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- A good health insurance plan should have just about everything included. This is what makes it a comprehensive policy and provides you with the peace of mind to know that you are well protected in the case of a serious illness or injury
- Carefully examine the Summary of Benefits and Coverage in order to determine what benefits you have, and which you are lacking
- Most plans offered under the Affordable Care Act are now going to be classified as good, particularly if you work for a large employer. Comparison shopping is necessary, however, in order to get your premiums down to a comfortable amount that you can live with
- All insurance plans offered on the state insurance marketplace are going to be comprehensive, so that is a good thing. What you need to do is carefully consider whether you want to be in the bronze, silver, or gold tier.
- Look at the different plans offered by your employer to determine which is the best health insurance policy for you and your individual situation
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These are the four areas that will help you determine if your health insurance policy is a good one or not.
Not all insurance providers are created the same. Some policies are incredibly good, offer great comprehensive coverage at affordable rates, and have implemented a claims process that is easy to navigate. Others, quite frankly, fail miserably on all accounts. The frustrating part of all of this is that it is often difficult to determine which is which until it is too late. If you are struggling to know whether or not your existing health insurance policy is good, continue reading to discover more.
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The Components of a Good Health Insurance Plan
Under existing federal guidelines, knowing what constitutes a ‘good’ health care plan is made rather simple. Everyone insurance policy is now designed to offer essential health benefits so that you do no longer need to worry about this. This includes, at a minimum, the following items:
- Hospitalization
- Visits to the Physician
- Treatments at an Outpatient Facility
- Prescription Medication
- Preventative Care
- Pediatric Care
- Care for Mental Health Disorders
- Substance Abuse Care
- Rehabilitation Services
This is good news for the majority of people that now have health insurance. Routine wellness programs, for example, are now covered. This means that most immunizations and mammograms will be covered under insurance, easing the financial burden over affected demographic groups. One area you will want to check
One area you will want to check, if it applies, is maternity care. This is not always included in many health insurance policies, and it is certainly a necessary component for millions of Americans. This speaks to the importance of comparing policies and covered services and benefits prior to making a firm decision that you will be locked into for a minimum of one year.
Check Your Coverage
One of the easiest ways to determine if you have good health insurance is to check the Summary of Benefits and Coverage. This is a standard form that is now required to be included with every health insurance policy, no matter if you obtain it through an employer or on your own. This means that you’ll be able to quickly look over all of the benefits that are included with your policy in a way that is easy to understand.You will also know how much you need to pay for each benefit, and you will be told if something is not covered.
This type of up-front information will help you make a more informed decision about which type of health insurance provider is best for you to wait for next Open Enrollment Period.
You will also know how much you need to pay for each benefit, and you will be told if something is not covered. This type of up-front information will help you make a more informed decision about which type of health insurance provider is best for you to wait for next Open Enrollment Period.
The Affordable Care Act Defines What is ”Good”
While you might not be a fan of the Affordable Care Act, the reality is that the Act itself has basically set the standard for what is classified as good insurance. If you currently buy insurance on your own, you might want to make a serious look at the state insurance exchange market in your location to determine what policies are available there for you. Each of them is considered to carry the level of benefits that will provide you with essential minimum coverage. You will not be left in the lurch with such a policy.
That being said, not all policies offered on the Insurance Marketplace are priced equally. The following tiers are included to dictate the extent to which each benefit level is afforded to you:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
While the benefits are there for you under each type of policy, the amount that you will pay in the event you need certain services will differ widely. You will also want to consider certain coverages that you might need at some point in the future.
If you do not currently use prescription medication, you might still want to make sure that your policy includes coverage.
That way, you will not be left paying out of pocket for this expense were you to become ill before you can switch over to another policy. If you have a good health insurance policy, and you are in good health, you can opt for a higher deductible to maintain the same great benefits with a lower cost up front.
Consider Employer-Sponsored Plans Carefully
Many people today enjoy the comfort and security that comes with working for a large company that offers a range of health insurance-related benefits. Even so, you will want to consider your choices very carefully. Make sure that the benefits offered are what you and your family need. Compare costs and make sure that you would not be better off with a policy that you locate yourself. Consider the networks that your health insurance options provide and which services you will likely need to pay out of pocket.
In Conclusion
Taking all of this into consideration, you should now have the information you need to determine how good your existing health insurance policy is. If you feel that yours simply does not live up to your expectations, begin shopping around early so that you will be ready to switch come the next open enrollment period.
Enter your zip code below if you need new health insurance; we’ll match you with quotes from top providers with affordable policies for you to compare for free!
[su_spoiler title=”References:” icon=”caret-square” style=”fancy” open=”yes”]
- http://www.reuters.com/article/us-healthcare-benefits-workers-idUSKCN0S827120151014
- http://familiesusa.org/blog/2014/03/how-find-out-if-your-employer%E2%80%99s-health-plan-good-enough
- http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2014/05/12/4-signs-you-have-the-wrong-health-insurance-plan
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