Frequently Asked Questions – Health Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance Plans Answered

What is a premium?
A premium is the payment for your health insurance and are usually paid on a monthly basis. Numerous factors such as your medical history and your current health condition influence the amount of the premium. A premium is the monthly cost of keeping your insurance policy in effect. Health insurance premiums are determined by a variety of factors, including your medical history, your lifestyle, and your current health status.

What is a deductible?
A deductible is an amount of medical expenses that must be paid by you before the insurance company starts covering you. A typical deductible amount is $500 which means that you are responsible for paying the first $500 in medical expenses before the insurance company starts to pay. Usually a higher deductible means that the monthly premiums will be lower.

What is a co-payment?
The copayment or copay is the amount of payment you make to the doctor or medical office each time you visit a dcotor. A typical copay amount is $20 which means that it will cost $20 to see a doctor.

What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is the portion of the cost of a medical service you are responsible for paying. The portion is expressed as a percentage and not a fixed-dollar amount. A 20% coinsurance for hospital costs means that you are responsible to pay 20% of the total hospital expense up to the limit on the plan.

What’s an out-of-pocket expense?
An out-of-pocket expense is any cost you have to pay yourself when receiving medical care. This includes your deductible, co-payments, and coinsurance. Most health insurance policies have an annual maximum out-of-pocket limit. Once you’ve paid out enough money to meet that maximum, your insurance company will pay the rest of your medical costs.

What is managed care?
Managed care is a form of health insurance that stresses preventive medicine and affordability. In a managed care plan, you typically choose a “Primary Care Physician” who is responsible for approving specialist and hospital care. Managed care was originally introduced as a way to control healthcare costs. It’s now the most common form of health insurance in the United States. HMOs and PPOs are examples of managed care.

What is a Health Savings Account?
Health Savings Accounts aren’t health insurance plans. Instead, they are a financial tool designed to help make your healthcare more affordable. The money you deposit in an HSA is tax-free. You don’t pay taxes on qualified withdrawals, either. In effect, it’s like getting extra money from the government to pay for healthcare. To open an HSA, you first have to purchase a high deductible qualified health plan.

Why should I buy health insurance?
Having health insurance isn’t just about paying medical bills. It’s about knowing that you’ll always have access to quality care. Health insurance makes seeing the doctor easy and affordable — and that means you’re more likely to stay healthy.

How can I explore my health insurance options?
The best way to explore your health insurance options is to get the advice of a professional agent. Our instant quote tool will let you get started comparing plans in just minutes. When you request free quotes, you’ll see your options side-by-side. To learn more about which options are right for you, contact us — we’re always happy to answer your questions. We encourage you to discuss the options to determine which plans best meet your needs and budget.

What’s the best policy I can buy?
That depends on who you are. There is no single best policy for everyone. To find out which plans are right for you, fill out this short form and get your free online quotes.