Medical Insurance Plan Hacks
So you got your first job and have enrolled in your own medical insurance…or maybe you turned 26 and aren’t covered under your parents any longer….what does this even mean??
First, just know, you being here right now shows me you are interested in hacking the insurance game maximizing your medical benefit through your employer. You want to know what you don’t already know or know what to ask.
I’m here to help and I’m so excited to do so!
I’ve created a (completely free) little homework worksheet (below) for you to go into the year strong. But first, you will need your employer’s benefit guide and your ID Card on hand. You will want to do this right after receiving your ID card and after reviewing the guide.
Turn your ID Card to the back and call the customer service line (or if it doesn’t have it, google your insurance company ((Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Kaiser, Cigna, etc.,) "and the words “customer service”).
You are going to call them and say, “I just enrolled in my employer sponsored medical plan through you and I want to ask a few questions about my coverage. I’m new to the [HMO, HSA, PPO] plan concept and want to learn so tell me anything and everything you think would be helpful.”
A few things to note: you may have been assigned a Primary Care Physician (PCP, your doctor) or you may not have. If you have, you will need to establish care before being referred to anything specialized (immunology, allergy, ortho, etc,).
This checklist walks you through the questions you can ask them and some bonus FAQs that I have received as the Benefits contact in my recent companies.
Hope this helps jump start your journey to understanding your medical benefits! Good luck!
