by: Richard Keir

Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business.
You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits
and costs of each policy and each type of policy. Too often we tend
to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur
of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.

Slow down. There some important things you should do before you
start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will
make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more
likely to make a good decision.

You need to carefully consider your situation. Think about these
questions and note your answers:

What's the general state of your health?

How old are you?

Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your
medical history?

Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical needs?

Do you use tobacco? How much?

Do you drink? How much?

Are you over- or under-weight for your height, body-type and age?

Is your job hazardous?

Do you participate in any activities or sports that could affect
your health?

Now this may be unpleasant but if there's any chance an insurance
company could discover a history of drug or alcohol abuse or sexual
behavior that might put you in a high risk group, you may want to be
direct and upfront about it - especially if it's in the past. Having
a claim denied later because you had failed to disclose medical
information to the insurance company would be far more upsetting -
and very expensive. The same goes for any significant medical
condition. Insurance companies are in it to make a profit - at least
most of them are. Paying large claims isn't their favorite activity,
so they often do investigate.

If you're seeking a family policy you'll need to make the same
analysis for everyone and consider carefully what kind of coverage
you want.

Do you need dental, orthodontic, pregnancy, mental health, and/or
drug coverage? Do you need long-term care coverage, either inpatient
or in a nursing facility? Assisted living coverage? What about
traveler's or international coverage?

If there's a possibility that you may require - or want - in-home
care as opposed to a residential nursing or assisted living
facility, be sure that coverage is included and be sure you
understand exactly what you can expect to receive.

Think about deductibles and what you could afford pay to reduce your
insurance costs. But be very careful here, because medical expenses
tend to pile up quickly and reach nearly insane levels for complex
treatments or inpatient stays. Many drugs in common use are
ridiculously over-priced and depending on the specifics of your
insurance you may not be able to use the least expensive sources.

If you will end up with multiple sources of coverage, be clear about
how they fit together and what the rules are about overlapping or
combined benefits.

Once you are clear on your current situation, your (and other family
member's) medical history, and your projected needs, you can begin
looking in a organized way with a better sense of where you're going
and what will actually meet your needs. This may seem like a tedious
process, but it will serve you well in finding appropriate and
affordable health insurance and making sure your health care needs
can be met by the medical insurance you choose.

Take some time to work through these questions. Write down your
answers. Make a chart with your desired coverages and any special
conditions the policy must meet. As you look at health insurance
policies, note the rules, exclusions, information about pre-existing
conditions, any limitations, the dollar amounts covered and
especially any deductibles.

Don't try to do too much at once. If you hurry, it'll become
confusing and tiring. You may hate it (I know I do), but you really
do need to read all that fine print and understand it. That's not a
task to rush through. You might as well face up to it, because it's
a lot better to do it BEFORE you need medical services than after
you get a bill for the uncovered portion that sends you into shock.

So is it an impossible job to find health insurance that works for
you? Not at all. There's a world of resources on the internet to
help you find the policy you need. Just be sure to do your homework
first.


About the author:
Richard is a writer, educator and consultant providing services to
medical, scientific and business professionals. For more on choosing
a health insurance policy or finding the best medical plan for you,
visit http://www.aboutinsurance.info/