
What is Health Insurance?
Health insurance covers medical expenses, helping you pay for treatments and medications when needed.
- Types of Health Insurance
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Requires you to choose a primary care physician and get referrals for specialists.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Offers more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers, both inside and outside the network.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): Similar to PPO but doesn’t cover any out-of-network care, except in emergencies.
Point of Service (POS): Combines features of HMO and PPO, requiring a primary care physician but allowing some out-of-network coverage.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Involves higher deductibles and lower premiums, often paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Catastrophic Health Insurance: Provides coverage for major medical expenses and has lower premiums, typically for younger, healthier individuals.
Short-Term Health Insurance: Temporary coverage for individuals between jobs or waiting for other coverage to begin.
Medicare: Government-sponsored health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older or with certain disabilities.
Medicaid: State and federally funded program providing health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): State program offering health coverage for children in families that don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance.
- Who should buy a Health Insurance Policy?
Everyone, regardless of age or health, should consider a health insurance policy to cover medical expenses and ensure financial security in case of illness or accidents.
- Learn a few terms about Health Insurance
Premium: What you pay regularly to keep your health insurance.
Deductible: The amount you pay before insurance helps with costs.
Copayment (Copay): A fixed amount you pay for covered services.
Coinsurance: Your share of costs after meeting the deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum/Limit: The most you pay in a year; insurance covers the rest.
Network: Approved facilities and providers by your insurer.
Health Savings Account (HSA): A savings account for medical expenses with tax benefits.
Preventive Services: Check-ups and screenings to prevent or catch issues early.
Preauthorization: Approval is needed from insurance before certain treatments.
Exclusion: Services or conditions not covered by the insurance policy.
