Before You Look for Health Insurance
by: Richard Keir
Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business. You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits and costs of each policy and each type of policy. Too often we tend to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.
Slow down. There some important things you should do before you start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more likely to make a good decision.
You need to carefully consider your situation. Think about these questions and note your answers:
What's the general state of your health?
How old are you?
Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your medical history?
Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical needs?
Do you use tobacco? How much?
Do you drink? How much?
Are you over- or under-weight for your height, body-type and age?
Is your job hazardous?
Do you participate in any activities or sports that could affect your health?
Now this may be unpleasant but if there's any chance an insurance company could discover a history of drug or alcohol abuse or sexual behavior that might put you in a high risk group, you may want to be direct and upfront about it - especially if it's in the past. Having a claim denied later because you had failed to disclose medical information to the insurance company would be far more upsetting - and very expensive. The same goes for any significant medical condition. Insurance companies are in it to make a profit - at least most of them are. Paying large claims isn't their favorite activity, so they often do investigate.
If you're seeking a family policy you'll need to make the same analysis for everyone and consider carefully what kind of coverage you want.
Do you need dental, orthodontic, pregnancy, mental health, and/or drug coverage? Do you need long-term care coverage, either inpatient or in a nursing facility? Assisted living coverage? What about traveler's or international coverage?
If there's a possibility that you may require - or want - in-home care as opposed to a residential nursing or assisted living facility, be sure that coverage is included and be sure you understand exactly what you can expect to receive.
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Before You Look for Health Insurance
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About The Author
Richard Keir is a writer, educator and consultant providing services to medical, scientific and business professionals. For more on choosing a health insurance policy or finding the best medical plan for you, visit http://www.aboutinsurance.info/
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