Should You Keep Two Health Care Plans
If you have access to two health care plans, you could end up paying less money out of your own pocket for expenses the first plan doesn’t cover. For example, if your first plan has a deductible or copay, the second plan may pay for that.
Does a person with two health care plans get double benefits? Not exactly. Having two health plans does help cover any health care costs better through the coordination of benefits provision.
If you are thinking you will save money on health insurance by only having one plan, think about how combining care works and what health care costs you have before signing a health insurance waiver and giving up a second plan. If your plan through your own job is free, and your partner can add you to their plan for a low cost, you should keep both plans.
Using Private Health Plans
Got a private health plan? Ask your insurance provider about how much it would cost to add a partner, spouse or adult child to your plan. Or is it possible for you to piggyback off of a spouse or partners health plan? Do they have a private plan like you or do they have an employer plan? Do some research and choose the best two-plan dynamic for your family.
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How To Determine Which Insurance Is Primary And Which Is Secondary
When considering primary and secondary insurance, there are certain rules about who pays first depending on the situation. For example, if youre a dependent with two parents who both cover you under their health insurance plans, your primary insurance is decided by the birthday rule. This means that the primary coverage comes from the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year. When you file a claim, your primary insurance will provide you with your benefits regardless of your secondary plan. Then your secondary plan kicks in and covers some or all of the remaining cost. The following chart goes over a few common scenarios determining primary versus secondary coverage.
Scenario: Who Pays? |
||
---|---|---|
You have health insurance and also receive Medicaid. |
Your health insurance |
Your Medicaid coverage |
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Reasonable And Customary Costs
There are some rules that health plan providers follow that could cause a person covered by two plans to still have to pay for some health care costs. One such area is the “reasonable and customary” amount.
Most health plans will only cover costs that are reasonable and customary. In other words, the health plan provider will not pay for any services or supplies that are being billed at a cost that is more than what is the usual charge for the treatment in the area where the treatment takes place.
Why Would Someone Have Two Health Insurance Plans

First, lets talk about when someone might have two health insurance plans in the first place. There are several scenarios where this might happen. For example, if youre married and you and your spouse both have a group health insurance plan from your employer, you might be covered by your plan and listed as a dependent on your spouses plan.
Dual insurance is also common for students, who might be enrolled in a student or university medical plan, but are also younger than 26 and are still allowed to be covered under their parents insurance plan.
Children of divorced parents might also have separate health plansone from each parent.
Another example is for those who qualify for Medicaid but have their own insurance plan to supplement their Medicaid coverage. This can be an individual plan purchased on the or an employer-sponsored health plan.
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What Is The Billing Process When You Have Two Health Insurances
If you have a primary and secondary health insurance, your bill will not be given to both of them at the same time. Your primary insurance will typically be billed first unless there is a rule under your Coordination of Benefits provision that decides which insurance pays first. Once your primary insurance has done its part, you can then send the bill on to your secondary insurance. Keep in mind that you should always send the full bill to your secondary insurance provider as they will want to see what your primary insurance has already paid and why your bill was not fully paid by them. Sending a total bill can avoid your secondary claim from being rejected.
When Would You Have Two Plans
One of the most common reasons for having double coverage is when each person in a marriage or civil union has their own health insurance policy through work and each also uses the others policy.
Because the Affordable Care Act allows for children up to 26 to stay on their parents health plan, a young adult might also have two plans: the one they get through an employer and their familys plan. Each parent may also have their own separate plan and a child whos 26 or younger can be included on each of those plans.
Finally, seniors who have Medicare coverage can also have a private health insurance plan through their employer or secondary supplemental insurance to cover costs Medicare doesnt.
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Points To Consider Before Choosing A Health Insurance Plan
As you can see, there are various types of health insurance plans in the market. Therefore, choosing the most appropriate one can be confusing. When you select a health insurance plan, it is essential to compare different plans and choose the one that offers an affordable premium for comprehensive protection. Here are some factors that can help you choose a good health insurance plan for your needs:
Can Employees Have Coverage Through Two Health Insurance Plans
HRBenefits & Healthcare 5 min read time
Theres a variety of reasons that employees might have two health insurance plans depending on their marital status and age. Double coverage means that employees have to keep up with two different plans and communicate with two different insurance providers. While its entirely possible that double coverage means less health care costs for them, what do HR teams need to keep in mind to help support them if questions arise?
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Can You Have 2 Health Insurance Plans Canada
Well, many Canadians may have coverage for the same benefits under more than one plan. It’s called dual coverage, or double insurance. That’s usually a good thing, but if you pay premiums on both plans, you can shell out more than you get back. But before you opt out, think about what benefits you use.
What’s The Best Secondary Insurance For Seniors
Our 2021 pick for the best Medicare supplement plan for new enrollees is Plan G. However, this comprehensive plan has a high monthly premium. The full list of the best Medicare supplement plans also recommends Plan K for seniors on a budget. However, some seniors with this plan could end up with high out-of-pocket costs because there is only 50% coverage for services like skilled nursing.
Secondary health insurance is very common among seniors, and 4 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over have some form of supplemental coverage. There are several plans to choose from, and the best plan for you will depend on your budget and health circumstances.
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Can I Have Two Health Insurance Plans
Having two health insurance plans allows you to plan for the unforeseeable future by having two plans that will pay for coverage. For most people, one health insurance plan does not cover everything you need, some only allow you to visit in-network providers, others may have high deductibles, etc. You can purchase secondary insurance independently or through your spouses plan to avoid high medical bills. Your primary insurance covers basic medical expenses like lab tests, physician visits and prescription drugs while a secondary health insurance plan can offer additional benefits for services your primary medical plan doesnt cover. Having multiple health insurance plans creates coordination of benefits which establishes an order of claim payments that avoids duplicate payments.
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How Do I Claim 2 Health Insurance

In order to claim two health insurances, you will need to follow the steps below:
1) Check if youre current health insurance: plan allows you to have a second health insurance.
Some health insurance plans do not allow their policyholders to have a second health insurance.
2) If your health insurance plan allows you to have a second health insurance,
you will need to find a health insurance company that is willing to provide you with a second health insurance policy.
3) Once you have found a health insurance company that is willing to provide you with a second health insurance policy,
you will need to fill out an application form and submit it to the health insurance company.
4) After the health insurance company has processed your application, they will provide you with a second health insurance policy.
5) You will need to pay.
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How Does Secondary Insurance Work
After the primary insurer has paid its part of the insurance claim, the remainder of the claim moves on to the secondary insurer. The No. 2 insurer then pays its portion of the claim.
However, it is crucial to remember that the secondary insurance company may not pay the rest of your bills. You may be responsible for some health care costs.
Also, the primary and secondary insurance companies make sure they arent paying more than 100% of the overall bill. They do this through a process known as coordination of benefits that helps to make sure each company pays its own part of the claim without overlap.
For example, Jane is 66 and still works at a full-time job. She is enrolled in both Medicare and in her employers health insurance plan. Because she works for a bigger company, one with more than 20 employees, her employer-based plan is considered to be her primary insurer.
That means that if Jane has an operation, her primary insurer will get the claim first and pay out the portion that is its responsibility. After that, the claim will go to Medicare, which will pay out whatever remains up to Medicares responsibility.
Any portion of the bill not covered by the employers health insurance plan and Medicare would then be the patients responsibility.
Health Coverage Options When Both Spouses Work
Having two health plans doesnt mean you get reimbursed twice for your strep throat visit, dont get to choose which insurer will pay a certain claim.
With dual coverage, your two carriers will make sure that the combined amount paid by the two plans does not exceed the total amount the dentist has agreed
Also, be sure to check that both your provider and the office location that you use are listed in the provider directory. Some doctors practice at multiple
They are called Essential Health Benefits. They include: 1. Outpatient carethe kind you get without being admitted to a hospital. 2. Lab tests. 3.
The legislation includes multiple health-related provisions that would take premium and provider networks to make sure that you get the coverage that is
It is common for family members to be covered by more than one health care plan. This happens, for example, when a husband and wife both work and choose to have
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How To Get Health Coverage
You can get health care coverage through:
- A group coverage plan at your job or your spouse or partner’s job
- Your parents’ insurance plan, if you are under age 26
- A plan you purchase on your own directly from a health insurance company or through the Health Insurance Marketplace
- Government programs such as
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What Happens If I Am Enrolled On The Student Health Insurance Plan And Another Health Plan
The Student Health Insurance Plan is almost always the secondary payor when you are enrolled on two health plans. This means that claims will need to be submitted to your other health plan first before being submitted to the Student Health Insurance Plan, even if you know your primary plan will deny the services.
If you have more than one medical or dental plan, you are required to provide this information for your plans to work together, so your claims can be processed correctly and you can get the most of your coverage. This process is referred to as Coordination of Benefits.
Different Health Insurance Plans From The Same Insurance Company:
Having different health insurance plans from the same insurer is convenient since claims are a lot easier and paperwork might be lesser. However, there may be different terms and conditions to raise a claim. It is essential that you read the terms and conditions before you choose to buy a health insurance plan. You can always approach the second insurer in case the first insurer rejects the claim. There are several online health insurance plans that you can review before you opt for the right plan.
It is also imperative you be transparent to your insurer to ensure claims are not rejected and to experience a smooth claim process. You can buy different types of insurance policies from the same insurer to centralize your insurance requirements however, it is also important to understand the different benefits of each plan before purchasing a suitable health insurance plan.
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Find A Health Insurance Plan That Works For You
There are many nuances to having a primary and a secondary insurance and the insurance claims process can be confusing at times. There are some situations where it could be beneficial for you to have a secondary insurance plan, but you have to think about the benefits and drawbacks of each option carefully. If you have any questions, or would like help finding a secondary health insurance policy, eHealth is here to help. As a licensed insurance broker, eHealth offers a wide selection of health insurance plans from trusted insurance companies. We make it easy to compare plan benefits and prices in one place, and our support staff is available to help you find coverage that fits your needs. To get started, just enter your ZIP code into the plan finder tool or give us a call to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can walk you through customized plan options.
Are There Different Types Of Secondary Insurance

Yes, there are different types of secondary insurance coverage. You may want to find a plan that targets the area of your coverage that you require the most. Vision, dental, disability, life insurance, accident insurance, hospital care, and Medicare supplement insurance are just some of the areas that secondary insurance can focus on helping you with in addition to your primary insurance. For example, if your primary plan does not cover a lot of your hospital costs and you think you will be needing hospital care in the future for a major surgery or for an extended period, a secondary hospital care insurance may be right for you. This type of plan may cover you for unexpected illnesses such as a heart attack with a cash payment.
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Can You Get Cheap Secondary Insurance
Yes, cost-conscious consumers can use a low-cost secondary insurance policy to save money on medical care and reduce total medical costs. Secondary plans can be as affordable as $5 per month or $50 per month.
Combining secondary health insurance with a cheap health insurance plan can help you pay less for broad coverage that would be more expensive if you purchased only one plan.
When selecting your plans, comparing multiple insurance quotes can help you get the best deal on a policy that gives you the coverage you want for your situation. You may even qualify for secondary health insurance through your employer or with your spouse’s plan.
Hospital Plan: Extra Help When You Need It Most
A hospital indemnity plans is a popular add-on to a High-Deductible Health Plan . This supplemental plan gives you a lump-sum check if youre admitted to the hospital. You can use it to pay for out-of-pocket medical costs such as deductibles and coinsurance, or toward non-medical expenses such as rent and utilities.
DeWayne, 49, is a divorced father living in Philadelphia. An accountant, hes always weighing the financial considerations of every expense. He has an HDHP through his employer, and also opts for a hospital indemnity plan. Even though his family is healthy, he knows an unexpected hospital stay can run $10,000, and the additional plan would help pay for out-of-pocket expenses like his high medical deductible.
Not long after, DeWaynes daughter is hospitalized with appendicitis. His hospital plan pays a lump-sum benefit that helps offset her medical bills and allows this father to focus on his little girl during her recovery.
Knowing that his familys needs will be covered helps Kevin worry less and focus on healing.
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