It is important to save money on Employee Health Insurance. It’s not easy to figure out how to save money. There are different strategies to follow. Let’s take a look on the ways to control the cost of the Insurance.
- Make sure you are familiar with all of the rules of your employee health insurance plan, and that you follow them. Each plan will have rules of regulations of pre-authorization and providers networks. If you don’t stick to the rules you may find that you don’t have coverage for your treatment. Do not make assumptions about the plan. You must read your policy terms and feel free to ask questions from policy provider representative. Remember that a lack of information can cost you money.
- You may be able to opt out of certain coverage features that you do not need. There are certain services like Mental health services, chiropractic services, and maternity stays, are not required for many people. In some states, employee health insurance companies are allowed to offer insurance policies that include only mandated items of coverage. You can save money from these policies.
- Be prepared for emergencies by becoming familiar with the full aspects of your health insurance coverage. If when an accident occurs you are familiar with which hospitals and physicians are included in your network, you will be in a better position to make confident decisions in an emergency. This information should be kept handy in case you need it quickly.
- Saving money on prescription costs will help your overall health insurance strategy. There are typically eligibility requirements for programs such as these as they are primarily designed for those with low income or no insurance coverage.
- Do you have any bad habits? If you quit smoking you will become a more desirable candidate for insurance coverage. Smokers automatically pay higher premiums. You want to see immediate results, as it may take about 3 years to qualify for better rates enjoyed by non smokers.
- Exercise, and get fit. The obese will pay more premium than smokers, the aged, or alcoholics. Getting fit will surely benefit you and let your life span more healthy. Healthy people experience less stress also.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE AFTER 30
Different kinds of medical health cover are appropriate at different times of life. From 30 years of age, preventative activities take on more importance such as gym memberships, massage, acupuncture and other extras. Whilst these may not be important in your 20s, including them in your employee health insurance premiums after 30 becomes important.
If you have not “settled down” in your twenties, the thirties is a decade when most people are likely to start thinking about a family. It is also an age at which you are better able to afford more comprehensive health cover. The insurers are keen to get the mid-20s to 30-somethings on board as; generally speaking, they are still fairly fit and healthy.
COMPULSORY PRIVATE COVER
As well as the extras and family considerations from age 30 there is another important aspect of health cover to be aware of. Over the age of 30, the Government charges a penalty, if you do not have private health insurance. Each year a person is over 30 and without private health insurance, a two percent loading is added to the eventual cost of their premium capped at a maximum of 70 percent.
Those who have purchased private health insurance before their 31st birthday, and maintain their cover, may be offered loyalty bonuses by their insurer for being a long-term customer. As well, the Australian Government rewards those who have had 10 year’s continuous private health insurance membership with the removal of the loading.
WHAT’S IT COST?
An average private health insurance policy, providing basic hospital cover and mid-range extras, can cost between $60 and $100 a month. Basic hospital cover often takes care of things like transportation in an ambulance, pregnancy and birth-related needs, major eye surgery and hip and knee joint replacements.
The top of the line benefit cover may include full cover for hospital accommodation, no excess on day surgery and night stays in hospital, and extras cover for optical, dental, orthodontic and chiropractic needs.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE & PLANNING A PREGNANCY
For those wanting to start a family, there is only one piece of advice to remember: get in early (pun fully intended).
Take out your cover well in advance of falling pregnant, as there are often penalties and fees early in your coverage. Most funds have a waiting period of at least two months before any cover actually begins and for pregnancy this waiting period is typically 12 months.
If you’re going to play it by the numbers, and you like a little risk, this means it would be wise to wait at least four months after buying your insurance before falling pregnant, so that your baby will arrive after the waiting period has concluded. Obviously, the less of a gambler you are, the longer you want to wait, as many babies are born premature.
