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Health Insurance  (Expert Forum)
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Individual Insurance - Questions to ask before enroll
Answered by
Amir Mostafaie - health insurance, insurance
eHealthInsurance Gold River - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding health insurance issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, Long-term health insurance, COBRA, insurance portability.

Individual Insurance - Questions to ask before enroll

by venkat2ganesh, Dec 12, 2008 09:03AM
Hi,

I am 31 years old and currently in group coverage provided by my employer. I am planning to change to a Individual insurance.
Right now my employer charging $250 (Bi-weekly, my contribution)

We are 3 members in my family (including me). my wife is 26 years and my kid is 18 months.

Question is,
1.which company provides best individual insurance (affordable cost & best coverage)

2.What are the questions I need to ask a provider while enrolling and inquiry (please include hidden things, which providers won't mention in plan highlights )

Note: I request posters to please be clear about the second question. Please post all questions that you asked (or you missed to ask and relized that later)

Right now I am in Texas.

by Amir Mostafaie, Dec 12, 2008 07:31PM
To: venkat2ganesh
Dear venkat2ganesh,

It’s hard to make a specific recommendation without knowing more about your situation, but there’s a lot to choose from in Texas and if you and your family are young and relatively healthy there are some very affordable options.  

I am wondering why you are planning to change your coverage from group that is very comprehensive to Individual.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that as young as you are, is there a possibility that your wife & you may want to have more children? If that is case, I have to warn you that in Texas there aren’t any individual plans that offer comprehensive maternity coverage.

If you are trying to save on premiums, your best bet is to talk to a licensed agent that works with most of the leading carriers (like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, etc) in Texas. You can contact a local agent or go to an online agency like the one I work at (www.eHealthInsurance.com) and look at your options. You can then call one of the licensed agents with your questions and even apply online if you find a plan you like.

Topics you want to ask about;
- Maternity, if there is a chance you may have more kids,
- Life time maximum, you want to get at least $5000,000 per member,
- And any other benefits that are important to you!

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie



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