Considering that most people have or need it in developed countries, health care coverage can be extremely complicated. Whether you’ve had a health insurance plan for years or believe now’s the time to call an insurance company for the first time, the following is a guide to health insurance plans for beginners.
Private Health Plans and the Universal Market
Private insurances are often the plans most desired in the United States. At the same time, they can be extremely expensive and may still not meet all needs. When considering whether to get private insurance or to utilize the open Marketplace for health care, the best thing you can do is first start by exploring all options.
Many people go as far as to call private companies directly, search for fantastic health insurance through somewhere like iSelect, and to talk to their health care providers and employers about health insurance coverage. For some, doing a little research not only on coverage in the United States but also other countries that offer alternatives to their citizens is a great way to not only get a fuller picture of the entire global health care insurance industry but also to come up with a list of questions.
One way to get great insurance is to call a health care insurance agent to go over all your private and public options. In doing this, you’ll be armed not only with pricing and information but also understand if you need supplemental insurance or insurance at all.
Medicaid vs. Medicare
In the United States, there are two types of public health care. Medicare is for senior citizens and people with disabilities who’ve worked in the past or have reached a certain age. Different than Medicaid, Medicare provides an 80/20 payout for medical bills, expenses, and procedures. Medicaid, on the other hand, covers everything but takes living at the poverty line to qualify.
If you’re looking for peace of mind when it comes to your health care insurance needs, one way to get public insurance is to call your local health and human services department. If you’re of retirement age, ask about supplemental plans and the open marketplace to be sure you don’t have a coverage gap.
Some people think that getting insurance in the United States through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace means they’re on public assistance or that the quality of the plan is somehow less. The truth is that the marketplace works with private insurances to provide the exact same private plans, but payment is based on income. If you’re having trouble paying for insurance but don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, it’s important to find out if you can get affordable coverage through the marketplace.
Why Coverage Matters
Most people believe that quality health care should be a basic right. They say everyone should be able to obtain the preventative care they deserve at any age regardless of what type of insurance they have or need. One reason for this is that living without coverage can be scary. While it’s no longer law that people are covered in the United States, the truth is that we’re all just one accident away from serious injury, and illness can happen at any time. Having great coverage could literally mean averting financial ruin or even death but for certain preventable financial suffering.
In the end, no two health insurance companies are exactly the same. Knowing the basics of your country’s laws around long-term care insurance, disability insurance, social services programs, public insurance, and private insurance options is a great first step in making an informed decision about your coverage. Whether you live in the United States, Australia, or another country, calling a health plan agent is a good way to understand your options and make a decision that will save you from paying high medical bills out of your own pocket.