Many decisions in your life need a lot of research and consultations with your friends and family members, and selecting the best health insurance plan is one such crucial decision. If you are not offered health insurance through your employer or work for yourself, you’ll need to find out what health services are available on your own. Due to the Affordable Care Act, many uninsured people are now getting affordable health coverage through the Marketplace programs. Here are a few quick notes about ACA-complaint programs: 

  • You are entitled to medical coverage irrespective of the pre-existing medical conditions.
  • You have the right to primary health benefits such as free preventive care, mental health coverage, and prescription medications.
  • Give additional health options to U.S. citizens, e.g., coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare.
  • There are no longer any coverage restrictions. 

So, where do you start? Considerably over the last five years, InsuranceShopping has helped millions of Americans sign up for a health plan through the ACA’s Marketplace. While providing medical care services, we’ve learned what questions citizens ask and what concerns they have when selecting a health insurance plan. The following are the three most important factors to consider:  

1) Your monthly spending plan

This is typically the first important decision you will need to make. Many people struggle to make ends meet and can only pay a specific amount per month for health insurance. So, think about how much money you can put aside every month and then select a program that fits within your budget. 

It’s also important to know that 8 out of 10 individuals who signed up for Marketplace plans get discounts on their monthly premiums. You can also check your eligibility for these plans and see how much you can save by clicking here. 

2) Your service providers

If you have already decided on the doctor and health center, you will want to determine if they accept the program you’re considering. If they do, it means they participate in your plan’s network, and you will pay less for the medical care services. If they don’t, they’re “out-of-network,” which means you could end up paying a lot more. Before enlisting in a new health plan, make sure your physician or hospital accepts the plan.

You can find out more about various networks like PPOs and HMOs on this page.

3) Medical care needs

Not everyone can predict the type of coverage they will need throughout the year. Consider the following questions to help you determine what kind of care you may need:

  • How often will I visit my primary care physician?
  • Do I need to see a specialist, and if so, how often?
  • Is it necessary for me to take any prescription medications?
  • How often will I have to go to the hospital?
  • Will I need any lab tests, x-rays, or other screenings?

If you answer these questions, you will be able to figure out how much you’ll pay under each plan for the entire year. If you use InsuranceShopping.com, we’ll recommend the most cost-effective strategy based on the health services you need. In addition, you can take a glance at the projected costs for these benefits.

It’s also worth noting that all ACA-compliant plans provide preventive care services at no cost to you. That means you can start using these free services as soon as you sign up for a Marketplace health plan.