What Does Health Insurance Cost You?
9:53 AM
Health care costs are skyrocketing, and for those who don?t have health insurance or don?t have the right insurance, the impacts of an unexpected illness or emergency can be disastrous. Moreover, the lack of health insurance forces many families to go without routine checkups and preventive doctor visits that could diagnose and treat regular illnesses before they become life-threatening or result in a lengthy and costly hospital stay. It is a conundrum facing many today: They can?t afford insurance, until they can?t afford to be without it.
For working individuals, insured by their employer, insurance is usually affordable and offers peace of mind that there is some protection in place in the event of an injury or accident.
It?s a different story for those who aren?t insured through their job and have to sort out the various options offered by private health insurance companies. But there are good plans available at a reasonable price.
The price of your health insurance policy will depend on your age, health condition, and your lifestyle and risk factors. A young person in perfect health who doesn?t engage in risky activities will pay less, while someone who is older, with pre-existing health conditions or takes part in dangerous activities like smoking, sky-diving or mountain climbing will pay more.
The health insurance premiums will also vary depending on what level of coverage you choose, from a lean policy with minimal coverage, to a more costly plan that will cost more, but cover you more completely. Choosing the plan that is right for you is essential, balancing a plan you can afford with the coverage you need.
You?ll have to decide what deductible ? the amount you will pay out of pocket ? is right for you. You could choose an HMO, or health maintenance organization, which will be less expensive, but limits the doctors you can visit. If you want to visit a physician who is not in your HMO?s network, you will probably have to pay higher deductibles and premiums. Dental coverage and prescription and vision coverage is available, but is an additional cost, as is mental health coverage.
It may be wise to talk to an expert to find a policy coverage fits your lifestyle and budget. Compare plans, ask questions and make sure you thoroughly understand each policy?s co-pays, deductibles and premiums, what they mean, what the policy covers and what it does not so you?re not hit with surprise expenses after your doctor?s visit.
For working individuals, insured by their employer, insurance is usually affordable and offers peace of mind that there is some protection in place in the event of an injury or accident.
It?s a different story for those who aren?t insured through their job and have to sort out the various options offered by private health insurance companies. But there are good plans available at a reasonable price.
The price of your health insurance policy will depend on your age, health condition, and your lifestyle and risk factors. A young person in perfect health who doesn?t engage in risky activities will pay less, while someone who is older, with pre-existing health conditions or takes part in dangerous activities like smoking, sky-diving or mountain climbing will pay more.
The health insurance premiums will also vary depending on what level of coverage you choose, from a lean policy with minimal coverage, to a more costly plan that will cost more, but cover you more completely. Choosing the plan that is right for you is essential, balancing a plan you can afford with the coverage you need.
You?ll have to decide what deductible ? the amount you will pay out of pocket ? is right for you. You could choose an HMO, or health maintenance organization, which will be less expensive, but limits the doctors you can visit. If you want to visit a physician who is not in your HMO?s network, you will probably have to pay higher deductibles and premiums. Dental coverage and prescription and vision coverage is available, but is an additional cost, as is mental health coverage.
It may be wise to talk to an expert to find a policy coverage fits your lifestyle and budget. Compare plans, ask questions and make sure you thoroughly understand each policy?s co-pays, deductibles and premiums, what they mean, what the policy covers and what it does not so you?re not hit with surprise expenses after your doctor?s visit.
About the Author:
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Health Insurance.
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