The Insurance Buying Guide: Health Insurance Key Questions
1) Does your employer offer you health insurance? Yes No
2) Do you have a choice between an HMO and a reimbursement-style policy? Yes No
3) Is your regular physician a provider for the HMO you're considering? Yes No
4) If you choose a medical expense policy, how much of a deductible are you considering? (It's worthwhile to compare premiums for a policy with several different deductibles.)
5) Would you consider purchasing catastrophic coverage by increasing your deductible substantially? Yes No
6) Do you belong to a group that offers discounts on health insurance (e.g., a trade association, an alumni association, a church)? Yes No
7) Have you asked your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a health insurance plan? Yes No
What did he or she recommend? _____________________
8) If you have been unable to obtain insurance on your own, do you qualify for a state-sponsored health insurance pool? Yes No
9) Do you qualify for Medicaid? Yes No
10) Do you qualify for Medicare? Yes No
11) Have you considered a Medigap policy? Yes No
12) Do you need dental insurance? Yes No
13) Do you need a vision plan? Yes No
14) Do you need a prescription plan? Yes No
15) Does your employer offer a cafeteria plan? Yes No
16) How much money would you want to have withheld from your paycheck for a cafeteria plan? (Add up your regular monthly medical-related expenses, and also include an allotment for annual costs, such as co-payments for doctors visits and glasses.)
Health insurance premiums ______________ Average monthly co-payments ______________ Dental premiums/fees ______________ Alternate therapies, etc. ______________ Psychological counseling, etc. ______________ Child- and elder-care expenses ______________ Vision care expenses ______________ Medical equipment ______________ Other health-related expenses ______________ Monthly total ______________
17) If youâre about to leave your job, have you investigated COBRA coverage? Yes No
18) If you do not have group health insurance through your job, have you considered a medical savings account? Yes No
