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Online Health Insurance: The Truth About Cheap Quotes
By: Evan Davis
Looking for low cost health insurance quotes? Good. You are taking that most
important step of shopping around for the best price. But more importantly, you
undstand that it is important to have health insurance, and perhaps, even more
importantly, understand that the real purpose of health insurance, as for any
insurance, is protection. That is, you do not get health insurance to act as a
sort of discount off the price of doctor and hospital services. The point of
insurance is protection in the event of catastrophe. Yes, health insurance costs
are high and continue to rise, but do not forget that the reason you are seeking
health insurance quotes online--and even offline--is to insure you get the most
protection (not discount) for the best (lowest) rate.
Getting health insurance quotes is now extremely easy with the use of the
Internet. Take advantage of online insurance quote availability to get an idea
of the range of premium prices offered. Even if you don't want to buy online,
you will have a better understanding of what the insurance agent is talking
about, and when it comes time to put ink on the contract, you will be making a
more informed decision. Remember, too, that quotes are free and come without
obligation.
When you look for cheap health insurance quotes, online or off, you must also
consider type of health care you want and what that means in terms of how your
care is delivered to you. Health insurance is a much more than a matter of
co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. When you get a health insurance
quote, you are getting a quote on a certain kind of plan. Unfortunately, there
is no such thing as a single "best" plan. You will find that there are some
plans that will serve your needs better as an individual, and plans that will be
better for both you and your family's needs. Plans will vary according to what
services they offer, and you will probably have to make some hard choices as to
what services are most important. No plan will pay everything; there will always
be out-of-pocket costs associated with your medical services, though some plans
will pay more for the services you deem most important. So, health insurance
quotes are really the tip of the iceberg to a very important subject.
Cheap Health Insurance Quotes and the HMO, PPO, FFS/indemnity plan, and POS.
HMO--An HMO is a health maintenance organization. An HMO contracts with doctors,
hospitals, and other medical providers to form a sort of network. As a member of
an HMO, you are required to use the providers in that network. You pay the HMO a
certain amount of money per their payment arrangements in order to receive
medical services.
PPO--A PPO is a preferred provider organization. A PPO is similar to an HMO in
that there is a network of medical providers that you can use. However, the PPO
does not require you to use that network and allows you see doctors and go to
hospitals out of network. Normally, you do not need a referral to see doctors
out of network. However, in that event, you do pay more for the service. That
is, the amount of coverage is less.
POS--A POS is a point of service plan. A point of service plan is very much like
an HMO except that POS doctors can refer you out of the network of providers to
see a specialist. In a POS, you would not refer yourself, and if the plan does
refer you out of the network, you do pay more for the service.
FFS--A FFS or indemnity plan, is a fee for service plan. In a fee for service,
you are billed by the service. You are usually not required to use a network of
providers. That means you choose which doctors, hospitals, and specialists you
want to see and use. Because you make the decision about who you see and where
you go, there is no need for a referral to see a doctor. The only limiting
factor is whether or not the provider accepts the insurance of the fee for
service plan insurance.
Low Cost health insurance quotes have a lot going on behind the scenes. Seeking
an online quote? Now you have a better idea of what that quote is for. When you
visit an insurance agent to talk health care, be sure to look thoroughly into
the options available to you. Your health insurance quote represents a package
of insurance services, and it is important for you to understand the
relationship between the quote and the services you may be purchasing.
About the Author:
Evan Davis works in Medicare customer service, and is the webmaster and owner of
Instant Health Insurance. Find cheap health insurance quotes online at http://www.find-health-insurance-online.com
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