Find Affordable Health Insurance In Philadelphia, PA
If you live in or around Philadelphia and are in need of good health insurance coverage, you may have a bit of a challenge ahead of you. Finding health insurance in Philadelphia, in 2024, is not as simple as it may seem. As with other large bustling cities, it can be really difficult to find an insurance professional that is willing
to take the time to help you sort through the myriad of health plans out there. And without professional assistance, things can get really confusing - fast.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is a city of firsts. On top of hosting America's first birthday, it also started up the country's first daily newspaper - The Philadelphia Packet and Daily Advertiser - in 1784. Other Philadelphia firsts:
The city is home to America's first zoo.
It's also home to the first hospital.
And, naturally, the first medical school.
Philadelphia is actually renowned for its medical sector. One out of every six doctors in the U.S. is trained in Philly.
There are several factors that you need to consider when attempting to purchase a quality health plan for you or your family. The first item on your list should be which type of health plan should you consider - HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, etc.?
Are you looking for an Affordable Care Act plan, or are you looking for a wider range of options?Philadelphia is a city of firsts. On top of hosting America's first birthday, it also started up the country's first daily newspaper - The Philadelphia Packet and Daily Advertiser - in 1784. Other Philadelphia firsts:
The city is home to America's first zoo.
It's also home to the first hospital.
And, naturally, the first medical school.
Philadelphia is actually renowned for its medical sector. One out of every six doctors in the U.S. is trained in Philly.
Good to know: Many plans don't provide drug benefits, or discounts, even on generics, until you reach your deductible, which is often in the thousands of dollars. Instead of just accepting your insurance plan's lousy prescription drug benefit, try using websites such as Blinkhealth.com or Goodrx.com to shop around for the best price for your medication in your area.
Short Term Health Insurance
You may want to add short-term health insurance to your list of possible options. Short-term insurance is not so short anymore. Thanks to new government guidelines, you can keep a short-term health insurance plan a lot longer than what was previously allowed. In addition, the benefits of many short term plan options have been significantly improved. While short term health insurance plans do not offer the comprehensive level of insurance coverage of an Affordable Care Act Health Insurance plan, the features and benefits are now comparable. And the monthly premiums tend to be more affordable. In some cases, a short term health plan may be the exaxt health plan fit for your needs. Get an instant short term health insurance plan rate quote
Healthcare Sharing Plans
There are also healthcare sharing plans. Consumers are choosing healthcare sharing plans, (also known as faith-based health plans), over traditional health insurance in ever increasing numbers. A Healthcare sharing plan is not a health insurance plan - at least not in the legal sense of the word. These plans are designed to meet the same needs as traditional health insurance, however, faith-based health plans are not governed by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) rules and regulations. The result is an umbrella of health plan options that can offer a benefit structure that is different than what is available via an Affordable Care Act plan. These plans are noted by their flexibility and affordability. Get an instant Healthcare sharing plan rate quote
All of the above options are available in Philadelphia. You need only to choose which health plan option will best suit your needs. Because health insurance is such an important necessity, you should always seek the assistance of a licensed insurance professional.
Good to know: Read bills carefully. Up to 50 percent of your doctor or hospital bills may contain mistakes that end up costing you money, says Jane Cooper, president of Patient Care, a consumer advocacy group in Milwaukee. Something as simple as an incorrect billing code could prompt your insurance to pay less than expected or even reject your claim. Other common errors: mistakes in an account number, claims with incomplete information - even claims sent to the wrong insurance company address by a doctor. Read your benefits booklet carefully to make sure your plan is paying all it should. If you catch an error, send a certified letter to your insurer. Follow up in a few weeks to make sure the mistake is corrected.
courtesy of Parents.com
courtesy of Parents.com
Healthcare.gov
One of the simplest means of acquiring a health plan, is to purchase a plan on Healthcare.gov. To purchase a plan via Healthcare.gov, you will need to apply during the open enrollment period. This period is normally about a month and a half long, and occurs during the fall of every year. This is the only time you may enroll unless you qualify for enrollment due to special circumstances. If you fall within a certain specific income bracket, you may qualify for subsides, which are income-based discounts on the monthly premiums.
There are several health plan options that are available to you, that are not part of the Affordable Care Act portfolio. They include short-term health plans, (which are not so short anymore) and healthcare sharing plans, (Sometimes referred to as faith-based health plans).
After deciding on where you plan to purchase your health insurance, the next step is to decide which type of plan is best for you. These plan types include: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Exclusive Provider Organization, or a Point of Service Plan (POS), and more. The structures of the various plans are quite different. Be sure to seek assistance from a licensed insurance agent, if you are not intimately aware of unique health plan differences. The impact of purchasing the wrong plan can be emotionally and financially significant.
Good to know: Cheaper is almost never better: Cut-rate insurance prices can unfortunately also mean cut-rate, sketchy plan benefits. The old adage, you often get what you pay for, is true more often than not. Thoroughly review plan benefits and evidence of coverage statements before purchasing a plan. If this documentation is not readily available, call the company and request it. If you are unfamiliar with the insurance company, check independent rating companies like A.M. Best. You should expect a rating of A or better.
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| Pennsylvania Hospital 800 Spruce St Philadelphia, PA 19107 Telephone: (215) 829-3000 Plus Code: WRWV+5Q Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Once you have selected a plan type you desire, you should look at the size of the health care network and estimated out-of-pocket costs. Any insurance plan summary will lay out how much you may likely pay out of pocket, for deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance, should you encounter a medical circumstance. Generally, the lower the premium the higher your out-of-pocket-costs.
The final step is to compare the offered benefits with your family's specific medical needs. This consists of making sure that the plan provides for any needed medications, coverage during travel, and any reoccurring care required.
Other articles:
Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage in Pennsylvania.
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