Individual and Family Health Plans

Individual or family health plans are very important tools that can help you face medical emergencies. But before you sign any agreement, make sure you have read and understood the included and excluded items in your health plan. The following is a list of items or services that are usually excluded from general individual and family health plans:

List of excluded items and services:

- Convenience or comfort items such as extra hospital pillows or blankets, band-aids, and telephone access

- Elective abortion

- Reconstructive surgical procedures (these include cosmetic surgical procedures, sex change surgery, and circumcision)

- Private nursing or home care services

- Vision or hearing aids

- Comprehensive dental care

- Reversal of sterilization or vasectomy

Getting the coverage you need

As the basic individual or family health plan may have several exclusions, it's best to look for a reliable health plan that offers the coverage you and your family will need. Before making any decision, talk to a health plan provider and compare their packages carefully. Make sure you have read and understood everything before you sign the paperwork. Health plans include an exclusion list so be sure that you have double-checked the list and that you won't miss anything.

A health insurance plan is your support system in case of a medical emergency. This is why it's very important that you familiarize yourself with what the plan excludes so you won't be surprised to find out that a certain service is not covered by your provider, as you are already filing for a claim.