| Our first recommendation would be to follow common | | | | reason (just saying "I don't trust that doctor's opinion" is |
| guidelines on how to cut health insurance costs. By | | | | probably not good enough to convince the primary |
| following these guidelines, it is almost certain one can | | | | care physician). Going with a PPO gives the liberty to |
| reduce his and his family's health care costs. Perhaps | | | | receive multiple opinions by specialists. However, if one |
| most importantly, as one of the tips suggests, it is shop | | | | does not expect to face this issue, then going with a |
| around for various health plans and receive multiple | | | | different plan may be a better - and certainly cheaper |
| family health care plan quotes. This gives a good | | | | - option. |
| starting point for considering plans, as getting the best | | | | - Preventative care: this can be an issue at times. For |
| plan for the lower amount of money provides one with | | | | example, if a family is expecting to have children, and |
| the liberty to take other special considerations into | | | | the plan offers maternity classes, then it is important to |
| mind. | | | | keep in mind. Normally HMOs are far better than PPOs |
| One challenge that exists for getting family health | | | | in their preventative care offerings, so this is yet |
| insurance plans is that it depends on each member's | | | | another issue to keep in mind. |
| medical history. This is referred to as 'pre-existing | | | | - Dental plans: some providers offer dental plans in |
| condition'. A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury | | | | addition to the 'standard' health plan: this could be very |
| that the family member has been treated for in the | | | | useful in saving money, but it is important to take it only |
| past, before applying to the current insurance plan. | | | | if one believes this may actually be used (though of |
| Although certain providers have different rules, | | | | course, certain things are out of control and cannot be |
| normally there is a waiting period before becoming | | | | predicted). Note that these plans normally offer very |
| eligible to receiving treatment for this condition. | | | | limited coverage, so if facing numerous dental issues, |
| However, this also depends on the previous type of | | | | the plans won't be of much help. |
| coverage one held before. | | | | - Since insurance plans periodically change, it is |
| Pre-existing conditions are a major factor in | | | | important to make sure to follow up on these changes |
| determining whether an insurance company will agree | | | | and the coverage that is being received in order to |
| to cover one's family, as well for the final cost, which | | | | know that you are getting the most at the best rates; |
| depends on the risk the insurance company assigns to | | | | perhaps at times it might be a good idea to switch |
| one's family. | | | | plans. |
| Useful tips: | | | | - Finally, it is important to remember that a cheap plan |
| - Most importantly, one must select the plan according | | | | that does not protect you or a family member from |
| to his family's current and future expected needs. For | | | | major illnesses may not be worth it. Life is precious, |
| example, if a family member may need to see | | | | and to face a horrible disease without the ability to pay |
| specialists often, it might be advisable to go with a | | | | for treatments is a terrible scenario to be in. |
| PPO plan that gives the liberty to go to a specialist | | | | In conclusion, it can be said that it all comes down to |
| without requiring a referral. Being covered in a plan | | | | the delicate balance between cost, flexibility and |
| which has a primary care physician (a 'gatekeeper'), | | | | availability. If one predicts having to see multiple |
| such as POS plans, can be a real problem at times, as | | | | specialists, and can afford to take a PPO, that may be |
| the doctor might not agree that the issue requires | | | | the best choice. However, if for a small, young, family |
| seeing a specialist. Speaking from personal experience, | | | | that is generally healthy, a basic HMO plan may be the |
| this can be a very frustrating experience. | | | | best one for you. An additional issue is preventative |
| - An additional point is receiving second opinions: clearly | | | | care: since HMOs are better at this aspect, this should |
| when one requires approval to see a specialist, he | | | | also be taken into consideration. |
| may not get it twice unless he has a very good | | | | |