Finding St Petersburg, FL Health Insurance isn’t complicated. Though some aspects of looking for health care coverage may be overwhelming, it is a lot easier if you follow some simple tips. Following these tips can help you save money, save time, and find the health care coverage you need for you and your Florida family by identifying the most important factors of getting health insurance in St. Petersburg.
Tip #1: Know The Factors That Increase Premiums
The majority of the costs that the insurer pays towards health insurance coverage is the monthly premium. There are many factors that go into determining what a person’s premium will be but there are situations that make premiums even higher. Being aware of these can help you lower your premium.
Lifestyle habits are one thing that increases premiums. Those who are overweight are more likely to develop health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, so premiums for the overweight and obese are higher. Smokers are more likely to develop health problems such as cancer and emphysema so health insurance premiums for smokers are much higher. These are just two of many factors that the insured can control and change in order to avoid a higher premium.
Another factor that increases premiums is a desire of a lot of extra types of coverage such as over the boarder travel, elective surgery coverage, fertility treatment coverage, and weight loss or plastic surgery coverage. These types of coverage are usually provided for by a rider. Monthly premiums sky rocket when these types of coverage are added. You may want to consider how much you need this coverage and decide if saving money for a procedure may be better in the long run.
Tip #2: Get Inclusive Prescription Coverage
Prescription drugs make up about 13% of overall insurance costs. Though this percentage may seem high, going without proper prescription coverage can leave you standing with a heavy bill in the end. What is meant by inclusive prescription coverage is coverage that includes generic drug coverage. Some plans only cover name brand drugs which will make for a higher premium and more paid out of pocket by the insured.
Having inclusive prescription coverage not only lowers your cost but it also gives you more options. You want to have the flexibility to be able to get the prescriptions your provider recommends whether name brand or generic. You want to be able to change from one to the other if a certain prescription isn’t working for you. Having inclusive prescription coverage gives you these options.
Tip #3: Compare Companies
Comparing companies is one of the best ways to make sure you are getting the type of St Petersburg health insurance coverage you need for a price you can afford. Shopping around can help you see what each company has to offer and how much it will cost. You can use the comparison tool on this page to compare quotes and rates from some top companies right now. This will get you started, but if you have additional questions, you can call one of our independent agents to help you find the coverage that is right for you.
Once you Florida have health insurance, you can still shop around and compare prices. Every year before it is time to renew your health insurance, you should take the time to compare some rates and coverage from other companies. This will let you know if you are still getting your best deal.
Tip #4: Know The Rules
When shopping for health insurance in St. Petersburg, make sure you know the rules of a company before you go with them. For example, you should know what the penalties and grace period is should your monthly premium be late or if you are unable to pay your premium. Some companies will cancel your insurance after just one day while others will give you a grace period. If your insurance is cancelled you may have to pay fees and complete more paperwork to have coverage reinstated.
Also, find out what the choices are when it comes to providers. Most insurance companies have restrictions on what providers or what network you can be seen under. You will want to know the cost involved if you choose to go outside of the coverage area.
You will also need to find out what to do if you need to see a specialist. Some insurance companies require a referral from your primary care physician while others require a waiting period. The specialist you are able to see may also be restricted to a certain network. These are all things you will want to know before you sign on the dotted line. Knowing the rules will help you avoid additional costs.
Free St Petersburg Health Insurance Quotes
When looking for health insurance in St. Petersburg, Florida, the most important thing to remember is that you can find coverage that is right for you and your family. By following these four simple tips, you can save time and money when buying FL health insurance coverage. Use the quote tool provided on this page and you can take action without delay. Get started with some free St Petersburg health insurance quotes today!