3 Key Steps For Getting Health Insurance In Birmingham Alabama
UAB Hospital
1802 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205.934.3411
Plus Code: G54W+JQ Birmingham, Alabama
Getting a first-rate health insurance plan is not always as simple as it seems. Everyone can benefit from a little help in this regard. This article provides you with 3 useful steps in finding a high-quality health insurance plan for you and your family.
Step 1: Compare forms of health insurance plans
There are several health plan options that you may choose from in Birmingham AL. Some of the health plan choices that are available to you, are not insurance plans at all - but rather faith-based health plans.
Faith-based health plans, or health care sharing plans, (as they are sometimes referred to), work in a fashion very similar to traditional insurance plans. However, they are not insurance plans in a legal sense. (More on this later.)
Your health plan coverage options are:
- Traditional health insurance. Traditional health insurance refers to plans that are regulated by the Affordable Care Act. Companies offering these plans include: BlueCross BlueShield.
- Short-term health insurance. Short-term health insurance is actually not so "short" any more. Thanks to new government rules, you can, in some cases, keep the same low-cost short-term health insurance plan for a year or longer - making such plans a viable long-term health insurance option. Companies offering these plans include: United Healthcare, National General.
- Faith-based health plans. Faith-based, or healthcare sharing plans is an exploding new market. Their unique plan structure makes such plans an intriguing and affordable alternative to traditional health insurance plans.
Good to know: Cheaper is almost never better: Cut-rate insurance prices can unfortunately also mean cut-rate, sketchy plan benefits. The old adage, you often get what you pay for, is true more often than not. Thoroughly review plan benefits and evidence of coverage statements before purchasing a plan. If this documentation is not readily available, call the company and request it. If you are unfamiliar with the insurance company, check independent rating companies like A.M. Best. You should expect a rating of A or better.
While evaluating plans, search for a summary of benefits. You can get links to most summaries through any online market place. A provider folder or directory, which displays the facilities and doctors that are part of the plan’s physician network, should be readily available.
Also, when comparing various plans, endeavor to pay serious attention to your family's medical needs. Take a good look at the cost and manner of treatment you have gotten in the past. Though it is not possible to foretell every medical expenditure, being current about what is going on can assist you in making the right decision.
Step 2: Compare health plan networks
Be sure to check the physician network of any plan that you are considering. Make certain the specific hospitals or doctors you need, are participating in the network. It's far less expensive to access an in-network doctor or facility than it is to utilize a facility or doctor that is out-of-network. This is due to the fact that insurance firms negotiate with physicians and hospitals to obtain more reasonable rates. When you opt out of the network, those negotiated rates are not available to you. If you have personal doctors and you want to keep visiting them, make certain they are part of the provider network associated with your plan.
Good to know: Ask an advocate to work for you. "If you receive a large bill for services, following an ER visit or surgery, for example, and you don't understand how to read it, hire a medical billing advocate to assist you," suggests Ruth Linden, founder of Tree of Life Advocates in San Francisco. "She or he will not charge you if everything is in order. On the other hand, if errors or a questionable charge is found, the typical billing advocate may charge you one-third to one-half of the amount they save you. Your cost savings could run into thousands of dollars." This can be especially important if you're dealing with a complex medical issue that requires significant, and expensive care. Some insurance companies have even begun offering their own advocates, such as UnitedHealthcare's Advocate4Me program, which provides a single point of contact with an expert who can help you understand your coverage and find the help you need.
Step 3: Compare out-of-pocket costs
Perhaps the most important part of any health plan is the amount you will be responsible to pay should a medical need arise. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what your plan will pay toward a medical bill, and what you will be required to pay. You need to be clear on this issue for every medical circumstance. This includes office visits, x-rays and laboratory tests, emergency room visits, hospital procedures and stays, etc. Also, make sure you know the maximum amount your plan will pay toward every medical circumstance. Many plans have lifetime limits. Some plans have procedure limits. These are things you do not want to learn of after you gone through a medical circumstance. You need to know before you purchase your health insurance plan. When it comes to finding a good health insurance plan in Birmingham, there is a lot you need to know. Talk to the experts. We are pleased to help. Give us a call today.
Other articles: Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?
Resources