If you're trying to decide between health insurance plans, you'll find that there are several different kinds from which to choose. It's important that you weigh all your options carefully. Your health insurance, even with an employer contribution to the cost, is very likely to be your largest regular monthly expense other than your rent or mortgage. The plan you choose needs to be more than affordable. It will affect your family's choices in doctors and health care as long as you are a member of that health insurance plan.
Health insurance is like any other kind of insurance. You pay a monthly amount, called a premium, to an insurance company in return for 'benefits', to be paid out as needed. Depending on the kind of plan that you choose, those benefits might include regular doctor's office visits, checkups, emergency room services and hospitalizations, and treatment by specialists. Some health insurance plans also offer benefits that are called 'wellness benefits.' like discounts on health club memberships, stop-smoking classes, and nutritional consultations.
The main types of health insurance plans are:
HMO - Health Maintenance Organizations
HMO benefits are geared toward keeping you healthy. They aim for affordable health care costs by reducing the cost of annual physicals, well-child visits and other routine care by requiring you to pay a 'co-pay' - a small portion of the actual bill - for every visit to your doctor, and the health insurance company pays the rest. Most require that you choose a primary care physician, who takes the place of an old fashioned General Practitioner - the family doctor who knew your medical history and prescribed visits to specialists if needed. HMOs are generally more affordable than traditional health insurance, but they'll still cost you several hundred dollars a month.
All your medical care under an HMO will be arranged through your primary care physician. If you need to consult with a specialist, you simply call your primary care physician and request a referral.
Preferred Provider Health Insurance Plans
PPH health insurance plans are very similar to HMOs. They also attempt to keep overall medical costs affordable by providing both preventive and catastrophic health care coverage. Unlike most HMO's, though, you can usually choose to visit any physician or other provider registered with the preferred provider network. You'll pay a co-payment, and your health insurance will cover the rest.
Catastrophic Health Insurance Plans
Catastrophic health insurance plans are also sometimes called 'fee for service' plans. They generally will pay out to any provider, but they strictly limit the kind of health care that they'll cover. In most cases, you're only covered for illness or injury. There's no coverage provided for regular checkups and other office visits. Catastrophic health insurance plans are often the most affordable option, since they only pay off if you become ill or are injured.
To view our list of recommended health insurance providers, visit: Recommended Medical Health Insurance Providers.
Carrie Reeder is the owner of http://www.eZerk.com, an informational website with articles and latest news about various topics.
What is health insurance and why do I need it?... Read More
Most of you have heard about "consumer directed health plans".... Read More
How is your driving record lately? Do you have a... Read More
Although car insurance is compulsory, it's not necessary to pay... Read More
There are different types of life insurance policies available. Shop... Read More
Car insurance rates are prohibitive nowadays. Many families really struggle... Read More
Insurance versus assurance: what is the difference?Should you care?Yes!!The world... Read More
Family health insurance plans typically need to offer more coverage... Read More
Does the current amount that you pay on your insurance... Read More
Quite often you feel that an ad for life insurance... Read More
If you find yourself in the position of shopping for... Read More
When you are looking for an automobile insurance quote, the... Read More
If you and your family relocate overseas, one of your... Read More
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is becoming well-known as an... Read More
Many factors affect the premium you will pay for auto... Read More
If you think you don't have any need for auto... Read More
Thank goodness the internet age has arrived helping us to... Read More
An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone,... Read More
Life Insurance Companies differ in their "underwriting philosophy" when it... Read More
No doubt most readers will have heard of the Northern... Read More
Do the premiums just seem to get higher and higher... Read More
Online term life insurance ratesHow simple it is today finding... Read More
The changing healthcare and health insurance landscape in the United... Read More
You and I. M. Strong, the adjuster from Granite Mountain... Read More
At first glance, homeowners insurance may seem perplexing and quite... Read More
The average auto insurance policy price is derived from a... Read More
As more and more individuals working at home with or... Read More
How do you know if what you are paying for... Read More
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of... Read More
In order to save money on your homeowners insurance you... Read More
Several national rating institutions rate insurance companies. Do coverages, rates,... Read More
Accidents, personal injuries and insurance claims are here to stay.... Read More
Home Insurance is designed to provide you with financial protection... Read More
OK, you take that stroll down to the mailbox excitedly... Read More
Life Insurance is a legal contract between you and a... Read More
One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More
When we talk about insurance the thing you have to... Read More
If you do not understand the way that auto insurance... Read More
Not a year goes by that insurance rates go up.... Read More
Auto insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance... Read More
One of the things that is important to consider when... Read More
What is a deductible? A deductible is the amount you... Read More
Here's some "Inside-Info" you must know so you won't be... Read More
First the bad news: about 2,000,000 personal bankruptcies each year... Read More
The are many scary things in this world. Buying insurance... Read More
For over 30 years I have been representing injured workers... Read More
Here's the good news: with improvements in medical technology and... Read More
A new financial tool is now available for senior citizens.... Read More
They say everything is bigger and better in Texas, and... Read More
Since 2001, large health and dental insurance companies such as... Read More
Before attempting to find the best homeowners insurance coverage you... Read More
Risk is an area often overlooked by landlords, but failing... Read More
The issue at hand is the use of a consumer's... Read More
You were on the phone, got distracted and before you... Read More
Because of the many problems that can occur when you... Read More
Insurance policies provide financial protection in a broad range of... Read More
Since the widespread growth of internet usage and database building... Read More
There's nothing that has a greater impact on evaluating a... Read More
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is not a type of... Read More
UK car insurance companies make substantial profits every year because... Read More
Most people want lower insurance costs but are often too... Read More
Adequate life insurance to cover your income producing ability is... Read More
At first glance, homeowners insurance may seem perplexing and quite... Read More
Life Insurance is an insurance policy that provides an agreed... Read More
Everything seemed pretty simple when you purchased that insurance policy.... Read More
An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company... Read More
Insurance |