Have you recently gotten a new health insurance plan, either due to working at a new company or simply changing providers on an individual plan? There are some things you should do right after you get your new insurance to ensure things go smoothly. Don't delay doing these 4 things.
Pay Your Premiums
While paying your premiums may go without saying, it is the most important thing that you do with health insurance. Employer plans will take the cost directly from your paycheck and handle the premiums for you, but individual plans require that you are the one that pays the bill yourself.
The consequence of missing a payment is that you could lose coverage. That is why you should consider enrolling in automatic bill payment to ensure that you do not lose coverage.
Know The Details of Your Plan
Don't make the mistake of learning the fine details of your health insurance plan until after you go to the doctor. You'll want to take the time to read about the policy to double check that you know all of the important information.
For example, you may discover that your plan doesn't cover durable medical goods, like crutches, unless you pay your deductible in full. Small details like this could help avoid some costly mistakes down the road when you don't have time to read a policy.
Start Saving For Your Deductible
If you do find yourself in an emergency situation, chances are that you'll go through your deductible very quickly. That is why you want to ensure you have enough cash on hand to cover your entire deductible if necessary.
For example, the most a deductible could be for an individual in 2017 is $7,150. Even if you have a high deductible plan, having that amount of cash on hand will make sure that you are able to pay any medical bill that comes your way.
Learn Where Your Healthcare Providers Are
Did your healthcare providers change with your new plan? It is a great idea to learn which doctors you could go to for checkups, urgent care, and emergency rooms. Look for nearby doctors that are around your home, office, and even frequent places you travel. For instance, if you often visit relatives out of state, look up if there are doctors and hospitals you can go to near their home.
For more tips on what to do after getting health insurance, check out websites like http://continsurance.com/ and speak with an agent.