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Buying
Individual & Family Health Insurance |
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There are many options available to you
today in the world of health insurance. How
important is it to you to keep your current doctor?
How
important is it to have little things covered, like colds or flu?
Take
a survey of your recent health.
Do you like to get alternative kinds of care ... like acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, etc? Be sure to ask about how these things are covered because usually these are limited or not covered at all. Also be sure to ask about psychotherapy or mental professional services if these are a concern to you. Most plans limit this and you need to know the limitations. About HMO Plans HMO plans, also known as managed care plans, offer members the ability to have comprehensive benefits at affordable rates. The goal of today's HMO is to promote a healthy lifestyle and preventative health care. Routine physical exams are often available at little or no charge. Members obtain care within a network of providers, coordinated through their primary care physician, also known as a "gatekeeper". HMO plans are contracted with a vast array of physicians, so selecting a primary care doctor is both easy and convenient. Plan Options Include
About PPO Plans PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans offer you the flexibility of selecting your physician visit co-payment and annual deductible (if any). PPO members have the ability to select their own providers. Using "Preferred Providers" offers the greatest benefit level. Office visit co-payments range from $10 per visit to $45 per visit. Selecting a plan with a lower office visit co-payment will usually result in a higher monthly premium. Choosing a higher deductible level can reduce your monthly premium. Think of it in terms of how much can I afford to spend every month versus how much do I want to pay in the event that I require health care services. The more you pay in premiums each month, the lower you're likely to pay out of pocket if you're hospitalized, etc. Paying less each month can result in higher out of pocket costs later. (Generally speaking. Review all details carefully prior to deciding on a plan.) Plan Options Include
A quick "beware" to you. Every plan has exclusions and limitations. The plan brochure will have a page or two of them, usually in the back. Look at them and make sure there are no surprises. A last piece of advice: Using an agent doesn't cost you anything. They are paid like a travel agent, directly by the health insurance carrier. Buying direct from the health insurance carrier doesn't save you any money. Using an agent can make your health insurance shopping process much easier by offering plans and rates that meet your needs and your budget. |
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SHORELINE
HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES |
