The document provides tips for applying for health insurance to get the best premium rates. It advises to shop wisely and choose a policy that fully meets your needs, as major medical insurance alone may not cover everything. It also recommends applying online if healthy, but seeking an agent's help if you have pre-existing conditions or want supplemental policies. Additionally, it warns against self-diagnosis without a doctor's opinion and being prompt responding to insurance company communications.

1. Insurance Application Tips
Things you can do to get the best
premiums possible when you apply
for health insurance.

2. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
SHOP WISELY
The biggest mistake people make is to buy a policy
based solely on price. Make certain the insurance
policy you purchase will meet your unique needs. If
it does not, add supplements or look for a policy
that does.

3. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
BE THOUROUGH
MANY PEOPLE STOP WITH MAJOR
MEDICAL INSURANCE. IT IS THE
MOST COMPREHENSIVE TYPE OF
HEALTH INSURANCE BUT IT DOES
NOT COVER EVERYTHING. YOU
MAY NEED SOME SUPPLEMENTAL
INSURANCE OR OTHER TYPES OF
HEALTH INSURANCE TO COMPLETE
YOUR PORTFOLIO.

4. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
APPLY ON-LINE
If you are healthy and comfortable with the
computer, most insurance companies will allow you
to complete your application on-line for the Major
Medical portion of your portfolio. If, however, you
feel you have a pre-existing condition, are not
comfortable on the computer or want supplements
like Critical Illness, Disability Income or Long Term
Care insurance, you should contact an insurance
agent whom you trust.

5. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
AVOID
SELF-DIAGNOSIS
If you do not have an official diagnosis
from your doctor, under no circumstances
should you ever diagnose yourself. It is
better to say “My knee hurts when it rains”
than to say “I have arthritis in my knee”
without a doctor’s diagnosis.

6. Insurance Application
Tip
PROMPTLY RESPOND
TO ANY MAIL
COMMUNICATIONS
YOU GET

7. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
(TELEPHONE INTERVIEW)
USE SMALL WORDS
YOU ARE PROBABLY INTELLIGENT BUT UNLESS YOU HAVE MEDICAL TRAINING, YOU DO
NOT USE THE SAME JARGON THEY DO. YOU WANT TO BE HONEST AND POLITE BUT
REFER ALL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH TO YOUR DOCTOR. HE SPEAKS
LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND. IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY USE A MEDICAL TERM
INCORRECTLY, THE INSURANCE COMPANY MUST ASSUME THE WORST AND EITHER
CHARGE YOU A HIGHER PREMIUM OR DECLINE YOUR APPLICATION.

8. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
(TELEPHONE INTERVIEW)
BE PREPARED
WRITE DOWN YOUR DOCTOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION AND
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DETAILS ASAP AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR
APPLICATION AND PUT THEM NEXT TO THE PHONE YOU WILL USE IF THE
INSURANCE COMPANY CALLS

9. INSURANCE
APPLICATION
TIP
(TELEPHONE INTERVIEW)
GET OFF THE PHONE FAST
IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY CALLS, BE POLITE BUT IN A HURRY TO GET OFF THE
PHONE. GIVE THEM THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR DOCTOR. HE CAN BE
MUCH MORE DETAILED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH CARE TREATMENT THAN YOU. DON’T
ACCIDENTALLY USE A MEDICAL TERM INCORRECTLY.