The fact is that, in California, as in most other states, most workers in the state obtain their health insurance coverage through plans offered by their employers.
How many?
According to one source, as of the beginning of 2021, about 47 percent of the state population was covered by a group health insurance plan through employers. That’s 18,253,400 employees. In addition to those with paid health insurance, another 16 percent of the state’s population has Medicare coverage. This means that there are somewhere in the vicinity of 12 to 13 million or so Californians must purchase their own California health insurance plans. This might be by choice or because they work for a small business that is not required to offer coverage options and has chosen not to.
So, if you’re one of these more than ten million adults looking to find good health care plans, how do you know what the best plan is for you? A health and medical insurance agent can help.
The Benefits of Health Insurance and Health Insurance Agents
Most of us aren’t wealthy, or at least not so much that we can easily absorb the potentially high costs of medical care.
Which is why medical insurance is so beneficial.
According to one article,
“Health insurance plans offer protection against high medical costs. It covers hospitalization expenses, day care procedures, domiciliary expenses, and ambulance charges, besides many others.”
Out-of-pocket costs are a real consideration for most of us. As the website at HealthCare.gov notes ,
“Health insurance provides financial protection in case you have a serious accident or illness. For example, a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. Health coverage can help protect you from high, unexpected costs.”
And, in California, the average cost of a single-day visit to an Emergency Room is around $3,000.
While protection from excessively high medical bills is extremely important, California medical insurance plans allow you to easily and affordably take advantage of a wide variety of preventative health care services.
The old saying that prevention is worth a pound of cure is undebatable.
Studies routinely show that preventative care is essential for avoiding or identifying life-threatening diseases and conditions across the spectrum of patients who see their healthcare providers on a regular basis. Those who are young and in good health might eschew the need for what they might view as “costly” an unnecessary insurance premium.
But those who have health issues or are beyond the age of 30 or so will want to have the best plan they can afford.
And a good agent can help them find that plan.
How a Health and Medical Insurance Agent Can Help You Find the Best Plan
Insurance agents can be found in many ways and in many places, but there are advantages to having a local agent.
One advantage is that you’ll be working directly with an insurance agent who is familiar with your area. And it’s possible that the agent may even be someone you know personally or knows someone you know.
Another advantage of a local agent is having the personal relationship that is so vital when an insurance crisis occurs.
That might be an unexpected life change such as having to relocate for a new job or a sudden major health issue. By having a local agent to work with directly, you can be assured that your insurance needs are met in a personal and immediate fashion.
Having an experienced medical insurance agent also means having someone who can advocate for you should you encounter issues with the insurance carrier. In addition, agents such as J.C. Lewis, for example, are licensed to sell multiple products, which means they can be your one source for all your insurance needs.
How else can a local health insurance agent help you?
Researching, comparing, and purchasing health insurance coverage can be challenging and often difficult. But a local health insurance agent can do all the difficult work for you. And because a local agent understands the insurance industry and which insurers offer specific coverage types, he or she can help you choose the best coverage for you or for you and your family.
In other words, working with a local insurance agent means working with someone who knows the industry, understands policy terminology, and keeps up with all the current changes in health coverage requirements.
In addition to simplifying the buying process for you, agents can provide knowledgeable advice to help minimize your costs. Because health insurance can be confusing, a good agent will be able to answer your questions and explain the different aspects of health coverage.
And, best of all, working with a local health insurance agent means building a long-term relationship, which will benefit you in the long run. Since your agent will get to know you and your insurance needs well, when the time comes for a necessary change, that agent will be prepared to help you quickly and efficiently.
For an Experienced Agent Who Cares, Come to J.C. Lewis Insurance
J.C. Lewis Insurance is a local, family-owned firm that has been based in Sonoma County since our founding in 1979. Our team of expert brokers offer individual and family health insurance plans and provides small business owners insurance plans only from the leading health insurance carriers that are licensed to do business in California.
As experienced, professional, and local insurance brokers, we are licensed and certified by each of these insurance carriers to offer coverage to individuals, families, and small group employers, in addition to offering Medicare supplement insurance and prescription drug plans for seniors.
When you’re shopping for vision, dental, or health insurance for your employees or for you and your family, you probably have several questions and concerns.
At J.C. Lewis Insurance Services, we welcome your questions about insurance coverage, and you can be confident that we will help you find the right solution.