What are Health Plan Riders?

Health insurance riders exist to add to or make relatively subtle but important changes to the coverage offered by your health insurance policy. Riders are therefore amendments to your health plan that change your coverage to better reflect your needs (increasing or decreasing benefits, providing alternative benefits, etc).

For instance, you can purchase a rider that adds to your coverage alternative medicine and care.

Here are 4 common health insurance riders:

1. Thee Multiple Indemnity Rider: These riders provide you with coverage for accidental death or dismemberment.
2. The Waiver of Premium Rider: This kind of insurance rider allows you to skip your insurance premiums during an extended hospital stay.
3. The Additional Coverage Rider: These riders provide health coverage in addition to your basic policy.
4. The Exclusion Rider: This spells out a pre-existing condition (or similar medical issue) that won't be covered by your health plan.

The information on the specifics of the rider will literally be typed up on a separate form that will be attached to your original health insurance plan.