Catastrophic Health Insurance Coverage - Do You Need it?

If you're currently unemployed and without healthShould you get a catastrophic health insurance plan?
insurance or you have a job that does not provide youThat depends. If you are healthy with no pre-existing
with health insurance coverage, you may need toconditions and you do not have access to another
consider getting yourself a catastrophic healthhealth plan, you may be a good candidate for a
insurance coverage plan. Catastrophic health insurancecatastrophic coverage plan. Also, if you are an older
is setup to cover major health problems and normallyadult with no health problems and you just need piece
has high deductibles and low monthly premiums.of mind insurance coverage to protect your for major
With a catastrophic coverage health plan, you willcatastrophes (like heart attacks, cancer, etc.), then this
normally have to pay out of pocket for doctor officetype of coverage could be right for you. If you don't fit
visits and prescription drugs, but major expenses arethese criteria, you might consider other options.
covered. These types of expenses may includeWhat should you look for in a catastrophic coverage
hospital stays, surgery, intensive care, lab tests andplan? Consider the following when comparing
X-Rays. You will rarely find pregnancy and maternitycatastrophic policies from different insurance providers:
care covered on these types of plans.- The cost of the premiums
Catastrophic coverage may be purchased individually- The cost of the deductibles and your maximum out
or as group plans. You will have to pass pre-existingof pocket expense
medical condition screenings. This means coverage for- The level of coverage
conditions you had prior to getting coverage wouldn't- Whether or not you can afford to pay for
be covered. A few examples might include diabetes,prescriptions and office co-payments
emphysema, heart disease and cancer (but there are- Do you have pre-existing conditions?
countless more possibilities).- Do you get sick often? If you decide to look into a
Normally, catastrophic medical insurance coverage iscatastrophic health insurance policy, there are many
purchased by healthier people in their 20's andways to do so. You can contact your local health
sometimes for people nearing the retirement ageinsurance independent agent or look for a company
(50-65 years of age). It is also a popular alternative foronline to provide you a quote. It's a good idea to
self-employed individuals who don't have a healthcompare multiple insurance providers before making
insurance plan.your decision.