Try to buy health
insurance through a group insurance plan where you do work or an
system to which you belong.
buy a disability policy with a longer ready and
waiting(p) period earlier benefits begin.
If you need a lot of health insurance, be sure
to include major medical in your insurance coverage instead of
limiting coverage to hospitalization.
growth your major medical deductible.
Buy a major medical plan that pays a certain
percentage of the "usual and customary fees" instead of a plan that
pays benefits of rigid amounts.
Avoid duplication coverage. Very seldom will you
be able to collect from two sources, so it's not worth the extra cost
in premiums.
Shop around. Compare companies, policies and
premium prices. Just be sure you're comparing the same types of
coverage from each company.
Buy insurance that cannot be cancelled. Pay
premiums annually if you pay the premiums direct.
Buy from a reputable insurance company or a
reliable non- profit organization (is the company licensed in your
state?
Compare benefits of different policies.
Understand the limitations in policies
Consider your situation. What types of medical
inevitably are likely to occur? What types of medical expenses are you
likely to have?
Determine how much of your income can constitute
allocated to health insurance, considering protection needed, against
all other insurable risks, such as damage to the home, death of income
earner, and hazards to others for which you are liable.
Plan your health insurance program. Most people
have a circumscribed number of dollars to spend for insurance. The
problem then becomes one of deciding how to use these insurance
dollars to good advantage.
Figure the protection you have from Medicare or
Medicaid if you are over 65.
Take your time. On the other hand, don't put off
an important decision that would provide protection for your family.
Make sure you fully understand any policy you are considering, and
that you are comfortable with the company, agent, and product.
When you leverage a policy, make your check
payable to the insurance society, not to the agent. Be sure to get a
receipt.
If you have a complaint about your insurance
agent or company, contact the customer service division of your
insurance company. If you are still dissatisfied, contact your state
insurance department. Most departments have a consumer affairs
division that can propose help, and some have a toll-free number to
respond to consumer requests.
Review your policy periodically or when your
situation changes to be sure your coverage is adequate.
