Health Insurance - What Are Your Health Insurance Choices

There are many different types of health insurance. Each has pros and cons. There is no one "best" plan. The plan that's right for a single person may not be best for a family with small children. And a plan that works for one family may not be right for another.

For example, if your family includes just two adults, it may be less expensive for each of you to have individual coverage than for just one of you to have a family plan. If you have children, or if you might have children soon, you need a family plan. Because your situation may change, review your health insurance regularly to make sure you have the protection you need.

Choosing a health insurance plan is like making any other major purchase: You choose the plan that meets both your needs and your budget. For most people, this means deciding which plan is worth the cost. For example, plans that allow you the most choices in doctors and hospitals also tend to cost more than plans that limit choices. Plans that help to manage the care you receive usually cost you less, but you give up some freedom of choice.

Cost isn't the only thing to consider when buying health insurance. You also need to consider what benefits are covered. You need to compare plans carefully for both cost and coverage.

Although there are many names for health insurance plans, the information here groups them as three main types:

• Fee-For-Service (or Traditional Health Insurance).
  
• Health Maintenance Organizations (or HMOs).
  
• Preferred Provider Organizations (or PPOs).

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