Health Insurance: Understanding the Basics
Americans today receive a barrage of health insurance information from every direction. Pundits speak of the national health care crisis; Medicare now offers additional options; and employee benefits officers often speak in a jumble of letters from HMO to PPO. For the consumer, choosing a health insurance plan can be quite confusing.
Health insurance is not one size fits all. Depending on your current state of health, budget, and individual needs, the best insurance for you may be far different than the best insurance for your friend or family member. A basic understanding of the various types of insurance that are available, and what each does and does not cover, can be helpful in determining which plan will work best for each person.
Traditional health insurance, also called fee for service or 80/20, is the type of insurance that most of us grew up with. You are entitled to visit any doctor, and the insurance company pays 80% of the bill. This type of insurance offers the greatest flexibility, but carries the highest out of pocket expenses. A deductible must be met before the insurance company will pay. The lower...