When getting health insurance quotes, you should generally ask as many questions that come up in your mind – no matter how small or silly they may seem to you. It’s always better to be safe and assume nothing.

Here are some critical questions that should make up your list when you’re talking to health insurance companies to get quotes:

A) Exactly what coverage does your plan cover?

Health plans are incredibly different when it comes to what they do, and more importantly don’t, cover. Ask about things like screening tests, and ensure that all family members in the plan can get required screenings done as part of the plan. If there is a contribution to be made by you, find out what this is.

B) Understand exactly what contributions you have to make (out of pocket expenses).

With the majority of medical insurance plans, you will be expected to make some level of contribution towards bills and treatment and it’s important to understand what these are.

C) What level of coverage is provided for medical emergencies?

Different plans treat emergency cases differently so it’s crucial to understand exactly what you’re signing up to.

D) What level of specialist care is covered?

If you require a referral to a specialist for a condition, what level of contribution will the plan make towards this cost? Are there any conditions that are excluded when a specialist is required.

E) Medical plans can vary significantly in terms of visual and dental care. Ask what level of coverage your plan has for these.

F) Will the plan payout for prescriptions and medications? To what extent?

G) What level of coverage is available for hospitalization? What about if home nursing is needed?

H) Many plans do not offer coverage for mental illness, this is something to bring up when comparing quotes.

I) Ask about issues such as rehabilitation, alternative medicines and physio –
again, these are issues that you need to be aware of as different plans will treat them differently.

J) What is the coverage for pregnancy care and pre/post natal care.

K) What are the different levels of inpatient and outpatient coverage.

Finding the best possible plan for you can be a tricky thing, because you’re looking for the most comprehensive coverage while paying the lowest possible premiums. Your ultimate quote, and the type of plan that will be offered will ultimately depend on your age, health, sex and various other factors such as whether you smoke and other lifestyle characteristics. If, at the time of getting the health insurance, you do not suffer from any existing health issues you can often get a far better premium rate than those with significant health difficulties.

Also, beware of paying extra for coverage that you may not think you need – for example, if you have no history (or family history) of depression or mental illness then there may be a case for not paying extra premiums to cover an illness you’re unlikely to get. Of course, no one can be absolutely certain about what illness we may or may not pick up in the future.

Tags: affordable health insurance, health insurance, health insurance quotes