How To Buy Health Insurance in America

Should I buy health insurance?

Acquiring health insurance is a personal decision that depends on the needs of you and your family. The main purpose of insurance is to help with the cost of doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions for medicines and other related costs. You can buy insurance
on their own, through their employer or association. Most health insurance plans provide an individual or family cover. Types of insurance

There are four categories of health insurance plans. *

1. HMO (Organization Health Maintenance) provides an exclusive network of doctors, hospitals and alternate caregivers. You can see one of the doctors of the HMO provider network.

2. POS (point of service) plan provides a group of doctors, but also allows you to choose a doctor outside the group. If you decide to choose a non-network provider, the plan may require payment or pay a higher deductible.

3. Fee for Service plan allows you to choose their own suppliers. There is a group of providers. The plan will cover part of the cost and you will pay the remainder.

4. PPO (preferred provider organization) offers you the option to see a provider within the group plan or choose your own doctor or hospital. If you visit a doctor within the network, this will cover more services and costs will be less. * If you buy health insurance through their employer or association, you can select the plans that they offer them. If you buy individual health insurance, you can choose individual products available for sale. HMO requires selling HMO or POS plans for
individuals.


What type of insurance is right for me?

Determine whether you are eligible to purchase health insurance through an employer or an association. These plans are less expensive than buying an individual plan.

Do you need individual coverage or family?

What is more important to you: flexibility of suppliers or service cost? The costs associated with an HMO are usually minimal. The POS plan allows you to choose a provider outside the group, but you have to pay a deductible or a higher payment.

Do you need to visit often to specialists?

An HMO will be required to obtain a referral from a primary care physician before you can see a specialist. In POS plan, you do not need a referral to see a specialist within the group, but to see one outside the group. POS plans and service fees generally do not require a referral.

How to purchase health insurance?

Determine your insurance needs before buy it. Use the guide points to determine what type of health coverage would be best for you and your family. Become familiar with the various types of health plans.
Compare the cost of the policies. Compare the price of the monthly premium and additional costs such as deductibles, co-payments, and coasegurado.La information may be available through your employer or health insurance directly.
Consider the state-sponsored plans.
Healthy NY a basic plan available through HMOs in the state, designed specifically for qualifying small business owners and independent Contractors. For information call 866-432-5849 or visit our free website at www. HealthyNY.com.
Child Health Plus provides health insurance for children or young people under 19, who are not eligible for Medicaid or no health insurance. Household income does not affect the eligibility of children. For additional information please call toll free 877-934-7587.
Family Health Plus serves adults 19 to 65 who have no health coverage, income requirements and are not eligible for other public programs. For additional information
toll-free at 877-934-7587.

4. See if your preferred doctors and hospitals are in the plan.

The insurer must provide a directory of suppliers in your area, a list of doctors and hospitals that participate in the plan.


5. Investigate the quality of service provided by the plan.

The Department of Insurance of the State of New York provides a detailed guide free of charge on the complaint, satisfaction surveys, and other performance standards. The guide is available on our website or call toll free 800-342-3736 www.ins.state.ny.us.

If you are turned down for insurance? Individuals seeking to enter a health plan on their own and not through the employer or an association can do so in a HMO or POS plan at any time. An individual will not be denied health insurance cover for medical reasons. If you have an existing condition, may of
Request new health insurance coverage before the expiration of the current plan. If you leave your current deck before applying the new roof will be subject to wait up to a year for treatment.

Source
Department of Insurance of the State of New York