Monday, January 19, 2009

Basics of Health Insurance

By Jeff Cline

Health insurance can prove to be confusing to many consumers. Understanding the basics is key to maintaining individual health insurance that meets your needs and expectations as well as your budget. By educating yourself with the basics you can accomplish that. Here are 7 basics to get you started.

The first basic detail in health insurance is the Life Time limit they set, or the Lifetime Maximum. If you should have a critical illness such as cancer and extra $2million is a major benefit not to be overlooked. If your Lifetime Maximum is $3million, that is the most it shall ever payout.

Deductible is important basic knowledge when it comes to health insurance. The lower your deductible amount the more you can expect to pay in premium. The deductible must be met by the consumer before the insurance company agrees to share the cost.

Once the deductible is met you may have Co-Insurance. This is when the insurer begins sharing the cost. Typically the split is 80/20, 75/25 or 50/50, depending on your plan. There is a limit on the co insurance as well. For example, Johnny has an inpatient hospitalization for an injury. Johnny has met his $2000 deductible already and he has 80/20 co insurance up to $3000. So Johnny would pay 20% of his total bill not to exceed $3000 out of his pocket.

When you go to the doctor and you pay a predetermined amount this is called a Co pay. Sometimes even labs and x-rays are covered. It all depends on the plan that you are looking at. So to avoid an unexpected bill you should explore this detail. It is something many do not understand.

A good understanding of the Preventative benefit is also key to comparing and understanding your benefits. Not all plans include Preventative visits. A Preventative exam is a screening and non diagnostic exam meant to maintain good health and foresee any problems with health. Sometimes the benefit will cover many different test and labs, while some will only cover a certain amount.

One basic that is detailed in clear is the limitations. These are sometimes overwhelming to consumers and overlooked. But you need to take the time to know the limitations. They may restrict how much the pay for certain illnesses or treatments. They may only pay for 2 office visits a year.

Getting your prescriptions covered is important to many due to the high cost of prescriptions. So knowing how your prescription coverage works is very important. One plan may cover a generic at one co pay and a brand name at another. You might also have a cap. For instance the carrier may only agree to pay $500 a year in Brand name. - 16492

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