What is Health & Benefits Insurance?
Health and benefits insurance protects you against financial loss if you get sick or injured. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay for covered medical costs as defined in your plan.
Why Do You Need Health & Benefits Insurance?
Health and benefits insurance provides medical, prescription and income protection:
- Medical coverage pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, preventive care and emergency services.
- Prescription coverage pays for all or part of the cost of your medications.
- Supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, disability and life insurance help protect your health, your income and your family when the unexpected happens.
Questions to Ask Your Agent
Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding health and benefits coverage that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:
- How much can you afford to pay for care? (To keep premiums low you may want a higher deductible, but be prepared to pay more out of pocket when you need care.)
- Are your doctors and preferred hospitals in the plan’s network? (Ask how costs change if you go out of network.)
- Which prescriptions and services are covered? (Ask about drug formularies, preventive care and any waiting periods.)
- What additional benefits are available? (Ask about dental, vision, disability, life insurance and employer or group options.)
- What’s the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call, how pre-authorizations work and what happens after you file a claim.)
