If you are unfamiliar with health insurance, you can check out these YouToons that explain it in simple terms. These cartoons cover topics such as types of health insurance, costs, and preauthorization. Despite being written for children, these resources can help you understand the different facets of health insurance. If you’re still confused, you can always watch the YouToons again. But, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive explanation, this article will help you out.
YouToons have it covered – Explaining health insurance
If you’re struggling to understand the complexity of health insurance and Obamacare, consider watching the youToons explain the basics. In this light-hearted introduction to the subject, you’ll learn how individuals can obtain health coverage and pay for it. Detailed discussions include what your plan covers, which providers are in-network, and the difference between generic drugs and brand-name ones. The videos are narrated by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and you can even choose a Spanish version.
Types of health insurance
The types of health insurance available in the marketplace vary in many ways. Some are designed to limit your choices of medical providers, others promote using providers in their network. Others pay more for care provided by providers outside the network. There are also different metal levels. In addition, PPO plans are managed care organizations that cover services only provided by doctors and hospitals within the network. For more information about the various types of health insurance, read on. Here are a few examples of each.
Costs of health insurance
In 2018, the average cost of a family’s health insurance premium was $18,786. The cost of a single premium increased 4% from 2016 to 2017. While worker’s wages were up 2.3%, inflation was up 2.2%. Regardless of the state, health insurance costs were higher than in any other time in history. In most states, the cost of health insurance premiums is split between the employee and the employer. But in some states, the cost is much higher, owing to the deductible.
Preauthorization
While a physician may know if a specific treatment needs prior authorization, it is impossible for a doctor to keep up with the details of each insurance plan. Before beginning any treatment, a patient should ask the doctor and the insurer whether a prior authorization is necessary. In many cases, it is necessary to seek a prior authorization if the patient wishes to use a non-network provider. Patients who do not have insurance or do not have the time to wait for authorization may not get the care they need, and they may be responsible for a larger out-of-pocket bill than they were expecting.
Out-of-network providers
While out-of-network providers may be more expensive initially, they’re worth considering if you have health insurance. While the cost of seeing an out-of-network doctor may seem disproportionate to the savings you’ll get from having your care handled by an in-network provider, it can actually save you money in the long run. However, there are a few caveats you should be aware of before using an out-of-network provider.
Tax credit (subsidy) calculator
The Subsidy Calculator is an online tool that can help you estimate how much money you will save on your health insurance premiums each month. The calculator works with data from the government that is subset and does not take into account other criteria like smoking, tobacco use, or residency status. You may be ineligible for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit if these conditions are present. Therefore, you should know what your eligibility requirements are before using the calculator.
Comparison of health insurance plans
There are many different types of health insurance plans, and it is important to compare all of them before selecting one. You might think that the most important thing to look at is the monthly premium and deductible, but these two are not the same. You should consider your out-of-pocket costs as well. Depending on your health and finances, you may have to pay a copay for services that are not covered by your policy or an insurance deductible, which you must pay out of pocket every time you receive medical attention.