Affordable Health Insurance In Colorado
If you live in Colorado and are in need of healthcare coverage, you may have somewhat of a challenge ahead of you. Finding quality Colorado health insurance in 2024, is not as simple as it may seem. The problem is, it can be quite difficult finding a knowledgeable
insurance professional that is willing to take the time to sort through the myriad of health plan choice that are available to you. And going it alone, in an increasingly confusing health plan marketplace, is a prescription for a potential disaster
The good news is, we are health plan experts with a wealth of experience. We are just a phone call away and are here to help.
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when attempting to purchase that ideal health care plan for you or your family. The first item on your list should be which type of health plan should you consider - HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, etc.?
Are you looking for an Affordable Care Act plan, or are you looking for a wider range of options?
Good to know: Read bills carefully. Up to 50 percent of your doctor or hospital bills may contain mistakes that end up costing you money, says Jane Cooper, president of Patient Care, a consumer advocacy group in Milwaukee. Something as simple as an incorrect billing code could prompt your insurance to pay less than expected or even reject your claim. Other common errors: mistakes in an account number, claims with incomplete information - even claims sent to the wrong insurance company address by a doctor. Read your benefits booklet carefully to make sure your plan is paying all it should. If you catch an error, send a certified letter to your insurer. Follow up in a few weeks to make sure the mistake is corrected.
courtesy of Parents.com
courtesy of Parents.com
Short Term Health Insurance
You may want to add short-term insurance to your list of options. Short-term insurance is not so short anymore. Thanks to new government guidelines, there are now short-term insurance policies in parts of the country that you can keep up to a year or more. In addition, the benefits of many of these short term policies have been significantly improved. While short term health insurance plans do not offer the comprehensive level of insurance coverage of an Affordable Care Act Health Insurance plan, the features and benefits are now more comparable. And short term health insurance plan pricing tends to be more affordable. In many cases, a short term health plan can be the ideal health insurance fit. Get an instant short term health insurance plan rate quote
Healthcare Sharing Plans
There are also healthcare sharing plans. Consumers are choosing healthcare sharing plans, (also known as faith based health plans), over traditional insurance in ever increasing numbers. A Healthcare sharing plan is not an insurance plan - at least not in the legal sense of the word. These plans are designed to meet the same needs as traditional health insurance. The difference is, these plans are not governed by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) rules and regulations. The result is an umbrella of health plan options that can offer a benefit structure that is different than what is available via an Affordable Care Act plan. These plans are noted by their flexibility and affordability. Get an instant Healthcare sharing plan rate quote
All of the above options are available in Colorado. You need only to choose which health plan option will best suit your needs. Because health insurance is such an important necessity, you should seek the assistance of a licensed insurance professional.
Good to know: Each insurance provider has a formulary or list of medicines covered by the plan. If a medicine is not on the formulary it may not be covered and you may have to endure a potential nightmare attempting to find an alternative medication. The list of covered medicines is also often divided into tiers, which determines how much of a copay or coinsurance you may have to pay. Make a list of your current medicines and compare it to the plan's formulary to make sure your medicines are covered and you understand the out-of-pocket costs that may be associated with them.
Healthcare.gov
One of the simplest means of acquiring a health plan, is to purchase a plan on Healthcare.gov. To purchase a plan via Healthcare.gov, you will need to apply during the open enrollment period. This period is normally about a month and a half long, and occurs during the fall of every year. This is the only time you may enroll unless you qualify for enrollment due to special circumstances. If you fall within a certain specific income bracket, you may qualify for subsides, which are income-based discounts on the monthly premiums.
There are several health plan options that are available to you, that are not part of the Affordable Care Act portfolio. They include short-term health plans, (which are not so short anymore) and healthcare sharing plans, (Sometimes referred to as faith-based health plans).
After deciding on where you plan to purchase your health insurance, the next step is to decide which type of plan is best for you. These plan types include: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Exclusive Provider Organization, or a Point of Service Plan (POS), and more. The structures of the various plans can be quite different. Be sure to seek assistance from a licensed health insurance agent. The impact of purchasing the wrong plan can be emotionally and financially significant.
Good to know: Get copies of all your medical test results and records. Bringing those with you to consultations can cut the number of tests and office visits you need. Often, if you've had a test recently, there is no need to repeat it. Plus, if you visit a doctor with test results in hand, she can advise you immediately rather than needing to set up another appointment after test results arrive.
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| Centennial Medical Plaza 14200 E. Arapahoe Road Centennial, CO 80112 Telephone: (303) 699-3000 Plus Code: H5VG+QC Centennial, Colorado |
Once you have selected a plan type you desire, you should look at the size of the health care network and estimated out-of-pocket costs. An insurance plan summary will lay out how much you may likely pay out of pocket, for deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance, should you encounter a medical circumstance. Generally, the lower the premium the higher your out-of-pocket-costs.
The final step is to compare plan benefits with your family's specific medical needs. This consists of making sure that the plan provides for any needed medications, coverage during travel, and any reoccurring care required.
Other articles:
Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
4 Important Steps to Getting Medicare Supplement Insurance In Colorado.
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