Health insurance is essential not only to your health but to your financial health as well. You may delay or choose not to get the healthcare you require if you are worried about being able to afford it. At Central Lakes Insurance Brokers in Edina, MN, we understand the importance of making the right choice. We are here to provide the guidance you need to make the correct decision. 

Are my doctors in the plan?

When choosing a new health insurance plan, it is important to visit their website before making a final decision. All health insurance plans have a network of providers. Not every doctor or hospital is in every network, making it vital that you check the network.

What type of plan is it?

Health insurance these days usually involves managed care. Three types of managed care are the most common. You can choose an HMO, a PPO, or a POS. The HMO is most often the best-priced of the plan options. 

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations) With an HMO, you must have a primary care physician to coordinate your health care. The insurance will only pay for care within the network. 
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations) With this type of plan, you will be able to get service within or outside the network. In most cases, you will pay less if you stay within the network. 
• POS (Point of Service) With this type of plan, you can choose either a PPO or an HMO for each service you receive.

Contact our office

When you need to get new health insurance coverage, having an agent who can provide all the services you require is vital. Our experienced agents at Central Lakes Insurance Brokers in Edina, MN, can provide the help you need. 

Health insurance is the type of protection you don’t want to be without in life. This is especially true if you have a mid-sized to large family to think about. Even healthy people who take good care of themselves can face the unexpected, so it’s essential to be prepared.

Here’s what you need to know about choosing a health insurance plan that will be appropriate for everyone in your household. And be sure to call your Central Lakes Insurance Brokers agent to go over any further questions you might have.

Make sure your doctors and hospitals of choice are included.

If you have a decent-sized family, then the chances are pretty good that you already have doctors, clinics, and hospitals that you’ve come to trust with your collective health. These are providers that know your history and with whom your children are comfortable, as well. You’ll pay more to seek services outside your policy’s specified network, so make sure any essential providers are included.

Check to ensure ongoing needs are covered.

Do any of your children have chronic conditions that require management or medication? Do you or your spouse expect to need treatment for something specific in the near future? Make sure the plan you’re considering will cover the essential treatments you need and the frequency and duration you need them for.

Find out whether you’re covered away from home.

Families travel for various reasons, including yearly vacations and out-of-town trips to visit relatives. But you should never just assume your health plan will cover you just as well outside your usual service area. Check to ensure you’ll still be covered no matter where your family journeys may take you.

Ready to give your family the gift of superior peace of mind? Get in touch with a Central Lakes Insurance Brokers agent in Edina, MN today to review your plan and ensure it’s in step with your needs.

Under federal law, your employer must provide health insurance. The federal law also mandates what it must cover as a minimum, but you may find that your insurance still doesn’t cover all of the items you want it to cover.

You can add a personal policy to your employer-provided package. Central Lakes Insurance Brokers serving Edina, MN can help you do it.

Health Insurance: What You Need To Know

Supplemental Policies Aren’t Just for Medicare

Most people think of Medicare when they think of supplemental health policies. While that does provide the most common reference point for most individuals, a 20-year-old or a 30-year-old could just as easily purchase a health insurance policy in addition to the one they buy through their college’s group plan or that their employer provides.

What Does Supplemental Health Insurance Offer?

A supplemental policy might cover prescriptions or improved hospital coverage. It may offer preventative care or extra coverage for physical therapy or other extensive rehabilitative services. You also might want coverage for items that typical health insurance doesn’t cover, such as dental or vision.

Perhaps your employer’s insurance maxes out quickly on items you would use frequently due to a health condition that you or your dependent experience. You can purchase a second health insurance plan to cover those needs. While this still requires small premiums each month, it can save you big time on medical care costs, especially if you choose a prescription drug plan that provides you with a steep discount on medications.

Contact Us Today

Contact Central Lakes Insurance Brokers serving Edina, MN today to learn about supplementing your health insurance provided by your employer or school. Let us help you obtain the coverage you need.

Health insurance can ease your pockets when it comes to healthcare. Even if you’re young and healthy, you may experience health issues that require you to see a doctor. However, paying out of pocket can be quite costly. Regardless of your age, preventative healthcare is a good way to stay healthy and address potential health issues. This can become costly if you don’t have health insurance to make your health care more affordable. 

What is Health Insurance?

When you invest in a health insurance policy, you’re investing in a way to financially cover both preventative and unexpected health situations. Our team at Central Lakes Insurance is proud to explain the numerous benefits of health insurance to our Edina, MN residents.  We are health Brokers that take pride in explaining why medical coverage for illnesses, injuries, and conditions can be beneficial to people of all ages, even the very young. Many people can get coverage through an employer. However, it’s possible to invest in health insurance on your own as well.

What are the Benefits of Health Insurance?

Health insurance takes the bite of medical care in a financial sense. You often pay a small portion for your healthcare visits, called a copay. You will pay less for any covered-in-network doctor visits. This is true, even before you’ve met your deductible. Commonly covered care includes preventative care, checkups, and screenings, as well as visits for injuries and other health issues. 

How Does Health Insurance Work?

In short, health insurance makes healthcare affordable. It’s a way of paying for both your preventative health and any unexpected health issues. It works like car insurance, or home insurance, similar to the way most health insurance policies work. Either through your employer or your own initiative, you pay a specific rate/premium, monthly. In return, a portion of your medical fees is paid by your health insurance for covered medical expenses. Our team at Central Lakes Insurance are Brokers who are dedicated to providing the best healthcare options for our Edina, MN customers. Give us a call. We’re here to help. Central Lakes Insurance Brokers can help you get the insurance you need to suit your unique situation. 

People that are in the Edina, MN area will have some very important insurance needs. The most important form of insurance coverage overall could be health insurance. This is an important form of coverage that can help you and your dependents live a healthier life. There are some important benefits that come when you do get a quality health insurance plan in this part of Minnesota. 

Access to Preventative Care

A key reason that you should have health coverage is so you can have access to preventative care. Seeing a doctor and getting medications when needed is something that can help you identify and start fighting health concerns. If you are not insured, you may not be able to get access to this care without spending too much money. With coverage, you can get the care you need at an affordable rate. 

Affordable Procedures

Most people will need some form of procedure at some point in their life. These procedures can be very important and life-saving, but they are also very expensive to receive. If you do not have coverage, the cost can be significant and may not be affordable. Those that invest in a health insurance plan, will have the support they need to afford the procedure they need to thrive.  

There continue to be benefits that come with having a health insurance plan in the Edina, MN area. As you are looking for a health insurance policy here, it would be wise to call Central Lakes Insurance Brokers. There are a lot of choices that come with picking health insurance and Central Lakes Insurance Brokers can make it much easier for you. The team will help to answer your questions and ensure you choose the best plan for your situation. 

Choosing health insurance is one of the hardest things you do every year. Whether you are a first-time buyer or you had a bad experience with your coverage last year and need to change, there are so many things that need to be considered. Having a trusted independent insurance agent who can provide the guidance and information you need. At Central Lakes Insurance Brokers in Edina, MN, we will look over all the information that is available with you to help clarify anything that’s unclear. 

Network

If you have developed a personal relationship with your primary care physician or a specialist, making sure you will still be able to use them is important. The network is the physicians that are included in an insurance carrier’s plan. Carriers have a contract with medical professionals to perform services at predetermined rates. This includes hospitals and labs. You may be required to stay within your network or you can pay more to go out of network. 

Deductible

The deductible is the amount you are required to pay before your coverage will start to cover you. Each plan is different and some services may not be included in the deductible. High deductible policies are popular and less costly. When combined with an HSA or FSA they are a reasonable option but if you don’t have access to an HSA  or FSA you may want to look for a lower deductible. 

Copay

The copay is your portion of any service performed. It may be a set amount such as $10 to visit your primary care doctor or a percentage of the service change. 

Formulary

The formulary is the drugs that are covered by the plan and the amount you must pay for each drug. 

Contact Central Lakes Insurance Brokers in Edina, MN to make an appointment to discuss your health insurance needs. 

The terms of health insurance can be confusing for patients in Edina, MN, which is a shame because the hospitals they visit may not understand the terms either. With so many different types of insurance companies out there and so many policies under each carrier, the possibilities are practically infinite. Central Lakes Insurance Brokers wants you to know more about emergency room care, so you have a better idea of what will happen if you need to see a doctor or qualified healthcare professional immediately. 

Emergency Room Care

Accidents, injuries, and illnesses can spring up at any time. While you would almost certainly prefer to see your regular doctor, sometimes it’s just not an option. Even things like physical exams or specialist consultations might book up months in advance. Emergency room care is seen as a special type of visit, meaning it will get its own category under your plan.

But how your visit is covered will depend on your plan. In some cases, you may only need to pay a co-pay for a visit. For other plans, it may be covered outright. Still, other plans might not cover your emergency room care unless it exceeds the limits of your deductible. Once you’ve reached the maximum out of pocket costs, you’ll be able to submit additional expenses to your health insurance carrier. 

Living in Edina, MN means planning for all contingencies, and Central Lakes Insurance Brokers wants to help you do just that. When you contact us, we can help you understand more about how your health insurance policy works and what services you have access to. And if you need additional coverage, so you’re not responsible for an unavoidable emergency, we’re here to help you get everything you need. 

When it comes to getting health insurance, you’ll need to be well prepared to know what to ask for and how your situation affects your benefits. Visit a Central Lakes Insurance Brokers agent in Edina, MN with a list of questions about what you may want to know about to help us make the right decisions for your insurance plan.

Important Questions to Ask

Some of the more crucial questions you should ask your insurance agent about health insurance include:

• What will my co-pays be (amounts to go to the doctor, urgent care, get prescriptions, etc.)?
• What will it cost for other types of care (such as x-rays or various tests)? (co-insurance)
• How much will I have to pay monthly? (premium)
• How much will I have to pay throughout the year before I see benefits to my plan? (deductible)

You’ll also want to ask yourself if the bottom line for said health insurance plan fits within your budget. It may be steep, but if you can see an overall benefit with setting up this health insurance policy, you should go for it.

Prepare for Every Instance

You should think carefully about what the worst-case scenario might be with your health (and anyone who will be under your policy). Ask the agent how much you’d have to pay out-of-pocket with the plan in question if you’re involved in more accidents or require more treatment over the next year. When you have the answer, consider if you’d be able to pay that amount if you had to pay it.

Considerations for Comfort

If you have a doctor in place who you would like to keep going to, find out if the plan will allow for that. If it isn’t covered to go to your particular doctor, find out how much it would cost. If the plan is otherwise great, consider if you’d switch doctors to make it more affordable and easier on your health insurance plan.

In addition, it’s a good idea to ask if your current prescriptions are covered, and at what point you’d have to pay out-of-pocket for them. Determine if you’ll need to change pharmacies and if that will be convenient for you.

A reputable insurance agent like Central Lakes Insurance Brokers of the Edina, MN area can help you sort through your concerns about health insurance benefits. Reach out via phone or email today.

Health insurance may seem too expensive for many teens to afford on their own. However, if you live in Edina, MN and are a teenager – or are raising one – you should really consider a policy. Thankfully, we at Central Lakes Insurance Brokers can help you find the right one for your needs.

Teenagers Should Consider Insurance Plans 

While it is true that most teenagers will likely be healthy enough to avoid most types of medical procedures, there comes a time when many may need health coverage. For example, some teens may catch venereal diseases if they are sexually active or suffer from broken bones after a sports game. 

These common health issues can be very frustrating or even dangerous if you don’t get medical help. And thankfully, medical insurance will cover treatment for these issues. And there are many ways that you can get these types of policies. 

Coverage Options 

Most teenagers should qualify to be covered under their parent’s insurance plan. The highest age that you can be covered is typically 26 in most states, which means that you can avoid having to pay for an expensive policy. Pitch in to help your parent pay for theirs, though. 

However, some teens can purchase policies such as student health plans if they go to college or may qualify for Medicaid if they don’t have a lot of money. The types of policies available will vary based on your state but can provide you with a variety of unique benefits and coverage choices. 

Don’t Hesitate to Get Help 

If you live near Edina, MN and want high-quality insurance for a teenager, please contact us at Central Lakes Insurance Brokers right away. We serve this city and the surrounding area and can provide you or your teenager with the policy that works best for your overall needs. 

When it’s time to choose a health care plan, it’s best to know the basics. Health insurance covers medical expenses. Check with the independent insurance agents in Edina, MN at Central Lakes Insurance Brokers to help you with the details of health insurance.

Types of Health Insurance Coverage

Depending on your financial situation and what services you’ll need throughout the year, there are several different plans that you can choose from.

• Health Management Organizations (HMO) – an HMO is a managed care insurance policy. Generally, the premiums for HMO’s are lower than traditional plans. This organization has a network of providers located in your area where you will need to elect a primary care physician. A primary care physician will see you for your preventative care as well as give you a referral when you need to visit a specialist.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – is another managed care plan that allows you a little more freedom when it comes to choosing your provider. The premiums are usually a bit higher as well as the cost for co-pays and deductibles, but it comes with the benefit of not having to choose a primary care physician and you can go to a specialist without prior authorization.
• Point of Service (POS) – offers details of both an HMO and a PPO plan. Like an HMO, the POS requires you to have a primary care doctor that is within the network. Like a PPO, the POS allows you to choose out-of-network providers at a higher cost.

Where Can Get Health Insurance

Stop by the Central Lakes Insurance Brokers office in Edina, MN for information regarding health insurance. Our agents will guide you on everything that you’ll need to get started with a policy. We can also help you with auto, home, and life insurance policies.