Questions to Ask Before you Select a Health Insurance Plan

A large number of people have to deal with the confusing proposition of selecting their health insurance. To help you in wading through the piles of paperwork associated with this process, there are some questions that you can ask because their answers enable you to make the right choice. What are these questions? They are outlined below:

What type of plan is it?

Find out if it is a managed care system or an indemnity health plan. With the latter plan, you have to pay a percentage of the medical costs and the remaining sum is paid by the insurance company. You can select your own doctors. In the former, which could either be a preferred provider organization (PPO) or a health maintenance organization (HMO), your out-of-pocket expenses are minimal. Under these, you have to visit a doctor within the network or else you will have to deal with extra expenses.

How much will you have to pay?

One of the most important things you need to think about when choosing a health insurance plan is the premium that you have to pay. When comparing Utah health insurance plans, you need to ask whether you will be charged a small flat fee or copayment for health care services. There are some plans that have a deductible, which is an amount you need to pay before any medical costs are covered.

Will you be able to use your existing doctors?

You should ask if there are any limits on selecting your hospitals or doctors. You should ask for a list of the doctors and hospitals that are covered to make up your mind if the plan is suitable for you or not.

What benefits do you get?

You also need to ask if your health insurance plan covers vision, dental care or any other special services you may need. It is also essential to ask about prescriptions.

Is there coverage for routine examinations?

It is also important to ask about routine examinations and checkups, such as pap tests, mammograms and immunizations because you don’t want to pay them out of your own pocket.

Do you have to call the doctor before going to the emergency room?

There are some health insurance plans that require you to get in touch with your doctor within 24 hours of going to the emergency room in the hospital or they will not provide coverage for your costs.

What are the restrictions of the plans on pre-existing conditions?

If you or a family member is suffering from any chronic condition, there is a possibility that related medical costs may not be covered by the policy for a period of months or at all. Therefore, it is better for you to ask about the pre-existing conditions so you know how much expenses you can expect.