4 Health Insurance Buying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
In 2022, the average American pays about $7,739 for individual health insurance and $22,221 for family insurance. These days, it seems like healthcare costs are through the roof. They’re certainly much higher than they were a decade ago.
If you’re going to spend that much on health insurance, you’d better get the right one. Unfortunately, most people are oblivious to the common health insurance buying mistakes they make every year. Fortunately, we’re here to ensure you never make them.
In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting some of the most common health insurance buying mistakes and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
1. Not Doing Your Research
Most people take the hit-or-miss approach when buying health insurance. Of course, this works to their disadvantage, with more misses than hits.
A better approach would be to do tons of research before settling on a health insurance policy. That way, you can pick a policy that gives the most bang for your buck. Companies like Teladoc Health Insurance even have 24/7 doctor access.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while researching health insurance policies:
- The type of policy you need
- The deductibles
- The benefits
- Your health condition.
Getting this information will go a long way toward helping you find the best policy for your budget.
2. Snubbing the Fine Print
It’s your responsibility as the customer to understand your insurance provider’s policy. Unfortunately, most customers don’t even bother reading their policy documents.
Reading the fine print lets you know what inclusions and exclusions you can expect from the policy. You’ll also get a firm understanding of the pricing and payment structure. Read through the insurance terms and conditions to know what you’re signing up for.
3. Hiding Important Medical History
Some people try to hide important medical history from their health insurance provider in order to get a lower premium. However, this increases the likelihood of the insurance company denying your claims when you file them.
Be upfront about your health condition when signing up for health insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but it’s much better than being denied coverage.
4. Overlooking Copay and Deductible Amounts
Your health insurance policy will have a deductible. This is the amount you’ll need to pay before your health insurance provider starts paying for your health care.
For example, if you have a health insurance policy with a $500 deductible, you’ll need to pay the first $500 of your health care costs yourself. Only when you pay the deductible will the health insurance start covering the rest.
In addition to a deductible, health insurance policies also have a copay. This is the amount you’ll need to pay for each doctor’s visit or prescription. Make sure you account for both your copay and deductibles when budgeting for your health insurance.
Avoid These Health Insurance Buying Mistakes at All Costs
These health insurance buying mistakes could compromise the quality of health insurance you receive. Ensure you avoid them to get the most value for your money. Also, don’t forget to explore all your options for insurance before settling on a health insurance provider.
Check out the other posts on the site for more informative content.