Ask a Health Professional NSICHT (715) 732-2101 3003 Cleveland Avenue Marinette, WI Andrew Congdon, O.D. Doctor of Optometry OINSIGHT VISION CENTER Question: What is Astigmatism and how does it affect your vision? A: Normal comea Comes with astigmatism You may have heard many different terms in the news lately. From Deductibles, to Premiums, to coverage. There are many words that are used when talking about insurance, and we will try to explain a basic understanding on how insurance works. even after a deductible is met. If you have a 90% to 10% plan, that means that once your Insurance is what you buy as a way to better deductible is met, you still have to pay 10% afford health care costs. When you buy of the charges until you meet your max out of insurance, there are a few factors that go into the price of that insurance. If your job pocket. The higher the Max Out of Pocket, the offers insurance, you will be part of a group. Generally, when you are in a group, your Co-Pay - This is a set amount that you owe insurance will cost less due to many people for every visit. This does not go towards your having the same plan which can negotiate a deductible. This can vary if you're visiting your discount. People who own their own business, primary care doctor or a specialist. or their job does not offer insurance, generally have higher healthcare cost. The following Co-Insurance - You may have more than one terms will decide the cost and how the insurance to cover the cost of your deductible. insurance is run. lower the monthly premium. Many people on Medicare have a second insurance to help with coverage, this is often Premium - Your premium is your monthly called a Secondary. cost of the insurance. If you never use your insurance, you still have to pay a premium. Coverage - When an insurance company The amount that you pay is greatly affected says something is covered, that doesn't mean by other factors. The higher the premium, will pay for it. What coverage means, is that the lower the other costs tend to be. If you the insurance company recognizes the charge, have multiple people on the same insurance and the amount will go to your deducible. If in your family, your premium will go up. The you haven't met your deductible, you have to money paid to a premium doesn't go to your pay the charge. Coverage does not mean your deductible, or max out of pocket. insurance will pay the charge. Deductible -A deductible is a set amount of Prior Authorization money that you have to pay before insurance insurance will require you to ask for will start to help you with payments. When you permission before getting certain tests or have a bill from a doctor, there will be service drugs covered. This can be a tedious task by charges. If you have not paid enough to reach your doctor's office, and may take weeks to your deductible, your insurance will not help months to complete. you with these charges. Once you have met Insurance can be confusing. The biggest take your deductible, you could still be on the hook for payment if you haven't reached your max ay is that insurance is not a guarantee for out of pocket. The higher the dedudible, the payment.l your insurance company does not lower the monthly premium. Sometimes your a bil that you thought should be paid, you have to contact your insurance company, Max Out of Pocket This is a number, not the doctor's office to find out why it hasn't generally larger than your deductible. This been paid. is the amount that you would have to pay Ask a Health Professional NSICHT (715) 732-2101 3003 Cleveland Avenue Marinette, WI Andrew Congdon, O.D. Doctor of Optometry OINSIGHT VISION CENTER Question: What is Astigmatism and how does it affect your vision? A: Normal comea Comes with astigmatism You may have heard many different terms in the news lately. From Deductibles, to Premiums, to coverage. There are many words that are used when talking about insurance, and we will try to explain a basic understanding on how insurance works. even after a deductible is met. If you have a 90% to 10% plan, that means that once your Insurance is what you buy as a way to better deductible is met, you still have to pay 10% afford health care costs. When you buy of the charges until you meet your max out of insurance, there are a few factors that go into the price of that insurance. If your job pocket. The higher the Max Out of Pocket, the offers insurance, you will be part of a group. Generally, when you are in a group, your Co-Pay - This is a set amount that you owe insurance will cost less due to many people for every visit. This does not go towards your having the same plan which can negotiate a deductible. This can vary if you're visiting your discount. People who own their own business, primary care doctor or a specialist. or their job does not offer insurance, generally have higher healthcare cost. The following Co-Insurance - You may have more than one terms will decide the cost and how the insurance to cover the cost of your deductible. insurance is run. lower the monthly premium. Many people on Medicare have a second insurance to help with coverage, this is often Premium - Your premium is your monthly called a Secondary. cost of the insurance. If you never use your insurance, you still have to pay a premium. Coverage - When an insurance company The amount that you pay is greatly affected says something is covered, that doesn't mean by other factors. The higher the premium, will pay for it. What coverage means, is that the lower the other costs tend to be. If you the insurance company recognizes the charge, have multiple people on the same insurance and the amount will go to your deducible. If in your family, your premium will go up. The you haven't met your deductible, you have to money paid to a premium doesn't go to your pay the charge. Coverage does not mean your deductible, or max out of pocket. insurance will pay the charge. Deductible -A deductible is a set amount of Prior Authorization money that you have to pay before insurance insurance will require you to ask for will start to help you with payments. When you permission before getting certain tests or have a bill from a doctor, there will be service drugs covered. This can be a tedious task by charges. If you have not paid enough to reach your doctor's office, and may take weeks to your deductible, your insurance will not help months to complete. you with these charges. Once you have met Insurance can be confusing. The biggest take your deductible, you could still be on the hook for payment if you haven't reached your max ay is that insurance is not a guarantee for out of pocket. The higher the dedudible, the payment.l your insurance company does not lower the monthly premium. Sometimes your a bil that you thought should be paid, you have to contact your insurance company, Max Out of Pocket This is a number, not the doctor's office to find out why it hasn't generally larger than your deductible. This been paid. is the amount that you would have to pay