| If you or a loved one needs to visit the doctor or | | | | a reduced rate. If you are insured under an HMO, |
| is ever injured in an emergency, it is important to | | | | you usually must choose a primary care provider |
| have the right insurance plan to help you cover | | | | and visit that provider for all of your |
| your costs. However, your insurance options can | | | | non-emergency health care needs in order to |
| quickly become confusing, and it is sometimes | | | | receive coverage. If you need to see a specialist, |
| hard to choose the plan that best fits with your | | | | you usually must first get a referral from your |
| needs and lifestyle. When choosing between | | | | primary care provider for your visit. This can |
| insurance plans, you should be familiar with | | | | sometimes lead to problems if a patient cannot |
| different common terms and types of plans. | | | | get the care he or she needs in a timely manner. |
| One of the most common types of insurance | | | | Despite the restrictions on who you may visit for |
| plans is a Health Maintenance Organization, or | | | | your health care needs, HMOs are generally a |
| HMO. There exist both advantages and | | | | low-cost health insurance option, and thus are |
| disadvantages to HMOs, and therefore it is | | | | popular among many people. Under an HMO, a |
| important to be familiar with this type of plan to | | | | person usually pays only a limited co-pay or may |
| see if it is right for you. | | | | even be able to visit the doctor for free. This |
| Under an HMO, a medical organization engages in | | | | makes these types of health care plans a smart |
| a contract with an insurance provider, allowing the | | | | choice for those who cannot afford to pay |
| doctor or hospital to offer services to patients at | | | | additional out-of-pocket costs. |