Tips To Choose A Health Insurance Company

Posted by Steve Jen
3
Mar 15, 2016
162 Views
In this historic time for health reforms, many of us hold onto our seats as we see things unfold. With the Affordable Care Act in effect, a prominent number of Americans are purchasing health insurance for the first time.

Whether you are a new buyer trying to choose an insurance company or a present customer looking to switch insurance carriers, here are a few tips that can help you make the best possible decision:

Finding the Lowest Costs for Your Healthcare Needs

Even though the latest ACA reforms offer free preventive visits, out of pocket costs like coinsurance and co-payments can still add up.

In addition to that, deductibles for some plans can still add up to thousands of dollars every year. In this case, you will need to have a significant amount of money saved up in case you encounter an accident.

When comparing health insurance carriers, plans that have the same benefits may vary in terms of out of pocket costs. Therefore, you should try and find the right plan at the most suitable price. When choosing an insurance company, keep two things at the top of your checklist: the amount you can pay feasibly in the form of monthly premiums, and your likely medical needs.

The Right Plan Type

Not all insurance companies offer all plan types so you need to choose a plan that meets your needs and then pick a company that offers something close to those needs.

Here are the three basic types of plans:

•    HMOs: HMOs set you up with a primary care provider who is later responsible for any referrals you need.
•    EPOs: These plans don’t require referrals but want you to stick to healthcare providers from within a specific network.
•    PPOs: PPOs offer a variety of options by giving you a variety of out of network healthcare options.

At the end of the day, your household healthcare needs will specify which plan is the best for you.

Check with Your Doctor

If you already have a primary healthcare provider that you prefer over others, check with the office to see which insurance carriers are accepted. The ability to stick to your present doctor may be the deciding factor, especially if you have a physician you cannot afford to lose.

Besides going to your doctor, you can also visit HealthCare.gov that provides links to network directories for each company.

Using these tips you can choose a health insurance company that actually works for you. Are you looking for health insurance in NY? For options that fall directly in your budget, check out Affordable Health Insurance NY today.
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