| Health Insurance 101 | | | | health insurance, a routine physical can cost as |
| It can be scary to get sick, with the doctor's | | | | much as $200. With coverage? $20. |
| visits, medication and the feeling that you don't | | | | Which plan is for me? |
| quite know exactly what is going on. | | | | Good question and it's one that only you can |
| However, possibly more frightening than that is | | | | answer since there's a lot of different factors |
| going through all that without the safety net of | | | | that go into choosing a healthcare plan. |
| health insurance to lighten the amount of medical | | | | One thing to keep in mind is a term called |
| costs you will incur through inevitable treatment | | | | "pre-existing conditions." If you had a known illness |
| and care. | | | | or injury prior to you signing up for healthcare, it |
| There are roughly 46 million people in the U.S. | | | | may affect your coverage. Some plans only |
| currently living with no health insurance, and while | | | | consider a condition pre-existing if treatment was |
| the government is working on a way to reform | | | | involved. Other plans may have a wider definition. |
| the healthcare industry, a new kind of healthcare | | | | After that, it's important to determine what |
| plan may still be a couple of years away. | | | | exactly you need from a healthcare plan. Older |
| For the uninitiated, this may be a good time to | | | | people may want coverage that includes surgeries |
| get familiar with the basics of healthcare because | | | | and prescription medication while younger people |
| aside from some its confusing aspects, it's more | | | | may be more inclined to embrace a plan that's |
| important to live with health insurance than live | | | | more about preventative care. |
| without it. | | | | Another element to factor in is whether or not |
| Do I even need healthcare insurance? | | | | you have a certain doctor you are comfortable |
| Without health insurance, a person or family may | | | | with or a family doctor who knows your medical |
| be forced to incur the full costs of their doctor's | | | | history well. Some healthcare plans have specific |
| visits and hospitalizations, which can quickly | | | | networks that only allow you to visit certain |
| accumulate to a small fortune. Also, it isn't enough | | | | doctors, while others allow you to see whoever |
| to just get treatment when you are sick. | | | | you choose. |
| Preventative care is another important element of | | | | The co-pay may be a bit higher for the |
| healthcare and could save on costs in the future. | | | | out-of-network physician, but if it's with someone |
| Getting regular checkups and physicals with a | | | | you trust, it may be worth it. |
| doctor within your healthcare network can ensure | | | | Who has these plans? |
| that you are keeping an eye on your body and | | | | Most people in the U.S. get their healthcare |
| maintain optimal health. | | | | insurance through the company they work for, |
| Finally, people who are under a health insurance | | | | which most likely has a relationship with a certain |
| plan will pay less for doctor's visits and | | | | healthcare insurance provider. |
| hospitalizations when compared to people who are | | | | However, some people like to investigate the kind |
| not enrolled in a plan. And given the current state | | | | of coverage a different provider has or may |
| of the economy, isn't the name of the game | | | | want to have health insurance that isn't tied to |
| being fiscally responsible? | | | | their job, in case they leave that company or get |
| But how does this system work? | | | | laid off. |
| In a typical healthcare plan, which is called a | | | | In that case, some people have employed a |
| fee-to-service plan, an enrollee pays a monthly | | | | health insurance agent to help them determine |
| premium (which is like a monthly subscription for a | | | | which public healthcare plan might be best for |
| certain service) and when the patient has to visit | | | | them. |
| a doctor or a hospital, the health insurance | | | | Staying with the same healthcare plan may also |
| provider pays a portion of the bill. | | | | help people avoid experiencing gaps in coverage if |
| The customer pays a lower portion of the bill for | | | | they lose their job. Gaps in coverage can be a |
| the healthcare service, called a co-pay. This may | | | | potentially dangerous situation because you will be |
| include routine medical visits, visits to the | | | | solely responsible for any medical bills. |
| emergency room and dental checkups. Without | | | | |