Instructions
1. Start by thinking about what you want most from a health insurance plan. If you are healthy, your health insurance needs may be more for protection from possible catastrophic injury costs than a current need for ongoing treatment. But if you already need to see a doctor regularly, that changes what you need from the plan. For example, you may be interested in a plan with a lower copay. If you suffer from depression, you will most likely prefer a plan that includes mental health coverage. Take the time to think through and write down the most important coverages to you. Remember to be flexible and accept that what is on this list may change as you look into specific plans.
2. Gather the information from the various health insurance plans you are considering, and lay them all out on a table. Make a chart on another piece of paper comparing and contrasting various aspects of the plans. Include annual premiums, copays and deductibles. Decide how much you can afford in deductibles--meaning how much you can afford to pay out of pocket if you get sick or injured. If you are healthy and have a reliable income, a higher deductible will most likely reduce your premium, the amount you pay just to be covered. The deductible you choose should be money you can pay if you need to. A copay is a fee you pay every time you see a doctor. Higher copays sometimes discourage sick people from seeing the doctor, so make sure you can afford the copay. If you are healthy, you should still budget two copays per month just in case.
3. Make a chart noting which plans allow you to choose your own doctors, and which plans have a list of doctors you have to see. If you are happy with your doctor, this will have an impact on which plan is right for you. Also, include on this chart which plans allow you to see specialists, and which plans require a referral in order to see a specialist.
4. Make another chart notating which specialists can be covered, with or without a referral. Chiropracters, mental health professionals and alternative healers are treated differently by different health plans. You need to know who you want to have access to should a need arise.
5. Read the fine print and make sure you understand the rules, as having a compete understanding of the plan will save you a lot of future frustration. Ask a friend or family member to help you read the fine print and sort through the information. Also, if possible, talk to people who already have the plans you are considering. Try to get their honest opinions of their costs, coverage and access to care.
Tags: which plans, health insurance, plan that, fine print, Make chart