If you have just turned 26, then you are in the unenviable position of searching for your own health insurance coverage. Navigating the landscape of premiums, policies, and plans might seem daunting if it is your first-time shopping for health insurance. However, knowing your options will help you to narrow down your choices and get the right health insurance plan for your needs as a young adult.
Health Insurance Options For People Under 30
1. Parent’s Plan – if you are below the age of 26, you can get coverage under your parent’s insurance plan. This is true even if you do not live at home, are not in school, or are financially independent. If you are married and under 26, you can still get coverage under your parent’s insurance plan.
2. Shop For Your Own Plan – on your 26th birthday, the coverage that you enjoyed under your parent’s plan will end. This means that you have to apply for the right coverage for your needs. At marketplaces you can get lower monthly premiums depending on the plan that you choose.
3. Catastrophic Plans – if you are below 30 years of age and healthy, you can buy special health insurance plans that will protect you from high medical costs. Such plans, known as catastrophic plans, guard against the worst-case scenario and have lower premiums. In the marketplace, such a plan covers up to three doctor appointments per annum at no cost.
Ensure That Your Plan Covers What It Needs To
Do you have a doctor that you like? You should ensure that the doctor is within the network of your health insurance cover’s preferred practitioners.
Or if you require regular dental appointments with your Dentist in Indialantic, do also have a check if they are listed in the network as well. Going out of network under an HMO plan will get expensive fast and out-of-network costs do not apply to your out-of-pocket maximums or your deductibles. This means that if you want to access benefits such as vision care of acupuncture, you should opt for a plan that covers them.
Consider A Trade-Off Between Lower Deductibles And Higher Premiums
If you are strong and healthy, a high-deductible plan might be the best option for you. This is because you will not visit the doctor numerous times, which means that you will not be racking up many expenses. In such a case, you need to lower your premiums to reduce your overall costs.
However, if you have a known health issue and you require specific medications, a plan with high deductibles will not be sensible. Because of the high costs, you need an insurance plan that will kick in early. This means that you have to go with a high-premium plan with low deductible.
Know The Difference Between PPO & HMO
HMO plans are meant for managed care: they offer low premiums in exchange for reduced flexibility. This means that you have to see doctors within your network or get a referral from your primary physician if you want to see a specialist. On the other hand, PPOs offer higher costs and more flexibility.
With a PPO, you can see any doctor that you like even those that are outside the network of preferred practitioners. The best solution is to find an HMO with your preferred doctor to avoid paying higher premiums. Ultimately, it depends on your needs and the things on which you are willing to compromise.
Consider An HSA-Eligible Plan
You first have to find out whether you qualify for tax subsidies because your income is not the only determining factor. If you fall between 300% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you have to contribute 9.69% of your total income to healthcare costs. If you are not eligible for subsidies, you should consider getting an HSA-eligible plan.
This plan allows you to save money that will earn tax-free interest and withdraw it whenever you need to pay out-of-pocket costs. To qualify for an HSA, you have to apply for a high deductible plan and pay at least 1,300 dollars. If you are young and do not have many health issues, these plans allow you to enjoy medical coverage without having to pay high monthly premiums.
Whenever you put money into your HSA, you are lowering your taxable income and making yourself more eligible for tax subsidies.
Take Advantage Of Free Benefits
If you are young and have a plan with high deductibles, it might feel like you are not getting anything for your insurance premiums. This is why you need to take advantage of all benefits of an ACA-compliant plan: gym membership reimbursements, immunizations, and annual health check-ups.
Get Health Insurance At All Ages
Health insurance shopping is not fun, but you need to get the right plan for your needs. Moreover, getting the best coverage is a safeguard against financial ruin, as most people who file for bankruptcy do so because of healthcare costs. If you are young and healthy, you need to choose a high-deductible and low-premium plan.
I hope you enjoyed this article about ways to get adequate and affordable health insurance coverage if you're under 30 years old.
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