Health Insurance Tips from EBSA

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) administers a number of laws covering health insurance plans and is a great source of information on subjects such as your rights to information on how your plan works, how to qualify for benefits available in your plan and how to make claims on your health insurance plan. Find out more about EBSA on the web at www.dol.gov/ebsa

Here are ten tips EBSA offers to help you make your health insurance benefits work for you.

1. Your options are important - Health insurance comes in many forms so it's important to take the time to learn about your various options. Do research to compare health insurance plans and choose the one that best fits your health insurance needs.
2. Review the benefits available - When comparing health insurance options, look beyond just the cost and review the benefits each plan offers. Ask questions such as: What are the deductibles? Does the plan cover preventative care? Dental? Vision? These questions will help you determine your out-of-pocket heath insurance expenses under each plan.
3. Look for quality - Not all medical care is the same. Some doctors and hospitals provide higher quality care than others. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a publication, Your Guide to Choosing Quality Health Care, for comparing the quality of health care
4. Your plan's summary plan description (SPD) provides a wealth of information - The plan administrator of your health insurance can give you a copy of your SPD. This document tells you your benefits and legal rights under the Employee Income Security Act (ERISA).
5. Assess your benefit coverage as your family status changes - Always review your health insurance after a change in your family, such as a divorce, death, childbirth or marriage. All of these can change your health insurance needs. Your family might qualify for health insurance under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
6. Changing jobs and other life events can affect your health benefits - Here is where COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) comes into play. COBRA can extend your health insurance in case you are laid off, change jobs or face other qualifying life events.
7. HIPPA can also help if you're changing jobs, particularly if you have a medical condition.
8. Plan for retirement - Retirement planning is important for many reasons, but knowing what benefits your health insurance offers your family after you retire is near the top of the list. Be sure to learn everything you can about your health insurance and government medical programs for your retirement.
9. Know how to file an appeal if your health insurance benefits claim is denied.
10. You can take steps to improve the quality of the health care and the health insurance benefits you receive.