Voluntary Health Insurance: Insurance Explained [2024]
Voluntary health insurance plans offer dental, vision, and other coverage options to certain full-time employees or members of specific groups or associations.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
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UPDATED: Jan 17, 2024
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UPDATED: Jan 17, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Voluntary health insurance is insurance coverage that offers specific voluntary enrollment options to members of certain companies, groups, and organizations
- Voluntary health insurance policies range from workplace group insurance plans to community-based insurance
- Common types of voluntary insurance include life insurance, dental coverage, disability insurance, and vision option
If you have a full-time job, you may have the option to participate in your employer’s benefits plan. Some companies offer their full-time employees dental, vision, and other insurance options. These types of group insurance options are examples of voluntary health insurance.
Voluntary health insurance is a type of health insurance available to specific groups of people. The most common example of voluntary health insurance is one that an employer offers, but there are other opportunities to participate in a voluntary health insurance program throughout the U.S.
Read on to learn more about cheapest health insurance below and make sure to compare rates with our free quote above!
What is voluntary health insurance?
Voluntary health insurance (VHI) plans are group health insurance plans provided to members of specific companies, businesses, or organizations. Voluntary insurance means that individuals — usually employees — can enroll in a health insurance plan at rates significantly lower than what they would pay for an individual health insurance plan.
Voluntary health plans frequently allow employers to offer a broader range of coverage options without paying much more.
Voluntary health insurance is also a benefit to many employers as it allows companies to pay less in taxes. For example, since most premiums for VHI plans are automatically deducted from an employee’s payroll before taxes, employers pay less in overall payroll taxes.
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What types of voluntary health insurance are there?
Voluntary health insurance is separate from major health insurance with which most people are initially concerned. Since standard health insurance options only cover so much, VHI is a great way to boost your health insurance coverage to protect you and your family members from harm.
Some of the most common examples of voluntary health insurance options include:
- Vision
- Dental
- Accident
- Life
- Critical illness
- Cancer
- Hospital
- Disability
- Fixed indemnity
Of the VHI options listed above, vision and dental coverage are the only two that deal with receiving specific medical care. In contrast, the other coverages provide money to the insured individual to help supplement the costs of dealing with an injury or illness.
Read more: Is dental insurance considered health insurance?
As the name suggests, voluntary health insurance is not required. Instead, employees or group members can enroll in voluntary plans depending on their personal needs and circumstances.
While some individuals may choose to only enroll in the primary health insurance coverage option offered by a company or group, others might choose one or more voluntary options for additional protection.
Where can I get voluntary health insurance?
The most unfortunate thing about voluntary health insurance is that not everyone can take advantage of it. For example, if you do not have a full-time job with a company offering it or are not a member of a particular group, you may not have the option of enrolling in a voluntary health insurance plan.
Outside of an employer-based voluntary health insurance plan, some examples of groups that offer VHI plans include:
- AARP
- Affiliated Workers Association
- Writers Guild of America
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Freelancers Union
- Local unions, alumni groups, or professional associations
You may be a member of a group or association that offers voluntary health insurance. If you are, the first step is to speak to someone in leadership to learn whether you qualify for coverage.
If you are interested in joining a voluntary health insurance plan but are not sure where to start, your best bet is to consider what you do for work or hobbies and go from there. You may be able to join a group, union, or association that offers VHI after you are a member for a certain length of time.
What’s the difference between voluntary and individual health insurance?
Unlike voluntary health insurance, individual health insurance is a type of plan you purchase independently and unaffiliated with any group. Among other things, individual health insurance plans are often much more expensive than health insurance options offered by employers.
Standard individual health insurance options often include:
- Health coverage
- Vision
- Dental
- Disability
- Life
Coverages between voluntary and individual health insurance plans may offer similar benefits, but they differ in critical ways. For example, while voluntary health insurance offer group members a significant discount on coverage, individual health plans do not have this option.
Additionally, many people who purchase individual health insurance plans do not have the option to purchase certain coverages typically included in voluntary plans, like cancer or fixed indemnity coverage.
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How can I get voluntary health insurance through my employer?
If you have a full-time job, you may have the option of receiving health insurance benefits through your employer.
The time frame in which you can join a health insurance plan differs from one employer to another. Some will allow you to join the company’s group health insurance plan reasonably quickly, while others require that you work a minimum of 90 days before enrolling.
If your employer offers voluntary health insurance options, you will enroll in these options when you enroll in the company’s primary health insurance plan. During the enrollment period, you can pick the coverages you’re interested in and learn more about the cost of adding these coverages to your benefits package.
Once you’ve enrolled in your health insurance plan through your employer, you will have to wait until your company’s open enrollment period to make any changes to your plan. However, in some cases, you may be able to change your plan if you experience a significant life event, such as getting married, getting divorced, or having a child.
How much is voluntary health insurance?
The cost of voluntary health insurance varies from one employer or group to the next. Your cost will also depend on the coverages you choose to include in your benefits package.
The most expensive aspect of any benefits package is the major health insurance plan. Group health insurance for individuals can cost thousands of dollars a year. And health insurance plans cost more for families than for individuals.
If you are part of a group health insurance plan, your employer or group may pay a large percentage of your health insurance premium. So your cost could be less than $2,000 a year for an individual plan or less than $5,000 annually for a family plan.
Voluntary benefits, such as vision and dental, cost an additional amount per month. But coverage for these is often relatively inexpensive.
Before you sign up, your employer should be able to tell you how much you will pay per month for your voluntary health insurance coverage. Keep in mind that voluntary health insurance options are available at a discounted rate. So if you know you need dental or vision insurance, you will want to take advantage of a VHI plan if at all possible.
Case Studies: Voluntary Health Insurance
Case Study 1: Sarah’s Comprehensive Coverage
Sarah, a 35-year-old working professional, decided to enroll in a voluntary health insurance plan offered by her employer. She opted for comprehensive coverage that included hospitalization, outpatient care, and prescription medications. A few months later, Sarah was diagnosed with a chronic condition that required ongoing treatment and medication.
Thanks to her voluntary health insurance, Sarah was able to receive the necessary medical care without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Case Study 2: John’s Family Plan
John, a married individual with two children, decided to invest in a voluntary health insurance family plan. This plan covered not only his medical expenses but also those of his spouse and children. A year later, John’s younger son was involved in a bicycle accident and required immediate medical attention, including surgery and follow-up treatments.
The family plan provided financial protection, ensuring that John’s son received the necessary medical care without putting a strain on the family’s finances.
Case Study 3: Lisa’s Alternative Medicine Coverage
Lisa, a health-conscious individual, opted for a voluntary health insurance plan that offered coverage for alternative medicine treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and naturopathy. A few months after enrolling, Lisa experienced chronic back pain and decided to explore alternative treatment options.
With her voluntary health insurance coverage, she could receive regular acupuncture sessions and chiropractic adjustments, leading to improved pain management and overall well-being.
Case Study 4: Mike’s Dental and Vision Plan
Mike, a self-employed individual, recognized the importance of dental and vision care and enrolled in a voluntary health insurance plan specifically tailored for those needs. When Mike needed a root canal procedure, his dental coverage provided significant financial relief by covering a substantial portion of the expenses.
Additionally, his vision plan allowed him to undergo an eye examination and purchase prescription glasses at a reduced cost, ensuring his vision health was well taken care of.
Case Study 5: Emma’s Travel Insurance
Emma, a frequent traveler, opted to add travel insurance to her voluntary health insurance coverage. Emma became unwell while visiting a distant nation and required emergency medical treatment and hospitalization. Her travel insurance covered hospital expenses, medical procedures, and repatriation, relieving her of financial burdens and enabling her to concentrate on her recovery.
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Voluntary Health Insurance: The Bottom Line
Voluntary health insurance plans are an excellent option for individuals who work full-time for certain employers. Options for VHI coverage include dental, vision, life, accident, cancer, and many other types of insurance.
If you do not work full time but want to participate in a voluntary health insurance plan, you may be able to join a group, union, or association that offers VHI benefits.
The cost for voluntary health insurance coverages is often quite reasonable. You should be able to add voluntary health coverages to your employee benefits package for just a few more dollars a month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is voluntary health insurance?
Voluntary health insurance, also known as supplemental or private health insurance, is an additional insurance coverage that individuals or employers can purchase to supplement their existing health insurance plans. It provides additional benefits, beyond what is covered by standard health insurance plans.
How does voluntary health insurance work?
Voluntary health insurance works by providing coverage for healthcare services and expenses that may not be fully covered by a primary health insurance plan. It typically offers benefits such as coverage for dental, vision, prescription drugs, or alternative therapies. Policyholders pay a premium in exchange for these additional benefits.
Who can purchase voluntary health insurance?
Voluntary health insurance is available to individuals, families, and even employers who want to enhance their existing health insurance coverage. It can be purchased by anyone who wants additional financial protection for specific healthcare needs that are not adequately covered by their primary insurance.
What types of benefits are typically covered by voluntary health insurance?
The benefits covered by voluntary health insurance plans can vary depending on the specific policy. Common benefits include coverage for dental care, vision care, prescription drugs, mental health services, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and more. Some plans may also offer additional benefits like wellness programs or telemedicine services.
Can I have voluntary health insurance if I already have a primary health insurance plan?
Yes, you can have voluntary health insurance even if you already have a primary health insurance plan. Voluntary health insurance is designed to complement your existing coverage by filling in the gaps and providing additional benefits that your primary plan may not include.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.