How to Compare Rates for Catastrophic Health Insurance

While traditional health insurance begins paying claims after a small deductible has been met, a catastrophic health insurance plan requires a much larger deductible before it begins to pay claims. In exchange for this larger deductible, a catastrophic coverage plan generally provides customers with lower monthly premiums. Even so, the cost of this coverage can vary quite a bit, and shopping around carefully is the best way to get a good deal.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your employer and ask if the company has a high deductible health plan available as one of its health care options. The high deductible plan is designed to provide coverage for catastrophic health care costs.

• 2

  Compare rates online by using a comparison shopping website like eHealthInsurance. Enter your ZIP code, gender and birth date, and choose whether you want individual or family coverage.

• 3

  Review the list of options carefully and add up the possible out-of-pocket costs of each plan. Include the 12 monthly premiums, the deductible and the copayment amounts. This will give you a clear picture of what your maximum possible out-of-pocket costs would be.

• 4

  Log on to the website of the National Association of Health Underwriters. This site provides access to insurance agents, who are licensed to write individual health care policies, including catastrophic health insurance plans.

• 5

  Click the "Find an Agent" button on the front page and then click the "Find an Agent" link. Enter your ZIP code and click "Find NAHU Members" to see a list of agents in your area.

• 6

  Contact several agents on the list and provide them with your specifications for catastrophic health coverage. Give the agent your priorities like a low monthly premium or limited out-of-pocket costs.

• 7

  Compare the costs of each plan carefully by adding up the total possible out-of-pocket costs of each plan. Compare the costs of the plans you found on your own and through your employer to the ones the NAHU agents found for you.