Image credit: www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/erdikocak
Picking your health insurance can seem tricky. You have a lot of different health insurance options available and they can all offer a variety of things. Knowing what to pick can seem daunting. But don’t give up! You can secure your health insurance with these simple tips.
Before we venture into the different things that help you choose, it is important to mention that finding health insurance is important. You often need health insurance to work and live in countries like the UAE. But even when health insurance isn’t mandatory, you still want to consider getting it. Having health insurance can help you recover from an illness and injury. It can also ensure your sickness doesn’t create financial problems. Treatment can be very costly without insurance. When you are sick you don’t want to have to deal with money issues. So make sure you shop for health insurance to help you live a happier and healthier life!
Let’s look at the different things you need to know about buying health insurance.
1. Consider your needs
You need to start by thinking about your healthcare needs. Your health insurance can look different if you have pre-existing conditions to think about, for example. You can also choose between family plans and individual health insurance policies. It is a good idea to start by thinking about all the different things you want and need. This will make it easier to shop around for policies, as you’ll know when a policy is not for you just by looking at what it offers.
2. Calculate the cost
You should also understand the cost of your health insurance. Now health insurance companies can offer very different types of policy plans in the UAE. It is a mistake to focus only on the premiums. These are the annual or monthly payments you make. But they aren’t the only factor in terms of costs.
You also need to consider the deductibles and the coverage. You should be aware of the limit of making a claim and how much the policy actually covers. All health insurances will require you to make some of the payments yourself before the policy kicks in – at least in most cases. Therefore, you might actually end up having to pay more when you get sick.
Consider all the different factors when you are calculating the cost. You don’t want to just pick the cheapest insurance in terms of premiums. This might make you pay more in the long term, especially if the policy doesn’t provide adequate cover.
3. Understand the claim process
When it comes to understanding your health insurance, the claim process is important. This refers to the steps you need to take to make a claim when you get sick. Different health insurance companies have different procedures. You want to understand the process before buying into a plan because it can affect the insurance’s suitability. You don’t want to go with a company with a complicated and lengthy claims process.
4. Check for waiting periods
Your health insurance may come with a waiting period. This is a time during which you can’t make a claim if you are diagnosed with certain conditions. For example, you might have a 12 month waiting period for cancer treatment from the moment you get the health insurance. The length of the waiting period varies from insurer to insurer. Different insurance companies can also include different conditions and treatments on the waiting period. It is a good idea to check the list and make sure you understand what the waiting period is to prepare for any problems.
5. Look out for extras
Most health insurances come with unique features. One of these is the option for free medical checkups. These can be helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You want to make sure to dig deep into your police offerings so that you can make the most out of your policy.
Keep an eye out for different wellness programs. Insurance companies sometimes offer wellness programs to help you stay healthy. These can help you maintain a healthy diet or join a gym for discounted prices.
6. Check the network hospitals
Health insurance companies tend to work with specific healthcare providers. Therefore, you can’t usually just go to any GP or hospital for treatment. You should definitely pay attention to which doctors and medical facilities your insurance covers. This way you can make sure you pick a provider that has facilities close to you. You should also know the network hospitals for emergencies. If you get into trouble, then you want to make sure you end up in a hospital that is covered by your insurance.
7. Go for lifetime renewal
As we get older, we are more likely to require healthcare. Insurance usually costs more for older people. Some policy options might not even be available as you old. When you are picking out healthcare insurance, you should opt for a policy that offers lifetime renewal. This guarantees you don’t run out of health insurance or have to go shopping for a cheaper policy later down the line.
8. Don’t forget to compare afterwards
The most important thing is to have health insurance. When you are looking for a policy, the above tips can help you secure a good policy. Comparing different options is essential to ensure you find affordable and effective health insurance. But you shouldn’t just buy a policy and forget about it. You want to regularly look around and see if your health insurance is working for you. Your healthcare needs can change along with your financial situation. Make it a habit to look around and comparing health insurance. This ensures you can swap policies if needed. You’ll end up saving a lot of money and enjoying the best benefits of health insurance.
The bottom line
Securing health insurance is an important part of looking after your health. Make sure you go through the above points as you shop around for insurance. They can help you find the best health insurance for you and your family.
