Health Insurance Application Tips

The insurance market is made up of many companies that offer a variety of policies and have a variety of requirements. Knowing the different policies and requirements can be a good start to selecting and applying for the most suitable insurance provider and plan for you and your family. Never commit to any plan without knowing exactly what you are covered for and all the financial details, including your monthly payments, deductibles and co-pay amounts.

Medical and Personal Information

• Have all the required documents ready when applying for health insurance. These include Social Security numbers, names and dosages of any prescriptions, current procedures or hospitalization dates, as well as billing information. A credit card or direct account withdrawal form should be provided by the company and filled out by you. Having all documents completed and ready speeds up the application process and gets your policy started faster.

Selecting the Primary Applicant

• When applying as a family, it is best to have the younger spouse be the primary applicant. The age of the main applicant will directly impact the price some insurance companies will set. Since younger people generally get better rates, apply with the younger spouse as the primary applicant to save money. The exception to this is if the younger spouse is in poorer health than the older spouse.

ID

• Be prepared to create a user ID and password for your policy. Most applications will ask you to provide this information in advance, and it is important not to forget them afterward. They are also case sensitive, so be sure you know the exact characters. Create a user ID and password that are easy to remember so you can avoid delays when you need to use them.

Time

• Set at least 30 minutes of time aside for the application to be completed. When applying online, be sure to have access to a good Internet connection to avoid any interruptions or losing any information you have already submitted. Do not rush through the application; read and understand every question or clause clearly before submitting your information.

Final Steps

• Always read the fine print before signing any documents, and contact the insurance company to clarify any questions or confusion you have before signing anything. Also, any company decisions can be appealed, especially if you feel that the company's overcharging you, so ask in detail what the appeals process is and how you set it in motion. Knowing these things can save you a bundle of time and money down the road.