Once you’re down to a couple of options, it’s time to address any lingering questions. In some cases, only speaking with a person will do, so it may be time to call the plans’ customer service lines. Write your questions down ahead of time, and have a pen or computer handy to record the answers.
Here are some examples of what you could ask:
- I take a certain medication. How is that covered under this plan?
- Which drugs for my condition are covered under this plan?
- What maternity services are covered?
- What happens if I get sick when traveling abroad?
- How do I get started signing up, and what documents will I need?
A final tip: Don’t forget to discontinue your old plan, if you have one, before the new one starts.
Checklist: Choosing a health insurance plan
Here’s a quick summary of the steps above:
- Go to your marketplace and view your plan options side by side.
- Decide which type of plan — HMO, PPO, EPO or POS — is best for you and your family, and whether you want an HSA-eligible plan.
- Eliminate plans that exclude your doctor or any local doctors in the provider network.
- Determine whether you want more health coverage and higher premiums, or lower premiums and higher-out-of-pocket costs.
- Make sure any plan you choose will pay for your regular and necessary care, like prescriptions and specialists.
This article was originally published on NerdWallet.com.