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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Things to consider when shopping for health insurance

Before you start shopping for health insurance:

Know what kind of coverage you need.
  • Look carefully at what the plan covers and what does not cover (exclusions or limitations) and compare benefits .
Figure out how much you can afford.
  • Ask about the premiums, copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations.
  • Find out about the dollar limits on how much you'll pay for health care services you receive (out-of-pocket maximums).
  • A policy with a bargain-priced premium might turn out to be too limited to be useful for you.
  • Understand the claims process, how your providers get paid, and what share you have to pay.
And remember, all health insurance is not the same.


Questions to ask when comparing health plans




Updated 01/26/2012

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Need more help? Call our FREE Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900
or Email us at cap@oic.wa.gov.