What People Are Looking for in Health Insurance

As health care costs continue to rise, employers want employees to shoulder the burden of unaffordable monthly premiums. Meanwhile, health insurance companies want to limit their pool of insured to healthy people who don't need a doctor. Consumers, by contrast, are simply looking for affordable health insurance that will cover their basic medical needs.

Transparency

• Health care contracts are often written in such a way that they are difficult to understand. Sometimes people who think they have decent coverage must declare bankruptcy after being treated for traumatic injury or disease because they could not afford the cost of uncovered treatment. These patients thought they had adequate coverage. Transparency in health insurance means writing plans in plain language so customers know exactly what they are getting.

Access

• People with preexisting conditions are often blocked from obtaining health insurance. This practice denies health care coverage for those who need it the most. This situation is changing, however, as the new health care laws guarantee health insurance to children under the age of 19 regardless of any preexisting conditions.

Affordability

• People want to be able to afford their health insurance. This means monthly premiums must be reasonable. Health insurance companies often charge co-payments, deductibles and other fees to patients who go to the doctor for preventive care or treatment. These co-payments and other costs discourage insured people from visiting the doctor.