Things To Consider About An Individual Health Insurance Plan

Having adequate health insurance is something that a lot of people who are part of a group benefits plan take for granted. When you have group benefits through your job, the process is pretty simple. You go to work, the amount for your benefits comes off your pay automatically, and when you need to use the insurance, you use it.
 
For people who may be in between jobs, self-employed or even retired, an individual health insurance plan is probably the best way to go. Of course, there isn’t a one-size fits all solution for individual health insurance, and it’s a good idea to consider several different factors before you choose the one that’s right for you.

Needs

Determining the needs of you and your family before you select a specific plan is a good first step. Most families will require dental care, and eye care is another piece that serves most families well. But once you get away from the basics, you’ll have to decide which kinds of services are necessary and which ones aren’t.
 
You may want natural health services like a chiropractor, naturopath or massage therapist as part of your plan. If you or one of your family members has a specific health problem that requires regular visits to a specialist or regular prescriptions, you may want that included as part of your plan, too.
 
You won’t always be able to custom design every element of an individual health insurance plan, but sitting down and figuring out the specific needs of the people who will be covered by it will help ensure you have the coverage you need, when you need it.

Cost

Figuring out your out-of-pocket expenses and monthly premium is another important consideration for an individual health insurance plan. Different plans can vary in the amount you have to pay and the amount that’s covered.
 
With some plans, you may have to pay for all of the dental vision and natural services and be reimbursed later, while others might only require you pay a percentage up front, or none at all. Do you want to pay higher premiums if it means you don’t have to pay as much up front for services? If you want to pay as little out of your own pocket as possible, be sure to bring that up when you are creating your plan.

Coverage

It’s important to read and then re-read everything that’s covered in your individual health insurance plan, so you know where you stand in every type of situation. Will you be covered if you injure yourself or fall ill outside of the country? If you require a hospital stay, will you have a private or semi-private room? How often are you eligible for a new pair of glasses? Does your dental coverage really cover everything, or just the basics? Take the time to answer questions like these so you aren’t surprised later on.

Shop Around

In order to get the individual health insurance plan that you want, it’s never a bad idea to shop around a little first. Different providers will offer different plans, and it’s always easier to get the one you want if you see what everyone has to offer.

Visit www.caahealth.ca to learn how you can get custom individual health insurance plans or dental plans that reduce what you pay out-of-pocket for common medical and dental expenses.