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| Catastrophic Health Insurance |
 High deductible health insurance can be bought either as a single plan or through an employer in a group plan. You often won't be eligible for a catastrophic health plan, if you have certain pre-existing conditions. Examples of such conditions are AIDS, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and many more.
What Does It Cover?
The types of coverage range depending on what type of high-deductible health insurance plan you select. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida proposes a catastrophic health insurance plan in most counties that is known as "Essential." It has deductible of $250 and an out-of-pocket limit of $2,500 after you've exceeded your deductible. The lifetime maximum is $1 million. The plan covers hospital, surgical, and X-ray expenses, but do not include other services, like doctor's visits, maternity care, prescription drugs, and mental health visits. An online quote demonstrate that the monthly premium for a 21-year old, nonsmoking female to be $29.
Golden Rule Insurance Co provides a similar plan to Florida's Essential health plan. Its "Basic Plan" proposes a high deductible health insurance plan, with deductible prices varying from $500-$5000. It covers the same components that the Essential plan does, but mental health and substance abuse are not covered. But the Basic Plan does cover hospital and surgical expenses, MRIs, CAT scans, and more, as well as having a lifetime maximum of $3 million.
Shopping Tips
Before buying a catastrophic health insurance plan, think over:
• What is the cost of the premium per month, quarter, and year?
• What is the cost of the deductible and how much can you afford?
• How extensive do you want the coverage to be?
• Do you require prescription medications?
• Can you afford to pay for doctor visits out-of-pocket?
• Do you have any pre-existing conditions?
• Do you get sick often?
• What is the lifetime annual benefit?
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