3 Great Tips For Acquiring Health Insurance In Raleigh, North Carolina
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Plus Code: R78W+XR Raleigh, North Carolina
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Everyone understands the importance of health insurance. The problem is, finding the time to do the research necessary to find a plan that matches your current needs and circumstance.
If you're not quite sure where to begin, you are not alone. Below are three great tips for finding quality health insurance in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Good to know: Just because your doctor writes you a prescription doesn't mean you can fill it. Expensive medications for treatment of certain cancers, diabetes, liver disease, and a host of other maladies can cost patients tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars if the insurer does not cover the drugs. But even if the drugs are covered, insurers have been known to try to stall, just to see if the patient will come up with the money to pay for the drugs rather than wait on the insurer's approval. What can we say? It happens.
Great Tip Number 1: Compare different types of health care plans
There are several types of health plan options that you may choose from in Raleigh NC. Even a couple that 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. There are also the new short-term plans. They are so different from what was offered previously, they should be considered a brand new option. We will touch on all the options available in the Raleigh North Carolina region, below.
Health plan options In Raleigh North Carolina Include:
- Traditional health insurance plans.
Traditional health insurance refers to health insurance plans that are offered via the Affordable Care Act umbrella (ACA). Companies offering these plans include: BlueCross BlueShield. - Short-term health insurance.
Short-term health insurance plans are not so "short" any more. Do to recent changes in health insurance guidelines, you can now, in some cases, keep the same low-cost short-term health insurance plan for a year or more - making such plans a serious long-term health insurance option. Companies offering these plans include: United Healthcare, National General. - Faith-based healthcare coverage (Healthcare sharing plans).
Faith-based, or healthcare sharing plans is the exponentially 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.
Great Tip Number 2: Review physician / hospital Networks
Be sure to check the hospital/physician network of any plan that you are considering. Make certain the specific hospitals or doctors you desire, are participating in the network. The expense of utilizing a physician or hospital that is out-of-network, can be staggering. 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.
Interesting Fact: One of the factors contributing to high health insurance costs in the U.S. is fraud. Fraud costs the medical and health insurance industry as much as $200 billion a year. This includes abuse of prescription painkillers. The U.S. Center for Disease Control estimates that 12 million adults used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in 2010. Of these, there were 170,000 seniors who "doctor shopped," getting prescriptions from at least five doctors for controlled substances.
Great 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 Raleigh, there is a lot you need to know. Talk to the experts. We are happy to help. Give us a call today.
Other articles: Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?
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