Insurance: A Guide for the Masses

« Back to Home

Need Health Insurance? 3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Purchase Your Policy

Posted on

If it's time to shop for your first health insurance plan, you may not know what to look for. One-size-fits-all insurance policies aren't the best way to go. This is especially true where your health is concerned. You can take the stress out of purchasing your health insurance by asking yourself these three questions before you choose your policy.

What Are Your Insurance Needs?

Now that you need to buy your own insurance, consider your needs. A lot of variables go into choosing the right health insurance policy. Here are three of them.

Preexisting Conditions

If you have preexisting conditions that need medical care, make sure you choose a policy that provides coverage. Some health insurance policies have limitations on coverage for preexisting conditions. Some policies don't provide coverage for preexisting conditions. Others require an extended waiting period before coverage begins for those conditions. You can avoid being left without necessary coverage by confirming coverage for your preexisting conditions before you buy your policy. 

Prescriptions

The cost of prescription medications continues to rise. Depending on the medication, you may find yourself spending hundreds of dollars each month on your prescriptions. This is especially true if prescriptions aren't included in your health insurance. When you shop for your health insurance, ask about prescription medication coverage. 

Additional Services

When it comes to health insurance, you want a policy that provides extra services. These services include things like chiropractic care or mental health care. Discuss those extra services with your insurance agent before you buy a policy. 

What Does Your Employer Provide?

If your employer provides health insurance, you may think that's your best option. But, that's not always the case. Group insurance plans base their policy costs on several variables. One of those variables is the health status of the entire group. That means that if your employee group consists of people with preexisting conditions, you may end up spending more for your coverage. If you don't have a preexisting condition and you're in good health, talk to an agent about buying your own plan. 

What Network Is Your Physician In?

If you like your current physicians, be careful when you buy your health insurance policy. Doctors work through networks for their insurance coverage. If your doctor isn't connected to your new insurance network, you may not have the coverage you need. If that's the case, you'll either need to pay cash for your doctor visits or you'll need to find a new doctor. You can avoid that problem by choosing an insurance policy that is in your physicians network. 


Share