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Choosing A Plan
Choosing the health insurance that fits your needs can take time, but it pays to explore all your options and really think about how you may use your plan.
What benefits do you want in a plan? It helps to know what's available. Identify and prioritize the benefits most important to you.
Types of Coverage
Different health plans offer different types and levels of coverage:
Traditional Medical Care
Preventive Care
Diagnostic Services
Child Coverage
Prescription Drugs
Mental Health Services
Long-term and Rehabilitative Care
Complementary Coverage
Maternity Coverage
Dental Care
Vision Care
Hearing Care
BCBSF has a variety of options designed specifically with the benefits you need and want in a health plan. Let us help you choose the plan that's right for you.
Consider All the Costs
When you're shopping for a health insurance plan, consider all the costs, not just the premium. Your plan may have copays, deductibles, coinsurance, an out-of-pocket maximum, and a lifetime maximum that could impact your total out-of-pocket cost if you get seriously ill or injured.
| Type of Cost | Description |
|---|---|
| Copays | Your copayment, or copay, is the flat dollar amount you pay for covered products or services, often associated with physician visits, ER visits, and prescriptions. Some copays are as low as $20, while others are $50 or more. |
| Deductible | The deductible is the dollar amount you pay for covered health care services before your plan begins to pay. Typically the higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be, so you should consider the cost trade off in the event you need expensive medical care. |
| Coinsurance | Your coinsurance is the percent you pay, or your share of the costs, for covered health care services after you meet your deductible. If your coinsurance is 20%, you pay that amount and your plan pays the remaining 80%. Although you may use your annual deductible in any given year, be sure you can afford it in case you do. |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | This is the total dollar amount you will pay annually for health care before your plan pays 100% of all covered services for the rest of the year. Be prepared to pay this amount in case you require extensive care. |
| Lifetime Maximum | A plan's lifetime maximum is the total dollar amount it will pay in your lifetime. Any care you receive beyond that amount is your responsibility. Know the maximum and compare it to other plans before making your selection. |
It's a good idea to know how much you spend each year in health care so you can realistically estimate your total costs under a different plan. Remember, a low monthly premium may look good, but your total costs include potential deductible payments, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs based on how you may use your plan.
