How to Get Affordable Health Insurance

How does health insurance work?

Essentially, health insurance is intended to help cover the high costs of health care. Networks of doctors and insurance companies often come together to negotiate fees so that policyholders can get the help they need at a price they can afford.¹ Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, health insurance can be expensive and tricky to navigate.

Then, when you go to the doctor, claims are submitted to your insurance provider for your treatments and services. The doctor’s office may do this for you if you give them your health insurance information ahead of time. Depending on your plan type, choosing an in-network provider (someone your insurance company explicitly states they work with) may help bring the costs of care down.

Every health insurance plan functions differently and provides varying levels of support. Reading the fine details of every plan and giving your insurance company a call can help you better understand how to file claims and what to expect coverage-wise.

How can I get health insurance?

To receive coverage, you must understand how to apply for health insurance. Whether you decide to get health insurance through the state you live in, employer-offered options, a federal program, or the health insurance marketplace, you'll have to answer a series of questions. You should be able to find the application form online. From there, you’ll answer a series of questions about yourself. Let’s explore some options more in-depth.

Get an employer-sponsored plan

If you work full-time, your employer may offer health insurance depending on where you live and your company size. Your employer should communicate to you whether they offer coverage options. If you are unsure, you can always ask them. From there, they should ask you a handful of questions to help you apply or enroll in their plan.

It's also important to make sure you apply for health insurance during the enrollment period or specific time frame when companies allow you to apply for it. You can typically only apply for a plan outside this time frame if you have a qualifying event, like marriage or having a child.

The cost of an employer-sponsored health insurance plan may be deducted from your paycheck automatically. If you are unhappy with the coverage options they provide, you can still explore other options and get health insurance coverage elsewhere.

Visit the Health Insurance Marketplace

The government runs the health insurance marketplace and lists all your federal health insurance options.² Your options may depend on the state you live in and your income levels.

Buy a plan directly from an insurer

If you have a health insurance company in mind, you can go to their website directly or give them a call about health insurance plans that they offer. You may also find additional information about their specific benefits on their websites.

Use an agent or broker

You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. Insurance agents and brokers help make the search for health insurance easier. Working one-on-one with an agent or broker can help clarify which plan is best for your goals and needs.

How to get an affordable health insurance plan

As mentioned earlier, health insurance isn’t always affordable. There are a few categories you can focus on while searching for an affordable health insurance plan.

• Consider your needs: Figuring out how much coverage you need in advance can help you cut costs. This may help prevent you from paying for coverage you may not use.
• Research insurers: The phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” rings true here. Explore a variety of different plans before deciding on coverage.
• Compare costs: When researching health insurance companies, it can be helpful to ask for a handful of quotes to see what costs will look like.

Get Aflac Supplemental Insurance to Complement Your Existing Plan

If you find yourself wondering, “how do I get health insurance?” you’re not alone. Hopefully, this guide has given you the tools you need to help find health insurance that best fits your needs. If you already have a plan, you may have experienced a lack of coverage, or a surprising out-of-pocket medical expense not covered by your plan. That’s where Aflac can help.

We offer a range of supplemental plans that work with your existing policy to help with out-of-pocket costs. For example, our accident insurance pays cash benefits for unexpected injuries and our critical illness insurance can helps cover the costs of a life-changing illness.

Chat with an agent today to explore your coverage goals if you know which plan you want. If you don't, learn more about our diverse and helpful products.