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- You typically pay your health insurance premium once a month
- However, you may have other health insurance payments to make in addition to your premiums, such as deductibles and copayments
- You usually pay your deductible and copayments at or after the time of your medical visit
- There may be other out of pocket costs such as coinsurance
- There are various ways to save money your premiums, deductibles, and copayments that might help you pay less money and less often
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What is a health insurance premium and how often do I have to pay it?
A health insurance premium is the monthly amount that you pay to your health insurance company to continue coverage. In addition to your premium, you may have to pay a deductible and copayment, which are not due monthly. If you enroll in a plan through the healthcare exchange marketplace, you may be eligible for tax credits on your premium.
A plan with the lowest monthly premium will not necessarily be the cheapest overall. If you have a cheaper premium, you may have a higher deductible which means you will be paying more out of pocket. If you purchase a plan through the Healthcare Marketplace, you pay your first premium amount to your health insurance company, not the marketplace.
If you have employer-based health insurance, your employer may pay part of your health insurance premium and automatically deduct the amount you owe from your paycheck.
If you miss your monthly premium payment, you might be in jeopardy of losing your coverage. However, you are typically entitled to a 90 day grace period if you purchased a marketplace plan and paid at least one full month’s premiums in that same year.
If you do not qualify for premium tax credits, your grace period might be shorter or different. If you are dropped from your health insurance due to nonpayment, you do have the opportunity to appeal that decision.
What is a health insurance deductible and how often do I have to pay it?
A health insurance deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying for your medical expenses before your insurance coverage will kick in.
If you have a $5,000 deductible, you have to pay $5,000 towards all of your medical bills first. After you meet your deductible, you might still have to make some out of pocket payments like copays and coinsurance.
Typically, the lower your monthly premium is, the higher your deductible is. Some plans might not have deductibles at all. You will pay your deductible when you go to your doctor’s office, the hospital, or the pharmacy.
What is a health insurance copayment and how often do I have to pay it?
Other out of pocket payments might include a copay or coinsurance. This is a certain fixed amount that you will pay at each medical visit. The amount is usually listed on your insurance card.
Some insurance plans charge coinsurance amounts instead of copayments. This is usually a percentage amount instead of a fixed amount. Under the Affordable Care Act, some essential health services, such as annual wellness checkups and vaccinations.
If you purchase a healthcare plan on marketplace, you might be eligible for lower copayments with cost sharing reduction subsidies.
How do I save money on these health insurance payments?
When you purchase a health plan on the marketplace, there are savings available to help lower your premium amounts and out of pocket costs. However, it most likely will not change how often you have to make your payments. If you qualify for premium tax credits, your monthly premium amount will be lowered.
Additionally, if you enroll in a silver ranked plan on the healthcare exchange marketplace, you may be eligible for savings on your deductible, copayments, and out of pocket maximum. It is important to note that only silver plans are eligible for these savings.
To qualify for these savings, you have to be within a certain income range. The lower your income is, the more savings you will probably qualify for. Native Americans and Alaskan natives might be eligible for additional cost sharing subsidies.
If you are a member of either of these groups, you have an income between $24,300 and $72,900 for a family of four, and you are eligible for tax credits, you might qualify for a zero cost sharing plan which means that your deductible and copayments will not cost you anything.
How often do I pay health insurance?
You will pay your premium for your health insurance coverage every month. You will pay your deductible and copayments if your health insurance plan requires them when you see your doctor or receive a medical service.
The first step toward coverage is comparison; enter your zip code below and get free quotes today!
[su_spoiler title=”References:” icon=”caret-square” style=”fancy” open=”yes”]
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/premium/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/complete-your-enrollment/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/health-insurance-grace-period/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/deductible/
- http://obamacarefacts.com/health-insurance/copay/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/save-on-out-of-pocket-costs/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/american-indians-alaska-natives/
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