All Health Insurance Plans are Not The SameIf you are shopping for a new family or individual health plan, and if you were previously covered by a company group policy, you may be in some unpleasant surprises. It is true that most people who are covered by group health plans do not understand how much the whole package of insurance costs. Their old company probably chipped in a large part of the premium every month, and so the individual only saw a smaller deduction come from their paycheck. That is, if they paid attention at all!Then, when you look for individual health insurance for yourself, you will hear new terms like PPO, Deductibles, Yearly Maximums, Tiers, Waivers, Exclusions, and copays. You may understand some of it, but you may not really have noticed these concepts before, and that can make your shopping job more challenging!Furthermore, your policy insurance rates are based on several factors. For the exact same health care plan, an applicant’s age, general health, zip code, and health habits will influence the final premium that a health insurance company will offer. So a general ballpark estimate based on a health plan and age is seldom accurate. An individual may have their rate increased for high blood pressure or they may earn a discount for keeping their weight in a normal range. Furthermore, some companies may be more generous with their discounts. Some individual companies, however, may be more quick to rate premiums up for health risks, or to decline an offer of to cover you altogether.Don’t Give UpThe best way to find your own local medical policy, and to compare the costs of these plans, is to be able to enter your information one time, and then get back competing major medical insurance quotes. You should be able to compare prices for different coverage levels from one company, and also to compare plans from multiple health insurance companies!It will also help to speak to an experienced local insurance agent. He or she will know the products that are sold in your area, and also which plans are likely to accept your family with the best rates. An experienced agent should also listen to you and understand your expectations. That agent may help you find a product to meet those expectations, or may have to suggest you cut back on some benefits in order to find a more affordable health insurance plan.In the event that one or more people in your family cannot be accepted by a private insurance company, a good insurance agent will be able to tell you where to find a state high risk health insurance plan as well. Even though the agent may not make any money by directing you to a high risk health plan they should get your good will. In turn, you will be likely to refer that agent to your friends.Many online systems can help you compare plans online. They also give you contact information for local agents who can give you additional information and help you apply for a policy. This is a great way to use the internet to save time and money while still getting personal help.When Insurance Companies Compete For Your Business, You Win!