Looking for health insurance? Want to know where to get the best individual health insurance quote online? Here's how ...
Individual Health Insurance Plans
The first step in getting the best individual health insurance quote is to have a basic understanding of each plan so you can make an informed decision about which is right for you. Here are the pros and cons of the most popular plans:
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
This plan sets you up with a network of health care providers which you must use when you're ill.
Pros - This is the cheapest plan with the least amount of paperwork. Copayments are cheap, usually $5 to $15 per doctor visit.
Cons - You can only see doctors within your network, and you must first visit your designated primary physician who will either treat you or refer you to a specialist.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
This plan also sets you up with a network of health care providers.
Pros - You may see a specialist within your network without getting permission from your primary physician and you may see physicians outside your network by paying a fee.
Cons - Costs slightly more than an HMO. If you see a non-network doctor you may have to pay a deductible or pay the difference between the network doctor's fee and the non-network doctor's fee.
POS (Point-of-Service Plan)
Like HMOs and PPOs this plan sets you up with a health care network.
Pros - You may see physicians outside your network, but it will cost more than seeing an in-network physician.
Cons - If you don't receive permission to see a non-network physician you may end up paying the entire bill.
By: Brian Stevens