Tip 1: Know where to get family health insurance.

Obtaining family health insurance quotes can be done in two ways:

1) Contact companies directly; many of them have interactive tools on their websites to help users find family health plans. This is pretty overwhelming.

2) Use a website like getinsured.com, which streamlines the process by offering quotes from 5-7 different providers instantly, in one place, for free. These are the same quotes that one would get directly from the insurance company. Using getinsured.com saves time and provides a broader view of available services, as well as providing consumers with expert guidance.

Tip 2 – Know your family’s medical history.

To get the best possible quote, details about each person who will be covered under the policy (i.e. age, gender, tobacco use, exercise habits, college student, medical history, etc.) should be provided. information in advance to make the quoting process faster and more efficient.

Tip 3 – Know what you need in a family health plan.

It is important to know the unique medical needs of your family:

* Does your family have a primary care physician?
* Do members have regular checkups and physicals?
* Do you see a specialist?
* Do they have regular prescriptions filled?
* Is it likely to have more children? If so, maternity coverage may be necessary.
* Will family members need additional insurance, such as dental or vision?

Answering these questions will help narrow down the best coverage and options for your family.

Tip 4 – Know your budget.

When it comes to maintaining a large family, maintaining a budget is essential; that is, balance the cost of a family health plan with the care your family needs. For example, low premiums make family health insurance more affordable:

* Paying a higher deductible or coinsurance = low monthly premium cost.
* Paying higher copays for office visits and prescriptions = low monthly premium cost.

Tip 5 – Learn what family health plans are available.

Depending on your budget and medical needs, a comprehensive family health plan that covers prescriptions and regular doctor visits may be more affordable. Alternatively, an indemnity plan could be a short-term option. Note: An indemnity plan has a lower premium, but only covers catastrophic medical costs. Most preventive care, like regular doctor visits or prescriptions, is paid for out of pocket. Be sure to acknowledge their specific needs.

Tip 6 – Know when to be flexible.

You should seriously consider purchasing different policies for your family if a family member has a pre-existing condition. Some health insurance companies are less likely to accept certain pre-existing conditions, which could result in a denial of coverage or a higher rate for the entire family.

Ex) The Jones family has five members in the family. One of the children has a medical condition that is quite expensive to support. Looking at different quotes from companies, they find that it would be more cost-effective to cover the child with a condition in one individual plan and the rest of the family in another plan.

Tip 7 – Know how to supplement family health insurance.

A family may decide that an accident medical plan is a good solution. This type of plan offers affordable coverage for everyday accidents, such as a broken leg or broken shoulder, that could result from riding a bike, exercising, or even doing housework. The cost is low (approximately $25-$50 per month) and offers up to $10,000 coverage with a low $100 deductible for expenses such as X-rays, hospital stays, doctor visits, prescriptions, emergency room, and ambulance transportation. This type of plan is a great way to supplement a major medical policy, especially if it has a high deductible.