How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Coverage

Updated on June 10, 2022

The right health insurance policy can help you afford the medical care you need, whether it’s  your yearly physical or a serious procedure. However, health insurance can be a significant  expense, so it’s vital to know what coverage you need and take some time to find the right  policy. This article will dive into a few tips for choosing the right health insurance coverage, for  both your main policy and any supplemental health insurance policies you might need. 

1. Consider your coverage needs 

The higher your monthly premium, the lower your deductible. That means you need to consider  your health and those you need to cover when looking for health insurance coverage. If no one  under your plan has a chronic illness or needs frequent medical treatment, you may consider a  lower premium plan to save money. But if you or a family member needs to visit a provider  frequently, a plan with higher premiums could be worth the lower deductible. 

You should also think about supplemental health insurance. These are policies that help cover  procedures and treatments normal health insurance may not. For example, you might want  basic vision insurance to cover a yearly eye exam and the cost of eyeglasses or contacts. However, perhaps you also want to save money on elective procedures like LASIK. Getting  supplemental insurance can help you offset the costs of these procedures. 

2. Look at your budget 

Even though higher premiums can result in a lower deductible, it’s wise to look over your  budget to make sure you can afford health insurance. You’ll need to look closely at how much  money you have available for medical insurance, then determine how often you visit a  provider. This will help you get a premium you can afford without risking too high a deductible. 

Budget is also a factor to considerfor supplemental health insurance, as it can help you  prioritize what policies to get. For example, if you have a smaller budget, getting must-haves  like basic dental and vision might be your best move. But if you have more room in your  insurance budget, you could get hospital indemnity insurance, travel health insurance, or other  niche supplemental policies. 

3. Compare plans 

Once you know your coverage needs and budget for your health insurance, you’ll want to  compare plans within each insurance company and across multiple insurers. Each insurer might  offer slightly different premiums for the same level of coverage. But keep in mind that there are  other costs, like co-pays, that can vary between similar plans.

All that said, cost isn’t the only factor. You should also research reviews for insurersto learn  about their responsiveness and customer service. Paying a little more for a more customer friendly insurer could be worth the cost. 

Get the right health coverage 

Getting a good health insurance policy can seem daunting. However, it really comes down to  knowing your coverage needs and how much you can afford to spend on your main policy and  any supplemental health insurance you may need. Once you consider those factors, comparing  insurers and plans is key. This will help you find coverage that fits your needs while staying  within your budget. 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health or  financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees and other individuals should  contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac  insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent. 

Aflac insurance coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, coverage underwritten by Aflac New York.  Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, Ga 31999 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.