How to Find Low Cost Health Insurance in Baltimore, MD

Several major insurers have decided to continue certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act even if the Supreme Court strikes down the health care law. According to The Baltimore Sun, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have both agreed to let children stay on their parents' health insurance policies until they turn 26, to provide free preventive care and to eliminate lifetime policy caps. Also, as regional Health and Human Services director Joanne Corte Grossi pointed out at a recent health care forum in Baltimore, many states will push forward with their health insurance exchanges whether the Affordable Care Act is upheld or not.

The importance of preventive care

Fortunately for Marylanders, private health insurance companies will continue to offer affordable health insurance in Baltimore. Federal data shows that 1.2 million Maryland residents have received preventive health care through their private insurance company. Before 2010, nearly half of Americans did not receive the type of preventive care that is known to save lives. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, nearly 54 million Americans received at least one free preventive health visit through their private insurers. As UnitedHealthcare CEO Stephen Hemsley said, extending preventive care is smart business for private insurers. Preventive care promotes better access to quality care, drives down health care costs and keeps more people healthier longer.

Understanding your options

If private insurers continue to offer benefits such as free preventive care, then purchasing private insurance could be a superior option for you and your family compared to joining a public health insurance exchange. In addition to preventive care, you could also have the added benefit of being able to stay with your own doctor and having access to a wider network of specialists and hospitals. As long as private insurance rates and benefits remain competitive, you may find better deals by looking for quotes from private insurers.

Getting a quote

When private health insurance companies offer quotes online, they know that their prices and benefits packages are being compared to those offered by other companies. This creates competition, which provides insurers with an incentive to offer better benefits at lower rates. However, the cheapest policy isn't always the best policy. Be sure to investigate the financial health of the insurance company and to check whether the company offers important benefits like free preventive care as part of their medical coverage in Baltimore.