Tips on How to Choose Quality Medical Insurance Quotes
Sorting through the options of medical insurance quotes can feel like finding your way out of a hay maze. The problem most people face is that they have no roadmap or guide on how to make an informed decision on a health care plan that’s unique to their life situation. During this season of open enrollment, eIndividualHealth.com has provided proven tips to consider before choosing individual medical insurance plans, and even questions to ask before selecting a doctor and a hospital.
“In order to make informed decisions and select a medical insurance quotes that will help you stay healthy and treat you when you are ill, there are certain questions you should ask,” shares Kelley Jensen with eIndividualHealth.com. “Thoroughly doing your homework when it comes to the medical care you choose can pay off big in the long run.”
If you have a choice of health plans, it’s important to evaluate them carefully by asking the following questions:
What do current members think of the <a href=”http://www.eindividualhealth.com/quote.php”><b>Medical Insurance Quotes</a></b>? One of the best ways to learn about a plan is to find out what existing members think about it. Consumer satisfaction data is readily available to consumers in the form of a series of surveys called the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans (CAHPS). To receive these reports, check with the health care provider.
Does the plan do a good job of preventing as well as treating illnesses? Performance and quality measures are reported in the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS). Contact your State Department of Health or insurance commissioner’s office for HEDIS information on a particular health plan.
Is the plan accredited? Many plans choose to be reviewed and accredited to be given a “seal of approval” from various organizations that review and rate <a href=”http://www.eindividualhealth.com/quote.php”><b>Medical Insurance Quotes</a></b> quality.
Other questions you should ask include the following: Does the plan provide preventive services to help keep people well? Does the plan have the doctors and hospitals I want as well as provide the benefits I need? Do the doctors, pharmacies, and other services in the plan have convenient times and locations? Does the plan meet my budget?
Choosing a quality physician requires a great deal of care and consideration as well. If you are not currently enrolled in an individual medical insurance plan, you may want to select your doctor first and then choose a plan that includes your doctor. Decide what you want and need in a doctor by reviewing the following questions about Medical Insurance Quotes:
Has he/she been rated highly by a consumer group?
Does the doctor have experience with my condition(s)?
Does he/she have privileges at a certain hospital?
The American Medical Association (AMA) can provide information on training, specialties, and board certification about many licensed doctors in the United States by calling 312-464-5000 or using the Physician Select feature on the AMA’s Web site at http://www.ama-assn.org. It’s also wise to contact the doctors’ office to confirm that the doctor is covered by your plan and is taking new patients. Ask any other relevant questions to determine if the doctor will fit your needs. If necessary, ask to speak directly to the doctor over the phone or in person.
When selecting a hospital, it’s important to keep the following questions in mind, even if you don’t have a choice due to your current health plan or physician constraints.
How does the hospital compare with others in my area? Look at hospital reports compiled by your state or by local consumer groups, and don’t hesitate to ask your doctor his or her opinion about a particular hospital.
Has the hospital had success with my condition? Ask your doctor how often the hospital treats your condition and the hospital’s success rate.
How well does the hospital check and improve on its own quality of care? Ask the hospital quality management department how it monitors and improves its quality of care and ask to receive patient satisfaction surveys.