| Deciding which individual and family health | | | | providers has, in most cases, agreed to provide |
| insurance plan is just right for you and your family | | | | the treatment at a pre-set price, the care will |
| can seem as challenging as judging which apple is | | | | cost less out-of-pocket for the consumer. The |
| the very best out of an entire barrel at the | | | | paperwork is generally taken care of by the |
| supermarket. The apples are all different sizes, | | | | health care provider instead of the policy holder, |
| shapes and colors, and the health insurance plans | | | | and the care is covered with only a low |
| all offer different fees, types of benefits, and | | | | percentage coinsurance or set co-payment |
| levels of coverage. | | | | amount required from the policy holder. |
| For many people, the group health insurance plan | | | | There are three types of managed-care plans: |
| sponsored by their employer offers them the | | | | HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans. These options are all |
| most affordable coverage. Group health insurance | | | | based on provider networks and require their |
| is exactly what it sounds like: a health insurance | | | | policy holders to pay for their health care |
| plan or plans offered to groups of people through | | | | depending on their tendency to seek care from |
| their employers. Individual and family health | | | | in-network or out-of-network providers. |
| insurance, on the other hand, is offered to | | | | In each category, there are dozens of available |
| individuals and families instead of employer groups, | | | | plans offering different levels and types of |
| and it can be a much more attractive and | | | | coverage that allow users to choose based on |
| affordable option than many people believe. | | | | personal needs. Many plans require a deductible |
| Because individual and family health insurance is | | | | amount to be met for each plan year before |
| not offered through an employer, those who | | | | coverage begins, and monthly premiums are likely |
| choose this type of insurance will pay the entire | | | | to be lower for plans that have higher deductibles. |
| cost of the regular premiums. However, there is a | | | | This along with other factors affects how much |
| wide range of plan types available, allowing smart | | | | the plan will cost the consumer to use. Therefore, |
| consumers to maximize the coverage they are | | | | a person who expects to seek health care only a |
| receiving for the money theyre investing in the | | | | few times a year will likely benefit by choosing a |
| plan. In some situations, they may even be able | | | | plan with a lower monthly premium. On the other |
| to save money compared to what they would | | | | hand, those who seek routine care and have a |
| have spent in premiums for an employers group | | | | history of more physician visits, and/or who |
| health insurance plan. Either way, consumers | | | | regularly fills expensive prescriptions, can best |
| should never forget that the money theyre | | | | serve their medical needs with a plan requiring a |
| spending each month for health insurance is 100% | | | | higher monthly premium and low or no deductible. |
| tax-deductible. | | | | These are not the only factors that should be |
| There are two basic types of individual and family | | | | considered when choosing a plan. Someone who |
| health insurance plans: indemnity and | | | | travels often may want to consider the possibility |
| managed-care. An indemnity plan gives its policy | | | | of needing to seek care while far from home and |
| holders more freedom to choose the source of | | | | the advantages of an indemnity or a more flexible |
| their health care, allowing them to receive | | | | managed-care plan, so that unexpected |
| treatment where and from whom they choose. It | | | | out-of-network expenses can be covered. |
| is also likely to require them to pay out-of-pocket | | | | Women who expect to become pregnant during |
| for the services they receive and file the | | | | their plan year must carefully study the coverage |
| paperwork themselves in order to be reimbursed. | | | | offered to them during pregnancy and delivery. |
| Many indemnity plans also require higher | | | | No plan is right for everyone; thats part of the |
| deductibles that must be met before the plan | | | | reason there are so many from which to choose. |
| coverage will begin, and they also pay claims | | | | Making a smart choice requires thorough study of |
| based on a percentage of the cost for the care. | | | | the plans available. The needs of every person |
| Managed-care plans, on the other hand are usually | | | | who will be covered by the plan should be taken |
| based on a network of approved health care | | | | into account. With careful consideration and |
| providers from whom their policy holders can | | | | planning, those needs can all be met affordably |
| receive treatment. Because this network of | | | | through family and individual health insurance. |