Feb 09 2010
I have spoken to a lot of people who were not content with their medical insurance polcies. Most of the time, they really had not taken the time to understand their purchases
before they needed to seek medical care, and so, they were not content with the coverage that was clearly spelled out in the policy. I, myself, have had a similar experience
because I did not realize that the doctor’s visit copay did not cover any blood tests that were performed. Sometimes a doctor’s copay does cover these tests, and sometimes
it does not . Do you know how your current medical insurance covers various medical services that you seek?
It will take some time, but it’s vital for you to become educated about various medical insurance polcies before you sign up. After all, you know that premiums are a big part
of your monthly budget, and you know that your medical is very important. I find people spending more time researching a computer or tv obtain than they spend on learning
about health plan choices!
Look at the most common kind of major medical insurance on the market today, and also our tips about who is likely to be content with the various plans.
PPO: A preferred provider organization plan includes a network of medical providers including medical providers and hospitals. The plan will provide the highest coverage if
the insured person seeks medical services inside this network, but will still cover other providers. This plan usually strikes a balance between having the insurance company
manage expenses and allowing some flexibility. PPO plans are probably the most common major medical plans chosen these days because that balance.
Health Maintenance Organization: A health maintenance organization also contains a network of medical providers, and is very strict about only covering services inside this
network. Health Maintenance Organization insurers strive to have the most control over expenses . Thus, numerous insured people who have access to a large Health
Maintenance Organization network are very content with their care.
Note that both Health Maintenance Organization and PPO plans will make exceptions to their network coverage rules in the case of emergencies. Sometimes, if a certain
kind of medical provider has not been included in the network, the corporation will also make an exception. In that case, though, it’s always best to have the medical service
approved in advance so it can’t be disputed later.
HSA: Health savings account plans are actually medical plans that come in 2 parts. A tax advantaged savings account that can actually earn interest is one part. This
account can be used for a variety of medical expenses, and sometimes the accounts even come with a debit card! Any money left in the plan at the end of one year will roll
over to the next year so no money is risked. And the money can be used for numerous medical services that aren’t even covered under most major medical plans, including
dental care and vision care.
The second part of an HSA is a high deductible major medical plan, and sometimes this plan is actually a PPO. Because of the high deductible, premiums should be
affordable, leaving some money in the budget to contribute the the savings account.
HSA plans tend to work well for disciplined savers who want control over how their medical dollars are spent. PPO plans provide some flexibility with predictable expenses .
Health Maintenance Organization plans provide predictable expenses , don’t require the consumer to manage their own medical expenses , but are the least flexible. I know
people who have chosen one of these plans, and were very satisfied, so the choice of the best kind of health plan for you comes down to your own needs, budget, and the
way you want your medical services managed.