6 Key Ways Your Health Insurance Agent Can Assist You

If you've ever gone through the experience of searching for an individual health insurance policy on your own, you know how confusing and even frustrating it can be.

If you get your health insurance through your employee, that may simplify things to a degree, but you still will be faced with numerous complex issues all at once if you search for a policy online or even if you go to sign up at a physical office.

It's true you can do some research on your own and utilize government exchange "navigators", but for most people, that still leaves something lacking. A personal health insurance agent, however, can change the equation and greatly simplify and speed up the process of locating your ideal health insurance.

Here are 6 ways a health insurance agent can assist you:

1. "Translating" Policy Details
Those who don't work in the health insurance industry can easily get overwhelmed by the constant use of numerous insurance terms. Sometimes this lingo piles up in a single sentence and makes you stop for minutes on end trying to figure it out.

An agent can "translate" insurance talk into regular English and help you to compare and contrast policy features in a truly informed way.

They can also work through real life example scenarios to show how much you would save or still pay under the terms of different policies.

2. Explaining Bronze, Silver, Gold, & Platinum
Besides all the other factors you need to take into consideration on the exchange, you'll be faced with the choice of 4 ACA "tiers:" bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.

A health insurance agent will know how to help you make an informed decision on which tier fits you needs and budget best. They can help you find that perfect balance between premiums, deductibles, and copays.

3. Alerting You To Subsidies
A well trained health insurance agent will alert you to the full scope of your available government subsidies.

Missing out on subsidies because you weren't aware of them or suffering negative impacts because you over or underestimate your income for the year ahead can be avoided by following tips your agent can suggest to you.

4. Finding Non-exchange Plans
Only a licensed agent will be able to steer you to worthwhile health insurance plans that aren't on the government exchange. A government navigator simply can't do that.

Your agent may be able to direct you to a non-exchange plan that won't subject you to a tax penalty and still meets your needs.

5. Making Recommendations
Again, government navigators are not allowed to make recommendations to you as to which plan might suit you best. They are legally limited in that regard - but not health insurance agents.

Your agent won't push you into a particular plan, but he or she can make specific recommendations to you that might prove very helpful.

6. Helping You Post-enrollment
Finally, you can use the same agent every year when you go to re-enroll. You can also contact him/her with questions post-enrollment and ask assistance with any problems that may come up later.

You aren't just helped once and then "pushed out the door." You have a listening ear and a helpful source of sound advice as a go-to down the road.

To learn more about how health insurance agents can help you choose the best insurance, contact Summerlin Benefits Consulting today!