Previously, I wrote about how I had to cancel the health insurance I was approved for, because it was too expensive. I also wrote about getting help from an insurance broker, in the hopes to successfully complete my quest to find affordable health insurance. Here is an update of what happened next.
I got approved for a health insurance plan that was too expensive for me to afford. In order to cancel, or terminate, a health insurance policy, you must send the insurer a letter that clearly states that you want to cancel the plan. You cannot cancel over the phone. They have to have something in writing that has your signature on it.
My husband and I composed the letter that the insurer required. I signed it, and we faxed it. My hope was that the letter would go through the process involved at the insurance company quickly, so that I would not be charged for a policy that I did not use, and that I canceled within their “free look” period.
The other day, I received a letter from the insurance company. It officially states, in writing:
“We have processed your request to terminate coverage for the above certificate effective (the day the policy took affect). Terminations are effective as of the date to which the policy was paid”.
I am at the point where I have very little trust for any and all health insurance companies. It appears that this letter is telling me that they are not going to charge me for the policy I canceled. Just in case, I am going to keep a close watch on my checking account, and make sure that they do not go back on their word.
Hopefully, that takes care of the health insurance plan that was too expensive. My next step was to contact an insurance broker. She was able to quickly send me some quotes for three different health insurance policies. Each one looks affordable, (so far).
I have no doubt that the insurance broker is telling me the truth about the price of the premiums. However, my experience is that the cost of the premium will increase during the application process. In other words, I believe the insurance broker is being truthful. However, my experience is that health insurance companies are untruthful about the price of premiums.
Later this week, my husband and I will meet, in person, with our insurance broker. We called and made an appointment to see her. We can ask her any and all questions about the policies that she sent me quotes on. I think that, perhaps, she can help me get started with the application process one of the health plans we are discussing. It is my hope that this process will result in affordable health insurance coverage for me.
Image by Flippo Diotalevi on Flickr