Published on May 26, 2016
Getting health insurance is an important first step to better health. Now that you’re covered, here are 3 ways to get the most out of your health plan:
Find a provider you trust
Even if you don’t need care right now, it’s important to find a doctor you can trust and work with.
You usually get the best deal if you choose someone in your network. If you see doctors outside your network, you might pay more or get no coverage at all.
To find a doctor in your health coverage plan, or to see if your current doctor is in-network, visit your health plan’s website and check their provider directory. Then call the doctor directly to be sure.
Understand your deductible
Your health insurance deductible is the amount you owe for most covered health care services before your plan begins to pay its share. If your deductible is $250, you pay $250 in medical costs yourself, and after that you pay just a
or . If your deductible is $3,000, that’s how much you’ll pay yourself.
It’s important to learn which services in your plan aren’t subject to your health insurance deductible. Some plans provide primary care visits for just a copayment before you meet your deductible; others offer discounts on drugs, including generic drugs. Some offer free disease management programs.
Read your plan materials carefully to see what services are covered before you meet your deductible. Call your insurance company if you have questions.
Use your preventive health services
All Marketplace plans cover recommended preventive health care before you meet your deductible and at no cost to you, including:
For more tips on how to use your new coverage, visit our Coverage to Care Roadmap (PDF).