Consumer Reports breaks down signs that your health insurance may not be worth the paper it is printed on.
It Has a Generic Name
If an insurance rep offers coverage from USHealth Services or Health Care One beware—these tend to be discount card plans that lack coverage, according to Consumer Reports. Before signing up for any plan check your state’s insurance department’s website to see if the plan is legitimate and sufficient.
Not Major Medical = Not Comprehensive Coverage
This phrase means that the plan is not comprehensive health insurance—run.
You Need an Association Membership
It’s important to do your research when signing up for a plan. Yes, some associations have arrangements with providers to offer members insurances, but sometimes the memberships is only required to sell you insurance and the monthly payment may not go toward policy benefits.
It Claims to Be Part of Obamacare
The biggest parts of the president’s low-cost insurance plans that were part of the health-care reform don’t take effect until 2014, so avoid plans that claim to be part of this new reform.
Too-Low-to-Believe Premiums
Remember: The only real way to get a lower premium is to sign up for a plan with a higher deductible, says Consumer Reports.
There’s No Deductible
Plans that don’t have a deductible will most likely only cover a minimum amount of health-care costs, which can leave you with a hefty bill.
Everyone is Accepted
Providers can reject patients for pre-existing conditions for individual plans for two more years, so Consumer Reports says any plan that is not a high-risk pool or Pre-existing Condition Insurance plan that guarantees acceptance is most likely junk.