If you are looking for medical insurance, the good news is that you have several options. The bad news is that there are many, many plans available, and it can be difficult to determine which one is best for you. Here are some easy steps to sign up for a medical plan:
1. Determine how much coverage you need
The first step in choosing a medical plan is figuring out how much coverage you need. This can be tricky because there are so many different types of plans and insurance companies offering them. You need coverage that meets your specific needs — at an affordable price. You’ll want to look at two main types of plans: health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Both types offer comprehensive coverage but differ in cost, flexibility, and access to care: HMOs are more restrictive than PPOs regarding the doctors and hospitals patients can use. However, HMOs are cheaper than PPOs because they don’t offer as much flexibility regarding where patients go for care.
2. Choose your level of coverage
When shopping for medical insurance, you’ll need to choose your level of coverage. There are four basic types of plans:
The bronze plan is the least expensive option, but it comes with high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that can add up quickly.
Silver is the most popular and has a lower deductible than bronze plans.
Gold plans have the lowest deductibles and out-of-pocket costs among individual health insurance plans.
Platinum plans have even lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs than gold plans.
3. Get quotes from different insurers
The best way to get quotes is online, where many websites are dedicated to helping consumers compare plans. You can also call up an insurer directly. Compare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs. If you qualify for a California Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll pay less out-of-pocket for your health care than traditional Medicare. Once you’re armed with various quotes from different insurers, you can focus on what matters most: cost. You’ll also want to consider out-of-pocket costs — that is, the amount of money you spend for covered services before your insurance company starts paying its share — as well as deductibles, which are the amount of money you pay before your insurance kicks in for covered services.
Some people prefer to get quotes and sign up for coverage online, while others like the personal touch of talking to an insurance agent in person or over the phone. If you want to go this route, make sure you find someone licensed by the state and has access to all the carriers’ plans — not just one or two companies products. Some agents also offer access to employer-sponsored plans, which may be cheaper than individual coverage if your employer provides it at a lower cost than buying on your own.
4. Get your eligibility documents
You can start by getting the documents you need to apply for coverage. These include:
Proof of citizenship or legal residency. This can be a birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, or naturalization certificate.
Proof of income. You’ll need to provide documents showing your total household income for the past three months and proof of any government assistance received during that period. If you’re applying through your employer, they can send us their verification of income instead of requiring you to submit paperwork.
Your Social Security Number (SSN). To sign up for medical coverage, you must have a valid SSN and provide it on your application form. If you don’t have an SSN yet but will soon receive one (such as when you become eligible for Medicare), let us know in advance so we can help make sure your coverage starts on time. You may also need proof of residency (a copy of a recent utility bill with your name on it) if you plan to enroll in an individual plan outside Open Enrollment or if you’re switching from one marketplace insurance plan to another.
5. Answer questions about your health history
If you’re applying for a health insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, there are several questionnaires that you’ll need to answer. The application process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours, depending on how long it takes you to complete each questionnaire. Once you finish answering all the questions, the marketplace will calculate how much your monthly premium will be and what your tax credit will be if you are eligible for one.
Now that you know the basics, you are ready to sign up for a medical plan. If you follow the above steps and choose an affordable healthcare plan, you will be covered the next time you get sick or injured and have to see a doctor or visit a hospital.