Three tips for purchasing health insurance

With so many health and dental insurance packages available, finding the right one specifically for your needs may seem to be a daunting task, but the good news is there are ways to streamline your search for the best private health insurance plans. Whether you’re looking for short-term health insurance, long-term health insurance, dental coverage, medical insurance for seniors or an affordable drug plan, here are some ways you can simplify finding a plan that offers the health benefits and medical coverage you’re looking for.

1. Prioritize your needs

Before you start searching, you should first prioritize your health care needs. Private health insurance plans come in a wide variety of packages and prices, each offering different health insurance benefits. Regardless if you already have a health care policy at work, are self employed or just retired, you might be interested in purchasing supplemental private health insurance to cover anything not covered. It’s important to have a thorough understanding of what is and isn’t going to be covered.

2. Consider the extras

After assessing your needs, your next step should be to consider the extras. Do you feel that you’ll need dental insurance, drug coverage, or even coverage for specialists or therapist? According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 60% of adults had visited a dentist within the year. In addition, 42% of participants said that they either did not have a dental plan or couldn’t afford to get their teeth treated. Dental insurance is one extra that you might want to consider, especially in light of the rising costs of dental care.

3. Shop for health insurance

After you determine what you’re looking for, it’s a good idea to learn a few common insurance terms. For example, it’s important to understand the difference between a deductible and a co-payment. There are plenty of online sites, including this one from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that offer a glossary of insurance definitions. Once you’ve learned the lingo, it’s time to get a health insurance quote from a reputable company. While you’re shopping, look for a flexible health insurance plan that can help you stay prepared for just about anything that life throws your way. The more flexible your plan is, the better you’ll be able to cope with the unexpected.

It takes a bit of homework and research, but by spending some time online and asking plenty of questions, it’s not difficult to find the best and most affordable insurance plan specifically for your needs. At Blue Cross, we have highly trained agents that can help you make sense of what is available to you. For a free quote or a personal assessment of your needs, contact one of our agents or visit our website, where you’ll find a selection of health care plans available for you and your loved ones.