1.
Raise your deductible.
This can lower your premium by as much as 30%.
2.
Raise your co-pay.
This can lower your premium by as much as 30 percent.
3.
Use your deductible carry-over credit.
You can carry over your expenses from the last three months of a year to help meet the deductible for the next year.
4.
Follow the rules of your plan.
For example, if you are required to get a referral before seeing a specialist, make sure you get it.
5.
Follow the schedule.
Many plans will pay for annual procedures, such as gynecological exams, physicals, etc.
Check your plan's "Schedule of Care" to see how often a specific procedure is covered.
Make sure you do not go in for a physical, for example, in less than 12 months from the previous one.
6.
Coordinate benefits with your spouse.
If you are a two-earner couple and both you and your spouse are covered by an employer health plan, each of you can probably be covered under the other's company plan.
To minimize your cost and receive maximum benefits, evaluate the benefits and associated costs of both plans.
Make a comparison chart for each benefit, listing cost, (such as deductibles and co-payments) other relevant information.
Evaluate each benefit thoroughly.
Then, enroll in the plan that offers the better coverage at the lowest cost for each benefit you need.
For example, your plan may offer the better prescription coverage.
Enroll in that with your spouse as the dependent.
Your spouse's plan may offer the better vision care plan.
He/she would enroll in that with you as the dependent.
7.
Avoid duplicate coverage.
Review your auto insurance policy to make sure you are not paying for the same coverage that you have in your health insurance plan.
8.
Track out-of-pocket expenses.
Many plans have a maximum out-of-pocket amount during a contract year.
Keep a diary of your expenses to make sure you do not exceed that amount.
9.
Review your policy annually.
Make sure it still meets your family's needs.
10.
Switch plans, if appropriate.
Many employer plans have an open enrollment period.
However, if you find that your plan is not meeting your family's needs, contact your Human Resources Office and ask if you can switch to another plan, even if it is not the open enrollment period.
Raise your deductible.
This can lower your premium by as much as 30%.
2.
Raise your co-pay.
This can lower your premium by as much as 30 percent.
3.
Use your deductible carry-over credit.
You can carry over your expenses from the last three months of a year to help meet the deductible for the next year.
4.
Follow the rules of your plan.
For example, if you are required to get a referral before seeing a specialist, make sure you get it.
5.
Follow the schedule.
Many plans will pay for annual procedures, such as gynecological exams, physicals, etc.
Check your plan's "Schedule of Care" to see how often a specific procedure is covered.
Make sure you do not go in for a physical, for example, in less than 12 months from the previous one.
6.
Coordinate benefits with your spouse.
If you are a two-earner couple and both you and your spouse are covered by an employer health plan, each of you can probably be covered under the other's company plan.
To minimize your cost and receive maximum benefits, evaluate the benefits and associated costs of both plans.
Make a comparison chart for each benefit, listing cost, (such as deductibles and co-payments) other relevant information.
Evaluate each benefit thoroughly.
Then, enroll in the plan that offers the better coverage at the lowest cost for each benefit you need.
For example, your plan may offer the better prescription coverage.
Enroll in that with your spouse as the dependent.
Your spouse's plan may offer the better vision care plan.
He/she would enroll in that with you as the dependent.
7.
Avoid duplicate coverage.
Review your auto insurance policy to make sure you are not paying for the same coverage that you have in your health insurance plan.
8.
Track out-of-pocket expenses.
Many plans have a maximum out-of-pocket amount during a contract year.
Keep a diary of your expenses to make sure you do not exceed that amount.
9.
Review your policy annually.
Make sure it still meets your family's needs.
10.
Switch plans, if appropriate.
Many employer plans have an open enrollment period.
However, if you find that your plan is not meeting your family's needs, contact your Human Resources Office and ask if you can switch to another plan, even if it is not the open enrollment period.
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