Major Medical Health Insurance Categories

In today's dangerous and unpredictable world, major medical health insurance is a necessity. Securing adequate insurance coverage is a prudent financial decision to have the resources needed in the event of medical emergencies. As a general practice, it is good to go regular medical check-ups. Medical problems that are detected early are easier to treat. If you happen to have children or other dependants, then include them into the major medical health insurance coverage that you plan to secure. Your family members' medical requirements will vary from person to person. Try to secure a plan that takes these varying requirements into consideration. Children will need greater outpatient care since they are likely to catch the common cold and the flu regularly. They may also need regular vaccinations. Adult members of the family will have a separate list of possible medical complaints based on hereditary predispositions, general state of health, past injuries or treatments and current ailments like diabetes. Subsequent to this section we review the various types of major medical health insurance plans that are available for people to consider in order to secure peace of mind in the event of future medical issues.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Health Maintenance Organizations or HMOs, are a kind of medical health insurance program where you pay a monthly premium beforehand. The range of cover for the premium paid includes a variety of preventive medical procedures, dental and optical coverage. Consumers who desire to choose HMOs have to select a doctor from a list of approved doctors that will be provided by the HMO. They must select one main doctor from an approved list of physicians. The downside of this is that you may have to terminate an existing long-term relationship with your current doctor simply because he may not belong to the HMO network.

The moment you choose your primary health doctor, he is going to be in charge of taking care of your medical needs. If he feels he is unable to cope with certain medical issues, he may recommend you to a specialist. Doctor visits, hospital stays, laboratory tests and drug prescriptions will require you to make co-payments if you are a member of a HMO.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

Preferred Provider Organizations or PPOs, are major medical health insurance programs that allow patients to chose whatever doctors they want. However certain physicians that belong to the insurance companies' "network" will offer discounted prices for services. For this reason most people who use PPOs for their major medical health insurance needs make it a habit to see only in-network doctors and specialists. PPOs still provide more freedom for patients than HMOs but are usually more costly too. Members of PPOs pay a monthly premium for coverage as well as co-payments at the time of service.

Point Of Service Plans (POS)

Point of service plans or POS plans, are a direct opposite of what Health Maintenance Organizations are. The main difference between them is that POS plans allow you to choose which doctors to see rather than being tied down to a primary physician. If you require medical treatment, you have essentially three options: you can decide to go to your primary health care physician and the HMO coverage will pay for that, or you can be covered under PPO and be covered by their in-network regulations or better still you can visit an out-of- network health provider and still receive cover under the PPO network rules.

Fee For Service Plans (FFS or Indemnity)

Fee For Service (FFS) or Indemnity, is one of the simplest major medical health insurance programs to comprehend. As a patient, you are free to go to any health care center you want for your medical treatment. The medical facility then submits a claim to your insurance carrier who has to pay the balance due to the health care center. The man disadvantage with FFS plans is the need for a patient to meet a large deductible before coverage begins. However, for people who do not have the habit of incurring costly medical bills, there is little chance that any of the services will fall outside of the deductible.

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