|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company... Read More
Did you know? One year of disability can wipe out... Read More
Drivers are applying for auto insurance online not just for... Read More
Before attempting to find the best homeowners insurance coverage you... Read More
Catering truck insuranceNot many agents/brokers write catering truck insurance as... Read More
Whether you are looking for car insurance in Canada, the... Read More
Life Insurance is an insurance policy that provides an agreed... Read More
There are many choices for insurance. Insurance is a policy... Read More
Accidents, personal injuries and insurance claims are here to stay.... Read More
Why does health insurance cost so much? Year after year,... Read More
What exactly is Term Life Insurance?Term life is a form... Read More
Non-profit groups in this day and age need to watch... Read More
It's very easy to find California truck insurance on the... Read More
Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of... Read More
Life Insurance Companies differ in their "underwriting philosophy" when it... Read More
Here are some useful tips on how to reduce Home... Read More
How many times have you seen people whose life was... Read More
OK, you take that stroll down to the mailbox excitedly... Read More
Shopping for car insurance can be a big undertaking. It... Read More
Rental car agencies have a menu of insurance policies they... Read More
For once finances seem to be going in favour of... Read More
Do the premiums just seem to get higher and higher... Read More
There are times when you'll find yourself temporarily without health... Read More
If you're interested in slashing your auto insurance bill in... Read More
Lets face it, finding the best home insurance price quote... Read More
Do you love someone deeply enough to spend your hard... Read More
There are two different types of life insurance, term life... Read More
What exactly is Term Life Insurance?Term life is a form... Read More
Before the internet, you picked a neighborhood car insurance agent,... Read More
When deciding on the appropriate amount of homeowner's insurance coverage... Read More
Why does health insurance cost so much? Year after year,... Read More
For thousands of years men have sailed the seas. From... Read More
Homeowner insurance quotes can vary in the amount they cost... Read More
One of the most important things you can do as... Read More
More than 150 insurance companies offer thousands of life insurance... Read More
Changing the way that life insurance is bought and sold... Read More
Naming a beneficiary for your life insurance policy can be... Read More
Do you have many claims? If so, you should do... Read More
Catering truck insuranceNot many agents/brokers write catering truck insurance as... Read More
Americans shopping for their own healthcare insurance can substantially cut... Read More
Most people with health insurance, especially employer paid health insurance,... Read More
Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when... Read More
A person might need long term care (LTC) if he/she... Read More
Auto insurance rates can be quite expensive. If you are... Read More
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is a great tool that... Read More
As many of us expect, the New Year will bring... Read More
In 47 of the 50 United States, it is illegal... Read More
Who can you talk to about auto insurance? Insurance agents... Read More
Pet Health Insurance can give you the peace of mind... Read More
The Medical Savings Account (MSA) is an older form of... Read More
Insurance |