insurance premiums are rates that you will pay every month in order to secure your coverage. The initial payment you receive will be a premium, and will continue monthly.
- Deductible: If your plan has a deductible of $2,000, then that means you will be responsible for paying the first $2,000 of health care before your plan begins covering certain costs. Once you pay your deductible, youâll pay significantly less for your health care.
- How much will it cost? This is probably the most dreaded part of the conversation, but it has to be discussed! The overall cost of your health insurance policy will depend on your premium, deductible and out-of-pocket-max. When browsing through plans, youâll want to take notes on how much these three items will cost up front, because each plan varies in rates.
- Out-of-pocket max: This is basically the maximum amount of money that you will ever have to be responsible for paying while coveredâas long as you stay in-network, that is. Letâs say your out-of-pocket max is $5,000, but you end up needing surgery that costs $30,000. You would only have to worry about paying $5,000. Additionally, if youâve already reached your $2,000 deductible, then you would only have to pay $3,000. The purpose of an out-of-pocket max is to protect you from having to pay extremely expensive bills, but rememberâthe surgery would need to happen at a medical facility that is in-network.
- Is my current doctor covered? If youâre already receiving health care, youâll want to know if your current doctor is a part of any prospective insurance companyâs network of health providers. This information should be fairly simple to find out but could be an important factor in your decision. If you are currently taking any medications, youâll also want to ask your agent to check the formulary to see if your prescriptions are covered.
- Who do I contact when I have questions? Itâs important to find out if your prospective health insurance company has a customer service team you can call or message when you need to inquire about bills, claims, copays or anything else insurance-related. Does the company have a separate phone number to call when you want help finding a health care provider? Is this customer service line automated or will you be speaking to an actual insurance representative? These questions are important to determine what kind of support is available long after youâve signed a contract.
What happens during an emergency? When going to see a doctor for a normal visit, you have time to plan and make sure that the doctor is in-network. However, during an emergency, we may not have the same luxury. Itâs possible that in a case where you need dire medical attention, the closest health care provider may not be in-network. You should ask about your prospective companyâs policy on emergencies and what the standard routine consists of.
Questions to Ask When Shopping for Health Insurance is a post from Pocket Your Dollars.
Source: pocketyourdollars.com