If you are traveling overseas, you will surely want to be prepared for any eventuality. That’s why it’s very important that you take the time to purchase travel health insurance before you leave. When you are in a strange land with no friends or relations around, you will be stuck if something happens to you. You might end up with exhorbitant out-of-pocket expenses simply because you have no guidance in choosing a doctor and no assistance in paying. That’s why it’s extremely important that you protect yourself and be prepared with a good travel health insurance policy.
When considering a health care insurance plan from your employer, be sure to always plan for the future. This will be beneficial to you in case of possible health issues that prevent you from holding a job, or getting laid off. Always be prepared, and know what your health coverage options are if you do not retain your job.
To defray the cost of medical expenses, you should carry health insurance. Even though you may have a savings account, medical bills can still wipe you out financially because they are often much more than any cash you may have on hand. For instance, an appendectomy can cost as much as $32,000 and heart surgery can be as high as $100,000, depending on what you’re having done. These are expenses that would have to come out of your pocket, if you don’t have insurance.
Deducting your health insurance premiums on your taxes can help save you a lot of money. If you’re self-employed, you can deduct the cost of your premiums on your taxes. This reduces your adjusted gross income so that your tax liability will probably be lower. You can do this whether you itemize deductions or not.
Help keep your portion of health insurance costs low by taking advantage of perks your employer may offer. For example, a company may offer a rebate of the cost of one monthly premium when you provide proof of a preventative checkup. Read your employee manual or talk to HR to see what incentives your company offers.
A personal policy is probably going to cost more than being involved in group coverage provided by companies, so make sure you plan appropriately. You might have to deal with a higher deductible or less coverage, or both. Every insurer will evaluate you differently, so it’s well worth your time to shop several insurers until you find the cheapest rates for the most coverage.
Check into individual coverage, as you may get a better rate than with going with a group plan. The downside to group coverage is that everyone is accepted. This means that the premiums must be higher to help account for those who may become ill or need emergency care.
Make a point to factor in your favorite doctors before you commit to a health insurance policy. Many people have a regular doctor that they prefer. When choosing a health insurance plan, do not forget to check and make sure that they are covered by it. A quick check could save you a lot of hassle later on.
Understand the differences between a PPO policy and a HMO policy if you want to receive the best possible level of care with your health insurance. You not only have to think about what’s best for you, but also what’s best for your children – if they should happen to fall ill or suffer an accident.
One obvious way to save money on health insurance is to dial your deductible up or down to meet your needs. For example, if you are healthy and have no dependents, you may prefer a high-deductible plan with lower premiums. Families and/or people who need more regular health care may prefer a lower-deductible plan since their annual health care costs will be higher.
If you use prescription medications and are on a health insurance plan, check with your insurer to see if 90-day prescriptions are available in pharmacies. 90-day refills have long been available by mail, but now they are becoming available in local pharmacies – which means you get the full cost benefit of a 90-day prescription (essentially 90 days’ worth of drugs for a 30-day payment), without having to wait for the medications to come in the mail. It’s a tremendous deal and definitely worth checking out.
Invest in a Health Savings Account to take care of the incidental needs not covered by your insurance policies. You can use these savings to cover your deductibles or pay for other health related items that are denied by your insurance company. You will earn interest on this account, and you can deduct that interest when you file your taxes.
If you receive a medical bill that seems way to expensive you may be able to negotiate a portion of it away! An office manager is often very reasonable, and if you are able to explain the excessive nature of a bill, he or she may be willing to reduce the price. Mistakes are made, and chances are your bill received an extra charge somewhere that was not warranted so ask and you may receive!
When thinking about getting a health insurance plan, not many people think of using a broker to get them the best policy. These brokers can find insurance companies that are well suited to an individual, get the best rates offered, and will be there to explain all the aspects of a particular health plan.
Discussion about this post