How to Apply for Health Insurance

You've done your research, compared prices based on comparable benefits and now you're wondering how to apply for health insurance. Whether you apply online or off will depend on your comfort level and also whether you're applying via a group plan. Before applying, it's a good idea to have available information about your most recent insurance policy, and the names and addresses of your (and your family's) doctors and the dates of the most recent visits handy as you may need this information when filling out your application.

How to Apply for Health Insurance through Your Employer

If you're enrolling in a health insurance plan that is being provided by your employer, you typically will have to wait for the company's open enrollment period before you can begin the application process. However, if you're a new hire you most likely won't have to wait. The application process when enrolling in a group plan is quite simple, since most will enroll everybody, regardless of pre-existing conditions and current state of health.

You'll be given an enrollment form to fill out which requires all personal information including address, social security number, designation of the primary insured and all dependents (including the names, ages, dates of birth and social security numbers for all dependents), employment information including date of hire, and the type of health insurance coverage you desire. You'll likely have to provide information about prior health insurance coverage including the insurance company name and policy number, but you won't need a medical examination. From there, the completed application goes back to the benefits coordinator who processes your form. That's really all there is to this process.

How to Apply for Health Insurance on Your Own

In situations where those who need to apply for health insurance are not participating in group coverage, the steps are very similar, the only difference being that there might not be anyone else to handle processing the paperwork. Some insurance companies will send an insurance agent to discuss the application process and in these cases, the agent will typically work with applicants to gather all required documentation, coordinate in-home medical examinations, and collect pre-payment. Again, once you've made sense out of the different policies and what each does and does not cover, the application process is straightforward.

It's so simple really, that some people opt to apply for health insurance online. Just visit the health insurance company's web site where you'll find an online application form and a secure environment. You'll be required to provide the same type of personal and employment information, and you'll simply enter all of it onto an online application form. When you're finished, click on the submit button and the system takes over. Applying for health insurance online really is simple, once you've selected the appropriate coverage.

However, some people simply are not comfortable providing that amount of personal information over the Internet, and for these individuals, it's probably a good idea to apply for health insurance offline. For the rest, however, applying online is painless, reliable and fast.