Things to Remember When Buying Healthcare

It’s always much easier and much less complicated choosing healthcare coverage from your employer. You basically get a choice of two, or possibly three, plans. One is an HMO and the other will invariable be a PPO. And you pick the one that looks best.

But what happens when you leave the friendly confines of your place of employment? If you change jobs, or you decide to start your own business, will you really be able to choose adequate healthcare coverage? It’s important that you know what to look for when searching for a suitable policy. Here are some things that you’ll want to keep in mind.

Once you know that you’ll need replacement coverage, don’t wait until the last minute to begin looking. Start your search no later than ninety days before your current coverage is set to terminate. You’ll need the time to shop and compare providers and programs (and do this diligently), as well as to apply for coverage. And unlike employer-based insurance, private providers can simply choose not to cover you. So you may need to apply with several different healthcare providers.

Don’t disregard emergency care for the sake of routine coverage. Picking the plan that has no co-pay for office visits may say you $100 over the course of a year, but if the plan you turned down had a much more comprehensive emergency room and hospital coverage provision, then you certainly haven’t done yourself any favors.

Private insurance policies are almost never as comprehensive or affordable as employer-provided healthcare coverage. If your spouse still has access to employer-based coverage, consider leaving your children under that policy. It’s perfectly fine to have family members covered under different insurance policies; your main goal is seeing to it that most advantageous coverage is in place for your family.

Know and understand that when a healthcare provider states the need for medical underwriting of your policy, they will be looking for any and every reason to deny coverage to you. This will include any history of medical conditions in your family as well as yourself. They’re attempting to screen out all applicants who might ever require significant health care. If you or a family member has ever had a serious medical problem such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or the like, then it’s a fairly safe bet that your coverage will be denied or that coverage will be offered for all health care except for the specific health issue (which is known as a waiver of coverage for a specified condition).

Once you find a plan that you feel could meet your needs, read it carefully. Go over it with a fine-tooth comb. All insurance policies have restrictions and exclusions, and they will adhere to each and every one of them. So read the fine print.

Finally, never cancel your old policy until your new coverage is in effect. Health insurance coverage is vigorously regulated by Federal and state laws which provide for the protection of the consumer. This protection is often lost once you willingly cancel a policy in writing.