If you are looking for new individual health insurance coverage, you may be wondering how you can find the best possible policy for you. With many different health insurance companies on the market, each offering different plans and coverage levels, shopping for a new policy can be confusing and complicated. So how do you simplify the process? Easy, with an independent health insurance broker.
What is a Health Insurance Broker?
An independent health insurance broker is a representative who has been licensed at the state level. He or she aims to help customers find the best individual health insurance policy possible from a range of different health insurance companies. This can mean offering information on the different types of plans, the coverage offered and the pricing of each one. The health insurance broker can also find information on the particular kind of policy you want, such as a PPO or HMO plan.
What Independent Health Insurance Brokers do
Independent health insurance brokers offer customers all of the information they need to make an informed decision on what type of policy to buy and what company to purchase from. An independent health insurance broker typically represents a handful of health insurance companies and can give accurate information and pricing on policies from each one. Using the information you provide, such as your age and the type of coverage you are looking for, the health insurance broker can give you pricing information on the right policy for you.
The Difference Between a Broker and Agent
Many may use the terms agent and broker interchangeably, but there are some noticeable differences to keep in mind. While an independent health insurance broker typically works with a handful of different health insurance companies, an agent might only work with one company at a time. So using a broker over an agent will provide you with more affordable health insurance options to choose from.
Why You should use a Broker to get Health Insurance
Using a broker to get cheap health insurance helps you ensure that you compare all available options and prices before you purchase one. If you are looking for cheap health insurance, but you do not want to sacrifice the level of coverage you are used to, working with an independent health insurance broker can help you accomplish this goal. The broker can also help you understand the terms of the policy before you purchase it, including the amount of the deductible and co-pays you can expect to be responsible for paying. This can help you avoid any issues or unpleasant surprises in the future when it is time to actually use your health insurance.
Do You have to Pay a Fee to use a Broker?
The short answer is no, you do not have to pay a fee to use your health insurance broker. Instead, brokers and agents earn their money through commissions paid to you by the health insurance company. However, it is worth noting that commissions are built into your monthly premium, so in a sense, you are indirectly paying your health insurance broker. Commissions are one of the many reasons health insurance prices are so expensive.
Brokers know the Business and can Help You Save
The bottom line when it comes to working with an independent health insurance broker is they are experts in the insurance business and having one on your side can help you save money. A broker does all the hard work of comparison shopping for a policy for you. They will present you with a range of options and prices to help you make an informed decision before you buy.
Find an Independent Health Insurance Broker Near You
If you want to work with an independent health insurance broker in your local area who can help you find the right individual health insurance policy for your needs, the process is easy. You can visit First Quote Health and enter your zip code to get a free quote for coverage from a local independent health insurance broker.
Shopping for cheap health insurance can be a hard process to navigate shopping for policies from different health insurance companies without industry experience. Working with a health insurance broker is a great way to make sure you get cheap individual health insurance that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford.