Health Insurance Plans

You will have access to a very extensive provider network when you sign up for a Health Maintenance Organization, sometimes known as an HMO.

You will choose a primary care physician who will attend to the majority of your medical concerns and consult with specialists on your behalf if required.

HMOs often, but not always, have a reduced monthly cost, and in addition to that, they include services related to preventative care.

HMOs will often not require you to pay a deductible and will place a limit on the amount of out-of-pocket costs that you are responsible for paying. 

Perferred Provider Organization plans, generally known as PPOs, are a popular healthcare plan choice.

Health care providers that participate in PPO networks have agreed to deliver their services at reduced costs.

You are still allowed to visit providers who operate outside of the network, but you’ll have less coverage support with them.

Not needing a referral to see a specialist is a major perk of PPO insurance.

As long as the provider is in the network, you may book an appointment and be covered. 

Plans known as POS, which stand for Point of Service, borrow characteristics both from HMOs and PPOs.

You will be responsible for defining a primary care physician, but your plan will still provide some coverage for treatment that is received outside of your network or that isn't approved by your primary care physician.

If your existing doctor is a part of the network, a point-of-service (POS) plan could be the best option for you to consider. 

Exclusive Provider Organizations, more often referred to as EPOs, limit their coverage to just those healthcare professionals who are members of their network.

You are responsible for paying for any healthcare charges that are not covered by your network.

For this reason, for instance, an EPO plan may not be suitable for you if the network they provide isn't nationwide and you want to travel quite a bit. 

Indemnity plans, which are often referred to as "pay for service" plans, provide you the freedom to see any provider of your choice at any time.

You are free to choose any healthcare provider that you like.

Indemnity plans typically have a deductible that you are required to meet before they will begin paying for your healthcare, and they will pay your costs based on a set percentage of the care cost that is known as the UCR, which stands for usual, customary, and reasonable. In other words, they will pay for your healthcare based on what is considered to be reasonable.