Why Do We Care So Much About Making Sure You’re Covered?

Not only are you gambling every day that you don’t have health insurance, but you’re putting your loved ones at risk as well. Medical collectors can go after your family if your bills are left unpaid after an accident or illness, or at the time of your death. We don’t believe in scare tactics, but we do believe it’s important that people are aware of the risks of having no insurance, or bare bones insurance. Unfortunately, we have seen some sad situations in our industry far too often. So we want to make sure people realize how critical health coverage really is.

If getting better health insurance means you need to cut back in other areas, and you’re able to do that—you will feel so much better knowing you aren’t one emergency room visit away from financial disaster.

Give us a call at 847-414-6621. We can look at a variety of different options and find a solution that works for you.

Common health insurance mistakes can lead to financial and healthcare coverage problems.

1. Not Understanding Your Policy:
   • Mistake: Failing to thoroughly read and understand your health insurance policy.
   • Solution: Take the time to review your policy, paying attention to coverage limits, exclusions, and any out-of-pocket costs. Contact your insurance provider for clarification if needed.
2. Choosing the Wrong Plan:
   • Mistake: Selecting a health insurance plan without considering your specific healthcare needs.
   • Solution: Evaluate your medical history, current health status, and potential future needs to choose a plan that best fits your requirements. Consider factors like premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
3. Not Updating Information:
   • Mistake: Neglecting to update your insurance provider about changes in personal information.
   • Solution: Notify your insurer about changes in address, marital status, or employment. This ensures you receive important communications and that your coverage accurately reflects your situation.
4. Skipping Preventive Care:
   • Mistake: Avoiding preventive care due to concerns about costs or time.
   • Solution: Most health insurance plans cover preventive services without cost-sharing. Regular check-ups and screenings can catch health issues early, potentially saving you money in the long run.
5. Ignoring Network Restrictions:
   • Mistake: Using out-of-network healthcare providers without understanding the potential extra costs.
   • Solution: Be aware of your insurance network and try to use in-network providers to avoid higher out-of-pocket expenses. In emergency situations, focus on getting immediate care, but contact your insurer afterward to discuss coverage.
6. Not Verifying Coverage:
   • Mistake: Assuming a service or medication is covered without verifying with your insurance provider.
   • Solution: Confirm coverage for specific treatments, medications, or procedures before undergoing them. Insurance coverage can vary, and assumptions can lead to unexpected expenses.
7. Missing Open Enrollment:
   • Mistake: Not participating in open enrollment and missing the chance to update or change your health insurance plan.
   • Solution: Pay attention to open enrollment periods and take the time to reassess your healthcare needs and make necessary adjustments to your coverage.
8. Overlooking Prescription Drug Coverage:
   • Mistake: Neglecting to review and understand your prescription drug coverage.
   • Solution: Check the formulary (list of covered drugs) of your health insurance plan. Ensure your necessary medications are covered and understand any associated costs.
9. Ignoring Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):
   • Mistake: Underutilizing or neglecting the benefits of HSAs or FSAs.
   • Solution: Take advantage of tax-advantaged accounts to save money for qualified medical expenses. Understand the contribution limits and eligible expenses for these accounts.
10. Not Appealing Denied Claims:
    • Mistake: Accepting denied claims without investigating or appealing.
    • Solution: If a claim is denied, review the denial reason and gather any necessary supporting documents. Many denials can be successfully appealed with additional information.

Avoiding these common health insurance mistakes can help you make the most of your coverage and minimize unexpected expenses. Regularly reviewing your policy and staying informed about your benefits can contribute to better financial and healthcare outcomes.