Two Health Plans For One Family?

In today's economy, many stay-at-home parents have been forced back into a 9-5 job, in order to keep food on the table. As they re-enter the work force, new options become available to the family such as a secondary health insurance plan. Before you take the plunge and sign up, make sure it will actually be a benefit for your family.

The first thing to ask your health plan administrator is about coverage. Will the primary and secondary insurance plans cover the same things? Also, make sure to pay attention to what they do not cover. If you are thinking to yourself that they look pretty identical, you can bet that you will be wasting a lot of money every month for nothing.

A second consideration to make is job stability. Many couples sit down together and have a look at both of their current occupations. Which position is more likely to be there in a year? If the economy keeps going south, which job will likely go first? By looking at the stability or longevity of a job, it may be easier to choose which health plan is a safer bet.

Another idea is to check the provider selection offered with each plan. Is your favorite family doctor covered? Are you able to visit the facilities you like the best? Many people forget this step and kick themselves later when they have to hunt down a new physician. Being aware of this may also give one plan an edge over the other.

Finally, you may want additional coverage, but the plan offered by your workplace just isn't tempting enough. Don't think your health care options stop there. You can see dozens of plans offered within seconds, by simply clicking on a site such as . Find a secondary plan that is actually complimentary and not redundant. By doing a little investigative work, you may find that two health plans are absolutely worth having for your family.

Finally, you may want additional coverage, but the plan offered by your workplace just isn't tempting enough. Don't think your health care options stop there. You can see dozens of plans offered within seconds, by simply clicking on a site such as . Find a secondary plan that is actually complimentary and not redundant. By doing a little investigative work, you may find that two health plans are absolutely worth having for your family.

It depends. If one plan offers coverage that you use that the other does not, (for example - if you have children, and the primary plan doesn't cover preventative care, but the secondary one does, then once the primary plan denies it, you can get the secondary to pay it.) then it's worth it. If they both cover and don't cover the same things, then it's pointless. In which case, drop whichever one you pay more for.

It depends. If one plan offers coverage that you use that the other does not, (for example - if you have children, and the primary plan doesn't cover preventative care, but the secondary one does, then once the primary plan denies it, you can get the secondary to pay it.) then it's worth it. If they both cover and don't cover the same things, then it's pointless. In which case, drop whichever one you pay more for.

One other thought, if one of you is always changing jobs (e.g. insurances), it might be a good idea to keep the insurance of the spouse that has a more stable situation.... Does one give you more choices of providers (HMO-PPO)? With the reduction in employee health benefits and the existence of extended family dependents, available employer policy options might not meet your health insurance needs.

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