by Edwin Ivanauskas | Tags: Personal Finance, Insurance

Health insurance is a very large expense for people who don't have it provided to them by their employer. Many people feel that if they are in good health that they don't need it, they are wrong.

When do I get health insurance?

Every person should be covered by health insurance. Routine checkups and small issues may not be expensive but large healthcare problems can often bring a family to bankruptcy without health insurance.

What types of health insurance are there?

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a type of health insurance plan that will give you access to any specialist that you choose to see.

HMO is a health insurance plan that has you go to certain doctors that the insurance plan chooses whether you want that doctor or not.

POS is a health insurance plan that has you go to their provider of choice for treatment.

What should I look out for?

You should always look out for what the caps or limits are on any health insurance coverage. You may only be able to get a sonogram done once during your pregnancy even though your doctor urges you to receive another. If this happens then you will have to pay the rest out of pocket.

Your health insurance should always carry some type of discount prescription card. You can also switch to a generic version to save money.

Most health insurance companies have you pay a deductible for the year before they even begin to pay on any of your coverage. This could be for each individual in your family plan, or as a family.

The health insurance needs to provide for therapy such as chiropractic as well as making sure that if you need something such as a walker or cane.

If you choose a major health insurance company to go through then be prepared for a doctors exam and a health assessment test to determine your overall health and the coverage you are eligible for. Smoking is something you will want to quit before this test. Your premium can be cut by twenty to thirty dollars from quitting now.

Check with your health insurance provider if you have any pre-existing illness that might hinder your insurance eligibility. If an illness is related to your previous health problems then you will not be covered for any treatment of that illness.

Be as complete and honest about your health when you speak to an agent about health insurance. Tell them what is most important to you and see if they can get as close to what you are looking for with health insurance and prescriptions. It is your health and only you can determine if you have enough health coverage.

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