| p>Health insurance in California is very affordable | | | | health coverage. (Assuming that your family is |
| when you follow these 10 simple guidelines. | | | | healthy then California individual health plans will |
| 1. Compare CA health insurance quotes from at | | | | almost always be cheaper than a California group |
| least 3 California health insurance companies. (It is | | | | health plan - make sure to scrutinize the |
| amazing to see someone choose a CA health | | | | differences between the group health plans and |
| care policy without even bothering to compare | | | | the individual health plans that you will be |
| the premiums and the health plan benefits with | | | | comparing as many individual health plans do not |
| other companies similar policies!) | | | | cover pregnancies [maternity insurance] unless |
| 2. Be very skeptical about purchasing insurance | | | | you pay an additional premium while your group |
| from a California health insurance carrier that you | | | | health plan probably does cover maternity |
| have never heard of before. (That is not to say | | | | automatically). |
| that the health plan is necessarily not a good | | | | 6. Research the companies, policies, networks, |
| health plan just because you haven't heard of the | | | | doctors, clinics, and hospitals that are in your area |
| insurance company before but it just means that | | | | of California. (The availability of a favorite doctor |
| it would be prudent to research them a little bit | | | | on a particular company's plan could be the |
| online or speak with a knowledgeable independent | | | | deciding advantage for you to choose that |
| CA insurance agent). | | | | company over another company with a similar |
| 3. Be very, very, very skeptical about a California | | | | health plan but without your favorite doctor on |
| discount health plan. (Remember, discount health | | | | their network). |
| plans are not health insurance! Just try searching | | | | 7. Ask questions of your health insurance agent |
| on any major search engine for discount health | | | | health insurance broker so that you fully |
| plan warning and you can see all of the warning | | | | understand the options that are available to you. |
| flags that go up from all of the state insurance | | | | 8. Change your policy. (Don't be afraid to admit |
| departments and other .GOV websites). | | | | that you made a mistake if the policy that you |
| 4. Enroll in your employer's group health insurance | | | | applied for was not what you thought that it |
| plan IF your employer is willing to foot the bill. | | | | was). |
| (Even if you have a problem with your employer's | | | | 9. Review your health insurance needs every |
| group health insurance carrier it still is usually | | | | year. (Your health insurance needs will very likely |
| better to stay with the plan IF your employer is | | | | change every couple of years and if nothing else |
| footing a large portion of the premium cost). | | | | it will give you a chance to see if your company's |
| 5. Get quotes for your family members for an | | | | rates are still competitive). |
| CA individual medical plan IF you are on a group | | | | 10. Compare free California health insurance |
| health plan and your employer will not cover the | | | | quotes at California Health Insurance 360! |
| cost to add on the rest of your family to your | | | | |