Questions to ask before choosing a Medical Insurance plan

When you’re choosing a medical insurance plan, you may have a lot of questions. Get Medical Insurance helps you find the right questions to ask when choosing a medical insurance plan. 

What are my healthcare needs?

Before you begin comparing medical insurance plans and policies, it’s important to assess your current health status and expected healthcare needs. Here are a few things to consider:

• Chronic conditions: Do you have any chronic conditions that require regular treatment?
• Expected medical procedures: Are you planning any major medical procedures in the near future?
• Regular medical treatment: How often do you visit your doctor? It helps to know, for example, how many times a year you visit your doctor for medical advice, treatment, and support. 
• Prescription medication: Do you have any prescription medications that you need to take every day, or on a regular basis? This is particularly important to find out, as you would ideally like to have your prescription medication covered by your medical insurance plan. 

Once you know your healthcare needs, this will help you choose the best medical insurance plan to ensure they are covered. 

What does the Medical Insurance plan cover? 

Now that you know the level of medical insurance cover you’ll need, you can start to compare medical insurance plans. We’ve made it easy to define typical questions you can ask about what the medical insurance plans you’re looking at cover. Consider these questions:

• What medical services and treatments are included in the plan?
• Are there any exclusions or limitations?
• Does the medical insurance plan cover preventive care, such as annual check-ups and vaccinations?
• Does the medical insurance plan provide cover for mental health services, maternity care, or specialised treatments?

What is the provider network like? 

Medical insurance plans are typically connected to a network of medical care and treatment providers. Examine the provider network carefully, as this can influence your choice in medical insurance plan. Consider whether your current doctor is included in the provider network. Assess the provider network in terms of how extensive it is. Find out if specialist medical treatment providers are members of the provider network. If you often have to travel for work, are you sufficiently covered by medical practitioners across the country who are part of the provider network? 

What are the costs for a Medical Insurance plan? 

Now that you know your healthcare needs, expected coverage, and more about the provider network, let’s assess what you’ll be paying every month for medical insurance. While some of these questions may seem somewhat difficult to answer, your medical insurance plan brochure should provide you with enough information to make a good decision that suits your budget. 

• What is the monthly premium?
• What is the annual deductible?
• Are there copayments for medical services?
• What is the out-of-pocket maximum?
• How do the costs compare for in-network vs. out-of-network care?

Does this Medical Insurance plan have any additional benefits? 

Many medical insurance plans offer you additional benefits. These could include discounts on wellness programmes or gym memberships, free legal advice, financial advice, or virtual consultations. 

How easy is it to claim from the Medical Insurance plan? 

You need to know how to file a claim, and track its progress with your medical insurance plan. If your medical insurance plan has a mobile application, this can be extra helpful and make life easy when submitting claims. 

Does this Medical Insurance plan have waiting periods? 

Some medical insurance plans have waiting periods, limitations, or restrictions, often linked to pre-existing conditions. Make sure you know if any waiting periods or exclusions apply to you before you sign up for a medical insurance plan.

How flexible is the Medical Insurance plan? 

Flexibility is key when choosing the right medical insurance plan for you. Life changes rapidly, and your medical insurance plan should make it easy for you to adapt your coverage. Find out how to add or remove dependents, and what the process is for increasing or decreasing your coverage. 

What do other people say about this Medical Insurance plan? 

Finally, find out more about your medical insurance plan’s reputation, registration, and customer service. Research your chosen medical insurance provider online, or ask around to see if your friends and family have had a good experience with the one you’ve selected. The more you know about their customer service, the easier it is to make the right choice.

Now that you’re ready to choose your medical insurance plan, Get Medical Insurance can help.