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Getting affordable health insurance is an important step toward protecting your health. However, many people aren’t taught how to get health insurance while in school. Here at Aflac, we strive to educate our consumers so they can make the most informed decisions.
It’s important to note that Aflac doesn’t offer traditional health insurance. Instead, we offer supplemental coverage that helps cover gaps in your existing plan. Accident insurance is one of the many supplemental plans Aflac offers. We also offer critical illness, hospital, dental, vision, cancer, and short-term disability insurance coverage.
Read on to learn more about how health insurance works, how to get an affordable plan, and what supplemental insurance options Aflac offers.
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What is health insurance?
Health insurance is a type of plan that can help cover the high costs of health care. Networks of doctors and insurance companies often come together to negotiate fees so that policyholders can get the help they need at a price they can afford.1 Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, health insurance can be expensive and tricky to navigate.
Then, when you go to the doctor, claims are submitted to your insurance provider for your treatments and services. The doctor’s office may do this for you if you give them your health insurance information ahead of time. Depending on your plan type, choosing an in-network provider (someone your insurance company explicitly states they work with) may help bring the costs of care down.
Every health insurance plan functions differently and provides varying levels of coverage. Reading the fine details of every plan and giving your insurance company a call can help you better understand how to file claims and what to expect coverage-wise.
How can I get health insurance?
To receive coverage, you must understand how to apply for health insurance. Whether you decide to get health insurance through the state you live in, employer-offered options, a federal program, or the health insurance marketplace, you'll have to answer a series of questions. You should be able to find the application form online. From there, you’ll answer a series of questions about yourself. Let’s explore some options more in-depth.
Get an employer-sponsored plan
If you work full-time, your employer may offer health insurance depending on where you live and your company size. Your employer should communicate to you whether they offer coverage options. If you are unsure, you can always ask them. From there, they should ask you a handful of questions to help you apply or enroll in their plan.
It's also important to make sure you apply for health insurance during the enrollment period or specific time frame when companies allow you to apply for it. You can typically only apply for a plan outside this time frame if you have a qualifying event, like marriage or having a child.
The cost of an employer-sponsored health insurance plan may be deducted from your paycheck automatically. If you are unhappy with the coverage options they provide, you can still explore other options and get health insurance coverage elsewhere.
Visit the Health Insurance Marketplace
The government runs the health insurance marketplace and lists all your federal health insurance options.2 Your options may depend on the state you live in and your income levels.
Buy a plan directly from an insurer
If you have a health insurance company in mind, you can go to their website directly or give them a call about health insurance plans that they offer. You may also find additional information about their specific benefits on their websites.
Use an agent or broker
You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. Insurance agents and brokers help make the search for health insurance easier. Working one-on-one with an agent or broker can help clarify which plan is best for your goals and needs.
How to get an affordable health insurance plan
As mentioned earlier, health insurance isn’t always affordable. There are a few categories you can focus on while searching for an affordable health insurance plan.
- Consider your needs: Figuring out how much health insurance coverage you need in advance can help you cut costs. This may help prevent you from paying for coverage you may not use.
- Research insurers: The phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” rings true here. Explore a variety of different plans before deciding on health insurance coverage.
- Compare costs: When researching health insurance companies, it can be helpful to ask for a handful of quotes to see what costs will look like. This can help you find an affordable health insurance plan that works for your budget.
Aflac supplemental insurance can complement your existing health insurance plan
If you find yourself wondering how to get affordable health insurance, you’re not alone. Hopefully, this guide has given you the tools you need to help find health insurance that best fits your needs. If you already have a plan, you may have experienced a lack of coverage, or a surprising out-of-pocket medical expense not covered by your plan. That’s where Aflac can help.
We offer a range of supplemental plans with affordable premiums that work with your existing policy to help with out-of-pocket costs. For example, our accident insurance pays cash benefits for unexpected injuries and our critical illness insurance can help cover the costs of a life-changing illness.
Chat with an agent today to explore your coverage goals if you know which insurance plan you want. If you don't, learn more about our diverse and helpful products.
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Disclaimer
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to ID, NJ, NM, NY, or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders have limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. For costs and complete details of the coverage, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Accident (A35000 series): In Idaho, Policies A35100ID-A35200ID, & A35B24ID. In Oklahoma, Policies A35100OK-A35200OK, & A35B24OK. In Virginia, Policies A35100VA-A35400VA, A35B24VA, & A35BOFVA.
Cancer/Specified-Disease (B70000 series): In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK; B70200OK; B70300OK; B7010EPOK; B7020EPOK.
Critical Illness/Specified Health Event (B71000 series): In Oklahoma, Policies B71100OK & B7110HOK.
Supplemental Dental (A81000 series): In Idaho, Policies A81100RID through A81400RID. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK through A81400OK. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA through A81300VA.
Hospital (B40000 series): In Idaho, Policies B40100ID & B4010HID. In Oklahoma, Policies B40100OK & B4010HOK. In Virginia, Policies B40100VA & B4010HVA.
Short-Term Disability (A57600 series): In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In New York, Policy NY57600. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK, A57600LBOK. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA, A57600LBVA.
Supplemental Vision (VSN series): In Idaho, Policy VSN100ID. In New York, Policy NYVSN100. In Oklahoma, Policy VSN100OKR. In Virginia, Policy VSN100VA.
1 Very Well Health - Health Insurance Provider Network. Updated April 17, 2022. Accessed Aug 10, 2022.
2Investopedia - How to Get Health Insurance. Updated Jan 24, 2022. Accessed Aug 10, 2022.
Aflac supplemental insurance coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, supplemental coverage underwritten by Aflac New York.
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