Steps to Choosing an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Leland NC
Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, finding and purchasing your own health insurance plan has become increasingly more of a challenge. As sound as the reasoning is, in action, it can be a tricky affair with a host of penalties to worry about and a government-run marketplace that’s been buggy since the start.
Luckily, Schnitzer-Slate has the solutions you’re looking for. Here, we provide seven simple steps to finding and purchasing an affordable health insurance plan in Leland NC.
Step 1: Don’t Wait: Start Looking Now!
Procrastination is something you’ll want to avoid when it comes to choosing your health plan. Why? Because if you’re not covered by cut-of deadline, then you’re going to find yourself being fined next tax season. Not only that, but you’ll also have to contend with sluggish websites bombarded with traffic from other last-minute customers. Start early and you’ll have more plans to look at, more time to compare them, and you’ll ensure coverage before the dreaded deadline.
Step 2: Consider the Network as Well as the Plan
When you’re comparing plans, make sure you look at the networks they include and as your healthcare providers if they are accepted under that network. This is very important if you already have doctors you trust and like seeing. The last thing you want to happen is for you to choose a health insurance plan only to find out that your specialist isn’t included under its network.
Step 3: Find the Right Marketplace For You
One of the most confusing aspects of buying health insurance in the modern age is finding the right “marketplace” for you. If you’re employed and your employer offers health insurance, then you won’t have to worry about this, but, if you are self-employed or work for an employer who doesn’t offer insurance, then you will have to find your plan in either the government’s marketplace, HealthCare.gov, or through a private exchange or through an insurer’s website. If you want to be eligible for premium subsidies, then you’ll want to go through HealthCare.gov, but if you want the most flexible coverage options, then going through a private exchange or a provider’s website makes better sense.
Step 4: Determine Your Maximum Budget
Before you can determine your maximum budget, you first need to consider your health care needs. How many times do you go to the doctor over the course of a year? How many medications are you taking and how much do they cost? While you might think that a plan with a low premium/high deductible will save you more money up front, it could wind up costing you more if you have a lot of medical needs.
Take a look at what you spent in total for your healthcare last year. If you anticipate your expenses in the upcoming year to be similar, then try to find a plan with similar premiums, copays, and deductibles. But, if you’re anticipating a major medical expense for the upcoming year, such as having a baby, undergoing a surgical procedure, or more doctor visits due to a new diagnosis, then you might want to choose a plan with a higher premium so you’ll reach your deductible faster and thus have fewer out-of-pockets costs.
Step 5: Choose a Plan Structure and Network
Now that you know how much you can afford, it’s time to start looking at plan structures and networks. There are four plan structures – HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS. Each offer different benefits and usage restrictions. For instance, both HMO and EPO require you to stay in the plan’s network (except for emergencies), while PPO and POS do not.
Remember, if you have doctors you like, make sure you choose a plan that includes their network. You can narrow down your options by eliminating all of the plans that don’t include your preferred network.
Step 6: Compare Out-of-Pocket Costs
Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll either have lower out-of-pocket costs or higher out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, you need to know which one will suit your lifestyle better. For instance, if you are in general good health and rarely have to go to the doctor, then a plan with a higher out-of-pocket cost will help keep your premium low. Meanwhile, if you see a doctor or specialist on a regular basis, then choosing a plan with a lower out-of-pocket cost will help you manage your expenses more comfortably.
Step 7: Compare the Benefits Covered Under the Plans
Unless you have no current health problems, you’re going to want to concern yourself with what benefits are covered under the plans you’re considering. For instance, if you take a particular medication, you are going to want to make sure it is included in the plan’s formulary. Or, if you’re planning on having a child at some point during the year, then you’ll want to make sure it offers maternity coverage.
Let Schnitzer Slate Help You Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Leland NC
If you need to get insured but you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with the federal government’s marketplace, then Schnitzer-Slate can help. We offer a wide range of flexible Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans for virtually every lifestyle and budget. We can help you find the right policy for your needs at a price you can comfortably afford.
Call us today at 910-392-7020 and one of our agents will help you choose the right policy for your needs and budget before the deadline. Or, just visit our website at http://healthplannc.com/ to learn more about our affordable health insurance plans in Leland NC.
Luckily, Schnitzer-Slate has the solutions you’re looking for. Here, we provide seven simple steps to finding and purchasing an affordable health insurance plan in Leland NC.
Step 1: Don’t Wait: Start Looking Now!
Procrastination is something you’ll want to avoid when it comes to choosing your health plan. Why? Because if you’re not covered by cut-of deadline, then you’re going to find yourself being fined next tax season. Not only that, but you’ll also have to contend with sluggish websites bombarded with traffic from other last-minute customers. Start early and you’ll have more plans to look at, more time to compare them, and you’ll ensure coverage before the dreaded deadline.
Step 2: Consider the Network as Well as the Plan
When you’re comparing plans, make sure you look at the networks they include and as your healthcare providers if they are accepted under that network. This is very important if you already have doctors you trust and like seeing. The last thing you want to happen is for you to choose a health insurance plan only to find out that your specialist isn’t included under its network.
Step 3: Find the Right Marketplace For You
One of the most confusing aspects of buying health insurance in the modern age is finding the right “marketplace” for you. If you’re employed and your employer offers health insurance, then you won’t have to worry about this, but, if you are self-employed or work for an employer who doesn’t offer insurance, then you will have to find your plan in either the government’s marketplace, HealthCare.gov, or through a private exchange or through an insurer’s website. If you want to be eligible for premium subsidies, then you’ll want to go through HealthCare.gov, but if you want the most flexible coverage options, then going through a private exchange or a provider’s website makes better sense.
Step 4: Determine Your Maximum Budget
Before you can determine your maximum budget, you first need to consider your health care needs. How many times do you go to the doctor over the course of a year? How many medications are you taking and how much do they cost? While you might think that a plan with a low premium/high deductible will save you more money up front, it could wind up costing you more if you have a lot of medical needs.
Take a look at what you spent in total for your healthcare last year. If you anticipate your expenses in the upcoming year to be similar, then try to find a plan with similar premiums, copays, and deductibles. But, if you’re anticipating a major medical expense for the upcoming year, such as having a baby, undergoing a surgical procedure, or more doctor visits due to a new diagnosis, then you might want to choose a plan with a higher premium so you’ll reach your deductible faster and thus have fewer out-of-pockets costs.
Step 5: Choose a Plan Structure and Network
Now that you know how much you can afford, it’s time to start looking at plan structures and networks. There are four plan structures – HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS. Each offer different benefits and usage restrictions. For instance, both HMO and EPO require you to stay in the plan’s network (except for emergencies), while PPO and POS do not.
Remember, if you have doctors you like, make sure you choose a plan that includes their network. You can narrow down your options by eliminating all of the plans that don’t include your preferred network.
Step 6: Compare Out-of-Pocket Costs
Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll either have lower out-of-pocket costs or higher out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, you need to know which one will suit your lifestyle better. For instance, if you are in general good health and rarely have to go to the doctor, then a plan with a higher out-of-pocket cost will help keep your premium low. Meanwhile, if you see a doctor or specialist on a regular basis, then choosing a plan with a lower out-of-pocket cost will help you manage your expenses more comfortably.
Step 7: Compare the Benefits Covered Under the Plans
Unless you have no current health problems, you’re going to want to concern yourself with what benefits are covered under the plans you’re considering. For instance, if you take a particular medication, you are going to want to make sure it is included in the plan’s formulary. Or, if you’re planning on having a child at some point during the year, then you’ll want to make sure it offers maternity coverage.
Let Schnitzer Slate Help You Find an Affordable Health Insurance Plan in Leland NC
If you need to get insured but you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with the federal government’s marketplace, then Schnitzer-Slate can help. We offer a wide range of flexible Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans for virtually every lifestyle and budget. We can help you find the right policy for your needs at a price you can comfortably afford.
Call us today at 910-392-7020 and one of our agents will help you choose the right policy for your needs and budget before the deadline. Or, just visit our website at http://healthplannc.com/ to learn more about our affordable health insurance plans in Leland NC.