Know Your Rights

and Responsibilities

What is this service?
Healthcare consumers have many important rights and responsibilities when conducting health insurance business.  For example, some health plans require the consumer to notify the insurer within a specified time period if they receive treatment in a hospital emergency room.  If the consumer fails to notify the insurer on time, the insurer may penalize the consumer by paying a reduced benefit or not covering the emergency room visit at all.  It is up to consumers to know their rights and responsibilities and to exercise them appropriately.  Smart Health Decisions familiarizes you with your health insurance rights and responsibilities and those of your insurer, what they mean in everyday terms, and how to follow them.  

Smart Health Decisions does not sell health insurance.

How do consumers benefit from this service?
Consumers who do not know and follow their health insurer’s rules at important times can end up paying more than necessary for their healthcare or going without care unnecessarily.  This lack of basic knowledge can put you at a significant disadvantage in the relationship with your health insurer. 

When should healthcare consumers use this service?
It is best not to wait until a problem occurs before learning about your rights and responsibilities.  Knowing and understanding the guidelines for conducting health insurance business at the very beginning of your relationship with your health insurer can prevent problems from arising.

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