Health insurance is a type of protection that can help you pay for medical costs in the event you get sick or injured. This can make a huge difference in your life.
There are many types of health insurance plans, and each plan may have different rules and arrangements about how you access care. It’s important to understand the terms and conditions of your plan before signing a contract.
The cost of medical insurance typically includes two main types of expenses: up front premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The up-front premium is the amount you pay to your insurance company each month, and the cost of accessing care (deductibles, copays, and coinsurance) is the amount you pay out of your own pocket when you receive care.
Deductible: A deductible is a fixed amount of money that you will have to spend on medical services before your insurance company starts paying for them. Once you have paid your deductible, your insurance will then cover the rest of your medical expenses.
Copayment: A copay is a fixed, upfront amount that you pay for certain types of medical care, like doctor visits and prescriptions. Often, it’s a relatively small dollar amount.
Coverage for Preventive Care: Most health insurance plans will have coverage for preventive health care, including annual physical exams and immunizations. Some plans will also offer coverage for things like dental and vision care.
The amount you pay for your insurance may depend on the state you live in and the kind of policy you choose. In most states, you can buy a policy in the individual market or through your employer.
A health insurance policy will generally provide you with a list of in-network providers that can provide you with medical care at lower costs. If you go outside of the network, you will be charged a higher rate.
HMO: An health maintenance organization is a type of health insurance plan in which the insurer has contracts with a network of health care providers. In this type of plan, you will typically be able to see your primary care doctor in the network for most of your healthcare needs. However, you will probably need to go out-of-network to see a specialist or receive emergency care.
POS: A point of service plan is a type of health insurance plan in the United States that allows you to see any physician or health care provider that is participating in your policy’s network, but you may have to pay a higher rate for care.
EPO: An exclusive provider organization is a type of health insurance plan that is similar to a PPO but has smaller networks of doctors. This type of plan is less flexible than a PPO.
There are three basic types of health insurance in the United States. These include indemnity plans, managed care plans, and consumer-driven plans.