Key Takeaways

Family health insurance ensures you can access care when needed, protecting you against high out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
Misinformation surrounding family health insurance can cause people to forego having coverage or choose a plan that may not provide what they need.
Debunking the myths around family health insurance gives you more confidence in your decision when seeking coverage.
Anyone can find affordable healthcare coverage that meets their needs, as many plans are available for various lifestyles and budgets.

The world of health insurance can certainly be complex at times, which can cause many myths to develop and spread. However, the misinformation surrounding family health insurance can come with disadvantages, like people skipping health insurance coverage entirely, which offers several risks in a health emergency.

Debunking those health insurance myths can go a long way toward ensuring you get the information and care you need. At Redirect Health, we are here to clear up any confusion and highlight the health insurance facts you need to know to navigate your healthcare journey.

Why Is Family Health Insurance Important?

Family health insurance is important for ensuring you are covered in case of a health emergency. If you or a family member experiences a healthcare concern, then insurance will be there to help cover medical expenses and ensure you get the care you need.

Even if you’re only seeking healthcare for preventive services, health insurance makes it easier to access care. It protects you from paying high out-of-pocket costs for primary care provider visits and other essential healthcare needs.

Insurance also helps you navigate your healthcare costs more easily. Insurance plans have set costs that members are responsible for when seeking care, giving you an idea of what you can expect to pay in certain situations. For example, when you need primary care or a preventive medical visit, you know you can expect a set copay or coinsurance, eliminating any guesswork.

Most Common Family Health Insurance Myths

If you have written off finding family healthcare coverage because of what you’ve heard, it’s time to clear up any misconceived notions. By debunking these five common health insurance myths, you can feel more confident in your search for the proper healthcare coverage.

Myth #1: “I’m young and healthy, so I don’t need it”

Fact: You never know when a healthcare concern may arise, and even young and healthy individuals are not immune to an unforeseen incident. Whether it’s an injury during exercise or an unexpected illness, health emergencies can come out of nowhere. This doesn’t mean you should fear the worst, but you should be prepared for it.

Since insurance covers you for preventive care, it also plays an important part in helping you stay healthy. No matter your age, regular check-ups, immunizations, and mental health support are always good ideas.

If you’re young and healthy, you can certainly consider that in your plan. Many people who do not visit the doctor for more than preventive care still have health insurance, but just at a lower monthly rate, usually with a higher deductible. This way, you can save money by only spending on health expenses when you need them.

Myth #2: “Family Health Insurance is Too Expensive”

Fact: As with any service, some insurance plans cost more than others, but they are not all expensive and out of reach, even if you’re on a budget—all it takes is a little research.

Finding an affordable health insurance plan depends on finding the correct provider and plan. If you choose a high-value plan that provides effective

coverage with low out-of-pocket costs, a family health insurance plan is well worth it.

Still, you do need to consider the different expenses. The most common costs include:

Deductible – Your deductible is the amount you must pay each year before your plan starts to cover your healthcare expenses.
Copays – A copay is the set amount you pay when you receive a given service.
Coinsurance – Coinsurance is a set percentage of medical expenses you pay for after you meet your deductible.
Monthly premium – A monthly premium is the amount you pay each month to keep your health insurance active. The premium does not count toward your deductible. However, a higher monthly premium usually coincides with a lower deductible and vice-versa.
Out-of-pocket maximum – This is the maximum amount your insurance provider will require you to pay for healthcare services in a given year before they cover the rest.

Family health insurance doesn’t have to be expensive—affordable healthcare all comes down to finding the right coverage. Some plans provide benefits that provide you access to quality care at lower costs.

For example, at Redirect Health, we developed a unique model of healthcare coverage to prioritize keeping costs low without sacrificing quality coverage. Some of our cost-effective benefits include:

No-cost virtual or in-person primary care
12 free chiropractic visits per year
$0 member responsibility labs
$0 mental health tele-counseling

Myth #3: “I Can Rely on Government Health Programs”

Fact: Although government health programs can be a helpful resource depending on your healthcare needs, you shouldn’t assume that they are the best option for you. Government health programs like Medicaid and Marketplace can provide health coverage through government assistance.

Some government programs cover the total monthly premium while others are subsidized, allowing insured individuals to either pay low rates every month or nothing at all. Although programs can be a great resource, you should research the program and its coverage to make sure it will actually meet your needs.

In some cases, government health programs can cost you more money in the long run due to out-of-pocket costs and other health expenses when you do seek healthcare. In other cases, the programs may not cover the specific services you use the most frequently.

Before turning to government health programs, consider the following:

Will you actually be saving money?
Will you be able to afford the set out-of-pocket costs and deductibles?
Does the plan cover the services you use most?
Does the plan cover your preferred provider?

Myth #4: “I Can’t Navigate the Complexities of Insurance Plans”

Fact: There is no denying that the health insurance landscape can be complex. After all, there is plenty of nuance surrounding health insurance. That said, it doesn’t mean you’re incapable of navigating coverage.

With the proper support, you can navigate the world of health insurance with ease. There are many resources available to help you understand your health insurance options better and how you can use your health insurance.

Even in the search for health insurance plans, it can be difficult to narrow down which plans make the most sense for you. Tools like online plan comparison tools can more easily highlight how plans differ. Brokers can also help you navigate the process by connecting you to viable options.

Healthcare solutions, like Redirect Health, are designed specifically to help you navigate the complexities of health insurance. With the Redirect Health Member App, navigating your healthcare journey is easy, with access to virtual care, member resources, and your plan documents all in the palm of your hand.

Our Care Team simplifies the process even further by helping you navigate every aspect of your healthcare journey—including scheduling appointments, coordinating payments, and managing prescriptions.

Myth #5: “All Family Health Insurance Plans Are the Same”

Fact: Family health insurance plans are far from all the same, and there are many areas where given plans can differ. Understanding how health insurance plans differ will allow you to find one that provides you the most value.

Some of the most common differences in health insurance plans include:

Deductibles and Premiums – Plans have varying deductibles depending on the services they provide. This also depends on your premiums and copayments. The higher the deductible, the more you have to pay out-of-pocket before your plan begins to cover your healthcare expenses.
Coverage – Not all plans cover the same healthcare services and costs. For example, some may cover more prescription medications than others. They may also have different coverage for hospital or preventive care, so it’s important to consider your unique needs when weighing plans.
Network providers – Plans often only provide full coverage if you visit a select group of providers within your network. Different plans have different providers they will cover as part of their network. This is important to consider if you have a preferred provider or a limited number of providers in your area.

These differences in health insurance plans actually give you a lot of power in your search. Because there are so many options for family health insurance plans, you should find an option that makes the most sense for you and your family’s needs. Always research what coverage and benefits each health plan offers before deciding.

Tips for Choosing the Best Family Health Insurance Plan

The myths surrounding health insurance may dissuade you from pursuing a health insurance plan, but the realities should motivate you to pursue a quality option.

Some tips to consider when choosing the ideal family health insurance plan for you include:

Consider how often you visit the doctor – If you visit the doctor frequently, you should choose a plan that offers lower out-of-pocket costs, usually at the expense of a higher monthly premium. If your family doesn’t visit the doctor frequently, consider a lower premium. 2.
Decide which costs you value most – Do you value a lower monthly premium or a lower deductible? This answer often depends on how often you visit the doctor. If you only see a doctor for preventive care and don’t have young children, a higher deductible, lower-premium plan may be better. 3.
Weigh your medication needs – If you or anyone in the family needs to take a prescription medication regularly, then check a plan’s prescription formulary before signing up. This extra step will help you choose a plan that covers your necessary medications.4.
Consider your family outlook – If you’re planning on getting married or having a child soon, this may change what you need out of a healthcare plan. Other people on your healthcare plan may impact costs and the services you should prioritize. 5.
Start your search early – Health insurance plans come with open enrollment periods, usually between November and January each year. Be prepared to research plans that can work for you before open enrollment begins.

Choose Redirect Health for Your Family Health Insurance Needs

Obtaining family health insurance is surrounded by a lot of misinformation—by debunking these myths, you can be reassured that your plan meets your needs and provides you with the value you’re looking for. At Redirect Health, we strive to simplify the process of finding health insurance, offering low, transparent pricing, valuable coverage, and consistent support so that there is never any confusion or guesswork when navigating your healthcare journey.

Explore our family healthcare plans to find an option that suits you and your family’s needs. To learn more about family health solutions, contact our team at Redirect Health.