Everyone needs health care coverage of some kind. Whether you need it for preventive care or you have major issues, it's important to know that when the need arrives you won't pay a hefty price. Health care companies may offer similar premiums for differing coverage plans. But if you look carefully, you'll see that one plan's coverage may or may not be worth the price you pay.
Instructions
1. Check with your employer to see which plans it supports or offers. Some employers like the Federal Government can offer you dozens of plans depending on which state you work in, while other employers only offer two or three choices. Employer-supported plans may cost you considerably less than paying for all of your coverage on your own.
2. Determine what kind of plan you prefer so that you don't end up comparing apples to oranges. If you prefer HMOs--insurance companies that assign you a physician who refers you to other specialists within the plan--then it may not do you any good to compare them to other health care systems like preferred provider organizations (PPOs).
3. Assess your needs to see what kind of health care you'll need now and in the future. If two PPOs have similar premiums, one company may give you better preventive care than the other that might offer better surgical coverage. An HMO with a wide net of specialists you don't like might not be as valuable as an HMO with a small net of specialists that are the best in town. If you're going to pay the same price, you might consider the smaller HMO.
4. Check for vision and dental coverage. If you need glasses or braces, some plans may or may not offer discounts, despite lower premium costs.
5. Compare any co-pay costs that accompany your plan. For example, you might have bad allergies or be susceptible to respiratory problems that could require you to get frequent refills at the drug store. Or perhaps you just had a baby and you'll be attending many well-baby appointments for check-ups and immunizations. Co-pays can add up over time, so they should be considered when comparing health insurance premiums.
Tags: health care, preventive care, similar premiums, what kind