When it comes to you and your loved ones, there’s no doubt that you deserve the best healthcare and family health insurance plan out there.
Trudging through the insurance world of copays, deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket maximums is a daunting task many individuals and families have to face each year as they sift through the healthcare plan options placed before them. Determining which policy is “best” is tricky because each person and family is so uniquely different.
The idea or concept of “best,” in this case, is very relative. What’s best for one family isn’t necessarily what is right for a different family. What one policy offers may work, while another policy totally misses the mark. It all comes down to your needs and your family members’ needs. Because of this, there is no universal, one-size-fits-all answer.
It’s hard for anyone to determine which plans are considered ideal without knowing more about your specific needs and other details. But by investing a little extra time and thought into the process of selecting health insurance plans for family members, you are more likely to end up with a policy that fits your and your loved ones’ needs without costing an arm and a leg.
Want to learn more? Continue reading below to learn how you can ensure you pick the best family health insurance plan for you and your crew.
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FAMILY: 5 TIPS FOR PICKING THE BEST POLICY
An unfortunate truth of life is that there’s no saying when a medical emergency could strike you or a member of your family. Because of this, every family needs health insurance that covers each family member so that if anyone falls ill or becomes injured, the policy comes to your financial aid.
Choosing the right family health insurance plan can feel overwhelming and can be stressful. There are many types of health insurance policies that come with many benefits. When shopping for a family health insurance plan, you should carefully and carefully select your policy. There are many considerations to take into account before finalizing your decision.
Below are five things to think about that will help ensure you choose the best policy and adequate coverage for your family:
1. Provider Network and Type of Plan
You likely already have a list of doctors and other providers, pharmacies, and hospitals you prefer and have an established relationship with. If this is true, do these providers and locations fall within the network of the plan(s) you are looking at?
It’s important to keep in mind that in-network services and medicines are usually covered under a policy, while out-of-network services and medicines may require extra out-of-pocket costs or may not be covered at all.
It’s also good to remember that out-of-pocket costs applied toward out-of-network services and medicines do not always count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.
Before making any decisions, it is wise to check to see if your preferred primary care provider, specialist doctor, and your go-to pharmacy are included in that specific plan’s network.
2. Premiums
Budgeting is often a big part of family planning. If you’re looking at investing in a family health insurance policy, how much are you willing to pay for coverage each month?
Your premium is the amount you will pay your insurance company every month (or every three to six months) for coverage, regardless of whether or not you use medical or pharmacy services. Most premiums are paid monthly. However, some plans can be paid in three- or six-month options.
If you stop making your payments, you risk losing coverage completely. Premium amounts vary from one policy and insurance company to the next. Pay attention to what policy premiums charge and compare that to the services your policy covers.
Keep in mind that your premium is not the only cost associated with health insurance coverage. Policyholders are also responsible for paying deductibles, copays, and other costs associated with healthcare services and treatments (see more below).
3. Deductibles
In addition to your premium, health insurance policyholders have to pay a certain amount out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in. This amount is called your deductible. This number, like your premium, varies from one policy to the next.
For example, if your deductible is $1,200, your health insurance policy won’t pay most expenses until you’ve paid $1,200 out-of-pocket on expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses may include visits to specialists, procedure fees, and, in some cases, prescriptions.
Certain approved preventive services, like well-visits, vaccines, and cancer screenings, are typically covered 100% by insurance with no copays even before you reach your deductible.
Patients who select plans with higher deductibles will most likely have lower monthly premiums, while lower deductible plans usually have higher monthly premiums. More and more insurers require a deductible to be met before covering most medical or pharmacy services.
4. Coinsurance or Copays
Don’t be surprised if there are other costs that you have to pay to access care, such as a copay or coinsurance.
Copay — A flat fee you must pay for prescriptions and covered services (typically outlined on the back of your insurance card).
Coinsurance — A percentage of costs you are required to pay for a medical service or medicine.
5. Coverage of Medicines
When looking for your family health insurance plan, make sure you take a look at the prescriptions you and your family members require and see if that policy covers them.
Each insurance provider has a formulary (a list of medications) covered by the plan. If a certain medication is not on the list, it may not be covered. Policyholders will then have to go through a possibly lengthy process to get coverage. The list of covered medications is divided into tiers, which determine the amount of coinsurance or copay a policyholder has to pay.
Make a list of your and your family members’ medicines and compare it to the plan’s formulary to ensure your necessary medicines are covered and that you understand your out-of-pocket costs associated with them.
NEED HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS? BEAR RIVER MUTUAL INSURANCE CAN HELP!
If you are looking for a good family health insurance plan, the professionals at Bear River Mutual Insurance are here for you.
We know that shopping for health insurance plans for family members is important, which is why our trusted team is here to help. Health insurance is an essential part of life and a necessary financial safety net all families should have. The Bear River team is here to help you find the best policy for your specific situation, one that meets your needs and fits within your budget.
You and your family deserve peace of mind. This means investing in health insurance for family, auto, business, home, renters, or any other type of insurance your situation requires. You can find our team in three convenient locations across the Wasatch Front to serve you, including Salt Lake City, Provo, and Orem.
Contact the Bear River Mutual Insurance team to get your free quote today or learn more about the best health insurance plans for family members.
