Guide to Buying Health Insurance

Buying health insurance is an important purchase in Burlington, NC, so there are some vital things to note when you are searching for a policy.

Today you can’t be denied coverage for an individual health plan and, regardless of your health history you can’t be charged more for having medical conditions. There are certain benefits that have to be covered by individual health plans. Some of these benefits include emergency room visits, pregnancy and maternity care, prescription drugs, mental heath treatment, and outpatient care.

Although every health plan must cover certain benefits, they can still vary in how they are structured and how much you will pay. They are divided into five categories to make it easy to compare, and the categories are based on the percentage of cost you pay out of pocket, which includes the deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. Generally the less you pay out of pocket, then the more you are going to pay for premiums. For example, a platinum plan will charge more for premiums but you won’t pay as much out of pocket. In order to decide which is best for you, consider the healthcare services you used over the past year and what you expect for the next year.

When shopping for plans with your agent at Don Allred Insurance, see how the plan is structured. Decide if you want to pay more upfront or when you need services. Then see who is in the network, especially if you already have a preferred doctor. Next check to see what is covered. If you take prescription drugs, are they covered?

Note that you can only buy a health insurance plan certain times of the year during the open enrollment period. However, you can usually get insurance if you have a qualifying life event, such as having a baby or getting married.

Contact Don Allred Insurance, serving Burlington, NC, to get a quote on health insurance.