Health insurance is a must-have in the event you have a serious medical emergency. You never know when disaster will strike in the form of illness, accident or injury. If you aren’t prepared with a good health insurance plan, you could stand to lose everything. If you have a good health plan in place, you can rest easy that your expenses will be taken care of. You have a couple of choices when it comes to purchasing health insurance. You can go with an individual plan, or if your employer offers group insurance, you can save money by choosing that plan.
If you have graduated from college and you are in need of health insurance, there are some options for you. If you got a job right out of college, check the health insurance they offer. If you are not yet 26, you can remain on your parents’ health insurance, though you may want to look into getting your own coverage.
When it’s time for open enrollment, evaluate your needs when it comes to health insurance. Your current coverage may no longer be adequate if your health conditions have changed or if you need coverage for a new family member. It is best to make needed changes during the open enrollment period for vision and dental insurance as well.
Remember that an individual policy is usually more expensive than what you would pay if you were a part of a group. It is possible you might have to be satisfied with a higher deductible and/or less coverage. Every insurer will evaluate you differently, so it’s well worth your time to shop several insurers until you find the cheapest rates for the most coverage.
Catastrophic Coverage
Obtaining catastrophic coverage instead of comprehensive coverage can often save you money on health insurance. Unlike comprehensive insurance, catastrophic coverage has less coverage for routine care, and will only cover “big ticket” costs.
Medical insurance can cut down on your taxes. Many people don’t realize that their health insurance premiums are tax deductible. The money spent on deductibles, prescriptions and co-pays for doctor visits are also deductible. State taxes differ than federal, so you may want to check those guidelines.
Be prepared for any loopholes in your health insurance plan. It is essential to read your insurance policy thoroughly to familiarize yourself with what is and what is not covered. Be prepared in advance to pay out of pocket for things that may not be covered, like certain medications or procedures.
No matter what, you will save money by buying generics over brand name drugs. In most cases, you can get generics, and generally there isn’t a difference between these and the brand names anyway.
Health insurance is regulated by individual states, so it is important to understand the laws in the state where you live. Depending on your plan, a trip to the ER in another state may not be covered. Make sure you review your policy carefully to determine if you are covered out of your state.
If you want to get pregnant in the future, ensure your insurance covers the pregnancy costs. You need to know this because there are health insurance plans that don’t cover all parts of pregnancy and labor.
If your spouse has a health insurance possibility through an employer, you may have to pay a surcharge to add your wife or husband on your plan. Take a look at the details and determine whether you could actually benefit financially by keeping your policies separated.
Health Insurance
When comparing group and individual policies, it is easy to notice that more options are available with an individual policy. You should always keep in mind how important it is to have health insurance. Being without health insurance coverage in this day and age is just asking for trouble. It’s too easy to experience something unexpected that may leave you broke. Be wise, and research your health insurance options today.
