When you are comparing the best individual health insurance plans, find a company that offers free quotes AND answers your questions - don't try to go at it alone.
Here is some information to help you along the path to buy health insurance:
Before you choose between certain types of plans, consider these ways to make sure the plan you buy is a good one:
Call your state department and ask for records for the insurance company. You want to find companies that aren't involved in bankruptcies or other problems.
You can find out if the insurance company has behaved fraudulently (or been accused of it) by contacting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can also find a rating for the company at the National Committee on Quality Assurance.
Almost all of the best individual health insurance plans fall under these four main headings: PPO, POS, HMO, FOS. Please read through this information about these plans and then you'll have more information when it comes to choosing the best individual health insurance for you.
POS Plans: (Point of Service Plans) While this type of plan is a little less expensive than others, you will have to pay more if you want to see a doctor or hospital that is outside of your plan. You also won't have to get a referral to see these other providers.
HMO Plan: (Health Maintenance Organization Plan) This is the most restrictive of all the best individual health insurance plans. If you see doctors and hospitals outside the plan, you'll most likely have to cover your ENTIRE medical bill yourself. However, these plans are typically less expensive because the organizations within the individual health insurance plans offer discounts.
FFS Plan: (Fee For Service) These are also known as Indemnity plans, and they are the oldest, most traditional plans. These plans are generally the most expensive because you can see any doctor or hospital (they don't get the discounts offered to HMOs). If you are looking to buy health insurance and think a fee for service plan may be right for you, you can try to get your monthly premium lowered by asking for a higher deductible and then opening an HSA or Health Savings Account, if you really want a fee for service plan.
PPO Plan: (Preferred Provider Organization) These are a bit like POS plans except that you do have to have a referral to go outside your plan. Many people who get insurance through their employer are on this type of plan. Again, you'll pay more to use doctors and hospitals outside your plan.
Before you choose between certain types of plans, consider these ways to make sure the plan you buy is a good one:
Call your state department and ask for records for the insurance company. You want to find companies that aren't involved in bankruptcies or other problems.
You can find out if the insurance company has behaved fraudulently (or been accused of it) by contacting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can also find a rating for the company at the National Committee on Quality Assurance.
Almost all of the best individual health insurance plans fall under these four main headings: PPO, POS, HMO, FOS. Please read through this information about these plans and then you'll have more information when it comes to choosing the best individual health insurance for you.
POS Plans: (Point of Service Plans) While this type of plan is a little less expensive than others, you will have to pay more if you want to see a doctor or hospital that is outside of your plan. You also won't have to get a referral to see these other providers.
HMO Plan: (Health Maintenance Organization Plan) This is the most restrictive of all the best individual health insurance plans. If you see doctors and hospitals outside the plan, you'll most likely have to cover your ENTIRE medical bill yourself. However, these plans are typically less expensive because the organizations within the individual health insurance plans offer discounts.
FFS Plan: (Fee For Service) These are also known as Indemnity plans, and they are the oldest, most traditional plans. These plans are generally the most expensive because you can see any doctor or hospital (they don't get the discounts offered to HMOs). If you are looking to buy health insurance and think a fee for service plan may be right for you, you can try to get your monthly premium lowered by asking for a higher deductible and then opening an HSA or Health Savings Account, if you really want a fee for service plan.
PPO Plan: (Preferred Provider Organization) These are a bit like POS plans except that you do have to have a referral to go outside your plan. Many people who get insurance through their employer are on this type of plan. Again, you'll pay more to use doctors and hospitals outside your plan.
