Different health insurance plans pay for all of these functions in differing amounts and the premiums differ as well. Often, individuals will get access to a health care plan through their employer, which sometimes provide assistance on premium payment. As long as the individual remains current on their health insurance premium, they can count on receiving coverage. Health insurance generally covers:
Routine care- Routine procedures generally include physical examinations, regular tests, vaccines, booster shots and care for minor illness. Visiting a doctor regularly is important to ensure that no serious conditions develop. In general, the earlier that a serious condition is diagnosed by a doctor, the better the chances for recovery. Depending on the level of health care offered by the insurance plan, there may be no, some or complete coverage for such routine visits within certain limitations.
Emergency care- Emergencies include sudden injuries, acute illnesses, drug overdoses and other unexpected medical calamities. The emergency coverage provided by health insurance typically exceeds for mare predictable illnesses because of the reduced chances of their occurrence. This usually means a higher maximum payment and a lower deductible specifically for emergency. Emergency coverage can cover ancillary cost like ambulance fees as well.
Chronic conditions- Chronic conditions often require repeated treatment,extensive intervention and continual testing. As long as it’s not a pre -existing condition, health insurance companies will usually cover the bulk costs associated with such medical issues.
Pharmaceuticals- Pharmaceutical treatments, as long as they are prescribed by a doctor, are usually covered in large part by insurance plans. The deductible for pharmaceuticals can be quite high depending on the plan. As pharmacology is critical to the practice of modern medicine, almost every health insurance plan provision for at least some pharmaceutical usage for insurance holder.
Health care is changed since the days of family doctors and house calls. Today the rising cost of everything from prescription drugs to diagnostic treatments has turning us to managed care networks for workable health care solutions. Times may have changed, but there are still number of good alternative insurance options to consider. Health plans can be broken down into four basic categories, HMOs, POSs, PPOs and Free- for- Service (indemnity) plans.
Health Maintenance Organisation- By choosing an HMO plan, you will be paying for your coverage in advance, rather than paying for each health related service separately. For the price of your monthly premium, your HMO will offer you a range of benefits from preventative care to dental or vision coverage.
Point Of Service Plan- POS plans are HMO’s that allow you to control your own health care, rather than insisting on referrals from your primary care physician. Whenever you have medical need you will have three “point of service” choices.
Preferred Provider Organisation- your PPO plan negotiates lower overall fee arrangements with an assortment of doctors.