Major Health Plans
The least expensive non-comprehensive medical plans are called major medical plans, occasionally referred to as catastrophic medical plans. They have very low premiums together with a high deductible - the amount you must pay before your insurer will pay.
Major medical plans cover hospital charges like surgical procedures, hospital stays, X-rays, and also diagnostic tests. They do not cover visits to your health care professional or prescription medications.
These plans are a good option if you're in good health, do not visit your health care provider that often, and don't take a lot of prescription drugs.
Comprehensive Medical Plans
HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), PPOs, (Point-of-Service Plans), as well as POSs (Point of Service Plans), are now the most economical choice if you're searching for comprehensive health care insurance coverage.
Health Maintenance Organizations
HMOs are the lowest priced of the comprehensive medical insurance plans. They feature heath care treatment with a network of medical practitioners and hospitals selected by the HMO.
With the majority of plans you have to pay a small fee known as a copayment for each and every doctor visit. The upside of these plans is there are no deductibles to pay, plus you won't need to spend your time and energy filling in health insurance forms like you would with traditional health care plans.
Your primary care medical doctor will either treat you or else send you to a specialist whenever you need help. In the event you see a health care provider outside your HMO network, your HMO isn't going to cover your expenses.
Preferred Provider Organizations
PPOs cost more than HMOs, and they are the most widely used health care insurance plans because they provide more flexibility than HMOs. Like an HMO, you have to pick your health care provider from an approved directory of doctors.
PPO copays tend to be about the same as they are with an HMO, plus there are no deductibles or paperwork to worry about, however in contrast to an HMO there's no need to consult your primary physician to be able to see a medical specialist.
Point of Service Plans
POS plans cost more than HMOs and PPOs, but offer the most flexibility of the three health care insurance plans. Like HMOs and PPOs your heath care treatment is provided by way of a network of doctors plus hospitals, but in contrast to those plans you are allowed to use the physician of your choosing.
Copayments are about the same as they are with HMOs and PPOs, and when you go to a physician who is not part of the network you're going to be reimbursed up to 80% of your medical bill.
Low Priced Health Insurance Online Quotes
In order to get the best quotes you will need to shop around, and the quickest and simplest way to accomplish this is to go to an insurance comparison website. Here you can get quotes from several health insurance providers so that you can compare rates. Several sites have an insurance professional available so you can talk with him or her online and receive answers to all your questions.
Whenever you go to one of these websites you'll be asked to fill out an easy questionnaire with information about yourself plus your overall health. When you submit the questionnaire you'll begin to receive price quotes coming from a variety of top-rated companies. Then you can examine your price quotes in the privacy of your own home, and choose the plan with the cheapest quote that fits your needs. The beauty of using a comparison site is that it's fast, straightforward, and totally free.