Checklist: What's Most Important to You?

By:
iVillage Health & Well-Being Staff Writer

Insurance plans vary. Before choosing a plan, decide what is most important to you. This checklist can help. Put a check in front of those services that are important to you. Then see how many of these services are in Policy #1, Policy #2, and Policy #3. On the checklist, write in the coinsurance or copayment rate, if there is one, and any limits on service.

Remember that the most important service to be covered is hospitalization. If you are not covered for hospital care, then one sickness could cost you thousands of dollars, even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Service               Policy #1     Policy #2     Policy #3-Hospital care-Surgery (inpatientand outpatient)-Office visits toyour doctor-Maternity care-Well-baby care-Immunizations-Mammograms-Medical tests,x-rays-Mental health care-Dental care,braces and cleaning-Vision care,eyeglasses and exams-Prescription drugs-Home health care-Nursing home care-Services you needthat are excludedOther issues that areimportant to you:-Choice of doctors-Convenient location ofdoctors and hospitals-Ease of gettingan appointment-Minimal paperwork-Waiting period beforecoverage begins

Which policy is best for you?

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