Individual Medical Insurance

Insurance plans vary, so before you choose a plan, decide which benefits are most important to you and your family. To compare health plans, make sure to ask for and examine a benefits summary or outline of coverage for each plan you're considering. This is a description of policy benefits, exclusions, and provisions that makes it easier to understand a particular policy and compare it to others.

Look at this information closely. Think about your personal situation. For instance, if you're no longer planning to have children, you won't mind that certain pregnancy related services aren't covered. But you might be concerned if there's no mental health benefit to help pay for your therapy sessions. Other considerations might include, do you want coverage for your whole family or just yourself? Are you concerned with preventative care and checkups? Would you be comfortable in a Health Savings Plan that wouldn't give first dollar coverage, but comprehensive coverage? These are questions that only you can answer.

Here are some of the things to look at when choosing and comparing health insurance plans. Check to see which of these items are "covered" medical services:

• Inpatient hospital services
• Outpatient surgery
• Physician's visits (in the hospital)
• Office Visits
• Skilled nursing care
• Medical tests and X-rays
• Prescription drugs
• Mental healthcare
• Dental services
• Drug and alcohol abuse treatment
• Rehabilitation facility care
• Physical Therapy
• Hospice care
• Maternity care
• Chiropractic treatment
• Alternative healthcares, such as shots for children and "well visits"
• Well-baby care
• Health screenings, such as breast exams and Pap smears for women.