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Selecting a Policy
Personal Considerations | Questions
to Ask | Insurance
Definitions
Guidelines
for Selecting a Health Insurance Policy
Insurance
companies are businesses; their goal is to make money. Your
responsibility is to be an educated, informed consumer who
is able to make appropriate selections for your health insurance
coverage. The National Committee of Quality Assurance, a non-profit
organization has developed a “Health Plan Report Card” that
can assist you in your decision.1 You may obtain
a consumer guide for
your state (online resource only) at http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/.
Insurance
companies are regulated by each of the states in which they do
business. Generally, a State
Insurance Commission oversees these regulations. However, self-insured
plans are not regulated by the state; the federal law known
as ERISA or Employees Retirement and Income Security Act regulates
them. The employer of the insured runs self-insured health plans.
It is important to know if your employment-derived health insurance
coverage is a ‘self-insured’ plan. This will be useful
and important information when negotiating with your insurance
company for disability-related coverage.
1 Health Plan
Report Card. National Committee for Quality Assurance. www.healthchoices.org or
1-888-275-7585
Personal
Considerations, Questions to Ask,
and Insurance Definitions are
important contributors to your selection process: (Considering
your own circumstances, use these sections to identify and
prioritize your needs and health goals) |
Insurance
Guide
