Do not approach health insurance with fear. It is true the field is complex and your options are many, but the more you learn, the safer you will feel. Health insurance is similar to healthcare itself. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By making smart choices when you select health insurance, you can avoid difficulties in the future.
When thinking about what type of insurance plan to purchase from your employer, keep in mind the overall health issues of everyone in your family. If your health doesn’t present any concerns, you can get coverage with lower premiums. It may be a risky move if you develop any health issues.
Look at all of the total costs for any policy when choosing health insurance. Take into consideration all the costs coming your way, such as premiums, deductibles and co-pays. While these can be confusing at first, it is in your best interest to know the costs, and reasons, before you purchase a policy.
Find out if your place of employment offers any type of employee wellness program. This can save you health insurance costs. Many companies offer benefits for those who choose to make important lifestyle changes. By doing this, you can then enroll in fitness programs. This provides your company with savings on insurance coverage, which, in turn, reduces your premiums.
When open enrollment comes around, take the time to evaluate your health insurance needs. Perhaps your situation has changed and your policy is no longer adequate. Do not forget to make any needed changes to vision or dental insurance.
Individual policies usually have higher costs than the group coverage offered by employers, so plan accordingly. You might need to settle for higher deductibles 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.
Vision Insurance
If you have vision problems now, or if members of your family do and you think you will in the future, vision insurance is something you will want to purchase. Vision insurance will help you afford your annual eye exam and your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Vision insurance is voluntary coverage. There are people that save more money by not having vision insurance than having it.
Re-assess your prescription coverage every year. Sometimes health insurers change the medications they will cover, so each year when you re-enroll, review the terms carefully. If you have daily medications that your current insurance stops covering, find a new provider.
Health insurance can help you pay less on your taxes. Few people understand that health insurance premiums are tax-deductible. Other tax-deductible expenses associated with health care include out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, prescriptions, and doctor visits that your insurance doesn’t cover. Get the advice of your tax accountant if you are unsure about which expenses are deductible.
Do not wait util you get injured or sick to find out exactly what your health insurance plan covers. You should be prepared and understand what your policy covers ahead of time, as well as what options are available to you. Not having an ironclad policy is simply a bad choice. Luckily, it is a choice that can be easily corrected.
