Individual Quote

Health insurance is expensive and there are no set policy guidelines so you have to do some research when looking for your health insurance individual quote. Each state has its own little nuances and everybody's situation is different so there is no "one size fits all" in getting a health insurance quote.

There are several questions to ask when reviewing potential health insurance policies and while the reason for their importance will vary by individual, they are all questions that need to be considered.

What Does The Plan Cover ... and What Does It NOT Cover?

It's easy to look at a list of benefits in your health insurance individual quote and pick out the things that are important to you, but it is much more difficult to see what isn't there. Make a list of what you need coverage for (office visits due to an ongoing condition or just office visits when sick, prescription drugs, etc.) and then check your list against the one provided by the insurance company. If it does not cover things that are important to you, then you should continue looking. 

How Much Are My Deductibles and Co-Pays?

Most plans will give you options here, with the premium cost increasing as the deductible and co-pays decrease. What you need to decide when comparing one health insurance individual quote to another is whether a lower premium is more important or whether lower out-of-pocket expenses are important.

If you are someone who rarely goes to the doctor, higher deductibles and co-pays might make more sense because you will have lower premiums (monthly) and only experience the higher costs when you need medical care (occasionally). If, on the other hand, you are someone who has a medical condition that requires on-going office visits and treatments, a higher premium (monthly or annually) in exchange for lower deductibles or co-pays (repeated over and over) would likely make more sense.

Are There Waiting Periods Before Certain Treatments Are Covered? If So, How Long?

The waiting period means any treatment needed during that time will NOT be a covered expense and will need to be handled at your own cost. While you may not have any control over the waiting period, you do need to at least be aware of it and plan accordingly if you know or think you will need treatment during that time period. Depending on the situation, the insurance company may either give you absolutely no coverage or may offer it to you at a higher premium. If you are offered coverage at a higher premium, be sure to determine if the increased premium is temporary (probably not!) or permanent, and then do the math and figure out how you will come out best.