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Step 1
Identify what you're lacking. Though problems of lacking coverage can come from high deductibles, high copays ans coinsurance, or a host of other issues, the most common in mini medical is low bottom-line coverage; a low annual amount that is the maximum the company will pay no matter what happens to you. Maximum annual or lifetime caps make these mini medical plans only partial coverage against medical emergencies.
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Step 2
Consider a Health Savings Account. Laws bulking up the potential of these HSA accounts were passed several years ago. An HSA allows you to pile up money that can be used tax-free for medical emergencies and can be a good supplement to a mini medical plan.
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Step 3
Get your employer's help. Though classically, employers contribute through blanket plans for their employees, with the right negotiation, you may be able to get your employer to help you with specific situations. If their coverage for employees is mini medical, propose an additional contribution for emergency use, or participation in something like HSA matching funds. It never hurts to ask.
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Step 4
Find a high deductible plan with coordination of benefits. If you can get the two companies to work together, you may be able to purchase a supplementary policy for mini medical. C.O.B. negotiations are hardly ever simple; call your insurance rep to figure out how to get a working supplemental plan.
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Step 5
Use your spouse's employer's plan to coordinate benefits with your own mini medical plan. Again, you'll have to work out coordination of benefits between the two companies.
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Step 6
Consolidate coverage with "family" type plans. Whether you have kids or just a married couple, sharing insurance costs can help ease problems wit any policy, including mini medical. Adding a mini medical plan can ease the burden on another plan. Look at various ways to cut coverage and add coverage, especially to children, to get just as much coverage as you need and no more.
