As a truck driver, choosing the right health insurance is crucial. However, the whole process can be challenging. Truck driving is risky because drivers spend long hours on the roads and do not get enough sleep. About 70% of people who drive trucks suffer from at least one severe health condition, not to mention the personal injuries they encounter due to accidents.
Getting sick is not beneficial for any truck driver. Your health directly affects your job and your income. If you get sick, you need the best care to recover quickly and hit the roads again. A truck driver's health insurance is the most important plan you can choose to protect yourself in the event of sickness or injuries.
The challenge most truck drivers face is securing a health insurance plan that is flexible and affordable. If you are seeking to choose a suitable truck driver health insurance plan, the tips below will help you make an informed decision:
1. Keep your Medicare intact and get a supplemental health insurance plan
If you are a truck driver and you qualify for Original Medicare, you are one step ahead. Medicare program will give you access to healthcare providers in any state you drive through. Since Medicare is not comprehensive, getting a supplemental insurance plan will help you fill the gaps that Medicare does not cover. This combination will give you a good cover.
2. Research the company rates
If you operate on a lease basis with a company, be sure to sign up with the firm if they have coverage. If they have no truck driver coverage, inquire if they offer discounted rates for truck drivers or owner-operators. This step can go a long way in reducing the cost of your insurance plan.
3. Understand the legal requirements and benefits
Ensure you check out and get a clear understanding of all the rules and benefits applicable to you as a truck driver. Before signing any insurance plan, ensure that it meets the minimum requirements put forth by ACA. Know your needs and understand what the plan will or will not cover.
4. Be clever
Before choosing an insurance plan, do some thinking and work out different scenarios. Will it be more beneficial to include your family in the policy or not? Note that it is convenient for a younger driver to get individual coverage and let their spouse obtain their insurance cover. Utilizing the insurance cover of your spouse is less costly than getting one in the insurance marketplace. Choose wisely.
5. Think about bedsharing plans
Medsharing plans provide decent cover for truck drivers who earn above $48,240 annually. Such plans work in the same way as traditional health insurance plans. Their premiums tend to be lower, and they include many benefits that conventional plans provide.
The health risks you can face as a truck driver calls for you to have a suitable insurance plan in place. Although there are many insurance plans available in the market, it will be hard to pick the best plan. These tips will give you a clue about the best cover to choose.
