Which health plan may be right for you?
Choosing a health coverage, whether through a new job or on your own, may feel overwhelming. Between insurance terminology, different plan options and extra offerings, there’s a lot to sort through. The good news? Spending a little time understanding your choices now may help you find coverage that fits your health needs and budget.
Why it’s important: A health plan can help you access care when you need it, including for mental health, and provide financial protection if the unexpected happens.
If you're young and healthy, picking a health plan may not feel like a priority. But nearly 30% of young adults are uninsured despite the fact that 1 in 6 people in the same age group have a chronic illness like high blood pressure or diabetes.1 Just one unexpected accident or severe illness could result in medical bills that may be difficult to manage without a health plan.
While it may be a lot to consider, taking the time to review your options may help you choose a health plan that fits your needs.
Here are three things to think about when choosing your health plan:
1. Mental health and wellness programs
Caring for your mental health may be a crucial component of your overall well-being. Some health plans offer advocacy services and employee assistance programs to help you find mental health support. They vary from plan to plan, so compare your options for resources like:
- In-person therapy
- Virtual behavioral coaching
- Digital tools such as Calm Health
- Substance use cessation
Also, because caring for your physical health may often help boost your mental health, some plans offer wellness programs at no additional cost. There may be incentives for completing a health survey or for everyday healthy living, such as meeting activity goals or avoiding nicotine.
2. Resources that may help you use your plan throughout the year
Some plans offer personalized information within mobile apps to help you compare options ahead of time based on cost, quality or convenience. Others may connect you to additional support, whether that's nutrition information, caregiving resources, or women's health programs.
For example, the UHC Store offers 30+ health, wellness and lifestyle offerings you can purchase — many at a discount — to help support your needs and goals.
3. Look beyond medical coverage
Benefits such as dental, vision and financial protection coverage like critical illness may be available. Understanding what's included may help you avoid leaving valuable support on the table.
Some plans help identify whether you’re eligible for benefits you may not realize are available. For example, if you're hospitalized or experience an unexpected health event, you may be eligible for a cash payment – and in some cases, the process to identify that eligibility can start before you even realize the benefit is available.
Understand common costs before you choose your health plan
After you learn about what options are available, you’ll want to make sure you understand how you’ll pay for care with your health plan. When it comes to managing costs, one of the first things to consider is your monthly premiums and annual deductible.
When deciding what type of plan may be best for you, you may want to consider the following questions:
- How often do you go to the doctor?
- How many prescriptions are you taking?
- Are you thinking of growing your family in the next year?
- Could you cover expenses for a medical emergency?
Popular plan types to know
- Copay plan: Options like UnitedHealthcare’s Surest® health plan may be a good choice if you want upfront cost and coverage information before you schedule appointments. Through the Surest app or member website, members can more easily shop for care just like they do for other products and services online, without deductibles and coinsurance to chip away at.
- Low-deductible plan: This coverage may be a good option for you if you plan to use a lot of healthcare services or if you take several prescription medications. Your monthly premium may be higher, but your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum may be lower.
- Balanced plan: This may be a good option if you want to save a little bit on monthly premiums while keeping down out-of-pocket costs.
- High-deductible plan: This may be a good choice if you don’t plan on needing a lot of healthcare services and have the means to pay your deductible if an unexpected medical issue arises. You may pay less in premiums, but you may have a bigger deductible and higher out-of-pocket costs.
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