6 Things You Should Consider When Choosing A Health Insurance Plan

Being proactive about our health is absolutely essential. Sure, you may eat a vegetable-packed diet and squeeze in a few at-home yoga classes, but you’re taking on a big risk if you don't prepare for future health needs by getting good insurance.

Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that those who don’t have health insurance are more likely to postpone or skip important doctor visits, which can mean missing detection of health problems during early — and often treatable — stages. Plus, opting out of health insurance doesn’t always translate to avoiding health care costs; it actually means that any accidents, illnesses, or sudden medical needs can end up costing significantly more than they would under good health insurance coverage.

To help guide you toward a plan that works for you, Bustle teamed up with Florida Blue to round up everything you should take into consideration while navigating this process. Here are six factors to consider while you assess your options.

1. How Much You’re Willing To Pay

It sounds obvious but finding the best-priced plan for your budget is more complicated than it seems. First, you need to consider how much you're able to pay for a monthly premium. Next, determine how much you can afford for each health care visit. Plans with higher premiums tend to have lower copays and deductibles, which means you’ll pay a higher monthly fee with fewer — and smaller — bills. For example, Florida Blue – like many Marketplace insurers - offers Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. If you decide to upgrade from a Bronze to a Silver plan with a higher premium, it could mean reduced out-of-pocket costs for doctor's visits (if you're eligible for a subsidy). And this isn't just unique to Florida Blue — this reduction in costs for Silver plans is true regardless of insurer.

Some cheaper plans can have high copays and high deductibles, meaning you’ll have to spend a lot of your own money before your insurance kicks in. To find your financial sweet spot, visit your insurer’s website to learn what plan works for your budget.

Additionally, depending on your income, age, location, and the size of your family, you could qualify for a government subsidy to help pay for a portion of your bills. In fact, under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), coverage through the Marketplace is even more affordable as it increased the number of people eligible for financial assistance. That means payments have lowered for most people with a Marketplace plan and the ARP expanded access to financial assistance to more consumers who did not previously qualify. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, four out of five people can now find a health plan for $10 or less a month.

2. How Often You See Your Doctor

Here’s where those copays come into play: If you limit your visits to a yearly physical, higher fees for additional and specialist appointments won’t be an issue (barring any crises, of course). But if you have regular physical therapy appointments or a chronic condition that needs monitoring, those copays can add up.

For individuals who make frequent visits, it’s worth seeking out a plan with a lower deductible, lower copays, and lower coinsurance with a reasonable out-of-pocket maximum — even if that means shelling out a little more month-over-month.

3. Easy Access To Providers

Before signing on, consider how much access your plan gives you to potential providers —and not just when it comes to in-network vs. out-of-network. Making sure your insurer offers plenty of doctors in your geographic area (with transportation options if you need them) can make a huge difference when it comes to care. Bonus points if they also have an easily accessible website you can access for quick answers and resources around the clock.

4. Your Potential Family Planning Journey

The reality is that planning for a family looks different for everyone. For some, the only expenditure is a pregnancy test. For others, the road to a baby can be paved with IVF, egg freezing, or adoption. Whatever your plan, it’s worth looking for health coverage that accounts for growing your family.

If you’re expecting, trying, or just considering parenthood, make sure to seek out a plan that offers pregnancy, birth, and postnatal services.

5. Your Mental Health Care Needs

It’s never been clearer: Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your physical body. If you see a therapist (or plan on seeing one in the future), you’ll want to look for a plan that offers access to mental health care professionals along with options like telemedicine. Other perks like care programs and easy ways to make payments can go a long way when it comes to taking the stress out of caring for yourself.

6. Access To Additional Services

A good health insurance plan goes beyond just yearly visits to the doctor. Do some research and see if the plans you're considering include services like wellness programs to encourage a healthy lifestyle, virtual visits (particularly important during the current pandemic), reliable customer service for when issues do arise, and additional coverage for things like vision and dental. Taking a holistic approach to finding the right plan will ensure you're getting the most out of your coverage.

To learn more about the options available to you, visit Florida Blue.

This post is sponsored by Florida Blue.

Florida Blue is a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Policies have limitations and exclusions. The amount of benefits provided depends on the plan selected and the premium may vary with the amount of benefits selected.

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