1. Medical Care

Comparing Health Plans


Different Types of Health Plans

  1. •Health Savings Account (HSA). Money set aside by you or your employer (on a tax-free basis) to pay for current and future medical expenses.

  2. •High-deductible Health Plan. A plan that gives comprehensive coverage for high cost medical events. It includes a high-deductible and a limit on annual out-of-pocket costs. A health savings account or health spending account is usually coupled with this type of plan.

  3. •Indemnity Plan. This type of health plan is also called fee-for-service. You can use any medical provider. The provider bills for each service given. You and the insurance plan each pay part of the bill as stated by the plan.

  4. •Managed Care Plans. These kinds of plans provide services and handle payment for them. You have less paperwork with these plans compared to an indemnity plan. Managed care plans use certain doctors, hospitals, and health care providers. There are three basic types of managed care plans.

  5. -Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). With this, you pick a primary doctor who manages all of the medical services you receive. HMOs offer a range of health benefits. This includes preventive care.

  6. -Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). With this, a network of providers gives medical services at a discount to its members. With a PPO, you can choose one or more providers from a list of those who participate with the health plan.

  7. -Point-of-Service (POS). With this, you have the option to go to providers outside of the plan’s network of providers. Some of the cost is still paid for by the plan.

Find out if vision coverage is

part of the plan.

Plans vary; so do costs and what is covered. With any plan, a basic premium is paid by you and/or your employer. After that, you pay extra costs (deductibles, co-pays, etc.). These costs vary. They depend on the plan. Compare costs and how each plan handles services. These include:

  1. •Routine checkups, health screenings, and immunizations.

  2. •Hospital care.

  3. •Emergency and urgent care.

  4. •Care by specialists.

  5. •Maternity care.

  6. •Preventive services, such as programs for weight loss.

  7. •Prescription drugs.

  8. •Vision care.

  9. •Dental care.

  10. •Mental health care.

  11. •Substance abuse services.

  12. •Physical therapy.

  13. •Alternative health care.

  14. •Home health care.

Compare what different plans cover. Decide what is important to you and your family. Choose the plan that best meets your needs. Look at the quality of care, too.