What type of health insurance quote should I request?
As well as the increasing costs putting you off opting to take health insurance, the confusing array of types of health cover are enough to put off all but the very knowledgeable. Knowing exactly which plan is right for you is difficult but at least by knowing exactly what each one is you should be able to have a better idea when you are requesting a health insurance quote.
While there are many different names for health insurance plans there are really only two major types that you need to concentrate on for now. Managed care plans, which are a fairly new innovation in the world of health insurance tend to concentrate on preventing illnesses; typically a managed health insurance quote will be lower. The indemnity health insurance plans are very much geared towards the full service. They not only help you in preventing illness also cover you for any emergency or specialist treatment. It is usual for the insurance company to pay for approximately 80% of the total bill.
Because the USA has no national health service like many other countries do you will have to pay medical bills one way or the other and only by selecting the right plan for you will be able to request the health insurance quote you actually require.
An HMO, or Health Maintenance Organization, is a managed care plan that charges you a set monthly fee. In return for this monthly fee you receive a list of physicians. From this list you can choose your preferred primary care doctor. Some HMOs will charge you nothing for your visits to the doctor while others may levy a small charge of $5 or $10. You must consult your doctor so that you are referred to a specialist or another doctor within your HMO otherwise you will have to pay the bill if you consult a doctor who is not on the list.
A POS (Point Of Service) plan offers the insured party some coverage to use doctors who are outside the HMO organization. If you are referred to a doctor outside the plan by your primary care doctor then your insurance company will pay the bill; if you refer yourself to a doctor outside the plan then you will have to pay a level of coinsurance.
A PPO is a Preferred Provider Organization is similar to both of the above plans. Your insurance company negotiates cut rate deals with doctors and health care providers and if you use one of these preferred providers you will pay a small copayment of $5-$10 and a lower coinsurance based on the negotiated fees. If you use a doctor outside of the plan you will pay your deductible value plus the coinsurance based on the higher rates you will be charged.
Stacey Zimmerman is the owner and webmaster of Free Insurance Quotes. His site offers free online insurance quotes for homeowners, auto, life, health, car and long term care insurance. Be sure to visit his site for free Insurance Quotes and the latest articles, news and tips on all types of insurance.