HEALTH POLICIES

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP YOU choose the best health insurance by analyzing the conditions and coverage offered by different insurance companies.

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What are the different types of health insurance?
The different types of health insurance (shown by their acronym) include the following:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)

• Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO)

• Point of Service (POS) Plans

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

Don't know what types of health insurance are right for you?  Below you will find an overview of each type of health plan.

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What are health maintenance organizations (HMOs)?
HMOs offer you a local network of participating doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals and facilities from which to choose. These types of health insurance plans also require you to choose an in-network primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP is the foundation for your health care. He knows you and helps coordinate all the care you need. They will also have to provide you with referrals to see specialists within the network. The costs for an HMO plan (copayments and coinsurance) are typically lower than other types of health plans, as long as you stay in-network.

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What are exclusive supplier organizations (EPOs)?
EPOs offer you a network of participating providers from which you can choose. Most of these plans do not include coverage for out-of-network care, except in emergency cases. This means that if you visit a provider or facility outside the plan's local network, you will likely have to pay the full cost of the services.

Depending on the plan, you may or may not be required to choose a primary care provider (PCP). If you want to see a specialist in your network, you don't need a referral from your PCP.

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What is a point of service (POS) plan?
POS plans combine features of HMO and PPO plans. The provider network is generally smaller than in a PPO plan and costs for in-network care are typically lower, as in an HMO plan. PPO plans also require you to choose a primary care provider (PCP) from the plan's network of doctors and other primary care professionals. Your PCP is the foundation for your health care and advice. He knows you and your health needs, and can help coordinate all your care.

If you need to see a specialist, you will need a referral. However, as with a PPO plan, you can also choose to see specialists in or out of network. If you see a doctor who is outside the plan's network, your share of the cost will be higher and you will be responsible for submitting your claims.

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What are preferred provider organizations (PPOs)?
PPO plans generally offer a broad network of participating providers so you have access to many doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals and facilities to choose from. You can also choose to see providers outside the plan's network, but you will pay more out-of-pocket costs.

You are not required to choose a primary care provider (PCP) with these types of health plans, and you can see specialists without referrals.

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What are the ideal types of health insurance for me?

Start by understanding your specific healthcare needs:

If you're in good health and don't visit the doctor often, health insurance plans with higher deductibles generally have lower insurance premiums and could help you save money.
If you need or expect more than just preventive care, consider plans that have lower deductibles and coinsurance so you can have more predictable costs.