Health insurance can be essential for protecting you and your family against the economic strain of medical bills. Given the escalating expenses associated with health care, possessing health insurance has become a fundamental requirement for most people. Yet, comprehending health insurance can be daunting due to the many choices and intricate terminology that must be navigated. 

What Is Health Insurance? 
Health insurance is a type of policy that assists in paying for medical costs, encompassing expenditures like medical appointments, hospital stays and prescription medications. It aids individuals and families in managing payments for health care services, safeguarding against potentially steep medical expenses in times of sickness or injury. 

Health insurance plans can be procured via private insurance firms, or employers might offer coverage as a component of employee benefits. Health insurance premiums can differ based on elements like age, health condition and extent of coverage. 

What Are the Different Types of Health Insurance? 
The following are some of the different types of health insurance plans: 

• Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans require you to choose a primary care physician who can manage your care and will be able to refer you to specialists as needed. HMO plans generally have lower out-of-pocket costs but may limit your choice of health care providers.
• Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans offer a network of health care providers from which to choose. You may be able to see any provider within the network without a referral, but you will most likely have higher out-of-pocket costs if you receive care from outside of your network.
• Point of service (POS) plans combine features of HMOs and PPOs. Under a POS, you choose a primary care physician to manage your care and can see providers inside and outside the network.
• High deductible health plans (HDHPs) have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles, which means you pay more out of pocket before the insurance company starts covering costs. HDHPs are often paired with health savings accounts to help you make tax-free contributions to an account for medical expenses.
• Exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans cover specific in-network hospitals, professionals and medical services. Out-of-network services can be used only in an emergency with EPOs. 

Selecting the appropriate health insurance plan depends on your health care requirements and financial resources. Contact Insurance Plus today to discuss your health insurance options.