How to Choose Health Care Benefits

Health care insurance covers everything from pharmacy costs to doctor and hospital visits. All health insurance plans are not created equal, so it's important to do your homework and find the right plan for your medical needs. Before you enroll in a new insurance plan, there are several considerations to take into account.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine benefits and services. Basic health care benefits include preventative care, office visits, emergency room and urgent care visits, and maternity care. Additional services are generally subject to a deductible and will vary by plan type and level of coverage.

• 2

  Determine the deductible and coinsurance. Deductible amounts are generally set at $0, $250, $500, $1000, $2000 or $5000. Coinsurance amounts are generally set at 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent or 40 percent. Many plans offer both in-network and out-of-network deductible and coinsurance. The deductible must be met for all services subject to a deductible before insurance coverage begins. For example, a $500 deductible would need to be paid by the insured before the insurance company pays for any additional services.

• 3

  Review the pharmacy benefits. Most health care plans offer a pharmacy benefit, however it can be limited to a discount service, and may be subject to off-brand medications. Read the benefit terms carefully and determine if you will need extensive pharmacy coverage. Consider the yearly maximum the plan will cover, and be aware of guidelines regarding brand-name prescriptions.

• 4

  Evaluate the mental health benefits. Many plans exclude mental health coverage unless the plan holder has an "extreme mental health condition". For basic out-patient drug and alcohol treatment, or basic mental health therapy, your plan may be subject to a limited number of sessions. Generally, this number can range from 10 to 25 sessions per plan year.

• 5

  Determine if the plan offers a health savings account (HSA). An HSA can be used to pay for any medical related expense, from an office visit co-payment to a box of band-aids. Use your pre-tax dollars to pay for any medical expenses with a debit card issued from your HSA account.