When it comes to taking out health insurance, you may have many questions or doubts. We are going to try to guide you to make sure that the health plan you are considering is the right one for your preferences. Make sure it has a high limit and a low deductible. This means, that it covers everything you have in mind, but paying the best possible premium, so shop around and compare different types of health insurance from different insurance companies, to make sure you are getting the best value for your money and always tailored to the needs you are considering. For example the needs are completely different, if you are a man or a woman, if you are young and single, if you are middle-aged, if you have children or other dependants, if you are an adult sportsman, if you are self-employed, if you are over 60 years old, etc.
If what you are looking for is a health insurance that covers all medical check-ups, as well as emergencies and hospitalisations in case they are necessary and protects you from any inconvenience or unforeseen event that may arise in the future, what you need is the most complete insurance possible. Understand the limits of coverage. Make sure the plan you are considering covers all the types of medical care you need. If you see a specialist frequently, or just like a particular specialist, check that he or she is on the medical list of the company you are considering.
Although there is also a type of health insurance called “reimbursement” which, as the word says, will reimburse you a very high percentage of the cost of going to a specialist who is not on the medical list of your insurance company; these insurances are somewhat more expensive, but it is a highly recommended option if what you want is to “personalise” your coverage to the maximum by having a free choice of medical list, with the specialists, hospitals and clinics that you decide on within the geographical limit that gives coverage to the health insurance you have chosen.
Find out about the providers; nowadays there are numerous companies that offer health insurance and although some may be better known to you than others, what you really need to look at is their medical lists, as they often coincide for the most part, that is, make sure that the plan you are considering has an adequate network of providers to meet your needs.
Differences between insurance with co-payments and insurance without co-payments.
Insurance with co-payments are insurance plans that require a fixed amount of money to be paid each time the insured person visits a health professional or receives treatment. These co-payments are usually small, but can sometimes be significant. On the other hand, insurance with no co-payments does not require the insured to pay a fixed amount each time he or she receives treatment or visits a health professional. However, these plans tend to have a higher premium than plans with co-payments.
That said, you need to think carefully about how you will use your health insurance, and whether you are willing to pay co-payments in case of an unforeseen inconvenience. For example, repeated visits to physiotherapy or diagnostic tests that require this extra expense.
What are pre-existing conditions and what should you take into account when taking out your health insurance?
Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or conditions that existed before the date of taking out a health insurance policy. The insured person must take into account if there are any pre-existing conditions at the moment of contracting a health insurance, since, once the insurance is contracted, it will not cover any pre-existing condition. Careful attention should be paid to this point. Some common pre-existing conditions include chronic illnesses, pre-existing injuries or illnesses, pregnancy (childbirth), among others.
When you take out health insurance you will be asked to fill in a medical questionnaire where you will be asked a series of questions to assess your current state of health.
Some information to bear in mind when taking out health insurance:
Do you know how many times school-age children go to the doctor on average?
Depending on the health status and age of the children, the number of visits to the doctor may vary. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 6 to 12 go to the doctor at least twice a year for regular check-ups, and it is recommended that they also go to the doctor if they have any symptoms or illnesses.
To be honest, if you have school-age children, you’ll know that they go to the doctor with them a lot. If it’s not a blow, it’s a stomach ache or a cold, and if not a virus, without counting the vaccinations and the complete medical check-up that is recommended once a year, ophthalmologist, dentist, traumatologist … If you are thinking of having a health insurance policy that covers all these visits to the paediatrician and other specialists with their respective tests, the most logical and practical thing to do is to take out a full insurance policy with no co-payments.
And do you know how many times adults go to the doctor on average?
According to the most recent study by the US Institute of Health, the average number of doctor visits per year for adults over the age of 65 is five. For adults between the ages of 18 and 65, the average number of doctor visits per year is three.
To conclude, taking into account your age, your current state of health and your lifestyle, and thinking carefully about what you want to use your health insurance for, find out about all the possible alternatives to take out a health insurance policy that covers everything you need, also thinking in the long term and without forgetting about your pocket.