Where to Get
Health Insurance Coverage
Step 4

There are a couple of ways you can get insured. One is by getting group health insurance coverage. The other is by buying your own individual health insurance.

Group Health Insurance

If you are offered group insurance at work, you will find that it has many key advantages.

First, it costs you less. Your employer pays for part, if not all of the cost of the insurance.

Your premiums (which are usually paid through your employer) are lower, since the economies of scale of large groups keep administrative costs low.

Second, you generally will not be asked for evidence that you are insurable.

Some employers require that you pass a probationary period before you are entitled to health insurance benefits.

Once you choose a plan however, you must keep it for one year, unless you have a change in life status (such as when getting married, divorce, or having a child, etc.) that alters your coverage needs.

Third, employer benefit plans often have better coverage than what you can get on your own.

Some plans include dental and vision benefits in addition to medical coverage (which could be either a fee-for-service or managed care).

Some employers offer only one health insurance plan. Others offer a choice of plans: fee-for-service plan, or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

Make sure to discuss your choices, plan benefits and limits with your employer.

Step 6 in this guide will provide you with valuable information and tips to enable you to choose the health insurance coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

Individual Health Insurance

You can get either a fee-for-service plan or a managed plan (HMO, PPO or POS). You can choose the plan that best fits your needs from an insurance company of your choice.

You will find that plans vary widely in terms of coverage and costs.

Note as well that individual plans do not provide benefits as broad as those offered in group insurance.

Individual health insurance plans typically costs you more in terms of premiums and coinsurance payments.

So before you buy a health insurance coverage, know what you need and what is important to you and your family.

Do your homework. Review and use the checklist on Step 2: Assess Your Health Care Needs.
Shop around. Contact different insurance companies, get different quotes or ask your insurance agencies to show you different policies so you can compare.

Consider what medical services are covered, what benefits are paid, and how much you must pay in deductibles and coinsurance.

We'll cover these points in greater detail in the next section.

Are you ready? Proceed to Step 5.

7 Steps to Getting Affordable Health Insurance

Step 1: Know the Health Insurance Terms.

Step 2: Assess Your Health Insurance Plan Needs.

Step 3: Which Health Insurance Type is Right for You?

Step 4: Where to get Health Insurance Coverage.

Step 5: Get the Best Health Insurance Quote Available.

Step 6: Make the Right Health Insurance Choice.

Step 7: Submit your health insurance application.

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