Health Insurance Resources: The Top 10.
Even with the recent health care reform, if you aren’t eligible for Medicare you’ll want to find some coverage. Where are the best places to find health care insurance? Here are 10 ways.
1) Your place of employment — Probably one of the most affordable ways to get a policy is through a group health insurance plan at your work.
2) Go shopping to compare — If you can’t get group coverage, do some comparison shopping to find the best health insurance quotes. Plans can differ quite a bit when it comes to coverages, deductibles, copays and the scope of providers available. Review three plans or more to make sure you find the right one to cover your needs with affordable premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses.
3) Through a local agency — You can take the time to call around town and request quotes from local agents and brokers, or go online and see if they have a Web site.
4) Go online to a comparison Web site — Insurance comparison Web sites give you a single resource for comparing multiple family health insurance quotes. Many people are finding this to be a much more convenient way to shop.
5) Buy direct — You can go straight to the insurer to get quotes, information and even buy the policy. Maybe you’ve received a direct mail solicitation or seen their television advertisements. You can also easily look them up on the Internet and see their Web sites.
6) See what your school offers — If you’re a student, coverage may be offered by your college or university at a group rate. In fact, a affordable student health insurance can be a big help if your parents’ policy doesn’t cover you any longer.
7) Check associations — If you are a member of an association, credit union or other organization, see if they have a group plan offered to members. The savings may not be as much as you’d get with a company group plan, but it still could be worth it.
Ask around — Family, friends and other acquaintances may be able to provide the name of their health insurance provider. Just be sure to still get comparisons to make sure you get a plan that fits you.
9) Your state’s department of insurance — State insurance departments typically provide a list of health insurance companies licensed to do business in your city. Check out their Web site for more information.
10) Consider a temporary plan — If you recently lost your benefits, or will eventually have access to a good group plan, a temporary or short-term health insurance policy can be an affordable way to get some basic coverage.
