Having a health plan is one of the most desired things for many people. Deciding to purchase a health plan is the first step towards ensuring greater security and convenience for you or your family. However, while price is a crucial consideration, purchasing this type of service requires attention to several details.
With this in mind, we have listed five key questions to ask before buying a health plan.
1. What type of plan can I purchase?
There are different types of health insurance plans. Each has its own unique features and benefits, so when purchasing a plan, it's important to understand the available options and their characteristics.
- Individual or family: hired by you or your family.
- Membership-based collective: contracted through a union or professional association to which you are a member.
- Business collective: hired by a company.
2. What coverage is offered?
Once you've chosen your plan type, you can now inquire about the coverage offered. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the monthly fee. Therefore, at this stage, it's also important to consider not only the cost but also your needs, considering factors such as age, habits, and health history.
When it comes to health plans, coverage can include inpatient (hospitalization), outpatient (for consultations including pre-natal care, examinations, and surgeries without hospitalization), outpatient plus inpatient (with or without obstetrics services), or a standard plan, which covers all the services mentioned.
3. Will the plan have a waiting period?
In health plans, the waiting period is the period you wait to use the services of the contracted plan. It is common for (almost) all health insurance policies to have a clause in their policy that refers to the waiting period. However, this period is not uniform between insurance policies, and even within the same insurance policy, there may be different waiting periods for each type of coverage. So, always consider the waiting period for the health insurance you want to purchase to avoid future surprises.
4. What is the accredited network of doctors and hospitals?
A network hospital or doctor is a hospital or healthcare provider that has an agreement with your health insurance company to treat you at lower, pre-negotiated costs. Knowing which doctors, specialists, and hospitals are part of the Insurer's accredited network is essential. You can also ask if the healthcare professionals you already visit are included in the network. This ensures you have easy access to medical care when you need it.
5. What are the guarantees and exclusions of the plan?
Guarantees are the medical expenses covered by insurance. They can vary depending on the type of medical coverage. Examples of guarantees include consultations with a general practitioner or specialist, hospitalization costs, pharmaceutical costs and prescribed medications, radiology and medical imaging costs, emergency dental expenses, and emergency medical repatriation costs.
Exclusions refer to medical expenses that are not covered by insurance. Exclusions may include medical treatments not authorized by the insurer or the cost of beauty treatments and/or cosmetic surgeries. It is therefore important to fully understand the guarantees and exclusions of the medical coverage offered by the insurer before taking out health insurance.
Conclusion
By asking these questions before purchasing a health insurance plan, you'll be better prepared to make an informed decision and choose the plan that best meets your needs and expectations. With M-KOPA Health Cover, you can enjoy affordable, accessible health cover that gives you peace of mind.
Take the first step to your holistic health by contacting us today.
.svg)
