Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2018

LIVING WELL Good health may be the most important thing anyone can possess. And good health insurance can play an important role in helping you achieve it. When selecting a plan, there’s a lot to consider—and cost shouldn’t be the only one. It’s also to your advantage to find coverage that meets your needs. Here’s a checklist of questions to ask yourself as you weigh your options: Shopping for health insurance? Ask these 5 key questions 1 Am I clear about what health services the plan will cover? Coverage can vary, and it’s important to know the specific details of different plans. Because of the Affordable Care Act, most traditional health care plans must cover the same basic services—such as preventive care, hospital care, mental health care and maternity care. But some services, like chiropractic, dental and vision care, may not be fully covered. In contrast, short-term health insurance plans—those that limit coverage to less than a year—aren’t required to be as comprehensive as standard ones. For example, short-term plans might not cover maternity or mental health care. And while all standard plans must cover pre-existing conditions, short-term ones might not cover them. 2 Will the plan cover all the medicines my doctor prescribes? Some may not. 3 Will I be able to keep my current doctor or hospital? Make sure they’re in your plan network. If not, see how much more you need to pay to see an out-of-network provider. 4 What are the premiums, co-pays and deductibles? Premiums are the amount you pay for health insurance, no matter what services you use. You might pay it monthly. Deductibles are what you must pay before your insurance company pays anything for a claim. Co-payments are what you pay when you receive a medical service or fill a prescription. 5 What is the most I’ll have to pay out of pocket? You may have to pay a certain amount before a plan starts to pay for your care. Sources: America’s Health Insurance Plans; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; National Institutes of Health; USA.gov Do you need help finding health insurance? Schedule a free, in-person appointment with the CMH Health Insurance Marketplace Counseling Office at 417-328-7575 . citizensmemorial.com 5