3 Tips To Finding Health Insurance in Alabama

3 Tips To Finding Health Insurance in Alabama

There is a whole lot to consider when trying to track down a high quality health insurance plan. Unless you are a practicing insurance broker that works with health insurance all the time, there are a lot of key important issues that you will certainly miss.

Why finding affordable health insurance is so difficult.

There is a myriad of reasons as to why it is so difficult to find quality health insurance today. For starters, the health insurance industry is in a state of flux. There are changing rules and guidelines that are affecting the health insurance market in increasingly unpredictable ways. Our country is generally undecided about what type of health care system it truly want. Do we want a system that guarantees coverage for everyone - structured in a way similar to Medicare? Or do we prefer a system that is entirely managed by the private sector? Politicians, on both sides of the aisle are continually sniping at each other. Consumers have been caught in the crossfire.

Secondly, there are a lot less dedicated health plan brokers than there used to be - the kind of professional willing to go that extra mile to assist an individual or family find an ideal health plan for their needs. Much of the one-on-one personal service that the previous generation had come to expect, simply doesn't exist today.

The good news is, you have landed upon a first-rate source for assistance. We are experienced professionals and are happy to help. Read on for tips on how to find great health insurance coverage in Alabama. When you finish this article, be sure to give us a call.

Good to know: When it comes to dealing with your medical insurance company, forget the touchy-feely commercials and go with your head. Don't buy the advertising hype. The primary function of multi-billion dollar insurance companies is to make more billions for themselves and their investors. This means that when you deal with your insurer, you need to remain objective and check your emotions.

Tip Number 1. Check with your employer

This is the logical first step. Whether your employer provides a health insurance package for their employees doesn't matter. Employers almost always have extensive knowledge concerning health insurance issues - even if they don't offer it. Bring up the subject with your supervisor. Ask what he/she knows about it. You will likely be surprised.

Group Insurance Through Your Employer

If your employer offers health insurance benefits and you qualify, your health insurance search just might be over. Find out as much as you can about their employee package, as soon as possible. There may be a time delay before you can qualify for benefits. If so, you may need to pick up a Short-Term insurance plan to cover the time that you are ineligible for coverage. Whatever you do, don't go without coverage. It's not worth the risk

What if your employer does not offer group insurance?

If your Fort Myers employer does not offer group health insurance, or the waiting period to qualify if prohibitively long, you should purchase your own private insurance. Gather what information you can from your employer and co-workers and begin your research online.

Tip Number 2. Check with the Alabama department of insurance.

Visit: Alabama Department of Insurance. Visit this government site to discover what health plans are available in Alabama. You will find a wealth of information that will help you to make a more informed health insurance plan decision.

Also visit: Healthcare.gov. This is where you can review the Affordable Care Act health plan options. You will find a wealth of information on health plans and health insurance companies that are available in Fort Myers. Keep in mind, HealthCare.gov, may not have an ideal solution for your circumstance. You may not qualify for an ACA plan, or you may have missed their relatively narrow open enrollment period.

Good to know: Check medical bills for errors. Medical billing errors happen a lot more than you would think. Oddly, these errors almost always benefit the hospital or medical facility. Make sure that you receive an itemized bill in the mail. These bills delineate in detail the charges you incurred for each of your medical procedures. In this regard, they contain greater utility than the explanation of benefits (EOB) you generally receive in the mail. If your medical bill omits key information regarding charges incurred, contact your healthcare facility and ask for an itemized bill. Once you have received this bill, review it carefully. Did you actually receive every procedure listed? If so, is the cost what you were promised beforehand? Additionally, look out for billing errors when it comes to pharmaceuticals. Often, healthcare billers make the mistake of charging individuals for name-brand drugs instead of generic drugs.

3. Contact a health plan specialist.

Speaking with a true health insurance specialist will be the best way to sum up all the information you acquired and turn it into a smart health plan choice. When it comes to choosing the right health care plan, knowledge and expertise are the most important factors.

Good to know: Talk to an independent agent. An independent insurance agent is an essential resource when purchasing insurance. An independent agent works with multiple different carriers, which is different from captive agents who can only sell insurance from the carrier they work for. Working with an independent agent can help make sure that you are getting the best coverage, for the best price.

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