| Before you commit to a health insurance plan, be | | | | birthing, or acupuncture. Health insurance plans with |
| sure to know exactly what you're signing up for. | | | | this type of coverage are more common now days |
| Your health insurance provider will give you a | | | | than they used to be, but many plans still do not |
| promotional package with only basic plan information | | | | provide these types of options. |
| included in it. It is important to read the fine print of | | | | Mental health treatment and drug rehabilitation are |
| the actual plan before you decide to go for it. There | | | | not generally covered by insurance policies. However, |
| are quite a few catches and limitations that you may | | | | you may be able to get coverage if your doctor |
| not be aware of concerning your health insurance | | | | refers you to a mental health professional or to a |
| plan. | | | | substance abuse program. If substance abuse occurs |
| Fee for service plans generally do not cover routine | | | | with mental illness, some insurance providers will be |
| checkups and physicals. However, most managed | | | | more likely to provide coverage. |
| care plans do. Be sure to check that part of your | | | | The Association of British Insurers has compiled a list |
| policy before you make an appointment so you don't | | | | of treatments that will not be covered by the |
| end up with more fees than you can handle. | | | | majority of health insurance providers. These |
| Another limitation is that most health insurance plans | | | | conditions and treatments are not covered: infertility, |
| do not cover cosmetic surgery. Most plans will cover | | | | cosmetic surgery, self-afflicted injuries, drug abuse, |
| surgery for reconstructive purposes that are caused | | | | kidney dialysis, preventative treatment, gender |
| by an accident or a birth defect, but they will not | | | | reassignment, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, mobility |
| cover elective cosmetic surgeries like liposuction, nose | | | | aids, experimental treatment, war risks, and injuries |
| jobs, or face lifts. Those will be out of pocket | | | | incurred while doing dangerous hobbies. |
| expenses. Your plan may also cover your cosmetic | | | | When making a claim for an accident or injury that |
| surgery if your doctor assures them that it is for | | | | occurred due to the misuse of drugs or alcohol, you |
| medical reasons. | | | | will have a hard time getting coverage for those |
| A pre-existing condition is another case when there | | | | injuries. Check with your provider to see what their |
| may be a grey area in your health insurance policy. | | | | definition of the word misuse is. Different providers |
| Many insurance plans make you wait from six months | | | | define the word differently. |
| to a year before they will cover any treatment of a | | | | These are just some of the most common limitations |
| pre-existing condition such as allergies or diabetes. | | | | of health insurance policies. Be sure to carefully read |
| You may want to consider getting a personal health | | | | even the fine print of any policy you are considering |
| insurance policy if you are leaving one job and | | | | before you commit to anything. It is important to be |
| moving to another because there might be a time | | | | well informed about what type of coverage you'll be |
| when you're not covered at your new job. | | | | receiving so you'll know what type of treatment you |
| Many health insurance policies still do not cover | | | | are entitled to in the case that you should need to |
| non-traditional treatments like massage, alternative | | | | use it. |