Health care costs have increased exponentially in the past ten years and is expected to skyrocket in the future. Health insurance is essential in meeting these escalating costs; selecting a company that provides the best service is paramount. Health insurance quotes are designed to motivate and impress prospective customers and assure that the company will provide the best service. However, there are some indicators including reputation, industry comparisons, customer service, claims processing protocol, and fiscal responsibility that will help determine if the company is reputable and providing optimum service.

One determinative method is to discover a company's service protocol and examine its reputation. A comparison of the company's rating that is compiled by the industry should be the first step, to evaluate how the company compares to other insurance companies. Second, check the insurance forums online; review customer comments and testimonials. Word of mouth or unprompted testimonials are the best indicators of good health insurance service; ask questions.

A company that provides the best service processes claims in an expedient and efficient manner. Statistics are available that provide the average time required between claim submission and when the check is issued. Any longer than ten days indicates incompetence or conceivably financial inconsistencies. The EOB (explanation of benefits) should be immediately mailed, and easy to comprehend; the benefit should conform to the policy data page without exception. Rapid and accurate claims processing is indicative of financial stability and the company's sustainability, which is critical in providing the best service to policyholders.

The customer service representative who first answers the telephone provides the first impression of the company and should be courteous, polite, and competent. The insurance company's customer service personnel should be well informed and able to answer questions accurately and thoroughly. This is another indicator of an insurance company who provides the best service. Additionally, the agent who provides the health insurance quotes should equally be educated and apprised of the benefits and negatives of the plans, and available and accessible after the policy is written. .

The health insurance company who provides the best service should offer social and health programs and demonstrate that their responsibility does not end when the check is issued. An exemplary company will offer wellness programs and information on health issues such as hypertension, nutrition, obesity, as well as preventative measures. The insured can be assured that the health insurance company is providing the best service if the company is reputable, its agents available and accessible, financially sound, has employees that are informed, courteous, and competent, and assumes responsibility for the good health and well-being of policyholders.