Nine Questions You Should Ask About Your Health Insurance Plan

Whenever you are shopping for a new health insurance plan, you need to know the true cost of the plan. The true cost involves more than the premium cost. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance.

When evaluating health care insurance plans, be sure to ask these nine questions:

1. How much will it cost for you or your children to see a doctor?
2. How much will your laboratory tests cost?
3. How much will your x-rays cost?
4. How much will you pay if you have outpatient surgery?
5. How much will you have to pay for a hospital stay?
6. What kind of wellness benefits does the health insurance plan offer?
7. What is the actual cost of obtaining prescription medications, including co-pays?
8. Does the health insurance plan have an annual deductible? How much is it?
9. What is the maximum amount you will have to pay each for in out-of-pocket expenses?

By matching the answers to those questions to your own health history and anticipated needs, you will be able to better compare competing health insurance plans.