3 Important Tips For Getting Health Insurance In Montgomery AL
Jackson Hospital
1725 Pine St
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 293-8000
Plus Code: 9P87+RV Montgomery, Alabama
Map: Map
The facts are, finding a quality health insurance plan can be a somewhat trying endeaver. If you find that you are uncertain where to begin, you are not alone. This article provides you with 3 useful steps in finding a high-quality health insurance plan for you and your family.
Tip Number 1: Compare different forms of health care plans
There are several health plan options that you may choose from in Montgomery AL. Some you may not be aware of - like faith-based health plans.
Faith-based health plans, or health care sharing plans, (as they are sometimes referred to), function very much like traditional health insurance plans. However, they are not insurance plans at all - at least not in a legal sense. The new short-term plans are so different from what was offered
in the past, they should be considered a brand new option as well. We will touch on all the options available in the Montgomery Alabama region, below.
Your healthcare plan options in Montgomery are:
- Traditional health insurance plans. Traditional health insurance refers to health insurance plans that are under the Affordable Care Act umbrella. Companies offering these plans include: BlueCross BlueShield.
- Short-term health insurance plans. Short-term health insurance plans are not so "short" any more. Thanks to new government guidelines, you can, in some cases, keep the same low-cost short-term health insurance plan for a year or longer - making such plans a viable long-term health insurance option. Companies offering these plans include: United Healthcare, National General.
- Faith-based healthcare plans. Faith-based, or healthcare sharing plans is an exploding new market. Their unique plan structure makes such plans an intriguing and affordable alternative to traditional health insurance plans. Companies offering these plans include: OneShare Health.
When evaluating your options always review the plan's summary of benefits. Most health plans summaries are closely associated with the plan descriptions found on any quality online health plan source. A provider directory, which displays the facilities and doctors that are part of the plan's physician network, should also be readily available.
Also, when comparing various plans, make certain to pay serious attention to your family's current medical needs. Consider the cost and manner of treatment you have gotten in the past. Though it is not possible to foretell every future medical circumstance, being aware of your family's medical history can assist you in making the right decision.
Good to know: It's never too late to negotiate a bill. Many patients think once a bill has gone to collections it's game over, but that's not true. Call the healthcare provider first, not the collection agency, to see if you can negotiate directly with them. They have much more of an interest to negotiate the debt down than the collection agency.
Tip Number 2: Compare healthcare plan physician networks
Be sure to check the physician network of any plan that you are considering. Make certain the specific hospitals or doctors you need, are participating in the network. It's far less expensive to access an in-network doctor or facility than it is to utilize a facility or doctor that is out-of-network. This is due to the fact that insurance firms negotiate with physicians and hospitals to obtain more reasonable rates. When you opt out of the network, those negotiated rates are not available to you. If you have personal doctors and you want to keep visiting them, make certain they are part of the provider network associated with your plan.
Tip Number 3: Compare out-of-pocket costs
Perhaps the most important part of any health plan is the amount you will be responsible to pay should a medical need arise. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what your plan will pay toward a medical bill, and what you will be required to pay. You need to be clear on this issue for most every possible medical circumstance. This includes office visits, x-rays and laboratory tests, emergency room visits, hospital procedures and stays, etc. Also, make sure you know the maximum amount your plan will pay toward every medical circumstance. Many plans have lifetime limits. Some plans have procedure limits. These are things you do not want to learn of after you gone through a medical circumstance. You need to know before you purchase your health insurance plan. When it comes to finding a good health insurance plan in Montgomery, there is a lot you need to know. Talk to the experts. We are happy to help. Give us a call today.
Good to know: Shop Generic Drugs. If you're looking to reduce your medical bills and reduce out of control medical spending, you can start by shopping generically. Consumers tend to think of generic options as less effective or even as harmful. This is not the case, however, when it comes to generic prescription drugs. Though these alternatives may not be as flashy as the name-brand drugs advertised on commercials, they treat patient illnesses just as effectively for only a fraction of the cost. You can increase your drug savings even more by shopping in preferred pharmacies or online at vendors such as GoodRx. These options allow you access to a wide range of generic and name brand drugs at lower costs. Preferred pharmacies take the extra step of reducing dispensing fees, saving you even more money on your next drug purchase.
For this reason, it's worth seeing if a preferred pharmacy network is included in your healthcare plan. If not, you may want to review your options and see if adding such a plan would benefit you.
Other articles: Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?
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