 Medical Insurance Rates refer to the cost of insurance to a person. This cost is dependent on various factors. An alteration in these factors can lead to a variation of as much as 50% in medical insurance rates. A serious attempt to understand this concept requires a knowledge of actuarial science So we just make a minor effort to know the basics.
Determinants of Medical Insurance Rates :
The factors affecting medical insurance rates are dependent on the type of insurance plan selected, gender, age and condition of health of the insurance seeker. Other endogenous factors affecting the rates are: his present insurance plan, the amount of deductibles he would like, the credit rating of the insurer etc. The insurance companies tend to attach huge importance to smoking habits (both active and passive), present medications and dosages that the to-be-insured is following, whether he drives a car or not and many similar informations.
Precautions leading to lower medical insurance rates:
• One must go through the plan document carefully before taking insurance cover.
• If the agent offering insurance has given him a brief introduction of the plan then he must also inquire about the vagaries and the conditions under which cover will not be provided.
• An improper knowledge about one's own health may result in paying unfair medical insurance rates One must know his exact needs before he starts filling the form because usually the fees once paid are not refundable.
• One should not go for cheap insurance covers because it may come with too many conditions under which the claims will not be fulfilled.
• One should have a look at the credit rating and previous track record of different insurance companies.
Individual plans are not the last option. At times Group Plans and plans from employers comes at a lower medical insurance rates.
• Last but not the least one should have an idea of what he can afford.
So a knowledge of the factors influencing medical insurance rates can surely help in getting cover at a lower cost and avoiding fictitious insurance providers.
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