What Are My Health Plan Choices?
Choosing between health plans is not as easy as it once was. Although there is no one “best” plan, there are some plans that will be better than others for you and your family’s health needs. Plans differ, both in how much you have to pay and how easy it is to get the services you need. Although no plan will pay for all the costs associated with your medical care, some plans will cover more than others. Almost all plans today have ways to reduce unnecessary use of health care—and keep down the costs of health care, too. This may affect how easily you get the care you want, but should not affect how easily you get the care you need. Plans change from year to year, so you should carefully consider each plan. If you get health insurance where you work, you should start with your employee benefits office. Its staff should be able to tell you what is covered under the plans available. You can also call plans directly to ask questions. Health insurance plans are usually described as either i
Health insurance plans are usually described as either indemnity (fee-for-service) or managed care. With any health plan there is a basic premium, which is how much you or your employer pay to buy health insurance coverage. In considering any plan, you should try to figure out its total cost to you and your family, especially if someone in the family has a chronic or serious health condition. Indemnity and managed care plans are different in their basic approach. Providers, out-of-pocket costs, and how bills are paid are the major differences between indemnitys and managed care plans. Usually, indemnity plans offer more choice of doctors, hospitals, and other health care services. Indemnity plans pay their share of the costs of a service only after they receive a bill. Managed care plans have agreements with certain doctors, hospitals, and health care providers to give a range of services to plan members at reduced cost. All though you may have less paperwork and lower out-of-pocket co
Choosing between health plans is not as easy as it once was. Although there is no one “best” plan, there are some plans that will be better than others for you and your family’s health needs. Plans differ, both in how much you have to pay and how easy it is to get the services you need. Although no plan will pay for all the costs associated with your medical care, some plans will cover more than others. Almost all plans today have ways to reduce unnecessary use of health care—and keep down the costs of health care, too. This may affect how easily you get the care you want, but should not affect how easily you get the care you need. Plans change from year to year, so you should carefully consider each plan, using the questions outlined in this booklet. If you get health insurance where you work, you should start with your employee benefits office. Its staff should be able to tell you what is covered under the plans available. You can also call plans directly to ask questions. Health ins
