Health Insurance for California Residents

A recent news article explained that approximately one in five working Californians has health insurance. If that statistic is true, there are many California residents that lack health coverage. If your employer does not offer a health plan, there are affordable alternatives at your fingertips. Securing health insurance is a few mouse-clicks away.

What are some things you should consider when you’re looking for health insurance?

Remember that insurance is all about risk. You will automatically pay less for health insurance if you are healthy and take care of yourself because you are less of a risk to the insurance company. In other words, exercise, eat healthy and stop smoking. Most insurance companies will automatically give non-smokers a non-smoking discount.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay portions of some health and medical services out-of-pocket. Most health insurance plans require a deductible or copayment of some kind. You might have to pay $15 to visit your general practitioner for the sniffles or $40 for a trip to the emergency room. Your deductible is the amount of medical costs you pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance company starts paying. So, if your deductible is $625 per year, you will have to pay for your first $625 in medical/health bills – before your coverage begins.  

What items and coverages should you keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for your health insurance policy?

-          outpatient surgery

-          inpatient hospital services

-          prescription drugs

-          mental health care

-          office visits

-          physical therapy

-          medical testing

-          rehabilitation care

In the end, your health insurance goal should be to protect yourself financially in the event of serious catastrophes. The best way to secure cheap health insurance is to live a healthy lifestyle. Another way to save money each month is to pay large deductibles and pay minimal fees out-of-pocket.

Other questions to ask your health insurance provider…

- How much will you have to pay for your monthly premium?

- How much will you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage begins?

- Are the health facilities and medical providers you use in the insurance company’s network?

- Does the plan cover any pre-existing medical conditions?

- Does the plan include maternity costs?

- Is it easy to change primary care providers if you want to?

Governor Schwarzenegger might be proposing a universal health insurance plan for California, but affordable health insurance can be a mouse click away if consumers know where to look and what questions to ask.

HometownQuotes provides a quick and easy way for consumers to compare multiple insurance quotes. To learn more, visit http://www.hometownquotes.com.

*Please note that this article is not a professional consultation. This article is for general information only. Always seek specific information from a licensed insurance professional.*