Just like other forms of insurance, for
your car and your home, health insurance helps relieve the burden
of unexpected events: you put away a little in case you need a lot
later. You and your family's health should be of the highest
priority.
Every year, the cost of healthcare increases dramatically. Simple
same-day surgeries, required tests and emergency attention can add
up to thousands of dollars or more.
The overall benefits of health insurance are obvious. You won't
be avoiding the doctor because it costs too much. The hospital
bills won't be piling upon your desk waiting for attention.
Your health insurance will provide the help and care you demand.
Also, if you drive a car, health insurance will work cooperatively
with your auto insurance in case of an accident.
There are
many health insurance companies available, offering various types
of plans. We are capable to get you the best plan and coverage
to suit your needs.
Each plan
differs in coverages, payment terms and medical treatment procedures.
Below is a list of common policies types:
Individual
Health Insurance: If
you are not insured through an employer, professional association,
or other group, you probably will be buying your own individual
health insurance policy.If you are buying your own insurance policy,
it is our job to advise you on the best policy for you and your
family.
Indemnity
(Fee-for-service): allows you to go to any hospital or
doctor. You would submit a claim and pay the invoice (to be
reimbursed later) or authorize the hospital or doctor to collect
their fees directly from your insurance company. Although
this plan is very flexible in who provides your care, higher premiums
are to be expected. Also, indemnity plans usually do not provide
any coverage until the
deductible has been satisfied.
PPO
(Preferred Provider Organization): the insurance company
has a network of "preferred providers" (hospitals, doctors,
clinics, etc.). These providers discount their services to
your insurance company, which are passed onto you. Should
you use a provider from outside the network, you'll have to submit
a claim and likely pay a higher deductible. This is usually
cheaper but not as flexible as the indemnity plan.
HMO
(Health Maintenance Organization):
all
your medical services are provided by the organization of doctors,
hospitals, etc. The HMO is much like a strict PPO: you must
use the providers they authorize (except maybe for emergencies as
defined by your plan). Your doctor refers you to other doctors
within the HMO as necessary. HMO's advantage is that it has
no deductibles and usually requires only a small co-payment for
each service. There may also be a maximum to what you pay
annually "out-of-pocket."
POS
(Point-Of-Service):
this
is an option of HMO with greater flexibility. Your primary
doctor may refer you to someone outside of the HMO with minimal
or no additional cost. You may also refer yourself to a non-HMO
provider, but you'll have to pay co-insurance.
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