How can I chose the best medical insurance for me? What should I look for?

Answer 1

I personally have many choices also but no hmo for me. My insurance is blue cross regence----it just went up and has lousy dental, I go to canada for that-two root cannals in one afternoon for 500. Anyway I have above mentioned insurance because of doctor and specialist flexibility to chose my own, on their list ofcourse, but I don't need a doctors permissionto see a specialist. This is why I stay with them.

Answer 2

Zippy knows what she's talking about, but add in the tax advantage to your analysis of "least expensive" (also known as "lowest out of pocket"). All this depends on your age, your health, your family and your near term future. Most young healthy people need to get catastrophic coverage and if they have families, maybe well-baby and well-care with accident coverage. PREVENT so you don't have to treat. Don't be afraid of most germs, they help keep your body balanced. The other side of healthcare costs are the choices you make: don't use the urgent cares or ERs for your primary healthcare, they are more expensive. Don't insist on an antibiotic when you have a viral infection; they won't work and will cost you money. Use acetaminophen for minor pains but let a fever run if you can unless it is above 102. Your body was made to have a fever, it serves the purpose of healing you! Do not go to the doctor for every little thing, and ask for samples if you have to take a prescription from the doctor. Generics are best and cheapest if you are on a short term treatment; if the treatment is long term (chronic), make sure you get the same generic each time you fill the script, or you may experience variations.

Answer 3

You want to get the best coverage for the smallest amount out of pocket.

If you're young, single with no children, and relatively healthy, I'd personally go with something that has a low premium, but a higher deductible. (If you don't use it, you don't pay it.) My reason being: HMO plans cost roughly $300-400 a month for an individual. You can get a plan with a $2000 annual deductible for less than $200 a month. (About half price.) Now, before you freak about the $2000 deductible - let's say you have one physical and two sick visits a year. You never pay for them up front - you want the insurance company to be billed first. (Reason being: that's how your deductible is tracked, and RARELY do you ever have to pay the billed amount - there's almost always a "provider discount" - unless you use a non-participating provider or non covered services.) So, figure that the two sick visits are going to cost you about $55 each, and the complete physical (with labs) is about $90. That's a total of $200, combined with the $2400 in premiums you pay, you're STILL coming out ahead of the aproximately $4200 in premiums ALONE you'd pay with an HMO. (And that doesn't count the copays - which average about $20 to $25 a pop!)

Another thing to consider with a deductible plan - you should also be able to get an HSA (health savings account) - that's pretax money put aside for anything medically related - copays/deductibles/etc.

Now, if none the first part apply to you, and you need an HMO, you need to make sure that any doctors you see on a regular basis, any medications you take, and any testing you have done regularly are covered in network, otherwise, you'll have HUGE headaches about getting things paid for, or end up paying for non-covered services. If you have children, you need to make sure that preventative care and vaccines are covered - otherwise, you're going to be paying out the wazoo.

Good luck!

Answer 4

The best way is to visit a local independent agent. This person knows the market in your area and can find the best plan for your situation. They are a go to person if you have any problems and they don't charge you anything for the service.

Every company is different in one way or another. There are over 1000 plans and variations of plans available so unless you have a LOT of time on your hands you cannot do it yourself or over the internet.

You should look for a plan that your doctor accepts. If you don't have a doctor you should look for a plan with a lot of doctors in your area because it doesn't do you any good to save money on the premium if you have to drive 300 miles to see a doctor. You should find a plan that covers what you want covered, that is rated highly by A M Best, that is a major medical plan and one that will accept you if you have pre-existing conditions.