Kids and Health Care: Key Questions
Ask yourself the following questions now and think about your answers - they might urge you to reevaluate your current health care plan for you and your family:- Does your employer offer you health insurance?
- Do you have a choice between an HMO and a reimbursement-style policy?
- Is your regular physician a provider for the HMO you're considering?
- 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.)
- Would you consider purchasing catastrophic coverage by increasing your deductible substantially?
- Do you belong to a group that offers discounts on health insurance (e.g., a trade association, an alumni association, a church)?
- Have you asked your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a health insurance plan? What did he or she recommend?
- If you have been unable to obtain insurance on your own, do you qualify for a state-sponsored health insurance pool?
- Do you qualify for Medicaid?
- Do you qualify for Medicare?
- Have you considered a Medigap policy?
- Do you need dental insurance?
- Do you need a vision plan?
- Do you need a prescription plan?
- Does your employer offer a cafeteria plan?
- 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 copayments for doctors' visits and glasses.)
- Health insurance premiums ______________
- Average monthly copayments ______________
- 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 ______________
- If you're about to leave your job, have you investigated COBRA coverage?
- If you do not have group health insurance through your job, have you considered a medical savings account?
