Common Health Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

It's no secret that health insurance can be confusing. At EMI Health, we try to make things as clear as possible so that you can maximize your plan benefits. Below, see some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1.  Not having a plan when you need care

When you need medical attention, not having a plan can result in unnecessary costs, wait times, and headaches. Did you know that the ER has an average wait time of two hours and 42 minutes, and the average out-of-pocket costs can range anywhere between $500 to $3,000? That's why you wouldn't want to go the ER if you only have a minor injury. Rather, the ER should be reserved for true emergencies. For more information and tips on where to go for medical care, click here. 

2.  Going out of network for care

One easy way to avoid paying extra costs is to stay in-network for your healthcare. If you're unsure what facilities and providers are in your network, take advantage of the Provider Search function through your EMI Health account dashboard. There, the Provider Search function will automatically bring up your default network, so you don't have to worry whether a provider is in-network or not! You can also utilize TeleMed, which offers free consultations.

3.  Not knowing what's covered

It's important to understand what your health insurance plan covers before seeking treatment. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your plan details. Many preventive services, like annual physicals, colonoscopies, and mammograms, are covered under the Affordable Care Act. Check out this flyer for more details on what's covered. Before seeking services for major medical procedures like surgeries or MRIs, check with your provider to ensure you have received pre-authorization. If you have any questions about what is covered under your plan, you can always contact our customer service team at 801-262-7475 or toll free at 800-662-5851. You can also consult your plan detail documents, which can be found in your EMI Health account dashboard.

4.  Going straight for name-brand medications

While you may be inclined to buy name-brand medications because you know the name or have seen commercials for them, pharmacies often offer generic versions that are exactly the same medication but sold at a lower cost. We encourage you to visit the Express Scripts pharmacy page on your EMI Health account dashboard.

By clicking on the "Recommend" tab, Express Scripts will offer customized prescription recommendations to help you save money.

5. Forgetting to compare costs

EMI Health offers the Talon MyMedicalShopper Price Transparency tool. With this tool, you can compare costs for medical services so that you never overpay for healthcare. Watch this video tutorial for tips on how to use it. To access the Price Transparency tool, go to the Programs and Tools section of your My EMI Health Dashboard. You can also contact our customer service team to compare costs with a representative.

By following these simple tips, you can save time and money and become a health insurance expert! Be sure to use our mobile app or online dashboard to access all your benefits.