Health Insurance Guide And Tips
Healthcare Insurance is fun to shop for! Said no one, ever. But, if you’re armed with knowledge concerning the many different ways to go about it, you’ll feel more comfortable when calling our independent insurance agency to get enrolled.
Age
Keep in mind your age will have a lot to do with the coverage you will need. Before the age of 26, chances are that you’ll be able to stay on your family plan that your parents pay for. That can help tremendously while you focus on paying for college and starting your career. If this is not an option for you, look around for plans with a high deductible that cover regular doctor check-ups and emergency room visits.
Once you age out of your parents’ health insurance plan, you will need to purchase your own coverage. Different health insurance carriers have different plan options based on age. Around the ages of 26 to 34, typical plans include medical insurance plus dental and vision plans. They usually cost less monthly but have a higher deductible.
Life Events
This stage usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 44 but could definitely affect your insurance choice sooner. If you are pregnant, or thinking about starting a family, you will need make sure the plan option you choose includes additional coverage such as prenatal care and coverage for your children and/or spouse. Don’t forget to purchase dental and vision plans, too. These sorts of plans often are more expensive, but they typically come with lower co-pays and deductibles.
Long Term Care Planning
By the time you’re in the 45 to 64 age range, you may be thinking of asking your healthcare carrier to introduce you to plans that cover long-term care, disability coverage such as long or short term, and medical screenings that may help diagnose or prevent certain conditions.
Retirement
Once you reach retirement age, you are eligible for Medicare coverage provided by the US government. There are many parts to this plan, but purchasing parts A and B is a good idea. After those are purchased, you may want to look into a supplement plan to cover the costs that A and B may not cover. As an alternative, plan C is usually a private insurance company that covers people within this age group, but they can be more expensive. After considering your options, don’t rule out plan D which covers drugs and prescriptions only.
Getting a quote next step in healthcare can be intimidating, but once you have a gist for what you’re looking for, you’ll be ready to check that task off your To-Do list in no time.