- What benefits are included?
Ask if the plan covers vision care, dental, prescriptions, or other routine services.
- Can I still see my current doctor?
If it is important to you that you continue to see your doctor, ask for a list of in-network doctors to see if yours will be covered in the plan. Ask about potential limitations with choosing your doctors or hospitals.
- What type of plan is it? (HMO or PPO?)
A health maintenance organization (HMO) can give you access to certain doctors and hospitals under contract with the HMO who have agreed to lower rates for plan members. Through a preferred provider organization (PPO), you are offered a wider network of providers and usually more coverage, but the plan is more expensive.
- How long do I have to wait before the plan starts?
Sometimes there is a waiting period before you are covered under your company’s plan, leaving you without insurance. Ask your employer if there are resources to help you get signed up for a short-term health insurance policy such as COBRA.
- What are the restrictions on pre-existing conditions?
If you or a family member has a chronic condition, it is important to learn if there are limitations with how much coverage the plan will offer you.
- Am I covered while traveling?
You can’t predict when you will get sick. If you were to get sick while traveling for work, would you be covered?
- Does the plan include a deductible? How much will it cost?
A deductible is the amount that the insured employee must pay before the insurance company will start covering claims. This means, until you reach your deductible, you will pay for all of your medical expenses. Once your deductible is reached, the insurance company cover your health care services according to the specific benefits of the plan for the rest of that year.
- Will my family or spouse be covered?
It is good to know if your family will need separate insurance plans. Sometimes it could be less expensive or more convenient to have your family on a separate insurance plan.