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Home Knowledge CenterHow to Buy Health Insurance and Choose the Right Plan

Buying Health Insurance: How to Choose the Right Plan

The right coverage depends on your individual needs.

What should I consider when choosing a health plan?

Are you looking to buy health insurance and not sure where to start? Choosing the right health care plan depends on many things.

While a lot can go into deciding on a health plan, these five quick check points are a good starting place.

What to Consider
What it Means
How to Decide
Deductible
The amount you pay before your health plan covers costs for medical services.
If you're likely to have surgery or a lot of medical care expenses, you may want a lower deductible, which is the amount you pay before your health plan covers costs.
Network
The hospitals, health care providers, and labs that Cigna HealthcareSM has negotiated lower rates with to provide health care services.
Determine if your doctor is in the plan's network.
Providers
Your doctors—both primary care and specialists.
You may want to choose a plan where your provider is in-network to avoid extra costs.
Prescriptions
Any medications you take that have been prescribed by your doctor.
Different plans may have different copays or coinsurance for covered prescriptions. Review the plan to understand how your prescriptions are covered.
Value-Added Benefits
Any additional things your health plan provides for you, such as access to mobile apps, or discounts.
While you may not choose a plan for the additional benefits, it's nice to know if your plan includes 24/7 customer service or discount programs.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Health Plan

How often do you or your family need medical care?

Many medical costs are covered by you until you reach your deductible. If you anticipate a lot of medical care, you may want a lower deductible. But, plans with lower deductibles generally have a higher monthly premium.

Do you have any planned surgeries?

These large expenses are something that you should consider when you are choosing your plan.

Do you have a doctor you regularly see?

If you do, make sure that doctor is in-network for the plan you choose.

What prescriptions do you or your family need? How often do you need them?

Check your plan's prescription drug list for the prescriptions you take often.

What other benefits should I consider?

When you're comparing health plans, look for useful tools and services that may come at no additional cost and help you save time and money, and support your health such as:

  • Websites and mobile apps
  • 24/7 customer service teams
  • Health information phone line for help finding answers to your medical questions
  • Discount programs to help save on health and wellness products and services

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Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

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