The purpose of health insurance is to cover or offset the cost of health expenses, whether medical or surgical, for insured individuals. There are a variety of health insurance plans available. Some types require the individual to pay up-front costs (also referred to as out-of-pocket costs) and be reimbursed later while other plans involve direct payments to the provider. To simplify the process of determining which health insurance plan is best for you, Wirefly offers free online quotes for comparing health insurance options in East Newport, ME.
Typically, health insurance plans in East Newport, ME are offered through private companies or employers. Senior citizens can also receive coverage through a program known as Medicare while low-income individuals can be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid and Medicare are both offered at lower rates than private insurance plans.
It is possible to select varying levels of coverage in health insurance plans. Lower cost plans may only offer coverage for catastrophic events, while more expensive plans would offer more complete coverage. In most cases, individuals attempt to anticipate their upcoming medical needs prior to choosing a specific coverage plan.
It is so hard for a person to predict what he might need in the form of health care services. People can evaluate what has occurred in recent years to anticipate what might happen in the years to come. If an individual is health and does not go to the doctor very often a low-cost plan will probably be adequate. However, if a person suffers from numerous health problems and are forced to go to the doctor regularly, they will need insurance that provides excellent coverage.
Catastrophic only insurance is the cheapest type of insurance offered in East Newport, ME. Individuals who are healthy and do not need regular visits to the doctor might want this type of insurance coverage. If a person has an emergency, this insurance will pay some of the bill. However, people who regularly participate in high-risk activities or who might have a dangerous profession, will want insurance coverage who will pay for trips to the emergency room or visits to the doctor.
If a person wants a low deductible, he will pay higher premiums for coverage. If an individual wants full coverage health insurance, he will pay a higher price each month. However, the insurance will pay most of the bill when medical issues arise. With full coverage, the insured should be able to see a doctor for whatever is needed, or he will be able to visit the emergency room for drastic situations. Therefore, when considering an insurance plan in East Newport, ME, people need to look at their way of life and past health problems to determine what they need to pay for health insurance. It is important for people to have basic coverage, and then they can decide what they can afford to add.
As in other areas of the country, there are many types of health plans available in East Newport, ME. Each plan can offer a similar level of coverage for subscribers but with varying levels of flexibility and practicality. HMO, PPO, POS, HSA, HRA, FSA, and MSA are some of the major types of plans available today. In order to choose the best option, the subscriber will want to understand the basics of each type of plan.
The first type of plan to mention is the HMO, or Health Maintenance Organization. HMO plans are made up of a network of physicians and requires you to have a primary care physician, or PCP. The PCP acts as gatekeeper to all your healthcare needs. If one needs the care of a specialist, he or she will have to see the PCP on file first to obtain a referral to the specialist. HMO plans will generally have lower premiums than other health insurance plans. Options on healthcare providers may be limited if physicians in the area don’t accept HMO plans. Costs on this type of plan are usually reasonable and predictable.
PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, is another popular type of plan in East Newport, ME. PPO plans have a large network of providers and doesn’t require a PCP. Specialists can be seen without referral and, as long as they are within the network of preferred providers, the subscriber will pay the preferred co-pay for services rendered. Most PPO plans have deductibles that must be met and limits for yearly out of pocket expenses.
Point of Service Plans, or POS, is a combination of an HMO and PPO plan. As long as the subscriber visits providers participating in the network, then the co-payments are low and there are no deductibles to be met. On the other hand, if a provider must be seen who is not in the provider network, then deductibles and high copayments will apply.
The other types of plans available to subscribers in East Newport, ME are not traditional but can be just as effective. These alternatives include the HSA (Health Savings Account), FSA (Flexible Spending Arrangement), and the MSA (Medical Savings Account). These accounts run on money set aside by the subscriber or their employer, usually from pre-tax wages, and is meant to be used to pay medical related expenses. These expenses include prescriptions, co-pays, and some accounts will even cover OTC medications. Unused money in these accounts at the end of the year may be able to roll over to the next year.
Deciding on the right health insurance plan can be difficult enough, but if you don’t know much about insurance terminology, you may not know what you’re getting yourself into. The premium is the amount that you will pay each month for your insurance coverage. You will not get this money back, even if you don’t use your insurance for several months in a row. Keep in mind that a higher premium usually means more options while a lower, budget-friendly premium typically means that you will have fewer options within your network.
When you have insurance coverage in East Newport, ME with a deductible, this is money that you must pay out to your doctor before your insurance company will begin to pay their share of your health care costs.
A deductible is different from out-of-pocket costs. Your deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying each year before your insurance provides you with coverage. Out-of-pocket costs are the money that you will spend for health care before your insurance plan will pay for 100 percent of your medical bills.
Your deductible and out-of-pocket costs reset at the beginning of each calendar year. With most policies, the expenses from the past year have an impact on your plan moving forward. Most plans will not allow your deductible from the previous year to rollover, however, there are some insurance plans in East Newport, ME that are an exception. These plans allow your past year’s deductible to roll over and go toward your deductible for the first part of the new year.
A co-payment is the amount that you are financially responsible for when you receive medical care. There are many health insurance policies in East Newport, ME that offer a copay of $20-$30 for a routine appointment with your doctor. This is the price that you pay every time you see your doctor. Your insurance plan will take care of the remaining balance on your bill. Co-payments do not go toward your deductible, and different companies offer different co-pay amounts for other services such as surgical procedures, lab work or prescription medication costs.
There are some insurance companies that offer a maximum lifetime benefit. This is the maximum amount that they will pay for your health care throughout your lifetime. Once the maximum amount has been reached, the company no longer pays for any medical claims.
Your employment status is another factor that can impact the health plans in East Newport, ME you are eligible for. If you work for a large corporation, you can usually enroll in their group health insurance plan. These plans can be very affordable and many people often choose a job based on whether they offer this type of healthcare coverage.
For those who are self-employed or unemployed, there are many affordable private or individual insurance plans there. And if you are over the age of 65 or are unable to work, you are eligible to receive free or low-cost health insurance solutions through the government with the Medicare program. Individuals or families that are considered low-income can apply for a similar type of government health insurance known as Medicaid.
If you want to continue seeing your current physician, be sure to find out if they take the insurance plan you have in mind before you switch. There are some plans that will not allow you to see a doctor that is outside their network, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider, or your East Newport, ME insurance representative any questions you may have before you enroll.
Signing up for health insurance is one of the greatest decisions you can make, for both and your family. The process may seem overwhelming as there are a number of things that can impact your health insurance plan options and rates. However, Wirefly makes getting a health insurance quote in East Newport, ME simpler than ever. All you need to do is enter your ZIP code.
It may be tempting to try to cut down on health insurance costs, but be sure you do not cut out any coverage that you actually do need. For instance, if you plan on having children later in life, you should choose a plan that covers maternity care. This way you will be prepared for the future and you will not need to worry about when the time comes. Do not try to cut down on coverage just to save a quick buck or two. Insurance premiums costs are never cheap, but ultimately, they are less expensive than paying medical bills without the help of health insurance. We here at Wirefly can help you save money on your health insurance and find the best insurance plans in East Newport, ME. Get your free quote today!
