| Do you know the actual cost of your health | | | | percentage will usually increase when he or she goes |
| insurance?Everyone knows that health insurance | | | | outside the network. Also when the claim exceeds |
| costs are continually rising, but how do these spiraling | | | | what the insurance company deems "reasonable and |
| costs affect your health insurance coverage? You | | | | customary," the difference is another form of |
| know how much you pay every month for your | | | | co-insurance that you must pay.Comparing |
| health insurance premium, so it's easy to know when | | | | QuotesMake sure you fully understand these health |
| this cost goes up. But what about all the other costs | | | | insurance costs. Ask about them when requesting |
| involved with health insurance?Before you're hit with | | | | quotes, especially online health insurance quotes. |
| an unexpectedly large medical bill, find out about the | | | | When comparing quotes from different insurance |
| hidden costs of your health insurance.The | | | | companies, it's essential to know all your costs, not |
| PremiumThe premium is the amount you'll pay for the | | | | just the premium. Make sure the person preparing |
| benefits covered under your health insurance plan. | | | | your quote clearly defines the deductible amount and |
| The premium is typically broken down into equal | | | | whether there are separate deductibles for different |
| monthly payments. If you've got group insurance, | | | | types of services, the co-payment amount and the |
| your employer or union is probably sharing some | | | | co-insurance amounts. Also, ask the rep to describe |
| percentage of this cost.The DeductibleIf your health | | | | any other costs that may not be readily |
| insurance policy includes an annual deductible, you | | | | apparent.Holding Down Your CostsThere are a |
| need to understand the details. A deductible is an | | | | number of ways you can help control costs once you |
| amount you are responsible for paying before the | | | | have selected a health insurance plan. If yours is a |
| insurance company begins paying out claims. As with | | | | "managed care plan," be sure to stay within your |
| car insurance, the higher your deductible, the lower | | | | network. If you can choose any medical care |
| your monthly premium and vice versa. A family health | | | | professional, be sure that the provider's fees for the |
| insurance plan typically includes multiple deductibles, | | | | services you'll need fall within your insurance |
| one for each family member.The Co-PaymentA | | | | company's "reasonable and customary" guidelines. If |
| co-payment is a fixed amount you have to pay each | | | | not, shop around for a less expensive provider.Other |
| time you visit the doctor. The co-payment amount | | | | tips for keeping health insurance costs at a minimum |
| will depend on the type of health plan you have. | | | | include choosing a healthier lifestyle and seeking |
| Typically, an HMO will have the lowest co-payment. | | | | medical care only when absolutely necessary. After |
| The co-payment can increase, however, for different | | | | that health care costs are largely beyond the |
| types of medical service or if you visit a doctor or | | | | individual's control. The best medical advice would be, |
| hospital outside the | | | | don't get an ulcer worrying about them.Ron King is a |
| network.Co-InsuranceCo-Insurance is the amount of | | | | full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit |
| a claim that the insured is responsible for paying, | | | | healthinsuring to learn more about this |
| once the deductible has been met. A typical ratio is | | | | subject.Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be |
| 80/20, where the insurance company pays 80% of a | | | | reprinted only if the resource box is left intact. |
| claim and the insured pays 20%. An insured's | | | | |