THE
HOW DO YOU GET HEALTH INSURANCE?
Most people get health insurance through
their employers or organizations to which they belong. This is called group
insurance. Some people do not have access to
group insurance. They may choose to purchase their own individual
health insurance from an broker. Some
Americans get health insurance through government
programs that operate at the national, State, and local levels.
Examples include Medicare, Medicaid, and programs run by the Department
of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.
Group
Insurance
Group health insurance is typically
offered by employers. Or, if you are a member of a union, professional
association, or other group, you may be able to get group coverage
through that organization.
Some employers allow employees to choose
between several plans, including both indemnity insurance and managed
care. Other employers offer only one plan. Some group plans offer
dental and/or vision benefits as well as medical benefits. So it is
important to compare plans to find the one that offers the benefits you
need most. Once you enroll in a health insurance plan, you usually
cannot change to another plan until the next open enrollment,
usually set once a year.
When group health insurance is an
employee benefit, your employer usually pays a portion or all of the
premiums.
This means your costs for health insurance premiums will be lower than
they would be if you paid the entire premium alone.
When you get group insurance through
membership in an organization, you usually will benefit from being a
member of a large group. You may pay less for premiums than an
individual would pay. However, the organization often does not pay a
share of the premium, meaning you may be responsible for paying the
entire premium yourself.
Individual
Insurance
If you are
self-employed or
your employer does not
offer
health insurance, you may not have access to
group insurance. You may, however, be able to purchase individual
coverage though a broker or directly from an insurance company. When
you buy your own
health insurance, you will be responsible for paying the entire premium
rather than sharing the cost with an employer. You should ask your
broker to find a plan that fits your needs at a price that you are
willing to
pay.
Most self-employed workers are able to
deduct their health insurance premiums from their Federal taxable
income, providing them with an important tax saving. Most States also
offer similar tax preferences. If you are self-employed and buy
individual health insurance, you should consult a tax advisor to find
out if you are eligible for this deduction.
Insurance plans differ greatly from one
company to another and, within an insurance company, from one plan or
product to another. Some plans have multiple products (options) from
which you can choose; read carefully through the "fine print" to be
sure you understand the various choices.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and America's Health
Insurance Plans.
For more information about finding the right health insurance policy
for you, contact GotAffordableHealthInsurance.com, a licensed
California health insurance agency.
I represent the major health
insurance plan carriers and write policies all over the
state. For more information, call our insurance agency at 323-937-5690
or email
me with any questions that you have about buying health
insurance in California.
Contact us today, and find how to find a affordable health insurance
plan today.
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