Picking Your Insurance Plan: What to Check Before You Enroll

Choosing a health plan can feel overwhelming, but most of the decision comes down to two questions: will you keep your doctor, and what will you pay over the year?

Start with your doctor

Before you compare plans, check whether your current primary care doctor is in each plan’s network. Plans differ in which doctors and clinics they cover. To keep receiving care at Neighborhood Primary Care, make sure the plan you choose includes the practice and your clinician in its network.

Compare total costs, not just premiums

The monthly premium is only one cost. A plan with a low premium often has a higher deductible, which is the amount you pay before insurance begins to share costs, and higher out-of-pocket costs for visits, tests and prescriptions.

Think about the year ahead. If you take regular prescriptions, expect lab work, or manage a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, a plan with a higher premium may cost less overall.

Plan for the year ahead

Estimate your family’s medical costs for the coming year, using last year’s visits as a guide. The estimate will not be exact, but it shows which plan fits your likely needs.

Verify before you enroll

Plans change from year to year, and coverage depends on the specific plan you choose. Call the office to confirm that Neighborhood Primary Care is in your plan’s network before you enroll: Lake Orion, (248) 690‑9181, or Lapeer, (810) 284‑1034.

Common questions

Can I keep my primary care doctor when I change insurance?

Not always. Many plans limit which doctors are in network, and visiting an out-of-network doctor can cost more. Before you enroll, confirm that your doctor and office are in the plan's network.

Is a low monthly premium always the cheapest option?

Not necessarily. A lower premium often comes with a higher deductible and higher out-of-pocket costs. Estimate a year's likely care, including prescriptions, lab work and any ongoing condition, and compare total costs.