There is a type of health insurance coverage known as dual health insurance. Dual health insurance occurs when a person is covered by two different types of health insurance policies. This usually happens to children with two working parents or spouses where both people are working for an employer who provides health insurance policies. The way that dual health insurance works might seem easy to an outsider but it can be a complex process if not handled correctly.

Dual health insurance is essentially where one health insurance serves as a primary health insurance while the other is a secondary health insurance. Anything that is not picked up by the primary health insurance provider will be submitted to the secondary health insurance where they will pick up a portion of the bill.

The use of dual health insurance takes a lot of coordination and thought behind it. In order to be covered under dual health insurance policies the policy holder must notify their health insurance that they are going to be a primary health insurance policy. This allows the health insurance company to work with the secondary health insurance company to determine what needs to be covered and how.

Dual health insurance requires that two separate health insurance policies must work together and come to an agreement. Generally this agreement has to do with how bills will be submitted and what will be covered. A common agreement between companies is to allow one company, usually the primary insurance company, to receive a complete itemized bill for the health care costs. The primary insurance company will pay a portion of it and submit another new bill to the secondary company. This second bill features an itemized bill as well as what was covered by the primary health insurance.

Dual health insurance can get confusing so it is important that you the policy holder pay attention and do your research to make sure everything is handled correctly.