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Your benefits in action

How health insurance works

Every time you go to the doctor, you probably use your health insurance. You might pay an up-front copay, which is a fixed amount (i.e. $10) that you may have to pay out-of-pocket when incurring medical expenses. Or, you might not pay until a bill comes in the mail a few weeks later. But, what happens between the time you're seen by your doctor and when you get that bill from the provider's office or Explanation of Benefits from Wellmark?

Let's clarify how your health insurance works behind the scenes, so you can be better informed when receiving health care services. Take a look at how Kim's benefits worked for her when she broke her arm after a recent fall.

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Want to learn more about your benefits and how you can save time and money? Check out these articles about knowing where to go for care and the difference between inpatient and outpatient care.