Getting health insurance is an important first step in getting and staying healthy. Follow these guidelines to make sure you are taking care of your health and your coverage.
#1 – Understand your health coverage
- Check with your insurance plan to see what services are covered, and know whether you will need to pay out of pocket for any services.
- Be familiar with your costs (premiums, co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance).
- Know the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers.
- Know where and when to send payments for your monthly health insurance premium from the Health Connector.
#2 – Know where to go for care
- Use the emergency department only for life-threatening situations.
- Use your doctor for preventive health or when it’s not an emergency.
- Did you know that because of national healthcare reform, most health plans must cover a set of preventive services like shots and screening tests at no cost to you? Find out more about preventive services for adults, women, and children at https://www.healthcare.gov/preventive-care-benefits/adults/
#3 – Find a provider
- Ask people you trust and/or do research on the internet.
- Check which providers are in your network by searching on your health plan’s website or calling your health plan’s customer service number.
- If you’re assigned a provider and you want to change, call your health plan.
#4 – After you have an appointment with a provider
- Follow your provider’s instructions.
- Fill any prescriptions you were given, and take them as directed.
- Review your explanation of benefits and pay your medical bills.
- Contact your provider, health plan, or the Health Connector with any questions.
#5 – Keep in contact with the Health Connector
- Open your mail—we sometimes send important information about your health insurance.
- Let the Health Connector know right away if you have a change of address or any changes in your family size or income.
