Health Insurance Plans

Health insurance is something most people have at the top of their list they consider essential, especially for families with are kids. Health insurance plans vary widely in cost and coverage.

Most people today obtain health insurance through their employer. As part of a group, health insurance plans are less costly for the insured. An added benefit to obtaining health insurance through an employer is if the employer shares in part of the cost of the premium. An employer, who provides 100% of the health care cost, is automatically elevated to super hero status.

Retirees, as part of a retirement package may be able to continue their health insurance plans through their former employer and the employer may or may not participate in the cost of the premiums. Independent consultants and small business owners usually have to purchase their own health insurance and not always with the benefit of being part of a group insurance plan. Purchasing individual plans like that are expensive, even with companies who claim they are dedicated to keeping health care costs low and affordable.

An option that is becoming more and more popular is catastrophic health insurance plans. They are typically, high deductible, low premium plans that are designed for the health person who does not see a doctor on a regular basis and has no heath concerns. The plans do not cover routine and preventative doctor visits and the co-pay is double or triple what a standard health care plan would mandate. The premiums are probably half of what a standard health plan would cost and the deductible would be anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more. Catastrophic health insurance plans will cover all medical costs above the deductible, as long as the insured pays the deductible first before the health policy kicks into high gear.

When reviewing health insurance plans, consider your current health care needs. Most health care packages tend to be a generic, one size fits all deal. The individual elements of the generic health care package will fit the needs of the insured at different ages of life. Look to your current needs at your present age and determine just what the parts of a generic health care package apply to you. If there is an option to opt out of specialties that do not apply, opt out, but remember to opt back in when the time arises. For instance, if you are retired and over the age of 60, chances are you do not need a great obstetrics element. If you are young, you may not need the super surgical elements to replace a hip or the vision component that corrects failing eyesight due to age.

If preventative care is your main focus, choose health insurance plans that include routine physicals and examinations. You may want to look into a plan that includes health club benefits and nutrition advice. If kids are part of the health plan there are a number of programs include in health insurance plans that include well baby and well kid care and advice and tips on how to keep kids healthy.