What Health Insurance Documents Should You Keep?

As a health insurance advisor, one of the most common questions I get asked is: Whathealth insurance documentsshould you keep? Keeping track of your health insurance documents is important for a variety of reasons, including tax purposes, claim disputes, and ensuring you receive the appropriate coverage. In this article, I will discuss the essential health insurance documents you should keep and why they are important.

Insurance ID Card

The first and most important document to keep is your insurance ID card. This card contains your policy number, group number, and the contact information for your insurance provider. It is important to keep this card with you at all times, as you may need it in case of an emergency.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

An EOB is a statement you receive from your insurance provider after receiving medical services. It details the amount of money your insurance provider paid for the services and the amount you are responsible for paying. It is important to keep these statements to ensure that your insurance provider is covering what they should be.

Medical Bills

It is important to keep anymedical billsyou receive, as they can be used for tax purposes and to dispute claim discrepancies. Make sure to keep a record of any payments you make towards these bills as well.

Prescription Records

If you take any prescription medications, it is important to keep a record of them. This can include the name of the medication, the dosage, and the frequency in which you take it. This information can be useful when discussing treatment options with your healthcare provider.

Important Contacts

Finally, make sure to keep a list of important contacts, including your healthcare provider, insurance provider, and any specialists you see. This information can be useful in case of an emergency or if you need to make a claim dispute.

Insurance Planning Tips

Now that you know what health insurance documents you should keep, it is important to consider how to make the most of your coverage. Here are some tips for insurance planning:

- Consider your family's health needs when selecting an insurance plan.

- Make sure to review your policy annually to ensure it still meets your needs.

- Consider adding supplemental coverage, such as dental or vision insurance, to your plan.

- Make sure to take advantage of any wellness programs or preventative care services offered by your insurance provider.

Insurance Case Study

To illustrate the importance of keeping track of your health insurance documents, here is a case study:

Samantha was recently diagnosed with a chronic condition and began seeing a specialist. She received a bill for her first appointment and noticed that her insurance provider had not covered as much as they should have. She looked back at her EOB statements and found that her insurance provider had been consistently underpaying for her visits. By keeping track of her EOB statements and medical bills, Samantha was able to dispute the claims and receive the appropriate coverage.

In conclusion, keeping track of your health insurance documents is important for a variety of reasons. By keeping your insurance ID card, EOB statements, medical bills,prescription records, and important contacts, you can ensure that you receive the appropriate coverage and can dispute any discrepancies. Additionally, by considering insurance planning tips and learning from insurance case studies, you can make the most of your health insurance coverage.