Making Health Insurance Affordable

As health insurance costs are increasing we have to proactive in making our choices when it comes to choosing a health insurance plan. Health insurance companies are constantly coming out with new health insurance plans to stay competitive in the marketplace. New health plans offer you flexibility to customize your own health insurance plan. Most health plans in the past were packaged with features that some of use did not need and some features that we did not know we had. We know that car insurance offers us flexibility to where you can pick your coverage limits, deductibles and the types of coverage that you want. It is only when people could not afford their health insurance anymore that insurance companies had to come up with new ways to make health insurance affordable. The days packaged group plans that offered 5 dollar co-pays and pay for your gym memberships are over. Why pay for the plan features that you are never going to use. Most of us and our parents come from the world where large companies paid for their health insurance plans. Large companies do have advantage of numbers; more people are part of the group the more competitive monthly rates are.

First I want to address health insurance quote shopping. If you are looking for some great deal on a plan that covers everything for small monthly premium you are going to be very disappointed. Health insurance prices are health insurance prices no matter what insurance company you go with. The main difference in how insurance companies compete with offering more affordable health insurance rates is by being more creative in their plan designs. Stays away from "good deals" in health insurance, chances are the plans are not going to cover anything when you have a claim. Then you will end up with bills from the hospital and a bill from your health insurance company.

Health insurance companies like Assurant Health underwritten by Time Insurance offer health insurance plans where you have opportunity to design your own plan. It is one of the only large reputable health insurance companies to offer customizable health coverage plans. They offer five plan designs two of them are Health Savings Accounts qualified health plans and the other health plans are your standard PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). What makes Assurant Health unique is that every type of plan gives you opportunity to customize that plan by choosing your co-pay or no co-pay option, choice of deductible, prescription drug coverage deductible, dental discount plan or dental insurance and plan specific options. If you are looking for simple to use and simple to understand HSA plans, Assurant is one of the first companies you should consider. Assurant formerly knows as Fortis was the first medical insurance provider to offer HAS plans.

When designing your own health insurance plan keep in mind of your previous health insurance usage. Choosing higher deductible for your health insurance plans will make the largest difference in your monthly premium. Keep in mind in most cases deductible applies only to when you are hospitalized. That means when you are admitted to the hospital then you are responsible for your deductible. Most health insurance plans will cover your doctor visits, physical exams, prescriptions drugs and your lab work with a co-pay before you meet the deductible. If you choose a high deductible plan and something does happen to you that you end up in the hospital for something major and you do not have money at the time to cover your deductible. Every hospital will work with you by offering you payment plans. In some cases you can take as much as five years to pay off your deductible. There have been instances where hospitals even waived the deductible. Therefore it does not make any sense in choosing a plan with low deductible. Get health plans with high deductible and you are going to save thousands on your health insurance. Some companies like Assurant Health offer you option to where if you choose a health plans with deductible of thirty five hundred of higher you automatically qualify for two year rate guarantee. Save money monthly and avoid rate increases. Just with little knowledge and understanding of how health insurance works you can save thousands with the health coverage that is based on your needs.