• Blue Cross
• Capital Blue Cross
• Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

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• Highmark Blue Shield
• Independence Blue Cross

• Supplemental Medigap Insurance
• Medicare Advantage Insurance
• Bravo Health

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• Conseco
• Highmark Blue Shield
• United Healthcare
• Universal American
• WellCare

Even More Pennsylvania Health Insurance Tips

Health Insurance Policy Checklist

Select your health insurance coverage carefully to get the protection you need. If you are covered by a group policy or a government program, such as Medicare, make sure you understand how your current coverage will work with any new policy you buy. Contact agents from several companies and write down information on benefits, premiums and other policy factors. Then compare the different policies to decide which will provide the best coverage at the most reasonable price for you. Once you purchase health insurance, read the policy carefully to make certain it meets your needs and that you understand its terms. The following is a suggested list of questions to ask when buying health insurance.

• Are there waiting periods before certain illnesses are covered?
• How much is the deductible? Is the deductible for each treatment or illness, for each family member or is it simply an annual deductible?
• Must I pay a certain percentage of costs (coinsurance) after I have paid the deductible?
• Must I pay a certain flat dollar amount (copayment) for services such as doctor office visits?
• What are the renewal conditions? Under what circumstances can the company increase my premium?
• What is the maximum amount the policy will pay for each illness and for the entire time the policy is in force?
• What types of services does the policy cover? Will it pay for doctors' office visits or house calls?
• What is not covered by the policy?
• What are the limits on:
  • the amount paid for daily hospital room and board?
  • the amount paid for medicine, tests or other hospital expenses?
  • the amount paid for specific types of surgery?
  • the amount paid for doctors' visits?
  • the maximum number of hospital days paid for?
  • the maximum number of doctors' visits during a hospital stay?
• How do monetary benefits under the policy compare with actual costs for doctors' visits, hospital care or surgery in my area?
• If you are considering a disability policy:
  • how does the policy define total disability and partial disability?
  • will the policy pay for a partial disability?
  • is there an elimination period before benefits begin, and does it vary depending on whether sickness or an accident is involved?
  • must I be in the hospital to receive benefits?
  • how long do payments continue?
  • is renewability of the policy guaranteed?
  • what is not covered?

When you purchase health insurance, read the policy carefully to make certain it meets your needs and that you understand its terms.