Hassle-Free Health Coverage: Chapter 10 Summary

Choosing the right health coverage comes down to asking a lot of questions. These questions will generally fall into two categories: first, how the plan responds to various medical conditions and needs; second, what limitations and exclusions the plan uses to control costs.

In this chapter, we've offered some of the specific questions to ask.

It can be tough to find someone who will answer these questions at a specific insurance company or HMO. In some cases, you may need to talk to a broker or agent. In others, you may have to spend some time on the telephone finding the right person.

You may not want to do all this research for six or eight different plans -- but most insurance decisions boil down to two or three options.

If you find yourself wondering whether to choose a flexible managed care plan or a cost-saving indemnity plan, the decision is probably worth an hour or so and a couple of calls.

If you get your health coverage through work, contact your human resources manager. He or she should be able give you information on the coverage and plans available through your employer. Or, you may wish to call the plan directly.

In the end, though, the decision will usually be yours. It's the way that the insurance and health care industries are moving. Self-service coverage means asking questions for yourself.