Health insurance are highly mandatory to protect yourself from incurring huge expenses due to expensive medical care that you may need in case of any medical emergencies, illnesses, surgeries or treatments.
A one-day hospitalization in an expensive city as California could cost up to $5000. Medical evacuation expenses are approximately worth $90,000. Heart surgeries could cost you approximately around $100,000. This is definitely not affordable from the personal pockets for most people. Hence, one should be prepared for such exigencies and protect with a beneficial health insurance coverage plan.
People generally mistake that when they are hale and hearty, they need not buy a health insurance policy. But some illnesses may have a very sudden onset. In addition, insurance companies would not cover you for those diseases or injuries which already exist at the time of applying for the policy.
There are many insurance providers offering affordable health insurance plans nowadays. You need to research on the internet to be aware of the various benefits offered by the insurance plans, and choose a suitable health insurance policy for you and your family. Most of the insurance websites send you free instant quotes mentioning the cost of buying an insurance policy.
You may choose fixed-benefits policies which cost you lower but covers the basic expenses or comprehensive coverage policies where you may have to pay higher premiums, co-payments and deductibles, but would be able to enjoy more extensive benefits.
Health insurance can be purchased for an individual, group or the entire family together. Group insurances and family health insurance plans allow you to save a lot of money.
People with lower income levels can register for the Medicaid program. If you are eligible, you can enroll your entire family into the program by submitting an application. In addition, you would be required to submit some proofs of finances. The criteria and benefits of the program may vary from one state to another. Medicaid covers eye care expenses, emergency care, doctor consultation, dental treatments, prescription drugs and many other benefits. It is a good option for self-employed people or for those individuals whose employers do not offer insurance benefits.
While finalizing on your insurance provider, gather information on the financial stability of the company by performing research on the rating, the number of complaints filed and resolved in the insurance company, the fastness of the organization in processing claims, the quality of customer support and customer friendliness during emergencies, network of tie-ups with hospitals, clinics and physicians and also user reviews about the products and services offered by the company.
While purchasing the health insurance plan, decide whether domestic coverage is enough or international health insurance plan is essential, especially if you are a frequent traveller abroad. If you have just left a job, you may even be able to extend your insurance coverage for 18 months by Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). However, you need to pay the premium on your own.
Every insurance buyer should go through the terms and conditions of the policy carefully and be aware under which circumstances they would be covered and when they would not be reimbursed for their expenses.