Finding an individual health insurance plan with coverage features and premiums that meet your needs and/or those of your family is not a difficult task.
Determine which coverage features that are most important to you, but remember, the more benefits you select for health plan, the greater the premium.
Identify what coverage benefits you require in your health plan:
- Maternity coverage
- Prescription coverage
- Well child care
- Immunizations
- Emergency Visits
- Annual physicals (preventive care)/
- Dependent coverage
- Physician office visits
- Specialist coverage
Think about how long you will need coverage.
If you are between jobs or waiting for new group coverage a Temporary Insurance Policy would probably fill the need. If you need coverage for the long term because your employer doesn't offer group coverage or you are self-employed, a permanent individual policy would be the choice.
How often do you typically need medical care?
Consider how many times you will have medical needs. If you area healthy, you probably do not visit your doctor too often or take many prescription drugs. Therefore, you may not need all the "bells and whistles" in your plan. Keep in mind that "going bare" could spell financial disaster for you and/or your family. You may want to consider a plan covering hospitalization only.
Calculate your tolerance for financial risk.
If the prospect of paying out of pocket for a few doctor visits or a couple of prescriptions every year doesn't worry you, but you wish to limit that dollar risk, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) might be worth consideration. Generally, the premium savings between a $500 deductible and a $5000 deductible can be 50% or more.
Other important factors to consider when purchasing health insurance:
- Is your current physician included in the plan's provider network?
- Is keeping your current physician important to you? It could result in having to purchase a more expensive policy or pay more out of pocket costs.
- Where are the nearest hospitals you can visit with your plan?
- Is there a wide selection of primary care physician and specialists?
- What is the financial strength of the insurance company?
- What about pre-existing coverage or limitations? (Is there a waiting period?)
Only Use Licensed Agents
Use an agency that will be there in times of need! Having a "person" or agent to help in getting claims submitted or finding out if a condition is covered by your policy is less time consuming and stressful than trying to get important information through the internet or an operator. Having this help available to you can be extremely valuable and costs the consumer nothing!
- Fill out your application thoroughly and completely. Inconsistencies and inaccuracies may result in termination of your policy
- Verify that your agent is licensed in the State of Florida. Go to myfloridacfo.com and click the "verify before you buy" button or call 1-877-MY-FL-CFO.
- Download Florida Health Insurance Guide: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Consumers/Guides/Health/index.htm
- Visit us for more buying tips http://www.murrayins.net/Tips-For-Buying-Insurance.php
Murray Insurance Agency was founded in 1981 by W. Edward Murray, Jr. Since our appointment as a Contracted General Agency for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in 1983, we have assisted more than 150,000 individuals with their health insurance needs. http://www.murrayins.net
by melissa fach
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