Navigating health insurance can feel like trying to decipher a foreign language. Here at CKE, we want all our members to feel confident and informed when using their health plan. Understanding a few key terms and benefits is the first step toward utilizing your insurance effectively and getting the most value from your coverage.

Deciphering Common Insurance Terms

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by words like ‘deductible’ or ‘co-payment,’ you’re not alone. Here is a simple breakdown of the most common terms you’ll encounter with your CKE health plan:

Term	Definition	Key Fact for Ohio Members
Premium	The fixed amount you or your employer pays regularly (usually monthly) to keep the health plan active.	Your premium ensures continuous coverage and access to the network.
Deductible	The amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before your insurance company starts paying for covered services.	Once you meet your deductible, you generally only pay co-insurance or co-payments.
Co-payment (Co-pay)	A fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service (e.g., a doctor’s visit or prescription) after you’ve met your deductible (though some plans require a co-pay even before).	Check your Summary of Benefits for the specific co-pay amounts for in-network visits. In some cases, services may be covered with copay before deductible.
Co-insurance	Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage (e.g., 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay co-insurance after you meet your deductible.	This is how you and the insurer share costs until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum	The most you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. After you reach this amount, your insurance plan pays 100% of covered benefits.	This is your financial safety net, limiting your annual risk for covered services.
Network	The list of doctors, hospitals, and other providers that your health plan contracts with to provide medical care at a certain cost.	Utilizing in-network providers in Ohio will save you the most money.

The Value of Preventive Care

One of the most important benefits of your CKE health insurance, regardless of the plan type, is the coverage of preventive care.

What is Preventive Care?
Preventive care services are designed to prevent illnesses or detect them early, when treatment is most effective. This includes annual physicals, routine screenings (like mammograms or colonoscopies), certain vaccines, and well-child visits.

The Ohio Mandate:
Under federal law, most health plans must cover recommended preventive services with no co-payment, no co-insurance, and no deductible when you use an in-network provider. This is a critical, zero-cost benefit!

Using Your Plan Confidently in Ohio

Here are three simple steps CKE members in Ohio can take to use their health plan with confidence:

Use Your Telehealth Benefits: Many plans offer virtual visits for non-emergency issues. This can be a convenient, low-cost option. Check if your plan offers this benefit through a virtual consultation. 

Always Verify Network Status: Before scheduling an appointment with a new doctor, specialist, or facility, call their office or check the online provider directory for the CKE health plan. Confirming they are “in-network” means you avoid unexpected, higher costs.

Review the Summary of Benefits: This will explain exactly what is covered and what your specific cost-sharing responsibilities are (your co-pays, deductible, etc.). Refer to it for clarity on specific services.