The Affordable Care Act (Obama Care)

Members can also receive service from providers outside of the network for a higher out-of-pocket cost. The major advantages of a PPO are flexibility and choice; for example, with a PPO you can get specialist visits covered without a referral from your primary care doctor.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
HMOs are a lower cost alternative to PPOs, offering less flexibility but also lower premiums. Unlike a PPO, HMO members must receive care from doctors, specialists and hospitals that are within the HMO’s network. With an HMO, you select a primary care physician, or PCP, who serves as your primary contact for all of your healthcare needs. In addition to providing general medical care, your PCP must also be consulted in order to see a specialist.

Short Term Medical Insurance
Also known as temporary health insurance, Short Term Plans cover major hospital, medical, and surgical expenses related to a covered illness or injury. Short Term Plans can be significantly cheaper than major medical plans, but they also offer less coverage. Short Term health insurance is ideal for people who are waiting for employer insurance to start, are between jobs, or who are just getting off their parents’ coverage.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Plans
Health Savings Account Plans allow you to put tax-free money away to cover healthcare costs. HSA Plans must be combined with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which is a plan that offers low premiums in exchange for a high deductible. HSAs and HDHPs complement each other because the income tax-free money that you put into your HSA can be used to pay for your deductible, should you ever require expensive medical care. HSAs are regulated by the IRS, and have similarities with other investment vehicles; for example, ownership can be transferred to a spouse tax-free if the account owner dies.