Some tips for buying your own health plan

BY PATRICIA ANSTETT
FREE PRESS MEDICAL WRITER

Determine what your household budget can afford and what your medical needs are.

Find an insurance broker who sells policies for as many insurance plans as possible. That way, you will have the benefit of hearing about the most options, not just for a few companies. To check on what policies a broker is able to sell, go to www.dleg.state.mi.us/fis/ind_srch/ins_agnt/insurance_agent_criteria.asp.

Compare rates on your own, or be hooked up to independent brokers through the Internet. Three local firms with sites include www.lowcostinsur.com, a site sponsored by Allchoice Insurance, Northville, 800-889-2659; www.myinsuranceexpert.com, a Farmington Hills firm, 800-732-5569, and www.rickyounginsurance.com, a Rochester Hills firm, 888-909-7425.

Consider a limited coverage plan or one with higher deductibles if you are healthy.

When looking at a plan that offers some routine and preventive care, find out answers to questions like: What will your out-of-pocket costs be for a doctor visit, a medical service or prescriptions? Are any types of prescriptions or services excluded or affected by a lifetime cap on benefits? How many doctor visits are you allowed per month, per quarter, per year and per family? Are wellness visits and services such as immunizations, mammograms and Pap smears covered for all family members?

Find out your maximum out-of-pocket costs for a major operation.

Check a company's complaint ratio. That's a good gauge of whether other policyholders are dissatisfied with a plan. You can find listings on the Web site of Michigan's Office of Financial and Insurance Services. Go to www.michigan.gov/dleg, click on Financial & Insurance Services, then Consumer Services, then Insurance Company Complaint Ratios.

Get answers to your questions in writing.