10 Things to Think About Before Purchasing Health Insurance:

Purchasing your health insurance plan should not be a snap decision, and there are several important things think about before you select your plan. Instead of purchasing a policy based solely on its price, it is important to consider what kind of care you may need now and in the future, and make sure that your health plan will measure up. Here are ten common considerations.

1. Can you keep your current doctor? HMO plans will ask you to select a doctor from within their network of participating physicians. If your current health care provider is not on this list, which means that you will have to select a new physician. For some people, this means finding a new physician after being comfortable with someone for several years. If this is an important point to you, it is vital to make sure that you can keep your physician before selecting your health plan.

2. Can you see a specialist? If you need to see a specialist for a pre-existing condition, or if you are concerned about having access to a specialist in the future, this is an important consideration when selecting a health plan. An HMO will require you to have a referral or they will not provide coverage for the services that are provided.

3. Are pre-existing conditions covered? In addition to your specialist's coverage, if you have a pre-existing condition, it can be difficult to find health insurance. You will need to make sure that your health insurance plan will provide coverage for treatment of your condition ahead of time. Some health insurance companies will not process a claim if it is found that you did not reveal a pre-existing condition when you purchased your health plan, so it is vital to be as upfront as possible.

4. What type of emergency care is covered? Before you end up in the emergency room only to find out that your health insurance will not cover your visit, it is important to investigate this before purchasing a health plan. Are emergency services, such as transport, ER care or specific procedures covered by your plan?

5. Will your plan cover regular physicals or preventative screenings? Since it is recommended that you get a yearly physical, it is important to make sure that your health insurance plan will cover this yearly visit, as well as any preventative screenings that you may require. These screenings can vary from mammograms to colon cancer checks, which are vital to maintain good health.

6. Does your plan provide prescription drug coverage? Prescription prices aren't going down any time soon and it is helpful to have an insurance plan that will at least allow you a reasonable co-pay for your necessary prescriptions.

7. Does your plan offer OB-GYN coverage? Many plans do not provide coverage for OB-GYN services, especially maternity care. Before you get stuck with a plan that will not offer you the coverage you need, make sure that you can either add-on this coverage or find a plan that is better suited to your needs.

8. Are any additional services covered? If you have need of additional services, such as mental health coverage, drug and alcohol rehabilitation coverage or nursing care, you will need to make sure that your plan offers this type of coverage. Many health plans are not currently offering these additional services in regular plans, so it is a good idea to check first.

9. Can you afford the costs? While selecting insurance based on monthly premiums may be your best solution, you will also need to make sure that you will not have a problem meeting your yearly deductible. If your yearly deductible is high and you do not require a lot of health care, you may end up paying more for your health care than necessary.

10. Are there any exclusions? Health insurance plans may have exclusions, such as long-term care, nursing or hospice care, mental health treatment and other treatments. This means that these services will not be covered by your health plan. It is very important to make sure that you are aware of any and all exclusions to your health care plan.

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