Individual Health Insurance Plans
The first step in getting the best individual health insurance quote is to have a basic understanding of each plan so you can make an informed decision about which is right for you. Here are the pros and cons of the most popular plans:
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
This plan sets you up with a network of health care providers which you must use when you're ill.
Pros - This is the cheapest plan with the least amount of paperwork. Copayments are cheap, usually $5 to $15 per doctor visit.
Cons - You can only see doctors within your network, and you must first visit your designated primary physician who will either treat you or refer you to a specialist.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
This plan also sets you up with a network of health care providers.
Pros - You may see a specialist within your network without getting permission from your primary physician and you may see physicians outside your network by paying a fee.
Cons - Costs slightly more than an HMO. If you see a non-network doctor you may have to pay a deductible or pay the difference between the network doctor's fee and the non-network doctor's fee.
POS (Point-of-Service Plan)
Like HMOs and PPOs this plan sets you up with a health care network.
Pros - You may see physicians outside your network, but it will cost more than seeing an in-network physician.
Cons - If you don't receive permission to see a non-network physician you may end up paying the entire bill.
Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to get individual health insurance quotes online from top-rated companies in your area and see how much you can save. You can get more health insurance tips by going to their "Articles" section.
The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written extensively on getting the best individual health insurance quotes online.