New laws will cause an influx of new shoppers for personal Health insurance. Along with the flood of new buyers will come an expanded range of insurance plans as companies compete for health insurance dollars. Fancy advertisements targeted at the new buyers will offer attractive policies with all the pretty adornments designed to reel in customers. Super-low prices and outrageous promises can separate the un-educated customer from his money while delivering no real value. No one wants to spend money without receiving something in return. This article attempts to expose some of the tricks used by insurance companies and make buying individual health insurance a successful endeavor.
Naturally the lowest rates are the most attractive but cheap may not be the best value. If a person is going to spend a significant sum for a product, he should expect to get some value for the cost. Even before the recent legislative battles, health insurance was a competitive industry. In order to keep rates as low as possible insurance companies found innovative ways to reduce costs.
The most effective method of cost control used by insurance companies was to insure only those people who were least likely to require expensive medical treatment. People with pre-existing conditions or admitted unhealthy habits were routinely denied coverage. If they were not denied coverage the cost of the coverage was very high. The new laws will not allow denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions but there are no restrictions on rates, deductibles, co-pays or payout amounts. The practice of dropping a patient’s coverage after learning about a diagnosis may be illegal under the new laws.
There are literally hundreds of ways insurance companies can limit coverage to increase profits. Some are subtle and only become known when the insurance company decides to use them. Others are highly visible but are presented as cost saving measures for patients. The HMO and PPO are used as cost saving tools that in many instances actually benefit the insured. It is important that the insured knows and understands the rules and policies of insurance company managed health organizations.
Health insurance plans are available with a very wide range of deductibles, coverage limits, payment plans, and many other options. There is sure to be some standard coverage level established to meet the government requirement. If the buyer’s intention is primarily to meet the legal requirement he must make sure the policy he chooses actually qualifies.
The intent of the government plan is to spread the cost of insurance over a larger population. In the past very few young people paid for personal health insurance. Young healthy people have little need of insurance. As people get older they tend to need medical care more often and the care they need can be expensive. The cost of health insurance is driven in part by the ratio of older people to younger people. With young, healthy people being required to purchase insurance the young people’s premiums are expected to reduce the premiums for everyone. Any insurance company’s profits are also influenced by the ruthlessness the company uses when paying claims.
The growing health insurance market is certain to bring out new insurance companies with varying degrees of integrity. Buyers must be cautious and suspicious of new companies making outrageous claims or having super-low rates. Aggressive companies can find hundreds of obscure ways to deny payments and a buyer might find himself paying for an essentially worthless policy.
When buying individual health insurance, looking at price alone is sure to be a mistake. Some investigation and research will pay back the effort with a more acceptable product.
In recent months, the discussion of where and how to purchase individual health insurance plans has been in the news. Buying individual health insurance is one way to acquire medical and drug insurance coverage.