Maria had just started her first job after university. During her first week, the human resources department gave her many forms to fill out. One of the most important documents was about health insurance. Maria looked at the options and felt confused. There were three different plans to choose from. Each plan had a different monthly premium and coverage level. The basic plan was the cheapest but covered fewer medical services. The premium plan cost more but included dental and vision care. Maria decided to ask her colleague David for advice. 'David, can you help me understand these insurance options?' she asked. 'Of course,' David said with a friendly smile. 'First, you need to understand what a deductible is.' He explained that a deductible is the amount you pay before insurance starts covering costs. 'A lower deductible means you pay less out of pocket when you visit the doctor,' David continued. 'But plans with lower deductibles usually have higher monthly premiums.' Maria nodded slowly, trying to understand the trade-off. 'Do you go to the doctor often?' David asked. 'Not really,' Maria replied. 'I am generally healthy.' 'Then the standard plan might be best for you,' David suggested. 'It has a moderate premium and reasonable coverage.' Maria thanked David and spent the evening reading through all the details. She learned about copayments, which are fixed amounts you pay for each doctor visit. She also read about the network of doctors and hospitals covered by the insurance. Going to an in-network doctor would cost less than visiting one outside the network. The next day, Maria chose the standard plan and submitted her enrollment form. A week later, she received her insurance card in the mail. The card showed her member ID number and the customer service phone number. Two months later, Maria caught a bad cold that would not go away. She decided it was time to visit a doctor. Maria logged into her insurance company's website to find an in-network doctor. The search tool showed several primary care physicians near her home. She chose Dr. Chen because the office was only ten minutes away. Maria called the office to make an appointment. The receptionist asked for her insurance information and scheduled her for the next day. When Maria arrived at the clinic, she filled out a form about her medical history. She also showed the receptionist her insurance card. After waiting for fifteen minutes, a nurse called her name. The nurse measured her weight, blood pressure, and temperature. 'You have a slight fever,' the nurse told her. Soon, Dr. Chen came into the examination room. She was a kind woman in her forties with a warm smile. 'Hello, Maria. What brings you in today?' she asked. Maria explained her symptoms: a sore throat, cough, and runny nose for over a week. Dr. Chen looked at her throat with a small light. 'Your throat is quite red and swollen,' she observed. She also listened to Maria's lungs with a stethoscope. 'I would like to do a quick test for strep throat,' Dr. Chen said. The nurse came back and swabbed the back of Maria's throat. It was uncomfortable but only lasted a few seconds. Ten minutes later, Dr. Chen returned with the results. 'Good news: you don't have strep. It's a viral infection,' she explained. 'Unfortunately, antibiotics will not help with a virus.' Dr. Chen recommended rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter medicine for the symptoms. 'If you are not better in five days, come back and see me,' she said. Maria thanked Dr. Chen and went to the front desk to check out. The receptionist said, 'Your copay today is twenty dollars.' Maria paid with her credit card and received a receipt. A few weeks later, Maria received a document called an Explanation of Benefits. This document showed exactly what the insurance company paid for her visit. The total cost of the visit was one hundred and fifty dollars. The insurance company paid one hundred and thirty dollars, and Maria only paid her twenty dollar copay. Maria was glad she had chosen to get health insurance. Six months later, Maria needed to renew her prescription glasses. She remembered that her standard plan did not include vision coverage. She would have to pay for the eye exam and glasses herself. Maria thought about whether she should upgrade to the premium plan during the next enrollment period. The premium plan cost more each month, but it would cover her annual eye exams. It would also help pay for new glasses or contact lenses. Maria decided to think carefully about her options before the enrollment deadline. One year later, Maria had learned a lot about using her health insurance. She always kept her insurance card in her wallet. She learned to check if a doctor was in-network before making an appointment. She also discovered the insurance company's mobile app. The app let her view her claims, find doctors, and show a digital version of her insurance card. One day, Maria's colleague Sarah asked her for advice about health insurance. Sarah had just joined the company and was feeling overwhelmed by the choices. 'It seemed so confusing to me at first too,' Maria told her. 'Let me share what I have learned.' Maria explained the difference between premiums, deductibles, and copays. She also told Sarah about the importance of using in-network providers. 'Thank you so much, Maria. This is really helpful,' Sarah said gratefully. Maria smiled, remembering how confused she had been just a year ago. Understanding health insurance had seemed impossible at first. But now she felt confident about making healthcare decisions. She knew how to find the right doctors, understand her bills, and get the most value from her plan. Most importantly, Maria knew that having health insurance gave her peace of mind. If she got sick or injured, she would not have to worry about huge medical bills. Her insurance would help protect her health and her savings. Maria also made sure to schedule her annual checkup every year. Preventive care was fully covered by her insurance at no extra cost. This included her yearly physical exam, vaccinations, and important health screenings. Maria learned that catching health problems early was much better than treating them later. By using her insurance wisely, Maria was taking good care of herself. She was grateful for the coverage that helped keep her healthy. And whenever a new colleague asked for help understanding their benefits, Maria was always happy to share what she knew.
English Story (B1)Health Insurance
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Maria starts her first job and must choose a health insurance plan. With help from her colleague David, she learns about premiums, deductibles, and copays. She selects a standard plan and later uses it when she visits the doctor for a cold. Over time, Maria becomes confident in navigating the healthcare system and even helps new colleagues understand their insurance options.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Which insurance plan did Maria choose?
2
What was the result of Maria's strep throat test?
3
How much was Maria's copay for her doctor visit?
4
Why did Maria consider upgrading to the premium plan?
Vocabulary
39 words from this story
