What Your Health Insurance Agent Needs To Know

Using a health insurance agent or broker to help you quickly find your next policy is a huge help. But you want to come to the conversation fully prepared. After all, coming unprepared could mean having to "get back to you later" on that with more information OR a long, stop-and-start call.

To get both speed and the best possible results out of a call, chat session, or personal meeting with a health insurance agent - here is how you need to prepare.

1. Review Your Past Healthcare Expenses
The purpose of health insurance is to reduce your out of pocket healthcare expenses, but in order to do that you have to first have a good basis for estimating what they will most likely be.

A lot can change in a year, and no one has a crystal ball to look into. That said, you can usually get a good idea of how much in coverable expenses you'll have by adding up how much you've had.

Your medical records, current health insurer's records, receipts you may have saved, or even just estimates based on your recollections can get you a rough estimate. Also, be sure to err on the side of caution so that unforeseeable catastrophic care is also covered.

2. Compare Out Of Pocket Costs To Premiums
If you have a current policy, take the time to examine it and find out how well it has served you so far this year. 

Maybe you notice that it took too long to meet your deductible, that your premiums were high relative to actual cost savings, or that the copayment was too high even after you met your deductible.

The only way to gauge your choice for next year is to assess how thing's have worked out this year - while taking into account any changes that will (or will likely) occur in 2020.

3. Be Ready To Give Personal Income Information
In order to get the most appropriate health plan for your needs and that fits your budget, your health insurance broker will need to have some idea of how much you can afford to pay.

You don't have to get too detailed or give out any sensitive personal information, of course, but weighing how much you can pay per month for the risk-reduction accomplished by a policy depends heavily on how much income one has to work with.

In a tight budget, every dollar is "worth" more, while greater available funds can be used to buy additional protection.

4. Study Up On Insurance Terms If You Need To
A good health insurance agent will gladly stop to clarify any insurance terminology you may not be familiar with. But it's always best to come to the table as informed as possible about how insurance works and what the key terms mean.

Doing a little research ahead of the conversation is not required, of course, but it can make the conversation roll along a bit smoother and faster. 

Going without health insurance for a whole year is a big risk, and one you can avoid. An experienced health insurance agent has the tools and motivation to examine your exact situation and to guide you in choosing or customizing your ideal policy.

To talk to an insurance agent today, pressure-free, contact Summerlin Benefits Consulting for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our agents are helpful, friendly, and available!